Okay, here's my dilemma:

I'm trying to bid on a project. It's a page for a casting director/talent agency (I'm not totally sure what exactly it is that they do). Basically, one partner is breaking off on her own to start her own company.

She wants to have a searchable talent/model database (easy), also have her talent/models be able to log in and change their headshots, contact information and resumes (complicates things a bit). They'll also need a shopping cart for some items they sell, but that's not a big deal because they're using paypal on their current site.

My problem is, she doesn't know much about computers and internet. She knows how to surf (for the most part), and she knows how to check email, and that's about it - say "domain name registrar" and it's the whole deer-in-headlight thing.

How do I go about bidding this, and explaining to her how something like this needs to be done, and how to explain that in something like this isn't going to be some cheap $300 gig? Then there's the issue of the current database: will she want me to transfer the information? That will add on extra work...especially if I can't gain access to the current database.

Basically, what I want to know is how would you handle something like this if it were you? Or has anyone had any experience with this type of situation?

Also, she's in litigation with her current partner, so I'm assuming that cost will be a big factor in her decision. I want this job, but I don't want to sell myself short and underbid in order to get it, either...

Perhaps suggest that she get two or three quotes from other designers (you could always volunteer the names of a couple of companies to her, companies you know will quote higher than you). That way she can see you are being reasonable.

One thing I have done before is find two related websites, one rubbish and one great. Say to the client, this is what you get for £200, or for £xxx you could have something like this great one!

I do think that most non-internet savvy people really have no idea about the work that goes into setting up and running a decent website. I am not talking about a quick slapped-up template, but a custom designed site. A while ago I was asked by a friend to set up a site for his shop. He wanted a whole unique design, up to 100 pages of stock listed with full pictures, description, etc, all updates and maintenance performed by me as well as full SEO. I quoted him £500 for the whole year and he looked at me as if I was demanding his first born child!

Sometimes there is nothing you can do.

Thanks for the insight, dismaldonkey.

So far, I have gone over briefly how much work will be needed to get her database done, then I took some time to explain that I need much more information on how she plans to migrate the database (because they may or may not cause extra work for me). Then I told her that I need more information from her, and how her current site works, and how she wants the new site to work before I can give her any prices.

She would also want me to meet with her graphic artist (if I get the job)...which would be a pain in the butt because not only to I have to work closely with someone else on the design, that someone else is 200 miles away!

*sigh* the things we do for money!

Whoo-hoo! I got the gig! Yay! We are discussing money this evening. But unless any major conflicts come up, I got it!

Yay!

Luckily, her friend (who's doing most of the graphics) knows a bit more, so it was easier for me to communicate and him to translate.

Congratulations.

Millionaire by the time you are 30, eh?

Originally posted by dismaldonkey
Millionaire by the time you are 30, eh?

Oh....if only...but I can still dream, eh?

Congrats on the gig Prissed!

Congrats Prissed. You'll have to make sure you tell us all about it. Enquiring minds want to know!

Dave

Oh, it's going to be so much better than the current site. See, what's happening is my client starting her own company (long story) so new company gets new website. New website must be better than old website.

Hi,
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