Neal Joseph

Disagree with you cornishninja, the best way for me to explain my idea is to supply as much details as possible about what I want inc sketches. If my designer provides somthing better - all well and good I want to be involved with the design not just submit a business plan. I believe I can do this with the designer in "collaboration". I want somone both practical and creative minded, whom isnt blinded and restricted by any useless text book protocols. But does follow useful text book protocols. Hope that makes sense? I have spent perhaps too much time in higher education studying mindless protocols devised by clever acedemics in two differing careers. Less than 20% was useful. I hope web design courses are far better. i agree about the cheapest option not being the best idea, it will depend on my budget.

The comments here are useful thanks. I think my question is impossible to anwer specifically. Ive gone in circles with the replies. Its a complicated risk no matter whom I choose. Ive have to consider my budget and risks to return. I have to develop a detailed plan and know what is involved with the project. Ideally one expert who can do all is my choice, a trustworthy freelancer with a contract that suits us both.

Thats a good comment and realistic too. Im going TSO thanks.

Clara I would not give up too soon, sometimes its worth giving it a try regardless of expert opinion. And if it fails its usually the best way of learning, and then that can maybe lead to a more suitable solution. Maybe its ahead of its time and present technology It will fail if browsing is slow and boring, tweak the idea? ..make browsing enjoyable, surprising and interesting, like a game. Just my non expert opinion.

I am unable to code, I suppose I would want to fiddle with graphics and design. I understand and agree with what you have stated. I would want to add data and maintain the website myself...although I honestly do not know what I would "maintain?" to keep the site functioning after completion: deleting accounts, sorting registration problems, responding to emails. etc etc.. I also assume I will always need a designer (or the designer) on hand?

Ok Cosmos thanks, btw I like the mild humour @@studio cosmos Ive done most of the first paragraph as you stated, inc pages I will need. Attempting to keep to the 3 click rule seems impossible. Have created a specific red book/notepad for all my notes, ideas and plans on this. I keep it at the side of my bed in case I find insiration during the night. Most of what you stated in your second para: those details Ive not touched yet. Some of those Ive never thought of thanks. I will be joining a couple of dating sites as part of my research. I am looking for a partner anyway, so a nice mature female web designer type will suit me fine lol. Know anyone? hehe. I have discussed my ideas with family and close friends who are logically skeptical at first when I say its a dating website. However when I explain the details they think its a good idea.

Hi Robert: my plan is ever changing due to the advice and research I am doing here and elsewhere. I am on a limited budget, also the overhead costs compared to risk also have to be balanced. My choice of freelancer or firm to build the project will not be down to the cheapest I agree with you. Will consider their portfolio, personality, location etc etc. I am determined to get stuck in (I want too!) and help with the build without frustrating the designer by ****ing up his hard work....and adding to my costs. Plan revision IV (please comment) 1. Purchase domian names TSO 2. Obtain host TSO 3. Have a go at a basic therapy website myself (as an experiment, fun, learning) Commision logo and graphics for it. 4. Create a rough webdesign on paper for the dating site (already done) 5. Commision logo and marketing graphics for dating site. 6. Upload my rough ideas for the dating site, colours, graphics so that potential designers can see roughly what I want. But can hopefully show me better. 7. Ask designers to give me a price and contract that suits both parties. Im obsessed with owning it! lol. Will consider both freelance and firms. ======== The other stages are "ongoing" research..marketing, maintenance, problem solving technical issues, etc. Im not sure if I should leave the logo and graphics commisioning until after Ive obtained a designer?

Thanks Robby those links are useful, agree about the dating market it is flooded. On the face of it entering that market is a bad idea and expensive, unless approached from a new angle. Its not my intention to do the same routine, that would undoubtedly fail. Im also creating my own type of psychological therapy, Im hoping if my ideas are bizarre and unique, marketing them may be easier. Ive may also be selling a story to the press soon regarding my personal and professional life. That may prove useful for marketing too Life isnt dull lol, well its not been for me. May as well try to profit from the stress.

I could never learn that lot lol. Ok I need a pro.

Ok..... I am here to find out whats best ... the websites I did with dreamweaver in the past was basic and full of errors. But I learned a lot. I think the building your own house analogy/symbolism fits perfectly. Now I know why dreamweaver is hardly mentioned here. ================== Im back to hire a freelance or a firm. Or do a course of study learn the codes. Thanks for the help need to think some more.

Hi Paul, I have managed to create websites using dreamweaver and without delving much into the code. I think I worded my reply poorly, I dont want to learn coding unless I have too. Hence dreamweaver.

Bilal thanks for the suggestion but I prefer a company in the UK. Thanks.

My current plan: is to purchase dreamweaver (Ive used it before) and try to develop some designs myself, see how I go. Find out what my limitations are. Start with a site for my private psychological therapy first, before jumping in at the deep end with a dating website. So I know specifically what I need when I purchase additional help. Ive almost nil coding skills in HTML or CSS, have played around with flash quite a bit. The above plan may help me aviod some contractual ownership issues and help me learn. I may also try EE as a lot of you guys here rate it

(I am an internet gamer) but for web hosting Im not too concerned about speed for my uploading...but would be for my visitors so will be UK based. Thanks for the replies.

Ok guys thanks for those useful comments. I acknowledge some amount of copyright with the designer. And the additional costs for moving and sorting issues. Which will occur. I will need to study any contract very carefully when I take the plunge, and try to reduce the risks. I do understand they need to protect their work from plagiarism too. I suppose its about balance and knowing exactly what is in the contract. I think I would idealy like to create my own design or template, and have a expert do all the user accounts, billing security stuff. That seems rather unrealistic now with all the complications. And I havnt designed a site since 2008. Paul: I think it means £99 regardless of where you are in contract, if you want to move the domain.