Off Topic: Need Web Content Management Advice PLEASE!!!

[xpanda]

I'll start by saying that when it comes to anything to do with websites (other than how to waste a collossal amount of time at one) I know diddly. My business partner and I are currently developing a website (finally, we're a little slow here) and have received a proposal from a web developer.

In the quote, it's suggested that we use Ektron CMS400. With the implementation, software itself, training, blah blah, it's going to run us about $15k CAD. It does seem pretty idiot-proof, though.

Bearing that in mind, is this the best out there? I've thought of just getting FrontPage or DreamWeaver and taking a couple of courses (we will be responsible for the content management which will amount to a couple of hours daily) or are these too much work for such a changeable site?

Help!!!

Oh, and thanks!

 

[SportSavant]

Xpanda, I am also looking for a Web Developper.

My business partner & I have looked into hiring a WEBMASTER GURU from INDIA.

That is right, INDIA.

you can get some Geek who will charge you about 10-15$ an hour to build the website for you....

they are very knowledgable & speak PERFECT english....

further more you do not have to sign a long term agreement with them.

 

[xpanda]

Not looking for a web designer, just advice on the content management end of things. The after-market stuff, if you will.

 

[sharky99]

GL with that xpanda. HEY SAVANT, where are you in Quebec? I know a quality guy in Montreal, he works for himself and has a small team with him. He's done many contracts big and small. I used to work with him a couple of years ago at a .com. If you want to contact him let me know, I guess it will give you another option.

 

[sherman]

check out www.elance.com

you can post what you need and people will respond from all over the world with what they can do and how much they bid on the project...they get ratings from the users and have scores similar to the ebay concept. i have used it before with much success. good luck....

 

[Jarbo]

I'll start by saying that when it comes to anything to do with websites (other than how to waste a collossal amount of time at one) I know diddly. My business partner and I are currently developing a website (finally, we're a little slow here) and have received a proposal from a web developer.

In the quote, it's suggested that we use Ektron CMS400. With the implementation, software itself, training, blah blah, it's going to run us about $15k CAD. It does seem pretty idiot-proof, though.

Bearing that in mind, is this the best out there? I've thought of just getting FrontPage or DreamWeaver and taking a couple of courses (we will be responsible for the content management which will amount to a couple of hours daily) or are these too much work for such a changeable site?

Help!!!




Oh, and thanks!

That's like hiring a Tout to make your Bets.

What business are you in?

 

[xpanda]

I don't understand what you mean? You are saying we shouldn't hire web developers or purchase content management software?

The business is advertising/public relations.

 

[THE SHRINK]

xpanda,

My hunch is Lander would be someone who could answer this question for ya...

So where are you Lander?

 

[orbit]

xPanda,

$15K sounds like a lot of money for a content management system! I guess the question is "Do you really need a full blown CMS"? You say you are in advertising/PR so how much do you think you are going to be changing your site every day that justifies such a large outlay of money for CMS ... the fact that you have not had a website up until now tells me that it is not an intrgral part of the business and therefore may not need to be integrated with a CMS until you can justify it.

I would do this analysis ... if you foresee some minor changes ... even 1 or 2 hours a month in changes then get a web coder to do the changes for you (or use Dreamweaver or Macromedia Contribute) until the point where you are updating the website so much that you can foresee a time when you will spend more than $15K on the web developer to do the updates ... then get the CMS

O.

 

[RPM]

The business is advertising/public relations.

k:

 

[Jarbo]

I don't understand what you mean? You are saying we shouldn't hire web developers or purchase content management software?

The business is advertising/public relations.

My suggestion is to hire College Students as Interns. Students that specialize in this are quite easy to find and you might find a potental new employee and you can learn from them as you go.

Standard off the shelf products should easily handle a small business as yours.

 

[xpanda]

xPanda,

$15K sounds like a lot of money for a content management system! I guess the question is "Do you really need a full blown CMS"? You say you are in advertising/PR so how much do you think you are going to be changing your site every day that justifies such a large outlay of money for CMS ... the fact that you have not had a website up until now tells me that it is not an intrgral part of the business and therefore may not need to be integrated with a CMS until you can justify it.

I would do this analysis ... if you foresee some minor changes ... even 1 or 2 hours a month in changes then get a web coder to do the changes for you (or use Dreamweaver or Macromedia Contribute) until the point where you are updating the website so much that you can foresee a time when you will spend more than $15K on the web developer to do the updates ... then get the CMS

O.

Thanks for this reply. We are actually expecting to have around 10-15 hours per week of content changes as part of an expansion of sorts. It's complicated and I don't want to give away any trade secrets here. lol.

Do you know anything about Ektron and how it compares to Dreamweaver in terms of ease of use or functionality?

Thanks.