Website Proposal

What to do?

[aek]

Hi all, I was wondering if some of the experts around here might be able to help. I've been given a proposal for an e-commerce site which is a bit daunting, although it will be worth big big bucks if I can accomplish it. I'm not a expert developer, but I have designed a couple of database driven sites using asp and access. I also know people who I could outsource some of the work to if I'm unable to do it.

Following is the proposal I have been sent and I was wondering if asp using a sql database would be suitable technologies to use, and whether this could be accomplished by one person from scratch in 1-2 months.

For this kind of project I imagine there is a set procedure I should follow, I'm not really sure where I should start. i.e database design, functionality etc.

Also does anyone know what Microsoft Team Links are?

I don't think I have the knowledge to be able to take this on, but if I did it, it would pay for one hell of a holiday.

All help, ideas, links to suitable recources would be greatly appreciated,

Thanks in advance,

Bertie

WEBSITE PROPOSAL

Structure

. By type of item
. By price range
. “Shop Window”
. Detailed Sales Sheet (the main data set)
. Terms and conditions
. Sales Tools

Overarching, I’d like a regional division – like USA, Australia, UK France etc.. The idea is that everything other than Data Sheet could be customized for region. I’d also like frequent visitor recognition, so when someone comes into the site, they can pre-select their interest, and next time get just that. Also I want to be able to do subscription emailing. I’m thinking Microsoft Team Links could be a good background engine for folks that want that, it would give them the ability to discuss topics among themselves, and with the seller specific items.

The prime data elements are the Detailed Sales Sheets, with each showing:

. Category
. Number
. Date
. Source
. Short Description
. Long Description
. Picture (simple)
. Picture (complex - 3D)
. Picture (highlights –1)
. Picture (highlights - 2)
. Picture (highlights – 3)
. Measures basis (inches, metric)
. Measures – height
. measures -- width
. Measures -- depth
. Price in base currency
. Base currency type
. Shipping source
. Special Issues
. Special terms
. Additional Comments

I envisage three views of the Detail sheet; a simple view, a more complete view and a detailed (complete) view. All of the detail information needs to be held in a simple SQL database, and the whole web item needs to be data driven, with a table for each of the variable elements (measure type, regions etc.).

In terms of navigation, I see the “shop window” as the normal point of entry; this to show a series of Items that randomly change daily. The shop window would have have an entry point to a “new items section”, which would have the same format as the shop window, but contain the newest ten items (sorted on date) of the Detail Sales sheets.

I then see a “shop window” for each category, again randomly changing each day, and again having a new items for that category. And a shop window for price ranges, again with a new items window.

The entry to the data sheets would be to all items (from any of the windows), or for all sheets of a specific category or price range, or both; all of this selectable by simple buttons and ranges/pull downs. Included would be currency pull-downs so the user could see the price in his/her own currency, or others.

Once into a detail sheet, the user could drill down from the simple (the first point of entry) to the most detailed). At any point that a detail sheet is selected, the user must be able to go into a buying process.

[Nick_W]

Call up someone who can definately do it. You're in a position to get a damn good price as you know what it will take (at least roughly) and they can't muck you around.

Skim off 20% for yourself and claim full credit for the work, stick it on the company site and do it agian ;);)

Nick

[aek]

That's a possibility. But I've been recommended to him by a good friend of mine who in turn is a good friend of the client so I don't want to get someone else to do it and take the credit/money. I'd rather just tell him to get in touch with the person I know who can do it.

I think I could persuade him to give me a couple of weeks to research it and see if I'm able to do it as he knows I'm not an expert, and I'll also be quoting him a price lower than he will get from a large web design firm.

If I'm upfront and tell him I probably am not the best man for the job, but I'm willing to give it a go and if not I know someone who can. I don't mind if not cos I'll learn alot along the way.

[rmjvol]

I'd rather just tell him to get in touch with the person I know who can do it.

I agree with Nick. A BIG part of doing business is being able to bring the right resources together. Sometimes those resources are entierly within your personal skillset. Sometimes the resources are people on your "team."

Your management of the project is worth the cost to the client even if the other person does most or all the grunt work.

Good luck,
rmjvol

[txbakers]

Call me. I can do it. I'll give you a 20% commission.