At 5:38 PM -0400 3/27/08, BAS wrote:
Hi Marc,
Yes, I've got 11 years of experience with static sites and I've even
done some simple custom CMS work, but I've never tried integrating
an existing CMS package with a bunch of other stuff. My PHP skills
are at the lower end of intermediate, so this is going to be a
challenge & learning experience for me.
Your practical example and advice re testing & other possible
gotchas is much appreciated (as is your humor). The only other
dynamic site I've worked with was for a real estate agent. I used
Open-Realty and modifying the templates was a PITA--it wasn't
difficult, just (as you mentioned) mind-numbingly boring having to
pick through gobs of PHP code to find the template bits & HTML, make
a change, upload, test, try again. Ugh.
Many thanks,
Bev
Bev:
Some of the biggest problems I've had with clients is getting them to
agree and adhere to a certain layout. Without a solid foundation,
your site can fall apart very quickly -- especially when your client
starts to add and change stuff.
I had one client recently who had a front page that had a static six
item menu on the left and a variable (0-16 items) "things of
interest" link list on the right. The client said that he wanted the
top and bottom of both (the menu and "things of interest") to
line-up. The client hadn't really thought this out. So, that took
time for me to explain the problem and I billed for it. This was an
example of how a client can waste your time if you allow it. Bill for
everything (including emails explaining things), but deliver what you
say you will on time, without problems, and clients will respect your
work and come back.
As for contracts, a letter agreement outlining what is going to be
done for what money is good to reflect back on for reference. But, if
you want an iron-clad legal contract so you can take someone to court
for not paying for a $5k project, then you haven't sued anyone
before. My last suit cost me $20k over a $10k dispute. IMO, it's not
worth it. So, get 50% up front and the remainder when done.
If the client won't pay (been stung two times in the last 12 years),
then just don't work for him again and move on. Simple, but effective.
If you run into problems coding, organize and illustrate the problem
and drop it on us. Usually someone has been there before. You see,
doing CMS and dynamic sites are really simple things to accomplish.
Most of us have done it more than once.
Good luck.
tedd
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http://sperling.com http://ancientstones.com http://earthstones.com
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