I have 2 questions.
I usually build static websites but i have been asked to make a website for an owner of a bar. They want to be able to update an events page regularly. What ways would you recommend for me to implement this. I'd rather not use a google calendar. Is there any way of being able to write short messages on the site without having to go through the code

Secondly, How much is a reasonable price to charge for a fully function website.

Any help would be great thanks

There are lots of ways you could go about this...

You could build everything static except the events page and then you lock them in to maintenance costs with you (danger being they don't like the idea of paying for updates and go elsewhere).

You could build everything dynamic yourself and then allow them to update the site as and when they like.

You could use an existing CMS system and just produce an appropriate "skin" and then they can update things as they want but it's less work for you.


The list goes on and on. There are lots of ways to do this but from the sound of it you haven't actually really built any dynamic sites before. In that case if I were you I would be tempted to just use something like Word Press etc. as a CMS system and build an appropriate template.

If it is the first time you are charging for this type of service you should be thinking about hosting costs (who covers that you or the client?) ongoing maintenance etc. You will need to get all these details down in a contract with them.

Technically speaking if you are earning more than however many thousand a year the taxman decides you will need to pay tax on any income.... A major reason I can never be bothered thinking about doing any work outside of work!

kev670:

Is there any way of being able to write short messages on the site without having to go through the code

What type of code?  The HTML markup or something else?  What scripting languages does the hosting company support?

If the page is just going to have some text (dates and event descriptions for example) that you want the customer to be able to modify, you could put that text in an include file and give them access to update only that file.  Most scripting languages support includes one way or another.  You could expose those contents via FTP or an "admin" web page that allows an authenticated user to edit the text via their web browser.

If you need something more sophisticated, you may have to go the route of a database.

If you know a bit of html, css (I suppose you do) and you are willing to get into php, you could consider installing Wordpress to your customer and creating a tailor made "style" that satisfies their needs.
http://wordpress.org/

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~ Mel ~

Fluke's right there is really so many different way you could do this. If your just trying to get some ideas to visualize I'd recommend just checking out event pages on sites of other businesses to see how those look and if that would fit the need of your client. You could have the owner then take a look as well to get his input. You'll have to post a link to the site once you get it up so we can see how it turns out.