Please advise Webmaster with a Ruby app

[amast]

Hello,

I paid a Ruby agency over $40k to have a Ruby on Rails site developed. Now it's done and is working fine.

The issue now is that I'm not a developer, and I can't afford to hire one. For every single change to the site (e.g. change the header, add some analytics code, add a Twitter button) I'm getting charged a minimum of 1 hour's work at their hourly rate which is pretty high.

I don't mind paying the agency for new development work, but by getting billed for these tiny things I'm feeling like my hands are really tied and I can't tweak anything.

I'm thinking of hiring a Rails developer with a good rating from say Elance.com for $25/hr, to use on an ad-hoc basis, say 1-2 hours per week for small changes here and there for a much lower cost.

- Do you think this is a practical idea?

- Would it take the developer too long to familiarize himself with the code? Or does he not need to know the full inner workings to do simple changes?

- Is there a big risk of the developer screwing up the site, or stealing the code?

Thanks a lot for any advice and input, would really appreciate it!

Adam

[Wed Designer]

Instead of hiring a freelance / contract base developer, I suggest you to contact to a professional company that have team of professional, committed, work for pride and want to build healthy relationship with you in future. Better to hire those who near to you or at least you can visit them. Set terms and condition and sign a contract with them.

If you still feel problem to find the good one, contact to me. Hopefully try to settle your query and give you peace of mind so you can concentrate on your other business areas.

Good Luck.

[amast]

Thanks for your advice - I am already working with a professional company, it's just that I'm getting charged a lot for small changes.

That's the reason I'm thinking of getting a freelancer for small jobs - I'm just wondering whether that's a good or practical idea. Or perhaps I should try to learn how to do those changes myself!

[Wed Designer]

I'm just wondering whether that's a good or practical idea. Or perhaps I should try to learn how to do those changes myself!

If you are having problem then it's good to learn some basic things and do at least some changes yourself to save cost and time for your business.

When I started my career in 1999, I learned that my manager finance (now he's Director Finance) has learned Oracle, Unix, VB and Web Designing. Whenever our programmers told that it's not possible to implement, he came and perform that task himself. Due to his willingness he developed a strong ERP system in company as well as for online customers.

[amast]

Hi, yes sometimes it's difficult to find the time, but I think I will try to learn the basics, thanks a lot for your advice.