Outsourcing Web Design

[Bored Working]

Hi everyone,

I'm in the process of putting together an RFP for a quasi-social networking site I've had in mind for a while. In preparation for submitting files to an outsourced third party, I'm trying to determine if there is a good program for mapping out the flow of webpage links within a site -- without getting into the programming language. I thought about using Visio, but I don't think that works well. Any ideas?

Many thanks!

[diglyd]

Hi everyone,

I'm in the process of putting together an RFP for a quasi-social networking site I've had in mind for a while. In preparation for submitting files to an outsourced third party, I'm trying to determine if there is a good program for mapping out the flow of webpage links within a site -- without getting into the programming language. I thought about using Visio, but I don't think that works well. Any ideas?

Many thanks!

You don't really need to get all pretty and corporate. The developers will need most importantly the business rules and functional specs. I worked with devs in the past where I provided everything on an excel spreadsheet color coded to show what where the parent menus or links and what were child links or sub sections etc. You can just draw it out on peper and fax it over or scan it an send it as an email. What I am getting it is that it does not have to be elaborate but functional and readable.

Unless you are making a very deep and complex site it should not be a problem.

you can use visio and there should be a template there for a web flow chart if I remember corectly.

You can also use frontpage, expression, or dreamweaver.

[jetpacklife]

Yeah, an RFP sounds like a bit of an overkill. Considering how cheap a social network can be put up. You'd probably just want to customize one the of the existing myspace clone scripts. (depending on what your doing of course)

In a large application like a social network site, you really can't map the flow of webpage links because of the dynamic nature of the site. You'd want to track usage and that flow, but that can be done with standard web stats packages.

[Bored Working]

Thanks to you both. I think I'm being too vague with an RFP at this stage. I have enough web design experience to build the shell of the site, and then work out the functional components later (whether it be an existing modified solution, or an outsourced solution). The components I will need help with include a Google Map mashup, database setup, registration profiles, etc. I can always farm these out as the need arises. Thanks again.

[final_id]

RFPs are a dangerous game, unless you get them "totally right" and basically indicate all the parameters of the work to be done. Otherwise you have a disaster waiting to happen. Leaving ANYTHING open, to me, is a mistake. Even if you utterly expect that later you will change the work that you might want to be done, nevertheless I would suggest making the initial request sound like the work is cut in stone and unchangeable.