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buster

Beach Fanatic
Feb 19, 2006
285
47
SoWal
I heard the TDC's 4 year-old website is done for and that a new one has been estimated at $250,000. Serious question.
 
OMG! That can't be answered quickly. It depends on what one is willing to pay for. Static content is one thing. But a real website has dynamic content, including a user-friendly CMS, online Q&A and possibly chat, PHP/MySQL (free) or some other technology for database management (storage and queries), and so many other things. The fonts, the graphic design, etc., must be spot on, it should be easy to navigate, it should be idiot-proofed for invalid user input, etc. Oh, and security must be of utmost importance if people are entering personal info into a GUI interface (or even a text interface) to avoid lawsuits, as well as encryption of data entry and transmission (although that is not bullet-proof, as evidenced by HeartBleed). Just a brief and incomplete outline of what some of the cost factors involve.
 

Zebraspots

Beach Fanatic
May 15, 2008
840
247
Santa Rosa Beach
How much did the last one cost? And does it have the things Beach Runner listed?
 

Matt J

SWGB
May 9, 2007
24,646
9,496
The other issue is are they building it from the ground up or utilizing a base software such as Wordpress? Wordpress can be customized enough to fool even the most discerning nerd. It's free and has a very good update/patch history. In fact a local website company has used it for years for extremely overpriced websites, even violating copyright and terms of use, by altering it to look like their own custom proprietary system.

I also think that the actual traffic should be analyzed to determine an actual need. Low traffic doesn't mean you need a new website, it could simply mean that prior users have learned how to Google specifically what they are looking for.

Hopefully it'll actually be sent out for bid as opposed to the no bid write a check to a buddy system previously used.
 
WordPress was primarily designed as a blogging tool with online publishing capabilities for those without the expertise to write the code themselves. It does create some nice-looking sites. However it's definitely not a substitute for a real website -- it's too limited in its capabilities.
 

Teresa

SoWal Guide
Staff member
Nov 15, 2004
30,250
9,279
South Walton, FL
sowal.com
WordPress was primarily designed as a blogging tool with online publishing capabilities for those without the expertise to write the code themselves. It does create some nice-looking sites. However it's definitely not a substitute for a real website -- it's too limited in its capabilities.

I've heard Word Press has greatly expanded and offers much more for web design and creation for bigger web platforms these days. But, I'm no expert!
 

Matt J

SWGB
May 9, 2007
24,646
9,496
Wordpress can do almost anything with plugins and the majority of them are free. In fact some major corporations use Wordpress as the core of their website.
 

BBSeagroveBeach

Beach Comber
Apr 4, 2011
25
0
Local - I sure could use some advice. I need help with mine in GA

QUOTE="L0CAL;804841"]Wordpress can do almost anything with plugins and the majority of them are free. In fact some major corporations use Wordpress as the core of their website.[/QUOTE]
 

Matt J

SWGB
May 9, 2007
24,646
9,496
I'm out of the website game. I can direct you to someone though. Sent me a PM with your contact info and I'll pass it along.
 
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