Need Advice:Overhauling Website, Setting Up Server/Network For Small Business

[LeftCoast]

Hi All,

It has been a while.

While not fully qualified, I've been given the task of overseeing a project at work that includes a total overhaul of the company's website, getting a new server setup for on-site hosting of said website, and getting the small business network setup/moved to a new office as well. I'm pretty sure I won't be able to do much of the actual setup, but I've surprised myself before (Mad Max rules applied).

I'm working in town (Tampa) for an auto core supplier who also specializes in buying/selling recycled metals, mainly B2B. With the domestic economy sagging, he's looking to expand his presence globally, although much of his business is already generated via international sales.

He's looking for a nice, modern website to make a positive first impression on potential B2B customers. Aside from the typical business pages, it will need to have a price list that will be easy to maintain/update (weekly basis), and will include password protection so only current customers may gain access to the current list. Price list would be in US dollars, but it would be helpful to have some kind of seamless method of converting dollars to other common currencies. Including search engine optimization and setting up a host server would be a big plus, as I said, he wants to host the server on-site. Only a few computers need access to the server on-site, and one remotely to update the weekly price lists. Little or no ecommerce takes place on the website; it's mainly informational and for the updated pricing of the commodities.

What specifically would you all suggest as far as implementation of this server and network? I know I'll be outsourcing, but I'd like an idea of what I'm getting into here.

As always, thanks in advance.

[EXreaction]

I am not sure that hosting your own website is all that good of an idea unless you are capable of setting up the server yourself and fully managing it (I am not talking Windows either, if you want a web server you use Unix or Linux).

Mostly I would stay away from hosting myself because of security issues.

As for programming it, unless you hire a good programming team (they are not cheap) or a good freelancer I can pretty much guarantee that whatever they write will have a lot of security vulnerabilities. If you have that web server on your network somebody may be able to access your network just by the security vulnerabilities in your web applications.

Just remember that when you hire somebody, if they are cheap you WILL get garbage. Also, a tip as a freelancer myself, make sure you have everything planned out as far as your needs as extensively as possible. If things have to be changed part ways through building it or once it is finished because you did not mention specifics it will be costly.

If you have some plans for what you exactly need for the website I can ask a few people I know to see if they would have time to do it if they are interested. I am not a HTML/CSS developer so I can not help you.

I would definitely recommend you do not ask the same person developing the website to set up your server unless you actually know the person. Actually, I wouldn't recommend you ask anyone to setup the server unless they are able to come onsite and work on it.