Today we will focus on what a database project would look like to your business, covering costs and timelines. We also have a guide for associations going through a database project.
There are many different variations of databases and some you might have already used, such as a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) or even something as simple as Excel.
No matter what database system or platform, the one common thing is that databases enable you to manage data, sometimes lots and lots of data. A good database will enable you to manage lots of data through simple tools that don't cause you any frustration and make technology work for you.
For the purpose of this post we will exclude DIY database tools because we can't quantify the dollar value to you as the result, timeline and expert help you will hire (more than likely) will all end up being piecemeal - your results will also be fragmented and cannot easily be measured.
And lastly, we highly recommend you obtain at least 3 quotes for any database project and get answers to the following high level questions:
So let's get to the fun stuff, what is the cost of building a database for your business? Which we will follow up with a detail breakdown of database maintenance costs.
The following breakdown will be provide a estimate comparison of developing a database from scratch and compared to an implementation on Members Village. We will also break down the costs over a 3 year period.
We will also be basing the project on a business with revenues of $1M and less (as the needs can be qualified for the purpose of this post). We will also use a $125/hour rate for calculating costs for both implementations.
| Implementation | Stage | I want to be able to | So that I can | Timeline | Cost | Maintenance (per month) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Custom | Consultation | Understand the scope of my project | Plan accordingly, including allocating resources such as people, time and money | 1 hour | Free (should be!) | $0 |
| Members Village | Consultation | Understand the scope of my project | Plan accordingly, including allocating resources such as people, time and money | 1 hour | Free (always!) | $0 |
| Custom | Planning | Get a blueprint of my final database | Confirm it will match my goals | 2 weeks | $8,750 | $0 |
| Members Village | