Guest Posted March 3, 2003 Share Posted March 3, 2003 You read the topic. And when I say "complete," I'm dead serious. I am developing a new E-commerce site, and the featureset for OS Commerce fits the bill 100%. But we've got a custom template we'll be using, and while the features the template is prepared to facilitate are a perfect match with OS Commerce, the layout is completely different. Would it be possible to do this? And more importantly... is there anyone here who would be willing to do this -- on a paid contract basis of course? Our funds are very limited, hence the eagerness to adopt an Open Source storefront package, but if it could be done we'd be willing to negotiate, based on experience with development, HTML skill, and OS Commerce code. I was originally planning to develop a new system from scratch myself, but since OS Commerce already offers everything we need (except for design), I think the idea of building a new one from scratch is ridiculous. Not looking for a professional to charge me half a grand.. looking for someone who is willing to be paid in tens. :) Oh, and you must be willing to be paid via Paypal, thats the only way I do business with individuals online. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaguar Posted March 3, 2003 Share Posted March 3, 2003 Its quite possible to create a new look for OSC. Take a look here: www.orthodirect.net I had fun with this one. OSC provides you the ability to create any frontend that you want. I am currently doing one totaly in Flash. You may find that you want to tackle something like this yourself. Although (depending upon visual requirements) it can be done, more elaborate designs do take some time to develop. ( Like the link i provided on the site I did) Loren The great thing about beating your head against the wall is that it feels SO GOOD when you stop! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ajeh Posted March 3, 2003 Share Posted March 3, 2003 Now that is a pretty site ... :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gdfwilliams Posted March 3, 2003 Share Posted March 3, 2003 OSC is the solution you're looking for, but complete customization takes a LOT of time. designing a layout, styleguides, visual identity, user-friendly interface, implementing all of that, getting it to work w/ OSC's backend, testing, etc... 40 hours would be an optimistic estimate. If you've gotten quotes for "half a grand," that's a bargain IMHO. That's only $12.50/hr. Hell, you're lucky if you could get a receptionist for that much... The beauty of the Internet is that with time, effort, and (if you don't have the skills) a little cash, anyone can make an online storefront that is as good as any of their competitor's, the big dogs (e.g., Amazon, et al) included. If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. If doing it right isn't worth $500, rethink your business plan. You can always start with a less modified layout (see my sig file) and make changes/improvements as the $$ rolls in. One of my sites has generated well over $50K in 4 months -- with a moderately customized stock installation... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 4, 2003 Share Posted March 4, 2003 First, thank you to those who have confirmed for me the feasibility of this project; and thank you especially to those who have already inquired further about my offer. Secondly, I wish to briefly address the most recent poster's comments. In the past I have taken the time to browse this forum for information on customizing the visual layout of OS Commerce, and began to see at that time just how much time and effort would go into the project. So yes, I agree that even with our existing template, it would take time to make the template fit the OS Commerce software. But it's not a question of what the project is worth. As I said, our funds are limited (Total startup capital = $500!). Five hundred may be a bargain to have a professional develop the site, but we simply don't have that kind of money. I'm looking for someone who knows OS Commerce but perhaps has little professional experience and would be interested in working on this project as a way to show off their development skills -- our template is very stylish and professional, so the completed site would make a great show piece for any aspiring developer's portfolio. Furthermore, as I explained in my original post, the fact that we are using an existing template means that the design for the site is DONE. We are using commercially licensed site templates. It is the backend for the site that has yet to be developed. While it is still a lot of work, having a finished design to work from should cut some time. Technically speaking, the project is not to customize OS Commerce. The project is to develop a backend for existing E-commerce site templates, using the OS Commerce software as a way to save time and cut costs to something we can almost afford. I appreciate your comments gdfwilliams. Now at this time I would be most interested in hearing from individuals that may be more inclined to consider my offer. :) Thanks. OSC is the solution you're looking for, but complete customization takes a LOT of time. designing a layout, styleguides, visual identity, user-friendly interface, implementing all of that, getting it to work w/ OSC's backend, testing, etc... 40 hours would be an optimistic estimate. If you've gotten quotes for "half a grand," that's a bargain IMHO. That's only $12.50/hr. Hell, you're lucky if you could get a receptionist for that much... The beauty of the Internet is that with time, effort, and (if you don't have the skills) a little cash, anyone can make an online storefront that is as good as any of their competitor's, the big dogs (e.g., Amazon, et al) included. If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. If doing it right isn't worth $500, rethink your business plan. You can always start with a less modified layout (see my sig file) and make changes/improvements as the $$ rolls in. One of my sites has generated well over $50K in 4 months -- with a moderately customized stock installation... