Stuck and don't know what to do

[deniser]

I have a very busy ecommerce website which was custom written for me about 3 years ago and subjected to a lot of changes and upgrades. It has reached the point where my web designer has stopped making the requested changes for several reasons:
1. the work I give him is a lot and it is getting in the way of his other (easier although less lucrative) work
2. he says that he would have done things differently if he were starting again now

When I ask if someone else could take over instead he says he doesn't think so because the site is very complicated. I was hoping to use the work done for other sites as it does function very well.

What do I do?

Get someone to take over (is this possible and how do I find someone?) or start again completely from scratch (an unbearable thought!)?

[TARMAG]

It shouldnt be that hard to start over again, if the database has been set-up correctly, install a new shop / e commerce software and import the database.

[cmcp]

It's hard to say without seeing it.

Do you know anything about how it's built? For starters, do you recongnise if it's "php" or "asp"?

Is it possible to post a link? PM me the link if not :)

[Bri]

However my own web guru has always told me as long as he can have access to the script it would be easy to make the changes to anothers website.

It would seem he may not want to be found out that its not as much work as he's saying it is. I wish people would just be honest,it saves a lot of time and waste. If he doesnt want to do it, then say so, dont try and flannel with jargon. By the way its your site and your paying so you should be able to do what the hell you want to, if you want to make changes then make it so.

[Astaroth]

As long as your designer gives you the source code there is no reason why someone else cannot take over the site for you.

Depending on just how complex it is and also the standard of the code it may not be cost effective for another developer to review and document the code to then take over running it as it may be quicker/ easier to simply work out how to migrate the database.

Of cause, if you love the application then it could well be its better to pay the developer the extra

[cmcp]

There's also the point that it's not a matter of opinion if someone else takes over the site - with you or him own the site. Which is it?

[KidsBeeHappy]

Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. Our website basically out grew the capabilities and more importantly the comfort zone of the developer, he had to outsource more and more of the work because of knowledge gaps, so I was waiting for some person i didn't even know to do stuff. My developer was a minor client to him, so my website changes took months instead of days.

You need to get a new developer.

We were in this conundrum, and now have a new developer, who is working fine on the site, and also tidying bits and pieces as he goes.

If you don't get any suitable recommendations try Bobex. If your site is ASP get back to me because I know a good guy that does that.

[Fuzzy]

I was in the same position as Boxby and we got the t'shirt and the mug:rolleyes:. You need a new designer in my opinion - we used Khalid @ Pixelcraze and he is a diamond, feel free to contact me if you want more info:D

[KidsBeeHappy]

It was Khalid that recommended the good ASP bloke to me!

[deniser]

It's hard to say without seeing it.

Do you know anything about how it's built? For starters, do you recongnise if it's "php" or "asp"?

Is it possible to post a link? PM me the link if not :)

That's half the trouble - that I know nothing about the way websites are written.

I believe it to be PHP and SQL database. Does that sound right?

[deniser]

As long as your designer gives you the source code there is no reason why someone else cannot take over the site for you.

Depending on just how complex it is and also the standard of the code it may not be cost effective for another developer to review and document the code to then take over running it as it may be quicker/ easier to simply work out how to migrate the database.

Of cause, if you love the application then it could well be its better to pay the developer the extra

I believe he will hand over the source code.

Money is not the issue here.

[deniser]

Our website basically out grew .... the comfort zone of the developer.

You need to get a new developer.

We were in this conundrum, and now have a new developer, who is working fine on the site, and also tidying bits and pieces as he goes.



I think you've hit the nail on the head with "outside the comfort zone".

Is your new developer working on your old site or did you get a new one? I prefer to stick with the old one if possible as I am loathe to disturb my google rankings, even for a day!

[Nathanto]

Is your new developer working on your old site or did you get a new one? I prefer to stick with the old one if possible as I am loathe to disturb my google rankings, even for a day!

Done properly changing the underlying code that powers your web site should not affect your Google ranking in the slightest.

If the content is the same with the same URLs and markup then you'll be fine.

What you must not do is change any of the content at the same time as changing the code - this includes removing out of date stuff, any new system needs to replicate everything from the old system.

[KidsBeeHappy]

I think you've hit the nail on the head with "outside the comfort zone".

Is your new developer working on your old site or did you get a new one? I prefer to stick with the old one if possible as I am loathe to disturb my google rankings, even for a day!


New developer is working on the old site. No issues at all from the old developer. Also google rankings didn't change at all. It took a wee while for the new developer to follow the process, but it was a dreamweaver site, so the new developer imported it into the latest version of dreamweaver and started the changes from there.

[Poppy Design]

2. he says that he would have done things differently if he were starting again now

Hi

Have you actually asked him if he wants to requote for a new better up-to-date version? He may well be interested in looking at a properly revised site for you done on a proper full quotation basis.

Website requirements can change a lot over a couple of years and sometimes people feel they need to go to a new design company to get the changes they need when it is possible their old designer may well be interested.

Joanne

[deniser]

Have you actually asked him if he wants to requote for a new better up-to-date version?

I have asked him directly several times. I have also asked him to produce other brand new sites.

The problem is he keeps saying "yes" but nothing materialises - he is apologetic but time just keeps passing.

I think he is out of his depth and would prefer to work on easier projects.

[IainW]

I have asked him directly several times. I have also asked him to produce other brand new sites.

The problem is he keeps saying "yes" but nothing materialises - he is apologetic but time just keeps passing.

I think he is out of his depth and would prefer to work on easier projects.

You know what to do then Deniser, and don't be long in doing it - it's business after all and YOU can't hang around for people, there are a lot of great web designers and developers out there, yes you may have to wait a while but having a confirmed date with a credible web designer is better than waiting for a less experienced web designer who may never start your projects.

[deniser]

Thanks all for giving me that push. You're right, I need to get going. Sad because I do get on well with the existing person and wanted them to stay involved. Never mind.

I have looked around and asked one company to quote. Will look for others.

Will see what happens next.

[Mister B]

I think that you've made the right call.

I think that this scenario is a little bit like extending your house...you can keep building and building but there comes a point where you need to start from scratch and build from the foundations up.

Mister B

[KidsBeeHappy]

I know the problem of better the devil you know, but it's the right step to take. Even you're developer thinks so ;)

[Astaroth]

That's half the trouble - that I know nothing about the way websites are written.

I believe it to be PHP and SQL database. Does that sound right?
A client doesnt need to know anything about how they are written (tbh honest those that know a little very much follow the old adage that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing)

If it is written in PHP then it is most likely MySQL that it is paired with. This isnt something we deal with but there are probably hundereds of developers on this forum alone that do.

[KidsBeeHappy]

A client doesnt need to know anything about how they are written (tbh honest those that know a little very much follow the old adage that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing)

If it is written in PHP then it is most likely MySQL that it is paired with. This isnt something we deal with but there are probably hundereds of developers on this forum alone that do.


I think that's a slightly dangerous attitude. Would you install a heating system without bothering to find out whether it runs of gas, or electric or oil?

Yep, they don't need to know for purposes of coding etc.

But they do need to know so that they can ensure that future plans, developments, add ons, etc are all compatible. Can you image a client shopping around for hosting without knowing what their site is written in?

Unless, you are advocating that the client simply hands everything over to the web developer and lets them do whatever they want with the clients money?