Need a computer/IT person who knows PHP and OsCommerce

AussieGrocer · #1 (**Link to this post**) 08-02-10

We need a computer person or company who has a good understanding of Oscommerce. Can anyone recommend someone or themselves? Our website is www.OnlyOz.com.au Only Australian Groceries.

Chris Bates · #2 (**Link to this post**) 08-02-10

Hey Mate,

I hope you have a big budget. A full time PHP developer is going to cost you a pretty penny!

What are you looking to get done to your website?

Perhaps it might be for feasible to pay and get your website done PROPERLY the way you want it, so that it's easy for you to manage yourself. Might be a costly investment, especially after all the money you've probably pumped in already. But it's certainly going to work out cheaper then hiring a developer full time.

Cheers,
Chris

AussieGrocer · #3 (**Link to this post**) 08-02-10

123

Chris Bates · #4 (**Link to this post**) 08-02-10

The idea of a system is that it's developed to meet your needs. Occasionally new requirements pop up, and they get developed.

But if you're running an eCommerce system, and you can justify hiring a full time PHP developer, your system is NOT working for you.

You have been given some very bad advice my friend, or you change your mind A LOT!

Tim from Voucher.com.au · #5 (**Link to this post**) 08-02-10

I agree, if it were set up properly you wouldn't need a full-time coder.

However, each to their own.

If I had a pretty penny, I wouldn't be using oscommerce :-)

You should catch up with Chris, I for one have used him on several projects now. All have been delivered on time, and to a professional standard.

I couldn't afford him full time, but on contracted rates he has implemented automated systems that make my life soooooo much easier! (And I might add, he goes above and beyond with service - limits I probably tested for a while).

Cheers,

Tim

AussieGrocer · #6 (**Link to this post**) 08-02-10

Do you have any recommendations?

Chris Bates · #7 (**Link to this post**) 08-02-10

Sorry to hear - you HAVE had a really bad experience! Even for $7000 you should have received a lot more then you have been given, let alone $64,000. I'm surprised you survived that sort of nightmare.

A Uni grad might be desperate for work, but they will easily get a job for $40k+. But a Uni grad isn't workforce ready, they'll be unexperienced and cost you a lot in the long run. Someone with experience, you can expect well over $80k+ a year.

Please trust me, avoid another nightmare, DON'T hire someone! Just get the right advice first.

What sort of traffic are we talking? There are certainly solutions out there, but it more comes down to your bandwidth requirements.

How do you find your website in it's current state? Is it doing what you need it to? What is your conversion like (% of your traffic that actually buy something)?

You have learnt a very important lesson though. It's not about shopping around, it's about picking the right person. You will find a lot of business owners make this mistake, and end up being ripped off. Either on price, or in quality.

What's your name by the way?

Webolution · #8 (**Link to this post**) 08-02-10

It looks like your osCommerce install hasn't even been done correctly in the first instance. There are a few issues that are evident right off the bat.

Before you employ anybody, develop a requirement specification (a document that details EVERY function you want your site to carry out). It should be in detail and that can then be used as a basis for hiring any potential employee/developer to build/modify/maintain your site.

Hope that helps.

Cheers,
Joel

JohnSheppard · #9 (**Link to this post**) 08-02-10

I second that an IT graduate is a bad idea.

They will be keen, and a good employee, but they are not job ready. What you will want is an IT graduate with minimum 2+ years job experience. (more experience if you can afford them). The issue you face there is that they will want 60k+ and any developer worth their salt will want 80k+

Think of IT as like building a house. You wouldn't hire a fresh apprentice to architecture and build your house. Don't make the same mistake with computers and software.

Be *very* careful of building a system from scratch. The costs are always more than people realise and it is much like building a custom house. It requires years of experience not to risk botching it.

Chris Bates · #10 (**Link to this post**) 08-02-10

Quote:

Originally Posted by john.sheppard

Be *very* careful of building a system from scratch. The costs are always more than people realise and it is much like building a custom house. It requires years of experience not to risk botching it.

I second this as well. There's too many great existing solutions out there to justify the cost of it either.

For $60k+ you SHOULD have gotten a custom made eCommerce website though... Not a bodgy osCommerce website with no real design.

Login

Need a computer/IT person who knows PHP and OsCommerce