So my work place is looking to redesign their website

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LuckyTaxi

Diamond Member
Dec 24, 2000
6,044
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... and they're thinking of outsourcing it to an outside firm. It's a small private school and some of the requirements include a DB in the backend, photo gallery and mailing list. No more updating the site with downloading an HTML file and then uploading it. everything needs to be done online. I am their network administrator/web developer.

I was told there are three options.

1 - hire a firm to redesign the entire site (approx $25k - $30k)
2 - outsource it to my company (I have a IT consultating company on the side)
3 - hire a firm to consult with me so I can create the site

I think they are leaning to option 1. Why? Because they like to waste money. They favor option 3 if they can save money but they wont do option 2 for some reason. I doubt it'll be a conflict of interest since my boss wouldnt care, but the board feels better knowing a "professional" is at the helm. I would be pissed if they just hired someone to do the whole thing as I would've done it for practically NOTHING. I had plans of doing so anyways, but the board rather hires a design firm.

it's sad if you ask me, because in the past 2 months I've created from scratch, a helpdesk system (similar to Kayako) and a mailing list system. Both using PHP and mysql. I had planned on doing the same for our website. I wasnt even going to ask for any compensation and I just wanted to be able to put it in my portfolio. Anyways, I would be pissed if they hired a firm to consult with me. That would be a slap in my face.
 
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boggsie

Platinum Member
Mar 31, 2000
2,326
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Originally posted by: lilcam
... and they're thinking of outsourcing it to an outside firm. It's a small private school and some of the requirements include a DB in the backend, photo gallery and mailing list. No more updating the site with downloading an HTML file and then uploading it. everything needs to be done online. I am their network administrator/web developer.

I was told there are three options.

1 - hire a firm to redesign the entire site (approx $25k - $30k)
2 - outsource it to my company (I have a IT consultating company on the side)
3 - hire a firm to consult with me so I can create the site

I think they are leaning to option 1. Why? Because they like to waste money. They favor option 3 if they can save money but they wont do option 2 for some reason. I doubt it'll be a conflict of interest since my boss wouldnt care, but the board feels better knowing a "professional" is at the helm. I would be pissed if they just hired someone to do the whole thing as I would've done it for practically NOTHING. I had plans of doing so anyways, but the board rather hires a design firm.

it's sad if you ask me, because in the past 2 months I've created from scratch, a helpdesk system (similar to Kayako) and a mailing list system. Both using PHP and mysql. I had planned on doing the same for our website. I wasnt even going to ask for any compensation and I just wanted to be able to put it in my portfolio. Anyways, I would be pissed if they hired a firm to consult with me. That would be a slap in my face.
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Ah yes, the outside expert syndrom.

As an IT consultant, I can't tell you how many times I go into an organization and end up recommending that they do what sombody in a corner has already recommended. Only I can do it with pretty PowerPoint demos and complicated WBS's in MS Project.
 
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birdpup

Banned
May 7, 2005
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Create a design to show them what you can do. They may be afraid your work will not be "professional" enough for the image they wish to project. It may also be a good idea to talk with the computer science teacher (if your school has one or more) and possibly make it a project that students can work on for class credit or an after hours project.
 
dartworth

dartworth

Lifer
Jul 29, 2001
15,200
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I would be interested in seeing this helpdesk you created in 2 months...


Kayako Infotech has been working on Kayako since 1999. Helpdesk and CRM apps is a $10 billon/year business...

 
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LuckyTaxi

Diamond Member
Dec 24, 2000
6,044
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Originally posted by: dartworth
I would be interested in seeing this helpdesk you created in 2 months...


Kayako Infotech has been working on Kayako since 1999. Helpdesk and CRM apps is a $10 billon/year business...
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Ok, let me retract, Kayako is much better and I've tried to mimic Kayako's interface. I admit that it does work better than some of the other free helpdesk systems out there. Actually the helpdesk took me a year, the last two months I modified the interface and implemented a login system.



 
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LuckyTaxi

Diamond Member
Dec 24, 2000
6,044
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I spoke with my brother who works for a large design firm in the local area, and he said his firm charges $40k to start with. Good god, I didnt know these designers charge so much. Anyways, they know what i'm capable of. I'll take $10k, sheesh!

We'll see what happens. They are moving too slow for me. I had plans of getting it up by next school year (Fall 2006).
I can see why it may cost $30k once you start adding all these "modules" they speak of.
 
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dquan97

Lifer
Jul 9, 2002
12,010
3
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the school can hire my professional services and I can hire you as my consultant! We can split it 50-50 ;)
 
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LuckyTaxi

Diamond Member
Dec 24, 2000
6,044
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Originally posted by: tfinch2
Jesus christ 25-30k? I'll do it for 3k...
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Yea, tell me about it. I'm putting in a custom CMS system for my friend and I'm charging him $650!
 
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Winchester

Diamond Member
Jan 21, 2003
4,965
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This has happend to me several times, I just dont understand it. Most times they outsource it, then hire someone for "up keep". Stupid IMO.
 
mugs

mugs

Lifer
Apr 29, 2003
48,920
46
91
I've designed a website for a small private school just north of Philly, if they want to pay me $25k I'd be happy to do the same for them. :)
 
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sciencewhiz

Diamond Member
Jun 30, 2000
5,885
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Option #2 is riddled with ethical nightmares. I can't imagine anyone other then the consultant considering it.
 
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rootaxs

Platinum Member
Oct 22, 2000
2,487
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71
I just had to chime in on this one, if your firm is asking for professional design there's a good chance they're wanting everything including branding and positioning.

That said, that alone is worth its weight in gold that no everyday designer can provide.

Granted, i don't exactly know what your company is asking for but i thought it would be nice to present the "other" side of the story of design - which in its own right is usually left untold.

 
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LuckyTaxi

Diamond Member
Dec 24, 2000
6,044
23
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Originally posted by: sciencewhiz
Option #2 is riddled with ethical nightmares. I can't imagine anyone other then the consultant considering it.
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This school (as religious as it is) doesnt know much about ethical values. The President of the board has his contracting company running the onsite maintenance. A mother of one of the daughters is running the lunch program. So, they give favoritism to those who attend the school.
 
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LuckyTaxi

Diamond Member
Dec 24, 2000
6,044
23
81
Originally posted by: rootaxs
I just had to chime in on this one, if your firm is asking for professional design there's a good chance they're wanting everything including branding and positioning.

That said, that alone is worth its weight in gold that no everyday designer can provide.

Granted, i don't exactly know what your company is asking for but i thought it would be nice to present the "other" side of the story of design - which in its own right is usually left untold.
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Logo has been designed by an outside firm and we're not changing it. We just need a new website, but I guess they'll rather pay someone $25k for it when I can do it for much less than that.
 
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rootaxs

Platinum Member
Oct 22, 2000
2,487
0
71
Originally posted by: lilcam
Originally posted by: rootaxs
I just had to chime in on this one, if your firm is asking for professional design there's a good chance they're wanting everything including branding and positioning.

That said, that alone is worth its weight in gold that no everyday designer can provide.

Granted, i don't exactly know what your company is asking for but i thought it would be nice to present the "other" side of the story of design - which in its own right is usually left untold.
Click to expand...

Logo has been designed by an outside firm and we're not changing it. We just need a new website, but I guess they'll rather pay someone $25k for it when I can do it for much less than that.
Click to expand...

Granted, a logo is only a small fraction of branding. But i do agree, sometimes companies just don't see the talent they already have on hand.

 
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