Help - Suggestions on letting client make changes

Hey everyone.
I'm building a site for a Realtor and they would like to make their own
changes (images of houses, text, etc.). The site will have just a few
listings (maybe 10). What would be the best and most cost effective
solution. Should I build a database driven site with web forms so they can
upload images and text when they have a new listing? Or should I build the
site and give them a copy of MM Contribute and train them how to use it (I'm
not familiar with using Contribute yet)?
Thanks for the advise.
-Chris

I'm building a site for a Realtor and they would like to make their own
changes (images of houses, text, etc.). The site will have just a few
listings (maybe 10). What would be the best and most cost effective
solution. Should I build a database driven site with web forms so they can
upload images and text when they have a new listing? Or should I build the
site and give them a copy of MM Contribute and train them how to use it
(I'm not familiar with using Contribute yet)?

Those are both possible ways to go. It would be hard to say which would be
more cost-effective without spec-ing out the site (and the work involved)
both ways. If you have some understanding of database-driven sites, and a
server which supports the language you want to work in, that might be best.

I don't use Contribute, so can't say what the learning curve is for you and
for your client. Some web developers think it's great, and maybe they'll
chime in.

A third option would be to look for existing real-estate-site solutions
(database-driven) which you could purchase and install for the client. I
don't have any specific ones I can recommend, but I know they exist.

A fourth option, which is actually my personal favorite, is to suggest to
the client that you make the updates yourself. I have done this with dozens
of clients who *thought* they wanted to maintain their own web sites, but
after finding out (1) the cost of setting them up, and (2) the amount of
time and work they'll have to put it, decided that they were grateful to
have a web developer on call at a reasonable rate.

Clients are often lured by this concept of maintaining their own web site,
but literally think that it's a matter of us pushing a certain button to
make the site editable by them; they often don't really understand what
they're asking.

This is not at all to say that a CMS or Contribute aren't good choices for
some clients; I just don't think they're good choices for a lot of them.


--
Patty Ayers | www.WebDevBiz.com
Free Articles on the Business of Web Development
Web Design Contract, Estimate Request Form, Estimate Worksheet
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I'm building a site for a Realtor and they would like to make their own
changes (images of houses, text, etc.). The site will have just a few
listings (maybe 10). What would be the best and most cost effective
solution. Should I build a database driven site with web forms so they can
upload images and text when they have a new listing? Or should I build the
site and give them a copy of MM Contribute and train them how to use it
(I'm
not familiar with using Contribute yet)?

The contribute solution is easier for you. The database solution (if
properly designed) would be easier for the client.

-Darrel

This asp solution may be of interest - not free - but have heard very good
reports about it.
http://www.2020applications.com/default.asp?action=products&inventoryitemID=2020re altor

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"C h r i s" <chrisTRAP (AT) SPAMroquedesign (DOT) com> wrote

Hey everyone.
I'm building a site for a Realtor and they would like to make their own
changes (images of houses, text, etc.). The site will have just a few
listings (maybe 10). What would be the best and most cost effective
solution. Should I build a database driven site with web forms so they can
upload images and text when they have a new listing? Or should I build the
site and give them a copy of MM Contribute and train them how to use it
(I'm not familiar with using Contribute yet)?
Thanks for the advise.
-Chris

Thanks for all the info everyone. I have to say the 20/20 app looks great! I
think that will be the one. Also, Patty, I've been using your Web Business
Tools for about 8 months now and I love them. I also bought the Super
Invoice from your site also. Great stuff!
Thanks again everyone!
-Chris

"C h r i s" <chrisTRAP (AT) SPAMroquedesign (DOT) com> wrote

Hey everyone.
I'm building a site for a Realtor and they would like to make their own
changes (images of houses, text, etc.). The site will have just a few
listings (maybe 10). What would be the best and most cost effective
solution. Should I build a database driven site with web forms so they can
upload images and text when they have a new listing? Or should I build the
site and give them a copy of MM Contribute and train them how to use it
(I'm not familiar with using Contribute yet)?
Thanks for the advise.
-Chris

I might be chiming in too late, but I thought you might also look at Shannon
Sofield's Real Estate Management System - it might offer an advantage by
virtue that it was built in DW.
http://www.superfreaker.com/

"C h r i s" <chrisTRAP (AT) SPAMroquedesign (DOT) com> wrote

Thanks for all the info everyone. I have to say the 20/20 app looks great!
I think that will be the one. Also, Patty, I've been using your Web
Business Tools for about 8 months now and I love them. I also bought the
Super Invoice from your site also. Great stuff!
Thanks again everyone!
-Chris

"C h r i s" <chrisTRAP (AT) SPAMroquedesign (DOT) com> wrote in message
news:cug2la$s8q$1 (AT) forums (DOT) macromedia.com...
Hey everyone.
I'm building a site for a Realtor and they would like to make their own
changes (images of houses, text, etc.). The site will have just a few
listings (maybe 10). What would be the best and most cost effective
solution. Should I build a database driven site with web forms so they
can upload images and text when they have a new listing? Or should I
build the site and give them a copy of MM Contribute and train them how
to use it (I'm not familiar with using Contribute yet)?
Thanks for the advise.
-Chris

Thanks Les. I'll be looking into it.
-Chris
"Les Matthews" <LesAMatthews (AT) yahoo (DOT) com> wrote

I might be chiming in too late, but I thought you might also look at
Shannon Sofield's Real Estate Management System - it might offer an
advantage by virtue that it was built in DW.
http://www.superfreaker.com/

"C h r i s" <chrisTRAP (AT) SPAMroquedesign (DOT) com> wrote in message
news:cuiqv8$hn1$1 (AT) forums (DOT) macromedia.com...
Thanks for all the info everyone. I have to say the 20/20 app looks
great! I think that will be the one. Also, Patty, I've been using your
Web Business Tools for about 8 months now and I love them. I also bought
the Super Invoice from your site also. Great stuff!
Thanks again everyone!
-Chris

"C h r i s" <chrisTRAP (AT) SPAMroquedesign (DOT) com> wrote in message
news:cug2la$s8q$1 (AT) forums (DOT) macromedia.com...
Hey everyone.
I'm building a site for a Realtor and they would like to make their own
changes (images of houses, text, etc.). The site will have just a few
listings (maybe 10). What would be the best and most cost effective
solution. Should I build a database driven site with web forms so they
can upload images and text when they have a new listing? Or should I
build the site and give them a copy of MM Contribute and train them how
to use it (I'm not familiar with using Contribute yet)?
Thanks for the advise.
-Chris

"C h r i s" <chrisTRAP (AT) SPAMroquedesign (DOT) com> wrote

Thanks for all the info everyone. I have to say the 20/20 app looks great!
I think that will be the one. Also, Patty, I've been using your Web
Business Tools for about 8 months now and I love them. I also bought the
Super Invoice from your site also. Great stuff!

Thanks, Chris - that's great to hear. Good luck with the real estate site!

--
Patty Ayers | www.WebDevBiz.com
Free Articles on the Business of Web Development
Web Design Contract, Estimate Request Form, Estimate Worksheet
--