Pen site hosting/development interest?

**BoomerangInfo** · 6th November 2008, 03:30 PM

Hey All,

I hope the following is not viewed the wrong way, but I've seen a problem amongst forum members and am just trying to offer a solution.

I've had some queries and seen some questions on setting up web sites for people. Not just pens, but other crafters as well, who wish to dabble in the web space, but are not full on professionals. It's hard providing advice to people, as there are hundreds of options to finding a good domain provider/web host/web designers etc to get all the bits working together, and it's not cheap if everyone goes it alone.

I've been doing web site creation and maintenance in various forms, for quite a few years, although only for my use to date. What I was thinking of, was setting up some sort of web hosting & development solution for a small group of people in the situation where they'd like a simple, relatively static web site to display/sell their goods and maybe run a blog, under their own domain name, don't have the skills to do it themselves, and don't have a commercial enterprise type budget.

The assumption would be that the sites would either be simple enough that once it's up & running, and with a little training, people could maintain the content themselves, and I would assist keeping things running. People with more skill could jump in and do more of either the front end or back end work themselves, as they wished.

Most web sites use far less disk space and bandwidth than most hosting providers supply, so for crafters, everyone buying their own individual hosting package that most companies offer is overkill, so I'd be able to offer economies of scale by having my own hosting, and subdividing that down to sizes and prices suitable for everyone, so this is sort of like a group buy for web sites.

What I need to find out now, is how many people would be interested in this type of offer? There would be some setup costs, depending one exactly what type of web site you wanted and how much of the design done by me, varying from maybe $50 for a basic package setup and configuration (the bare necessities), and you do the rest from there through the administration interface, to maybe $500+ for a full setup E-Commerce site. The ongoing costs would run at about $100/yr just to keep the site operational, and then I can provide whatever additional services are required at around $20/hr. Actual costings will be finalised when I see how many people are interested.

Note full enterprise scale web sites usually cost thousands of dollars to design, and hundreds of dollars a month to host. If this is what you need, I'm willing to provide advice, but I'm not offering enterprise level services or 24x7 support for $100/yr. I'm doing this to try and help people who otherwise could not get a web presence. You get what you pay for, and there are only so many hours in a day, so this would be limited to the number of people I could honestly help in good faith within my capabilities, and whose requirements fit what I'm trying to offer.

I'm not asking for commitments from anyone at this stage. I'd like to gauge interest for those who are in this situation and something above appeals to them, to see if I continue to look for options, or whether I just forget the whole thing and keep helping the couple who have asked me personally.

Please PM me with interest or any other questions you have.

Thanks. Russell.

**regulated** · 6th November 2008, 07:50 PM

Should probably be listed in this forum http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...splay.php?f=53 or this one http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...play.php?f=167 as you are selling a product or service.

BJ

**PenTurner** · 6th November 2008, 09:51 PM

Russell, I don't see you as "selling" a service as such, because I think you are offering to help out those who can't afford a site off their own back, in fact it probably would end up "costing" you in time without due financial reward. The concept is generous, but fraught with hidden dangers. What if some pull out, the site cost would fall on those that are left. Also, to band on a common site may lead to association with those whose quality you may disagree with? etc.
Just my two cents worth, Amos

**tea lady** · 6th November 2008, 10:36 PM

Amos,I think he said something about separate domain name for each person,

so not necessarily like a co-op gallery. I think its is an interesting concept. Better look than an ebay store.

I have my site listed on Australian Potters Online.

(I love his quote-

"There is nothing fiercer than a failed artist.
The energy remains, but having no outlet, it implodes in a great black
fart of rage, which smokes up all the inner windows of the soul."
- Erica Jong

Makes me laugh every time. )

Are you thinking if something like that, Russel? Is there a central site where people could find Australian woodworkers?

**gawdelpus** · 6th November 2008, 10:42 PM

The concept is not bad, I think the only commonality would be the hosting ,each site would have its own address and be seperate from any other site, one host site may have hundreds of smaller sites sort of sublet ,depending on bandwidth and storage required, but yes it can get messy with helping out and so on ,but certainly a possability for those who just want a place to display there wares and passion on line, for a business site its far more involved and that takes time and money and some IT skills to maintain ,this offer seems to cover the spectrum of needs ,any one who has a site will be aware of setup costs and ongoing ,sharing is sometimes a good alternative especially with good backup help when and if needed. cheers

**BoomerangInfo** · 7th November 2008, 06:09 AM

Yep, as the others have suggested, everyone's site would be completely separate to outward appearances, it's just the backend that is shared. It's how most web hosts & designers work, just on a smaller economy scale so no one's risking mega $$$.

There is a risk that if people pull out, I could be out of pocket, but once again, I'm trying to keep the economics and target audience down to minimise the risk, hence my offer just to you guys, not the world at large. The main risk I'd be losing is just my time for now, which while valuable intrinsically, causes no financial loss. I do also have some buffer in there to cover costs for contingencies.

And yes, I'm not selling anything to anyone as yet, its simply an expression of interest to a small audience, hence why I posted here, instead of in the commercial forums.

Thanks for the comments.

Russell.

**mag** · 7th November 2008, 02:09 PM

Russell,

Count me in as interested in a basic package, would deped on what is offered for the entry levelk I susppose.

Great idea. I have been thinking about it and could probably set one up for myself, but time is the killer at the moment.

Mike

**corbs** · 7th November 2008, 02:45 PM

Russell,
I am also interested. I have my own email address already and the wife could probably maintain for me but the design and hosting is something I have been looking at for a while. Will keep an eye on this thread and see what becomes of it.

Thanks,
Corbs

**BoomerangInfo** · 10th November 2008, 02:41 PM

OK I've sent a proposal to those who have expressed interest. As there were not a lot, I'll leave the offer open to anyone else who comes along for a while, and post again if the offer closes.

Russell.

**Sawdust Maker** · 11th November 2008, 09:16 AM

Russell
I'll express some interest will make a committment when I know more

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