Requirememts for a Site I found...

[str0ngh01d]

I copied this from something on a website I am on. It's a freelance website. This was one of the jobs or bids as you call it. I was just wondering how you would go about doing this. I understand html and I am pretty good with php. But I've never heard of the backend. I am familar with mysql. It sounds like a rather easy task. Am I wrong?


Requirements:
-size: 10-15 pages
-style html/php (php for order system)
-backend: mysql order system (simple/custom programmed)
--->DETAIL of order system: (see front page in the attachment, the layout is done)
The backend would be a simple (name/address/phone/order placement) along with box for a tracking # and minor details (like order shipped/not shipped etc.) – see sample
-time to complete: 4 days
-the project is already started, so you are following a basic template

other requirements:
-website needs to be clean and not loaded with unnecessary code
-buyer friendly, meaning layout and graphics (although already started) should be buyer friendly
-search engine and load friendly --- needs to load fast, and not overload hosting with queries

-we reserve the right to make changes to the site during and after the design and testing phase

[StephanieCordray]

I copied this from something on a website I am on. It's a freelance website. This was one of the jobs or bids as you call it. I was just wondering how you would go about doing this. I understand html and I am pretty good with php. But I've never heard of the backend. I am familar with mysql. It sounds like a rather easy task. Am I wrong?

Requirements:
-size: 10-15 pages
-style html/php (php for order system)

This is a basic shopping cart.

-backend: mysql order system (simple/custom programmed)

Depending on how much knowledge of mySQL and php you have this could be a difficult task as it requires a bit of code hacking.

--->DETAIL of order system: (see front page in the attachment, the layout is done)

This is pretty standard even with most ready made carts.

The backend would be a simple (name/address/phone/order placement) along with box for a tracking # and minor details (like order shipped/not shipped etc.) – see sample

See the above backend comments.

-time to complete: 4 days
-the project is already started, so you are following a basic template

Regardless of having something already started, 4 days would not be long enough to do the custom coding they will expect as part of the package. Taken with the below spec of a testing phase, this is one I would turn down. They seem to want a lot for a little.

other requirements:
-website needs to be clean and not loaded with unnecessary code
-buyer friendly, meaning layout and graphics (although already started) should be buyer friendly
-search engine and load friendly --- needs to load fast, and not overload hosting with queries

-we reserve the right to make changes to the site during and after the design and testing phase

While changes to the site are to be expected, this would worry me a bit as no time limit has been specified for a testing phase but they want it done in 4 days. I would ask what their expectations are other than having it done "yesterday". You could walk into a trap of having to do a lot of work on this site for months without any kind of monetary compensation and unable to take on new projects at the same time.

[zkiller]

Originally Posted by str0ngh01d

But I've never heard of the backend. I am familar with mysql.

the database is the "backend".

It sounds like a rather easy task. Am I wrong?

given there expectations, this could be a very hard one to complete. it would be nice to know how much of the site is completed already and whether it's worth a damn or not. you might end up merely cleaning up someone else's mess.

-we reserve the right to make changes to the site during and after the design and testing phase

that's another thing that would make me decline the offer. since they already give a rediculasly short deadline of just 4 days. depending on how drastic these changes are, you will have to back in and adapt to them with your code/layout. while not a big deal, this can be rather time consuming.

[str0ngh01d]

OK thanks. I'm trying to build a few sites to start a portfolio. Can I build like a "bogus" site one weekend, just to use for a portfolio. I have my site www.joshbutcher.com, and I was thinking about starting a store site, selling stuff. Any ideas on something else I could use to build a site.

[zkiller]

something i can only recommend as a former web developer is to create a number of useful scripts in there most basic form that can be reused on any projects you encounter. this will help you productivity greatly.

something i did was create various sites which i called "design concepts". they were merely skeletons of random site/design ideas i had. i added these to my portfolio along with any projects that i had completed, to help give potential costumers a better idea as to what i was able to do for them. personally i feel these portrayed my abilities better than any clients site which i worked on, simple because i was able to let me imagination do the talking and set the limitations, rather than a client.

also, don't start to many projects at once, or none will ever see there full potential. i know because i have been there and back. lol

good luck!

[StephanieCordray]

Originally Posted by str0ngh01d

OK thanks. I'm trying to build a few sites to start a portfolio. Can I build like a "bogus" site one weekend, just to use for a portfolio. I have my site www.joshbutcher.com, and I was thinking about starting a store site, selling stuff. Any ideas on something else I could use to build a site.

That's not a bad idea, honestly. If you do up a bogus site, or two or three, according to some of the specs you see on freelance sites, it will give you an idea of difficulty and time to completion, and EXPERIENCE.

[str0ngh01d]

Thanks for all the help. I guess i can use php to integrate a shopping cart. would that be too difficult to start from scratch? im 21 yrs old, and ive been teaching myself this stuff for the past few years. i seem to be able to teach myself better than anyone else can. ive known html for about 6 or 7 yrs. im just tryin to fill in the gaps.

[StephanieCordray]

I'd start with a free ready made cart if you don't know very much php. You can get an idea of how the code works and fits together from that, then from there you can start learning more and eventually make your own.

[zkiller]

Originally Posted by str0ngh01d

Thanks for all the help. I guess i can use php to integrate a shopping cart. would that be too difficult to start from scratch? im 21 yrs old, and ive been teaching myself this stuff for the past few years. i seem to be able to teach myself better than anyone else can. ive known html for about 6 or 7 yrs. im just tryin to fill in the gaps.

it all depends on how well you understand php at this point. either way it can't hurt though. i would suggest trying something less smaller less complex first and work yourself up from there.

[shahzadmasih]

Hi, This post is very informative, however I would like some specific information. If someone can help me then please send me a private message. Best Regards,