Looking for partner - PHP coder

[BsmyeEnterprises]

Hello,

I am looking for a PHP coder willing to partner with me.

I am going to be launching a new website selling PHP scripts as I own rights to about 50. However my plan is to start by selling just 10 of the best PHP scripts, after they have all be improved. Once we're making a good income we can work on the other scripts.
As coder, you will be required to:
- Thoroughly test every script and fix all bugs. Also add features to the scripts (as I said, there will be about 10 scripts at the start)
- Code a shopping cart and affiliate system for the site
- A big upside for you, if you want it, will be that you will get all custom coding jobs from our customers. You'll get 70% of the value of each job outright, and 30% will be kept as commission for the business (which you'll get a share in too at the end of each month!)

I'm willing to give away a third of the business in exchange for your services. I'm hoping to achieve a monthly revenue of over $1000 in the first year, and a much higher revenue in following years (over $5000 a month).

Although I said its going to be a new site, technically its a relaunch and rebrand of the site in my signature (the first link). That site has made over $1000 a month before and the new site will have more scripts, a much better design and a better shopping cart (coded by you!). If that site can make $1000 a month, the new site will easily be able to make this!

I will do the marketing of the site so once the coding work is done you'll just need to fix any further bugs found.

By the way, the site will trade in dollars, which is why I've used dollars here.

PM me if you're interested!

[sm1]

I know of a few good people on here, but I don't want to nominate them in case they're not interested, but if they do post on here I'll be happy to back them up :)

[stugster]

I think you're targeting the wrong kind of forums. Any coders on here will likely own their own small businesses, and, assuming they don't, they'd be looking for a much higher ROI than 33.3%.

I could be wrong though.

[BsmyeEnterprises]

I know of a few good people on here, but I don't want to nominate them in case they're not interested, but if they do post on here I'll be happy to back them up :)

Thanks!

I think you're targeting the wrong kind of forums. Any coders on here will likely own their own small businesses, and, assuming they don't, they'd be looking for a much higher ROI than 33.3%.

I could be wrong though.

Lets wait and see :) I'm looking for someone who knows the potential of this market and is willing to put effort in to make this business work, like I know it can.

[stugster]

Exactly my point :) Someone who knows the potential of the market isn't going to let 11.1% disappear within their partnership.

[BsmyeEnterprises]

Exactly my point :) Someone who knows the potential of the market isn't going to let 11.1% disappear within their partnership.

11.1% - sorry?!

[stugster]

Sorry, 17% even ;)

[BsmyeEnterprises]

The reason for the 33.3% is that someone already owns 50% of the business. So 33.3% seems fair for all. The person who owns the stake is simple an investor and won't have any part in running the business however.

[stugster]

An investor?! What on earth do you need one of them for? If you already own a handful of scripts, and the business is going to be operating online...

ach, never mind. This is just daft :) Is it 1st April?

[BsmyeEnterprises]

An investor?! What on earth do you need one of them for? If you already own a handful of scripts, and the business is going to be operating online...

ach, never mind. This is just daft :) Is it 1st April?

They've been in the business from the beginning. I've needed money to get it to where it is now, and both myself and the investor (a family member) have each invested a similar amount so far.

[stugster]

What have they had to invest in?
How much have they invested?
Why 50%?

Either way, the coder still only walks away with 33% of the profits.

Your investor walks away with half the profits (for the coders hard work - lucky them!) and you walk away with 17%....

From the coders point of view, it's not a very good deal at all - in my humble opinion :)

[stugster]

(With no guarantee of any turnover/regular payments either, this is all based on the ability for your company to actually sell the products in the long term)

[BsmyeEnterprises]

What have they had to invest in?
How much have they invested?
Why 50%?

Either way, the coder still only walks away with 33% of the profits.

Your investor walks away with half the profits (for the coders hard work - lucky them!) and you walk away with 17%....

