Best programming language to use and rough estimate?

[julien_simon]

Hi all,

I am not really posting a specific programming issue but I know somebody looking to replicate something similar to this: http://csr.mcfc.co.uk/ for a project they have. They are very interested in creating a web page similar to it to communicate with the public instead of making people download a boring 50 page PDF.

The example link above is made using flash. Could it be made using HTML5 and CSS3 and javascript?

Either way, how much do you think something like this is worth?
Details:
- The technology of the page does not matter too much as long as it is indexable.
- A specific landscape will have to be replicated for the project mentioned. It won't be just a random image but something that has to look like the project in real life.

Anyway, if you could let me know what language/technology would be best to use , and how much it would cost (a cost range is perfectly fine), it would be awesome!

Thanks a bunch in advance!

Julien

[a53mp]

This depends on a few things..

Do you already have a server?
If you will be hosting the site on your companies server, or another webserver, you will need to program whatever language that server uses.. usually ASP or PHP, but could be .NET or Coldfusion or one of the many other languages. If you don't have a server already, you will need to get one.. this will mainly depend on whatever language you or your programmer wants to develop the site in.. it can cost anywhere from $5-$100+ a month depending on your needs.

Who will be developing the site?
If it will be you, then you will probably use whatever language you already know.. The most basic would be HTML. It would be possible to do it in HTML5, however if you don't have any programming experience that might be a hard place to start. If you want dynamic aspects you should look at PHP or ASP. PHP is probably easier to pick up on (at least for me) but it depends on your needs and your server. If you will have someone else develop the site, you will want to pick someone who can program in whatever language your server supports.

Can you use flash?
Of course.. but it probably would be easier and better not to make a full flash site. Probably won't be as indexable either

Budget
Websites can go anywhere from $0-$thousands of dollars if you hire someone or a company. If you hire an individual/freelancer it will be a lot cheaper than if you go with a full company/agency. Cost really depends on functionality and needs.. will it require a database? a CMS to manage content? user logins? eCommerce? etc. For example, a 50 page static site might cost $800 if the developer is adding all of the content.. not including future updates/changes.. however doing site with say.. Wordpress and a basic free theme might cost $500, but you would be responsible for the content.. or $1500 if you need a custom CMS built.. etc.. there are a lot of variables.. but I would guesstimate about $500-$800 without knowing details.. it also depends on who you work with.. some people charge $15 an hour, some charge $80 an hour.. you typically get what you pay for, but if you aren't building a crazy site with really nice custom graphics, you will probably be fine going cheaper if they know what they are doing.

Cheapest solution? PHP with wordpress and a free theme with Godaddy hosting (cheapest, not necessarily best)