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View Full Version : Webdesign Company Concept


Snetty
07-15-2005, 08:07 PM
I already run a webdesign company (link in sig), but i'd like some advice on a project we're currently working on.

We're setting up a spin-off company to provide very cheap automated websites, that can be fully updated by the customer. Customers will be able to buy pre-made designs, or opt for custom (still cheap, but quality) designs, and prelisted pages.

The reason for needing help, is that my plans for setting it up are a little complex, and very very focused on reducing setup time at my end.

I plan to run every site, every admin control panel from a single database. Each site will contain a single php page that will probably be about 4 lines long, just containing an "include" function to the primary code held on the main site. So that if it needs updating later, i only have to change one page, not repeat for every customer. All of the designs will be stored in the database, css and xhtml alike. Images will be stored on the main domain and linked from there.

I'm pretty new to php and mysql, so this is going to be a challenge for me. The main pitfall that I can see to this plan is that if I screw up the main page, then every site will go down. The other thing is that server load is probably going to take a hit, as the database will be used for absolutely everything. I'm guessing once i've got a few hundred customers I'm going to need a dedicated server, but that also depends on what sort of hits my customers are getting.

Can anyone think of any other pitfalls?

mlseim
07-16-2005, 06:41 PM
I've never looked into the demands of "canned" sites.

Do you have customers demanding this kind of thing?

I could see a pitfall as being the site too limited for future needs.
Someone with little experience will pay for a site, and realize quickly
that the site cannot meet other needs, such as online catalogs, galleries,
merchant sales, customized forms, etc.

My personal guess is that you'll spend a lot of time on this and find out
very few people will actually sign-up. (just my opinion).

Snetty
07-17-2005, 12:03 AM
I'm not concerned about the marketing for this, it's geared to a very specific market, with very limited needs, so i'll never need things like catalogues etc.

All i'm concerned about is the technical aspects. Thanks for your response though.

mark87
07-17-2005, 12:26 AM
Well, it could work... it would be simple to add php (well, any server-side language) scripts to manage uploading and management of files. I'd be wary though - you'd be surprised how easily exploitable scripts can be - you wouldn't want it to get round that your company has allowed for a mass deletion/amendment of user files, especially when they are paying for the service.

Which brings me onto my other point, what would make you any different from using a freewebs/netfirms/any-other-free-website-provider?

Just a few things you need to think about really. :)

Snetty
07-17-2005, 10:48 AM
Which brings me onto my other point, what would make you any different from using a freewebs/netfirms/any-other-free-website-provider?

I'll let you know in a couple of months when i'm set to go. ;)