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 4, 2003 Share Posted March 4, 2003 <snip>But it's not a question of what the project is worth. As I said, our funds are limited (Total startup capital = $500!). Five hundred may be a bargain to have a professional develop the site, but we simply don't have that kind of money. I'm looking for someone who knows OS Commerce but perhaps has little professional experience and would be interested in working on this project as a way to show off their development skills -- our template is very stylish and professional, so the completed site would make a great show piece for any aspiring developer's portfolio. Furthermore, as I explained in my original post, the fact that we are using an existing template means that the design for the site is DONE. We are using commercially licensed site templates. It is the backend for the site that has yet to be developed. While it is still a lot of work, having a finished design to work from should cut some time. Technically speaking, the project is not to customize OS Commerce. The project is to develop a backend for existing E-commerce site templates, using the OS Commerce software as a way to save time and cut costs to something we can almost afford. I appreciate your comments gdfwilliams. Now at this time I would be most interested in hearing from individuals that may be more inclined to consider my offer. :) Thanks. So your site is a charity site? Or you don't expect to make anything from it? It is unfair IMHO to expect someone with skills that you don't have - gained by hard work and at the expense of other things - to do your work for you simply because your budget is too small - get a bigger budget! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burt Posted March 4, 2003 Share Posted March 4, 2003 The other option would be to get someone skilled enough to make your changes (and pay them the going rate) - but pay them over a period of (say) 10 months. ~ You are happy as you are not having to pay out in one lump sum ~ The developer is happy as he will be getting paid fair rate. Easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 5, 2003 Share Posted March 5, 2003 Although I appreciate all comments, it is counter-productive for me at this time to take time to respond to negative feedback. A sincere thank you to those that have contacted me thus far about this project, and especially with such reasonable offers. I will continue to communicate with any and all interested parties for the time being, but those that have contacted me so far have been very helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 5, 2003 Share Posted March 5, 2003 The other option would be to get someone skilled enough to make your changes (and pay them the going rate) - but pay them over a period of (say) 10 months. ~ You are happy as you are not having to pay out in one lump sum ~ The developer is happy as he will be getting paid fair rate. Easy. A very reasonable and appropriate suggestion. Its a great idea, but we feel most comfortable seeking a developer that is willing to accept the project for a lump sum within the scope of our budget. However, we may be willing to consider an alternative -- for instance, a percentage paid to the developer out of sales generated on the website over a set period of time is something we might be willing to negotiate into the contract. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 5, 2003 Share Posted March 5, 2003 A very reasonable and appropriate suggestion. Its a great idea, but we feel most comfortable seeking a developer that is willing to accept the project for a lump sum within the scope of our budget. However, we may be willing to consider an alternative -- for instance, a percentage paid to the developer out of sales generated on the website over a set period of time is something we might be willing to negotiate into the contract. I'm sure you'll find some to take that offer. Of course that requires them to have faith in your ability to sell the product and to provide customer support, etc. I won't go into what we charge as I have no interest in the project, but I will say that any developer that takes a "piece of the action" in a store where they have no involvement in it's operations gets what they deserve (and that generally isn't cashflow). There is the old adage that you get what you pay for. If you want someone to slap together the front end on a out-of-the-box OSC I'm sure there are any number that would be happy to do that. If you want someone who will see to it that all of your products show up on the first page of Google, that your backend integrates to your PC systems (off your server), that you have the appropriate contributions in, and have been able to modify them to meet your needs (ie: while it's really nice to have a wish list, it would help if you could see what the highest "wished" items were, and a way to remind someone they have items on the wishlist when you choose to put items they have on the wishlist on sale). My point is. there are any number of people in these forums that can hack together what you want, but there are also many that can take your store from an "OSC with a new front end" to a powerful tool that will enhance your ability to make and close sales. Yeah, Although I appreciate all comments, it is counter-productive for me at this time to take time to respond to negative feedback. did irritate me a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 6, 2003 Share Posted March 6, 2003 I'm sure you'll find some to take that offer. Of course that requires them to have faith in your ability to sell the product and to provide customer support, etc. I won't go into what we charge as I have no interest in the project, but I will say that any developer that takes a "piece of the action" in a store where they have no involvement in it's operations gets what they deserve (and that generally isn't cashflow). I said we might be willing to offer a "piece of the action" in addition to a one-time fee payment. If I was interested in offering people work on the promise of a share of future earnings alone, I'd have offered that in the beginning. I am merely suggesting that there may be a way to make the project more appealing to potential contractors. And as I said in my original post, I am open to a certain amount of negotiation. There is the old adage that you get what you pay for. If you want someone to slap together the front end on a out-of-the-box OSC... As a matter of fact, that's exactly what we want. We are perfectly capable of meeting our own needs down the road, but at this initial stage we would prefer to outsource for the "slap together the front end on an out-of-the-box OSC" Phase, and produce modifications (either internally or externally) on an as-needed basis. Yeah, Although I appreciate all comments, it is counter-productive for me at this time to take time to respond to negative feedback. did irritate me a bit. My sincere apologies, reading again what I'd written, I did come across as being rather arrogant in that post. That was not my intention, I mean only to say that I am getting very practical and useful feedback via Private Messages from interested parties, and with these options already available, it seems fruitless to me to continuously debate whether or not it can be done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New 
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.