The whole world of web design is scary to me...there is just so much information out there and I have no idea where to begin or what direction to go. I feel that I have a great idea for a website that would cater to my hometown, but I don't know what would be involved in making the website. I would like to be able to tell a web designer some specifics in regards to what script languages I need.

Here are some features I would like to have on my website (without getting too specific):

1) registered users who can use a discussion board and a rating system where they cast votes
2) informational data pages where I would be able to easily change any specific field (whether words or graphics) easily from my end of the computer
3) printer friendly information for the user
4) interactive map that would highlight locations
5) banners and advertisement locations
6) direct link that would embed another websites information into mine

See...I have the general idea of what I want on the site...but I don't know the specifics on how to get there. Who can I trust with my idea to create this site? What are some things I need to look for when choosing a designer? I don't even know if I've posted in the correct forum category on webmaster-talk?!?!? haha

I was thinking about posting on guru.com or elance.com...but how safe and reliable are these sites? I wouldn't even know what category to post my project under because I don't know if it falls under php, html. xhtml, sql, jsp, asp, ...........

Please give me some guidance on making the structure and design of my website...I want my ideas to become reality and I have no idea where to turn.

Thanks for your time!!!!

Originally Posted by sdudley24

The whole world of web design is scary to me...there is just so much information out there and I have no idea where to begin or what direction to go. I feel that I have a great idea for a website that would cater to my hometown, but I don't know what would be involved in making the website. I would like to be able to tell a web designer some specifics in regards to what script languages I need.

Here are some features I would like to have on my website (without getting too specific):

1) registered users who can use a discussion board and a rating system where they cast votes
2) informational data pages where I would be able to easily change any specific field (whether words or graphics) easily from my end of the computer
3) printer friendly information for the user
4) interactive map that would highlight locations
5) banners and advertisement locations
6) direct link that would embed another websites information into mine

See...I have the general idea of what I want on the site...but I don't know the specifics on how to get there. Who can I trust with my idea to create this site? What are some things I need to look for when choosing a designer? I don't even know if I've posted in the correct forum category on webmaster-talk?!?!? haha

I was thinking about posting on guru.com or elance.com...but how safe and reliable are these sites? I wouldn't even know what category to post my project under because I don't know if it falls under php, html. xhtml, sql, jsp, asp, ...........

Please give me some guidance on making the structure and design of my website...I want my ideas to become reality and I have no idea where to turn.

Thanks for your time!!!!

To start, I would get a CMS script for the discussion board which you can find numerous scripts here: http://php.resourceindex.com/Complete_Scripts/

For the rest of the site features, if you look in that url I posted, you can find further information within that site. If you don't find what you need there, you can always google for it.

Thanks for your tips Brian07002...however, I would not be the one creating the website. Where can I go to hire someone to help me???

at the top -> second left

http://www.webmaster-talk.com/market...egory.php?id=8

Googling will provide you exactly what you need. Type keywords and find out.

Who can I trust with my idea to create this site?

I'd advise you to start by talking to designer(s) face-to-face if you can or on the telephone. Explain your idea and see what questions they ask, this will help you get a better idea of how your project translates to a website.

What are some things I need to look for when choosing a designer?

The list is long, but a first basic thing is to ask for examples of previous work and see if you like it. Check it in a few different browsers to see how it looks. Check some of the designers websites in google to see how well they do.

I would like to be able to tell a web designer some specifics in regards to what script languages I need.

From what you describe probably php/mysql

Feel free to post back with more specific questions.