Danlew.com

When I get overloaded with work and I can not manage designing or programming sites myself I use oDesk.

For a long time I have been using oDesk for web projects, I find their system very reliable and user friendly. You know when you hire someone on there that the transaction will be safely taken care of, not only that you can view their success rating and hourly rate without having to negotiate pricing or anything else.

It’s all there just like a menu and what’s even better you can use your credit card to make the order through to pay the developer, then oDesk pay them. I think this system is great as it enables you to pay through an Escrow system. So this ensures the buyer and seller are both happy before the transaction takes place.

Starting Off
When putting a website together it requires alot of technical thought and marketing concept including the purpose and thinking of ways to generate income. If your site is based on offering a service then this will be alot different to putting a site together that is based on automated earnings. But in reality know one has the ability and mind power to structure the site the way you want it including framework and branding and direction and giving the site real drive better then you can, so bear that in mind before starting.

I mean putting a site together on your end with a bit of effort is needed. You can not just think of an idea and get someone to do it. So if your up for it and have the passion then go for it.

Development Stage
What I do before putting a site together is I look at around 3 Top sites I like and then I put the design and ideas together in Photoshop as I already have design skills. Bear in mind if you have some technical knowledge then the easier it will be.

Most sites these days require css styling skills and then applying this to your coded php files for example. But if you are not familiar with this process that is also ok. It may need you will have to work a little harder or get the developer at hand to work in from design through to coding.

Once you have had a look at sites that you like, start puzzling it all together, add bits and pieces and modules onto your page that you like.

Follow Through
Once your happy with the direction then the next stage is following through. So you will need to first of all find a developer on oDesk perhaps two, one for designing css style sheets and one for asp or php programming and then ieven one more for ajax depending.

Once you feel comfortable with getting the right person, and this ensured by having conferences over GoToMeetings or Skype, you can then narrow down the person or team you would like to put on for the project.

Bearing in mind constant communication will ensure a better result, but make sure there is not too much of it as in my experience disturbing designers and technical team too much slows down the results even further. I normally keep lists together along with what is needed and tick them off as I go along. So it’s also important to be organized aswell.

Constant Marketing
Once the site is ready you must also maintain your site and do constant marketing including SEO and Viral Marketing but the best ways to find someone to do that for you I have always found is in SEO Community type sites.

Important Note: Always have a non disclosure agreement ready before having someone take on a job