Creating forms

[emy]

I am in need of advice of the best way to handle what I want to do. I have a website where I as of now just tell potential clients about my services. I want to upgrade the site to be able to also allow potential clients to fill in a contract and send payment. I would like for them to first be able to check if we have their date available then if we do sent to the contract form. The contract needs to have all the terms and conditions and allow them to chose the services they want and add up the total. I would also like for the form to come to me through email not in a text/excel format but in a contract/word type document format that I can read, print out and sign to return a copy to them. As for the payment I would like for them to after filling out and submitting the contract form to be able to view it and print a copy for themselves then be taken to the payment page where they can securely enter their credit card information or request an invoice be sent to them. What type of codes will I need to use to get all this done.

Also, for my current clients, I have forms that I need for them to fill out. I would like to be able to put these forms on the website in a way so that if they do not finish filling it out they can save where they are and come back to it later to finish, and when they finish, the same as the contract, they will be able to submit, then view it and print out a copy for themselves and it will be emailed to me in a word type document so that I can email to my workers and also print out a copy.

Is there anyway I can do this all myself without having to purchase any software. My server provides PHP, MySQL and SSL if needed. But I have never used them and will need to get learned on them. I am a quick learner and have no doubt I can learn it all.

Thank you in advance for the help.

[AricC]

I am in need of advice of the best way to handle what I want to do. I have a website where I as of now just tell potential clients about my services. I want to upgrade the site to be able to also allow potential clients to fill in a contract and send payment. I would like for them to first be able to check if we have their date available then if we do sent to the contract form. The contract needs to have all the terms and conditions and allow them to chose the services they want and add up the total. I would also like for the form to come to me through email not in a text/excel format but in a contract/word type document format that I can read, print out and sign to return a copy to them. As for the payment I would like for them to after filling out and submitting the contract form to be able to view it and print a copy for themselves then be taken to the payment page where they can securely enter their credit card information or request an invoice be sent to them. What type of codes will I need to use to get all this done.

Also, for my current clients, I have forms that I need for them to fill out. I would like to be able to put these forms on the website in a way so that if they do not finish filling it out they can save where they are and come back to it later to finish, and when they finish, the same as the contract, they will be able to submit, then view it and print out a copy for themselves and it will be emailed to me in a word type document so that I can email to my workers and also print out a copy.

Is there anyway I can do this all myself without having to purchase any software. My server provides PHP, MySQL and SSL if needed. But I have never used them and will need to get learned on them. I am a quick learner and have no doubt I can learn it all.

Thank you in advance for the help.

Most of that wouldn't be a problem with PHP, however I wouldn't process the payment myself unless you really know what you are doing. People generally, won't use a payment system unless it is secure. I can move this to the PHP forum where you can get more info if you like.

Aric

[emy]

Most of that wouldn't be a problem with PHP, however I wouldn't process the payment myself unless you really know what you are doing. People generally, won't use a payment system unless it is secure. I can move this to the PHP forum where you can get more info if you like.

Aric

Yes I would like for it to be moved it that would help me further. Also, for the payments, I have a terminal in my office and am planning on just inserting the info from the payment forms on the website into the terminal. But I do want to be able to secure the page that the payment form will be on in the website. My server has a shared SSL. Should that work for what I am trying to do or should I purchase an SSL certificate for my domain?

[snowdonkey]

Like AricC said the things you want your clients to be able to do on your website (fill out a form, send payment, print a copy for themselves, request an invoice, email yourself a Word document) are all things you can accomplish in PHP.

However I would strongly encourage you have someone else do it, unless you have vested interest and time in learning web technology. I think you'll find that the time you spend to make the site, to learn PHP as well as MySQL won't rival the cost of paying a developer.

If you still want to do it yourself I can recommend PHP5, Apache, MySQL Development to learn through working examples how PHP and MySQL work together. Also your web host should have PEAR installed so that you can use the Mail() package to email yourself Word documents easily, along with phpMyAdmin for editing the database.

As for SSL make sure your web host will properly display certificates. I mean that if a client goes to your site and it's encrypted they should see the gold lock in their address bar and /or receive notification from their browser. You may also consider Extended Validation SSL. I don't know how widespread it is but it might be worth asking about.

[AricC]

Yes I would like for it to be moved it that would help me further. Also, for the payments, I have a terminal in my office and am planning on just inserting the info from the payment forms on the website into the terminal. But I do want to be able to secure the page that the payment form will be on in the website. My server has a shared SSL. Should that work for what I am trying to do or should I purchase an SSL certificate for my domain?

So what language are you planning on using server side? I agree with Snowdonkey I wouldn't try this unless you have some time to put forth. Also, I wouldn't recommend handling the payment again I would hire someone to do it, when your taking payments online you don't want to leave any margin for error.

Aric