craig1632
asked on
skill set requirements to build a service provider marketing website like SitterCity
which programming language(s) should be used to create a website? what should such a website cost to have developed? what are key questions to ask to determine if a prospective developer has the required skills?
The website I need designed will include a service provider registration, recurring payments, and a client registration, a method for clients to search for a matching service provider given a set of criteria, a method for clients to contact the service provider, and a method for clients to leave feedback on service providers.
The website I need designed will include a service provider registration, recurring payments, and a client registration, a method for clients to search for a matching service provider given a set of criteria, a method for clients to contact the service provider, and a method for clients to leave feedback on service providers.
ASKER
Thank you for the thoughtful response.
I should clarify that I am interested in having a website developed with similar functionality. I refer to SitterCity only as it is well known. I do not expect that level of development. But I am interested in similar functionality.
As to the liability, there are many sites like this that are not offering more than a listing service. SitterCity does not handle any of the financial transaction, scheduling appointments, or anything more than showing the profile of the sitter, along with the background checks that the user has submitted to. Liability exposure may occur if their site does not provide accurate information that they have been provided about a Sitter. Regardless, there are ways to handle this liability. I do not expect the developer to be responsible for this.
I should clarify that I am interested in having a website developed with similar functionality. I refer to SitterCity only as it is well known. I do not expect that level of development. But I am interested in similar functionality.
As to the liability, there are many sites like this that are not offering more than a listing service. SitterCity does not handle any of the financial transaction, scheduling appointments, or anything more than showing the profile of the sitter, along with the background checks that the user has submitted to. Liability exposure may occur if their site does not provide accurate information that they have been provided about a Sitter. Regardless, there are ways to handle this liability. I do not expect the developer to be responsible for this.
Programming language - PHP/.net - which is preferable will depend if you intend to do maintenance yourself and/or which you are more comfortable with.
Database - MSSQL/MySQL - again this will depend on the programming language
JavaScript/jQuery
Geocoding
Payment API's - PayPal, PCI compliance implementation, merchant gateways - again will depend on how you take payments.
HTML5
Mobile platforms - you will need a responsive layout, or templates for smartphones/tablets.
Database - MSSQL/MySQL - again this will depend on the programming language
JavaScript/jQuery
Geocoding
Payment API's - PayPal, PCI compliance implementation, merchant gateways - again will depend on how you take payments.
HTML5
Mobile platforms - you will need a responsive layout, or templates for smartphones/tablets.
What you will find is on the front end it seems one way, then as you get into it, it gets more complex. Take google as an example. Search is a simple 2 page site, 1 page to search and 1 page for results. But getting from page 1 to page 2 is complex from crawling "ll sites to get data, automatically analyzing the data, serving data on multiple servers etc.
At basic you need to know html/css/js/jquery along with some type of server side language, understand data and databases and data servers, use web api's and understand GUI from gooey interface.
Understanding the tools and putting everything together is a little different. I would start with a storyboard first. From there, wireframe and flowchart. Find all the weak and trouble spots as far as using whatever you are building. Then work on coding one portion at a time and continually test. You may want to at least star by building all the screens in static html to your liking, Then getting help to make it all work.
At basic you need to know html/css/js/jquery along with some type of server side language, understand data and databases and data servers, use web api's and understand GUI from gooey interface.
Understanding the tools and putting everything together is a little different. I would start with a storyboard first. From there, wireframe and flowchart. Find all the weak and trouble spots as far as using whatever you are building. Then work on coding one portion at a time and continually test. You may want to at least star by building all the screens in static html to your liking, Then getting help to make it all work.
ASKER
Padas, Thank you for providing some of the process as it helps me think through what I am trying to do. My basic question does come from my interest in having my website developed.
can you provide a little more detail as to what each language is used for? Where there are options, what factors should be considered? Each developer seems to have their own preferences. Is this something I should be concerned about or are the all basically the same and fairly versatile for most needs given the functionality I am seeking (beyond a webpage).
Someone is suggesting using Ruby On Rails, another is saying Drubal7. I may have trouble finding someone to maintain these later.
Thanks!
can you provide a little more detail as to what each language is used for? Where there are options, what factors should be considered? Each developer seems to have their own preferences. Is this something I should be concerned about or are the all basically the same and fairly versatile for most needs given the functionality I am seeking (beyond a webpage).
Someone is suggesting using Ruby On Rails, another is saying Drubal7. I may have trouble finding someone to maintain these later.
Thanks!
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ASKER
Ray you are amazing! Thank you so much for such a thorough response! It begs one more question and since you are here I will ask it here but I will post it up rather than keep this thread going. In case you want to move on.
My rough projections:
6 months = 800 - 4,000 paying service providers & 5,000 - 20,000 clients,
1 year = 1,500 - 10,000 paying service providers & 25,000 - 100,000 of clients,
2 years = 10's of 1,000 of paying service providers & 100's of 1,000's of clients,
5 years = 80,000 paying service providers & millions of clients
After one year, or having met projections of even half the first six months low end projects, I will plan to upgrade. What types of things do I need to be mindful of or what type of person would I need on staff to manage this growth?
My rough projections:
6 months = 800 - 4,000 paying service providers & 5,000 - 20,000 clients,
1 year = 1,500 - 10,000 paying service providers & 25,000 - 100,000 of clients,
2 years = 10's of 1,000 of paying service providers & 100's of 1,000's of clients,
5 years = 80,000 paying service providers & millions of clients
After one year, or having met projections of even half the first six months low end projects, I will plan to upgrade. What types of things do I need to be mindful of or what type of person would I need on staff to manage this growth?
ASKER
Ray P really seemed to understand where my question was coming from and gave an appropriate answer. He went on to provide insights and areas of concern I was not aware of to consider without overwhelming this non-techie. I feel like he really understood my needs and interests and was able to clearly respond to my question. He was also able to provide links for my continued learning and understanding. I wish I could get answers like this all the time. This answer has made my time on Experts Exchange well worth my while. Thank you!
Thank you very much craig1632! I'm glad this thread helped you.
Are you referring to me (padas) or the author of the articles, Ray_Paseur?
Are you referring to me (padas) or the author of the articles, Ray_Paseur?
>begs one more question
I think that what you are looking for is for a new thread. To answer quickly though, it is not as much about the total users, but the amount of usage during the average minute and your biggest bottleneck is going to be your database. (See U.S. Healthcare website)
I think that what you are looking for is for a new thread. To answer quickly though, it is not as much about the total users, but the amount of usage during the average minute and your biggest bottleneck is going to be your database. (See U.S. Healthcare website)
ASKER
US Healthcare. C= I am glad I will not be that big.
Oh sorry padas and thank you for pointing that out. You deserve all the praise. Again!
Is there a way to edit that comment? I would like to make that correction.
Oh sorry padas and thank you for pointing that out. You deserve all the praise. Again!
Is there a way to edit that comment? I would like to make that correction.
If your business is something more modest with less liability, you could hire people to create a web site that was similar to SitterCity. But if you are going to refer service providers to clients, that does involve some liability. The business aspects will still be more important.