What kind of website is this?

hgray · 01-11-2013, 07:43 PM

I am hoping to build a website that allows the visitor to design their own product X by selecting designs using radio buttons and enter text in a designated area on the design, all of which can be seen real time as they make their selections. When they have finished designing what they like, they can download a copy of what they made.

I have a wordpress site and I know basic HTML and CSS, but as I started looking into this interactive preview building and saving stuff, I am clueless. I don't even know the buzz words for what this kind of site is called. Any ideas?

I guess it is sort of like a T-shirt design site where people pick the color of the shirt, what picture they want on the shirt, and add text if they want to, all with a preview window for them to see what choices they are making before saving.

Thanks for your help!

j4v3d · 01-11-2013, 11:03 PM

I think that is going to have to go beyond your HTML/CSS skills. You will have to look at using Javascript/jQuery - validations and all sorts.

Will the user be able to log in if they want to come back and finish making off their designs based on your options?

hgray · 01-12-2013, 02:12 AM

Thanks for your reply j4v3d!

I wasn't looking to have accounts quite yet, but if I was able to get this thing up and running it would be a good idea to add that functionality on later.

So javascript and jquery...I have some reading to do! I suppose I could just hire someone to, but what is the fun in that?

felgall · 01-12-2013, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hgray

So javascript and jquery...

Make sure that you learn JavaScript properly before trying to learn JQuery. JQuery is itself written in JavaScript and most people who try to learn JQuery without knowing enough JavaScript first find that they can't use it properly - they often end up with 20+ JQuery statements to do what a couple of lines of ordinary JavaScript without needing JQuery could do.

As not everyone has JavaScript enabled you will also need to have sufficient server side processing to allow those people to use the site - even if they do have to press ten times as many buttons to get to the same point as those with JavaScript do.