From the coders point of view, it's not a very good deal at all - in my humble opinion :)

Ok, I bought an existing website selling scripts and the sale came with exclusive rights to about 25 scripts. Since then we've bought more sites and scripts from the same person who sold the site to us in the first place, thus increasing the amount of scripts we own to 50. However as part of my new plan for the business, in the beginning we'll concentrate on improving 10 of the best scripts, making sure they're bug free etc, and start selling them. Once the business is making a regular income we'll move on to the other scripts and gradually release them throughout the next 12 months.

I won't say how much we've invested each, but its four figures. The existing business has made over $1000 per month but is currently making just a few hundred dollars each month as no promotion has been done recently, due to the fact we are rebranding and relaunching the site soon (hence this thread!).

And you've got the percentages wrong - currently I own half of the business and the investor owns the other half. If we take on a coder as a partner, each of us will own a third of the business. Seems perfectly fair to me.

[FireFleur]

I am taking it that you are not a developer?

Most developers would just make their own site, and hold copyright 100% on their code.

The amount of open source code out there is huge when it comes to scripting, and that forms the development eco system.

So, your customers are going to be people who cannot develop? And the value is integration, i.e. the scripts will be very flexible with protected name spaces and interface with a slew of different applications e.g. databases, mail servers, along with installation support.

You are probably better off aiming to build a complete system and selling that. Most developers have tons of code, we have scripts for lots of different things, but they tend to have to be worked into a given project, often they are aide memoirs, or standalone, and they get integrated into a project.

If a developer started to sell their code libraries, and some do, the problem they hit straight away is they are not in control of the final environment, so it ends up costing quite a bit in support time. If you do go down that route, then you will want to figure that cost in.

[BsmyeEnterprises]

I am taking it that you are not a developer?

Most developers would just make their own site, and hold copyright 100% on their code.

The amount of open source code out there is huge when it comes to scripting, and that forms the development eco system.

So, your customers are going to be people who cannot develop? And the value is integration, i.e. the scripts will be very flexible with protected name spaces and interface with a slew of different applications e.g. databases, mail servers, along with installation support.

You are probably better off aiming to build a complete system and selling that. Most developers have tons of code, we have scripts for lots of different things, but they tend to have to be worked into a given project, often they are aide memoirs, or standalone, and they get integrated into a project.

If a developer started to sell their code libraries, and some do, the problem they hit straight away is they are not in control of the final environment, so it ends up costing quite a bit in support time. If you do go down that route, then you will want to figure that cost in.

I'm not a developer, no.

However, the thing with these scripts is they are designed for resale; they are for the end-user rather than developers. They are not bits of code which can be used in bigger projects - each script allows the customer to instantly have a complete site, for example one script allows them to make a virtual pet website, another script allows them to create a mobile advertising network.

I have been selling PHP scripts to the end-user for a year or so now, and often customers either buy more scripts from me or request custom coding. The PHP scripts I sell literally allow someone to quickly and easily create a network of sites, and this appeals to a lot of people.

[FireFleur]

Ok, you don't want to call them scripts :)

Scripting is either highly rated for admin, or derided for applications. PHP is technically a scripting language, but if you are selling complete web applications you want to make that obvious.

If these are turn key applications, what you have is a software house.

Now, if you want a developer, they will want to know what you bring to the party.

The ratio 1 account to 1 developer can work, the developer will also be interested in a graphic designer being part of the mix. And that is the triumvirate that can work very well.

[BsmyeEnterprises]

Ok, you don't want to call them scripts :)

Scripting is either highly rated for admin, or derided for applications. PHP is technically a scripting language, but if you are selling complete web applications you want to make that obvious.

If these are turn key applications, what you have is a software house.

Now, if you want a developer, they will want to know what you bring to the party.

The ratio 1 account to 1 developer can work, the developer will also be interested in a graphic designer being part of the mix. And that is the triumvirate that can work very well.

I see; I've always called them PHP scripts and you'll find many similar businesses also call them PHP scripts. I'm pretty sure it is normal to call them PHP scripts, although admittedly this is really a blanket term as it encompasses web applications, like I'm selling, and scripts in the sense you've described them as.

