Based on your needs I think you are more likely looking for a web developer than a tweaker. While Joomla makes putting together a web site really easy, some of the features you are looking for might require a little more to seemlessly integrate. There is also the issue of maintaining the site. Please consider who will fix it when/if it breaks, who will upgrade it when new releases come out, and who will update content.

Joomla is awesome but there are obsticle to overcome in developing a site like you are talking about. I'm sure there are alot of tweakers out there who will take your money. Beware and good luck.

Chris

Hi Todd,

I can offer our services. Basically we're a small company (actually mainly husband-and-wife outfit) based in Prague, Czech Republic, that specializes in setting up non-profit (and especially church) sites using Joomla. My wife is an excellent designer (fully cross-browser XHTML / CSS), so she would be able to help you tweak your templates, then find and install the modules you needed to get the functionality you require. My role is more on the technical side, so I can program modules etc. that need some customization.

Although we started some 5 years ago by focusing only the local Czech population (http://www.cisty-design.cz), in the last 6 months we've begun to offer services to European / US customers too (http://www.webnest.eu - this site is still under development).

We've recently finished a project for a US ministry 'Messages from the heart' (http://www.mfth.net/), which might give an idea of the type of site we create. We have some templates on the Webnest site, plus there are completed projects on our Czech site (http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=cs&...) and templates there too (http://translate.google.com/translate?prev=hp&hl=e...)

Our Webnest site offers both one-time design packages and full packages that include design, hosting and maintenance (monthly charges); however in your case we will probably work out a special one-time deal, since you are providing the template, hosting etc.

Finally - costs. Since we work from home, we do not have high charges (significantly below standard stateside rates), but we can give you an initial quote for the work that we foresee will be needed (including a 'maximum' amount, which we won't exceed) - we do offer discounts for churches. We also include full training (via Skype, if possible), which we include as part of the offer.

Let me know if you'd like to set up a meeting (via Skype) or if you'd like more information.

Alan.

I completely agree that I need a web developer. The tweaker comment was just to suggest that I have a low budget and am happy to start with a good template. It does not have to be a template I bring to the table. I have good functional specs on what I want and can point to examples of the design I am after. Then turn someone loose on getting this setup. I also understand there would likely be some addition of features, clean-up and more technical maintenance to do beyond the setup. I can budget for that. I just am suggesting that I can serve as the one who trains everyone and does light administration. I have maintained webites in HTML before and would love to learn as I go on Joomla, but I understand paying someone to do it right is the way to go. We will do that where we have budget.

I have about $500-$750 to with and a little each year set aside for maintenance and refreshing things a bit. I have a host and have Joomla 1.5 installed and working.

I am wondering what my next steps would be to understand what help I can get with the money I have to get started sooner than later. I know there are many folks who can do this work, but not knowing any of them, I need to make sure I am getting folks who have a good reputation and won't just take my money. I would also prefer someone who works on church websites as they would understand our needs even better.

Thanks for the feedback.

Do you have sample sites you have done with things like audio streaming, calendar integration, slideshows, e-mail lists... done in Joomla. One of the big things I have to get out of this is a site many non-tech people can maintain content on. I don't want the content to get outdated, I cannot do the content work, and there are no technical folks to work on FTPing files, etc. That was my attraction to Joomla.

Send an email to 902@pbc902.org if you want to swap messages off the forum. I am a little nervous about dealing with folks I do not know so you will have to help me with reference work and contacts.

Thanks

Hi there,

I saw your post on the website and read what you are trying to do, and think I can help.

I've volunteered to setup and maintain our churches website, www.garnerchristianfellowship.org. We're located in Garner NC adn I think that you're located in Pittsboro, small world.

I completely understand the having a small budget, I didn't have any money to build the site, just what I was able to save by switching hosts.

Why don't you check out the website, and sign up for an account. Check it out...I've already setup most of what you're looking for and we're on Hostmonster to boot.

I'm sure I can help you whether it's advice to setting up and maintaining.
Kingdom Blessings,
Chtris Mathews

Hi Todd,

I'm not sure if you received the email I sent to your post - eventually sent as a private message since the email address wasn't working.

Anyway, Chris's offer seems good to me. If the church site he's set up is pretty much what you want, I think that's the best offer you can get -- someone close by and some free help! Chris - nice job!

On the other hand, if you need some extra graphics tweaking or programming that neither of you have the time for, let me know - I'm sure we can help.

God bless your endeavors!

Alan

Thanks for your posts. They are really very cool, very wonderful
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