WAHM Forums

Hi,


I'm putting together a directory - what I want is for the website visitors to be able to search for the listings, by name, by location, by specialty. Maybe later I'll add by keyword, price, etc, but for now I'll keep it simple. I just want simple drop down select fields and then the results show up in a nice orderly fashion.


The subscribers will send me their information via simple form email - I already have this set up.


What I want is to be able to collect all of their data maybe in a database or spreadsheet, but how do I get it to feed into the web page according to the search results? Is this where I would implement MySql or PHP?


I'd hate to have to do it all manually, plus I want the user to choose whether the results are alphabetical or by distance, etc.


I guess, to simplify, I want the user to be able to fully search the database of subscribers! smileys/smiley4.gif


Thanks for the input!

PHP with a MySQL database behind it would be a very good way to do this.

I'm assuming you don't want to have to do any manual data entry and just want your users to submit info automatically into your directory.

One way would be to instead of having people submit information to you via form email, is to have submitted info be put directly into the database by the user and then you can log into a password protected admin area, see all the new submissions and approve or reject them as you wish.

once approved they would automatically show up in the directory.

and having the directory be searchable and sortable would be a pretty simple process. Are you going to want categories or sub-categories for your directory listings?

This really isn't that difficult of a project to build custom. Although depending on how detailed and deep you want to make your directory, it may take some time.

If you don't need to have the directory customized to you exactly, you might even be able to find some pre-made scripts out there that you could use. Try searching www.hotscripts.com (http://www.hotscripts.com) to start.

Let me know if you have any other questions, I've been doing php/mysql development for a while now smileys/smiley1.gif

--chadd

Thanks, chadd! That sounds exactly like what I need.


I took an SQL class a year or so ago and passed with an A - but I've never used it since! I would have to dig out my books and refresh my memory but things have probably changed since then too. I need this to be really professional looking so a pre-built script sounds appropriate.


I will check out hotscripts - I'm sure I will have plenty of questions! Thanks so much for your help!

I need this to be really professional looking so a pre-built script sounds appropriate.


i've noticed "pre-built script" and "professional looking" don't always seem to go together. smileys/smiley36.gif

Chadd and Bluebutterfliiz, Do either of you write articles? I could use someone (or two) that can write about php, asp and the like. You can PM me for more info.


Thanks!
Debbi

A php site with a MySQL-driven database is definitely the way to go with your site requirements/specs.


Good luck on this project!