What I'll bring to the business - well, first and foremost, the existing scripts (web applications!). Secondly the design for the website (already coded). Third, I'll be spending more money on marketing for the site. Fourth, I'll deal with the day-to-day running of the business, such as answering customer questions, processing payments etc.
So basically the coder will need to code, I'll do the rest :)

[FireFleur]

Well they are technically scripts as an interpretor is being used to run the commands, but script has the notion of something done quickly without robustness. It is not really fair, but that is how it has evolved.

1 and 2 of what you bring is probably not that important, and oddly probably muddles a bit where you are going.

Most developers do not like other people's code, and most people who don't develop don't get that. But it is like an author, being given a half written novel, and expected to finish it in the same time, but halved, as the original author. Most of the time it will take longer, than just starting from scratch. And just imagine what the story ends up like :)

So, 3 and 4 are the main elements, now 3 is money in the business or money you will add, and if you add how will you add it. 4 means you want to sell software and that is what you bring to the party.

You have another partner, what are they bringing? the money? You will probably have to understand what they bring as well.

Get a proper developer; perl, java, c, or python and start to convert the best applications over to a good platform. Plough some of the profit back in, and build the company.

[Cornish Steve]

Hello,

I am looking for a PHP coder willing to partner with me.

I am going to be launching a new website selling PHP scripts as I own rights to about 50. However my plan is to start by selling just 10 of the best PHP scripts, after they have all be improved. Once we're making a good income we can work on the other scripts.
As coder, you will be required to:
- Thoroughly test every script and fix all bugs. Also add features to the scripts (as I said, there will be about 10 scripts at the start)
- Code a shopping cart and affiliate system for the site
- A big upside for you, if you want it, will be that you will get all custom coding jobs from our customers. You'll get 70% of the value of each job outright, and 30% will be kept as commission for the business (which you'll get a share in too at the end of each month!)

I'm willing to give away a third of the business in exchange for your services. I'm hoping to achieve a monthly revenue of over $1000 in the first year, and a much higher revenue in following years (over $5000 a month).

Although I said its going to be a new site, technically its a relaunch and rebrand of the site in my signature (the first link). That site has made over $1000 a month before and the new site will have more scripts, a much better design and a better shopping cart (coded by you!). If that site can make $1000 a month, the new site will easily be able to make this!

I will do the marketing of the site so once the coding work is done you'll just need to fix any further bugs found.

By the way, the site will trade in dollars, which is why I've used dollars here.

PM me if you're interested!
Can you enlighten me? What do you mean by selling PHP scripts? What types of things do these scripts do? Why would someone buy scripts when there are so many PHP-based open source sites around? In other words, what is the basis of your business model?

Edit: Oops - I see you partly answered these questions already.

[edmondscommerce]

good luck with this... $333 a month - woop

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=333+usd+in+gbp

[ABCStudio]

PHP Eccomerce "Script" (http://www.oscommerce.com/)
PHP Blog "Script" (http://wordpress.com/)
PHP Forum "Script" (http://www.phpbb.com/)
PHP photo gallery (http://gallery.menalto.com/)
PHP Content Management "Script" (http://www.joomla.org/)

and lots more... (http://sourceforge.net/)

What kind of "scripts" are you selling? and who do you think is going to buy them? There is so much available for free, that I imagine as far superior to your offerings (based on you not having a developer and therefore support).

Are you sure you even have the right to sell this scripts?

[alex-m]

Why don't you hire a developer to work on the scripts and keep the profits for yourself?

[stugster]

Why don't you hire a developer to work on the scripts and keep the profits for yourself?

That's a fantastic question.

From the point of view of someone reading these posts however, the reasons are:

1) The guy isn't a coder/developer and so needs to have someone constantly available to do the work he should be doing.
2) The guy expects to turn over $1000 a month (expects!) and at the moment, is nowhere near this figure.
3) Because there's three people getting the money three ways, that leaves a pitiful amount left over for the man doing the work (The coder).
4) No coder would work for such a low amount without guarantees or a reasonable share in the pie they're working so hard to bake.

[pcservicenetwork]

Most coders I know would want the share you are offering of the profits as a minimum daily wage.

