print shop web sites

[nayrb]

i need some feedback.
what is yours like?
quote forms? order forms? file upload forms?

do your clients regularly use these forms?

the owner wants a website and i'd hate for him to spend money on things we doesn't need and clients won't use.

[Eyetech]

We used to have film requisition slips, nothing much just the spec of the job , you know the kinda stuff..

4c process or spot, size, neg or pos, emu or emd, screen ruling

Q: How many filled them out?

A: one, and then only the first time.

We do have signed Purchase orders for print, with our trading terms on reverse, dangerous not to!

[Lammy]

ehh, our site has general stuff on it. Hasen't changed in years. I don't any of our clients even use it, and doubt it shows up in any search engines.

I usualy email a PDF of our order form to clients that want to send us files via FTP or email. They fill it out and fax it to us. It's actually better because without the sheet of paper to track it we'll forget about the job. :?

[Cory]

we only use our site as a way for clients to upload files to our FTP...It's a simple CGI script that doesn't require them to use a FTP client. It's pretty nice for the clients who aren't capable of getting a proper FTP program :roll:

[TigerPress]

Cory - Whats the name of the script you use. I used to have one, but it never worked on larger files because the persons browser would time out. I finally got tired of fielding phone calls and removed it.

As far as the website, just general info. Gets updated every 6 months or so. Only works correctly with Internet Explorer, so that a new project someday.
www.tigerpress.com if you want to take a look.

...Wayne

[SlaveToTheMan]

After messing with a custom site for years (and nobody inhouse who really had the time or know-how to get it done properly) we bought into a "canned" site from Printer Presence and have been pretty happy with it.

They have an upload page for files which is nice & simple for the clients to use. Gives us fast, direct downloads on this end. There's an area for General Contacts, Quotes, etc and even the ability to archive clients' orders (i.e. LH, BusCards & easily re-ordered items) so they can keep track of what inventory we have on hand. Nobody really uses it though, I don't think the sales people ever embraced that part of the site.

[Sparky]

Our shop is looking into using "My Orderdesk.com" a third party support group that tailors your requisites to your customers needs and allows on-line ordering with posted PDF proofing, all virtually hands free. My Orderdesk does all the tech stuff, all you do is supply templates for commonly ordered type printing (repeat work, i.e. business cards, envelopes, letterheads etc.) and your customers just fill in a few blanks like names and addresses and the order is almost completely done, right up to the plating itself. They are also used as an ftp site and can transfer all electronic files, orders, and other services, as well as pricing, preflighting etc. It just depends on how much of the details you want to farm out.

Personally I think it sucks that an outsider is doing my job, but hey I don't sign the checks, I just keep trying to get one each week.

[Cory]

the script I'm using can be downloaded here

http://www.prepressforums.com/module...supload_v3.zip

it's worked great for large files...the only disadvantage is there is no visual feedback that the file is uploading....