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I have built many websites in the past using Dreamweaver, Flash, Fireworks and am self-taught. As a recent graduate I want to build a small database for my Program (500 or so entries) and have several requirements:
- must be low maintenance
- users can register if they graduated
- users can access and update their own details
I was planning on getting some money from the school and hiring someone to do it but am realizing that this will either (a) not happen, (b) take forever. I am therefore wondering whether I am up to the job!
- where should I start?
- is there a good book that will walk me through it or software that would make it simple?
- should I get hire someone to do it?
- how much is a reasonable price?
Your help is, as ever, much appreciated.
Thanks.
Start with your requirements, write down what the program should do in reasonable detail (functional requirements). Include non-functional requirements like backup, availability, access, permissions. For one of these id think 3/4 pages of spec is suffiecient. If you cant do the spec you will struggle to build/buy a solution.
- is there a good book that will walk me through it or software that would make it simple?
No, books may help at university level, but be realistic spend some money, get some advice, buy some software.
- should I get hire someone to do it?
Depends if you have the skills/experience yourself or not. But If you dont youll risk hiring the wrong person anyway, so purchasing an exisiting solution may be better.
- how much is a reasonable price?
Why not start with how much you have and then try and get the best value?
But, looking at other alumi solutions, and they need to look decent and work properly :) - I would go for a minimum of around
£2K web design
£1K Database and programming, man-hours or purchases
£1K project management
£200 a year hosting
Of course you always could get a free script of the web, free hosting and design it yourself.
