I Need Advice on a Client Area, Not as boring as it sounds...take a look Options

[Coomer]

For my website development business, I'm currently developing a client-only area of the site, featuring messages and uploaded files, and to-do lists regarding client projects(websites most of the time.)

Now before you tune out, this sort of a system isn't limited to websites. Let me give you guys a scenario:

Say you talk to Romas and you decide to ship your car to him for some custom bodywork and interior work after you negotiate pricing and such.

Romas would start a project for you once you got the deal worked out. You'd be given a password, and you'd login with your email and password. Once logged in, you'd be presented with a page with the latest messages and items on the to-do list.

Messages
On the messages page, you'd be able to see all of the messages from Romas. For example, say he's working on your car, and isn't sure which splitter design to go with. He posts a message saying he needs your input on which splitter design to go with, and he attaches three images of the splitter choices. You would post a comment in response to the message with your reply and decision on which splitter to use. Or maybe you're not sure, and you ask Romas for more details in your comment. Then he'd comment again with more details, then you'd comment again with a final decision. This makes communication easy, and leaves a paper trail(rather than talking on the phone for example.)

To-Do List
On the to-do list page, you'd see the items that need to be done, and what's already been done. Some items Romas would be responsible for(finish molding sideskirts for example), and some items you'd be responsible for(sending 52mm gauges for Romas to install for example.) When you finish a task that you're responsible for, you'd mark a checkbox and the task would be filed away(showing up on a completed tasks page.) This makes exactly what Romas needs from you clear.

I'd also have a contact page, where my latest contact info would be available, and where clients could update their own contact information. Eventually, I might add a invoice section to the client area so clients could see their paid and unpaid invoices.


What do you guys think of a system like this? Is there anything you'd change or add? I need to keep it simple so people can use it, and I'm not sure exactly what I want to do with the whole client area, so your input would be greatly appreciated.

[presure2]

i think that sounds like a killer idea christian. i like the paper trail idea of it. in a situation like you discribed, real good way of keeping things moving and working.

[Akuza]

u should put a web cam feature as an option so if the client wants to see what romas is doing then it wouldnt be so much questions and all but that would depend if romas set it up cuz that would be annoying moving it back and forth and such just a shop cam i guess is good enough

[shin]

and probably a tracking system of when both parties was last logged in. which include both time and dates.

[creis]

its a great idea, if the shop workers could do it, very user friendly interfaces would be best, I seem to get the feeling that most of the people working in that feild are not Computer savy and would require a easy to use system and a help desk.

If I had a shop, that is exacly the kinda system I would want for it.

stuff worth adding
Comments where happy clients can post up a pic of there finnished car (if its a shop) or whatever. allong with how they felt about the service. or a suggestions box.

I really like ths shop cam idea for sevearl reasons, Its not just for the coustomers but for the shops security, have it live 24/7 or make is so that the feed from the cams goes to 2 places, one to the site for clients and one to a secure section for digital recording (security) and so the boss can keep an eye on whats going on even if he/she is gone.

Options
make a database of all avalible parts and services for people to go though and decide what they want (or atleast get an idea so they dont wast the workers time) and included could be a price referance so they can basicly get a (kinda) quote withough stepping foot in the door.

[Coomer]

u should put a web cam feature as an option so if the client wants to see what romas is doing then it wouldnt be so much questions and all but that would depend if romas set it up cuz that would be annoying moving it back and forth and such just a shop cam i guess is good enough
[right][snapback]280578[/snapback][/right]

Well, the example with Romas was just an example. I wouldn't want a webcam for my situation.

and probably a tracking system of when both parties was last logged in. which include both time and dates.
[right][snapback]280580[/snapback][/right]

That's a good idea, and is already being tracked and will be displayed.

its a great idea, if the shop workers could do it, very user friendly interfaces would be best, I seem to get the feeling that most of the people working in that feild are not Computer savy and would require a easy to use system and a help desk.

  If I had a shop, that is exacly the kinda system I would want for it.

stuff worth adding
Comments where happy clients can post up a pic of there finnished car (if its a shop) or whatever. allong with how they felt about the service. or a suggestions box.

I really like ths shop cam idea for sevearl reasons, Its not just for the coustomers but for the shops security, have it live 24/7 or make is so that the feed from the cams goes to 2 places, one to the site for clients and one to a secure section for digital recording (security) and so the boss can keep an eye on whats going on even if he/she is gone.

Options
  make a database of all avalible parts and services for people to go though and decide what they want (or atleast get an idea so they dont wast the workers time) and included could be a price referance so they can basicly get a (kinda) quote withough stepping foot in the door.
[right][snapback]280595[/snapback][/right]

I don't think that stuff applies to me in my website development situation.