Website for photographers

[RAWcop]

Hey all,
A while back I had an idea for a website for photographers to use. Without giving away too many details, I want to know where/how to start. Basically, it is a community based site (not a forum) for photographers to add to and build.

There is something similar to what I want to build, but it does not have the same features.

So where do I start? I have a domain name set aside already, but the .com version of it is already taken.

[dlambert]

It sounds like you've got a couple strikes against you already. You're fighting an uphill battle trying to build a web presence without the .com domain, and it sounds like you need to find yourself a web developer, unless I'm missing something,

[cyber3d]

I agree with Dlambert, not having the .com will be confusing to anyone searching out your site name.

The quality and sophistication of your site will depend on the quality and sophistication of your web developer - how much money are you willing to invest? That's the question I would ask. And will you have ROI.

Educate yourself before you venture into a frustrating venture. May be enroll in a web development course at a local college if not just to get more familiar with the process.

[RAWcop]

Originally Posted by dlambert

It sounds like you've got a couple strikes against you already. You're fighting an uphill battle trying to build a web presence without the .com domain, and it sounds like you need to find yourself a web developer, unless I'm missing something,

I am not too worried about the domain name right now. What do web developers usually charge? From what I can find via Google search for my area, all of the web developers are ..... well, lame. Their work is something I can make on any webpage design site. Heck, I already have one that I made that looks just as good as the ones they are providing.
I guess I need something that is more advanced then what they have to offer. Does anyone here recommend a good developer?

[BuddhaPi]

in my area we charge 125.00 + per hour, or you could go offshore ( India ) and pay 5.00 per hr, then after all is said and done come back to the states and pay again..

[Skoropada]

From what I can find via Google search for my area, all of the web developers are ..... well, lame. Their work is something I can make on any webpage design site. Heck, I already have one that I made that looks just as good as the ones they are providing.

You also have to think about what's behind a site. If you want some more advanced features you'll have to do some programming (user access, database management, etc).

[RAWcop]

Hmmm... looks like I will have to think about going about this a different way.

[travelpat]

The least you have to do is to talk to somebody who has experience with building websites.

There is so much more to it than meets the eye. Speaking of eye, the actual design is often just a small part. If you want to build a community-focused site, you'll end up with a massive back-end and if that wasn't build by an experienced developer/company you're in heaps of trouble.

Creating concepts and drafts alone will cost you four-digits or more, depending on the size of the project and the level of professionalism you're getting.

Yes, you might be up to something but most stories that sound like yours don't end well. Actually they hardly ever start.

[3bayjunkie]

im working on a photography portfolio social community website and it is a lot of work. even if you know some about web design it is a lot of work. so if you don't know anything about it, you have a long dark and dreary road ahead of you

[RAWcop]

Originally Posted by travelpat

The least you have to do is to talk to somebody who has experience with building websites.

There is so much more to it than meets the eye. Speaking of eye, the actual design is often just a small part. If you want to build a community-focused site, you'll end up with a massive back-end and if that wasn't build by an experienced developer/company you're in heaps of trouble.

Creating concepts and drafts alone will cost you four-digits or more, depending on the size of the project and the level of professionalism you're getting.

Yes, you might be up to something but most stories that sound like yours don't end well. Actually they hardly ever start.

Yes, I have heard that before. But every good website had to start somewhere. I am sure DPS was once a wild idea by someone.