[BsmyeEnterprises]

PHP Eccomerce "Script" (http://www.oscommerce.com/)
PHP Blog "Script" (http://wordpress.com/)
PHP Forum "Script" (http://www.phpbb.com/)
PHP photo gallery (http://gallery.menalto.com/)
PHP Content Management "Script" (http://www.joomla.org/)

and lots more... (http://sourceforge.net/)

What kind of "scripts" are you selling? and who do you think is going to buy them? There is so much available for free, that I imagine as far superior to your offerings (based on you not having a developer and therefore support).

Are you sure you even have the right to sell this scripts?

Like I say, there are around 50 scripts (although 10 will be concentrated and worked on in the beginning). For example, there's an image hosting scripts, a virtual pet site script, a mobile forum script, a mobile advertising network and more. Of course I have rights to sell the scripts! In fact, I have exclusive rights to sell all the scripts; I am the only person who owns rights to them.

Why don't you hire a developer to work on the scripts and keep the profits for yourself?

1) It costs money; I've spent a lot on websites recently and also already invested a lot into this business, and for now I'd rather not spend a lot more (will still spend some on marketing though).
2) The developer may not fix future bugs, and I'll also need to find another person to do the custom coding jobs.
3) Having a developer on board will just make the whole process much easier. They can fix future bugs, take custom coding jobs and work on future scripts etc too.

That's a fantastic question.

From the point of view of someone reading these posts however, the reasons are:

1) The guy isn't a coder/developer and so needs to have someone constantly available to do the work he should be doing.
2) The guy expects to turn over $1000 a month (expects!) and at the moment, is nowhere near this figure.
3) Because there's three people getting the money three ways, that leaves a pitiful amount left over for the man doing the work (The coder).
4) No coder would work for such a low amount without guarantees or a reasonable share in the pie they're working so hard to bake.

A few points, as you've got most of this wrong:
- $1000 a month is not what I expect to turn over. I've already been making that from selling my scripts; with a coder on board and the scripts improved I'll be able to make a lot more. Additionally, there will be the income from custom coding jobs (probably worth at least $1000 a month alone). After 12 months I expect to be making $4000-$6000 a month from script sales plus custom coding income on top of that ($1000-$5000 a month).
- The coder will get 33.3% of income from script sales, plus 70% upfront from custom coding jobs. So, script sales of $1000 and custom coding jobs worth $1000 a month would give the coder over $1000 income. And that's based on quite low revenue; if, like I expect, we're making $5000 or so a month after 12 months from script sales that's a passive income of over $1500 for the coder.

Most coders I know would want the share you are offering of the profits as a minimum daily wage.

So, you're saying most coders are making $50,000-$100,000 a year? Er, I think you'll find not! I've worked with many coders who make $100-$1000 a month by coding part time, a similar figure to what they can expect in the first few months working on this project part-time. And once the site is actually properly going, they can expect a much higher income while still only working on the project part-time.

[alex-m]

1) It costs money; I've spent a lot on websites recently and also already invested a lot into this business, and for now I'd rather not spend a lot more (will still spend some on marketing though).
2) The developer may not fix future bugs, and I'll also need to find another person to do the custom coding jobs.
3) Having a developer on board will just make the whole process much easier. They can fix future bugs, take custom coding jobs and work on future scripts etc too.
I asked the question kinda knowing that this would be the answer. To me it sounds like you're not confident that it's gonna work out, and so don't want to make the required investment in hiring developers.

[BsmyeEnterprises]

I asked the question kinda knowing that this would be the answer. To me it sounds like you're not confident that it's gonna work out, and so don't want to make the required investment in hiring developers.

I've already invested $xxxx in the site; I am now working with a very limited budget so think taking on a coder as a partner is the most viable option. However, I am already contingency planning and will hire a developer if I get no offers for partnership from someone I think is up to the job.

I am actually extremely confident the site is going to be a success, having seen how popular php scripts are. But I really do feel having a partner will help accelerate the success of the site and it will leave me with more money to spend on marketing (rather than coding).