Suggestions for Website/Database Creation

[wrkgmom]

Hi,

I'm somewhat new here...lurked for a while and have posted here and there. My husband and I have an idea and are trying to gain an understanding as to the cost to create and implement.

I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions for finding a good person to create an ebay-like website? It would be marketed entirely different and be very niche...but I still need bidding capabilities such as on ebay.

Any suggestions one where to start would be great. I've gone to guru and elance but I don't even know what type of programmer/developer requirements I'm looking for. Or what type of cost I'm talking about.

Thanks!

[dsharpe]

Does it have to be done from scratch?

There are a number of auction scripts that are available for free or very reasonably priced.

I run a small web hosting service, and my server has one included (PHPauction) that can be installed with a click of the mouse. You can see more about the script and its features here: http://www.phpauction.net .

[Update]: I should point out that my server only has the GPL version of phpauction. (GPL=General Public License--ie, "free software")

I suspect that this is something offered by a number of webhosts. This would give you the ability to test your idea without expending thousands of dollars in development costs--something you want to avoid if at all possible!

So, cost to create: webhosting fees and some time.
Cost to implement: depends on how much you want to spend on creating the brand presence (logos/graphics, etc) and marketing.

Also, if your webhost does not offer an auction script, be sure that you at least have access to install and run scripts before you run out and purchase or download a script--a lot of hosting services block this access.

Hope this helps!
Dave

[wrkgmom]

This was extremely helpful. Exactly what I was looking for.
Can you email me your web hosting info?

Thanks! I'll keep you posted
Patrice

[kamakiri]

Just 2 cents worth of unsolicited advice, but why compete for eye balls with the big guys? No matter what you are selling, you will not compete with ebay, and they are basically the place people go to buy stuff online. With time, you can build a following, but starting off with your own site might not be the best route for you.

I read this yesterday on entrepreneur.com: Consider Starting Small (http://www.entrepreneur.com/startingabusiness/inventing/inventionscolumnisttamaramonosoff/article189402.html)

It is not directly about online sales, but you can extrapolate most of it to this business, and the grassroots approach advice is great for any product. Running an Amazon store and ebay store will give you a far bigger customer base (even if they aren't looking specifically for your product), and you can do both parallel with your own site if you want.

[wrkgmom]

Thanks. I always appreciate unsolicited advice. But truthfully I wouldn't be competing with ebay. I just want their type of cababilities (account mgmt, bid management, fiscal tracking, etc). The audience I'd be going after is completely different then the people that go to ebay. Also, I feel that ebay has grown so large that I'm looking to create a niche site aimed at a different audience altogether.

The starting small article is great. Thanks for sharing. The site I'm planning (and it's literally just an idea I'm researching at this point) has infinite possibilities...but I will definitely be starting small with it.

[dsharpe]

Sorry it took so long to get back to you.

The webhosting is one of the things I'm eliminating, so I'll just make a recommendation: http://www.hostgator.com

I've been very happy with them, and they have a very easy-to-use interface that doesn't require a PhD in computer science to navigate.

As you're looking at the various options, be sure that your choice has Fantastico and phpAuction--I believe that the Baby Gator option has that capability, with plenty of bandwidth, etc for about $5/month.

It's a low-cost way to test an idea, and if it grows to need more bandwidth or other features, it's very easy to upgrade without having to reload things.

Hope this helps!
Dave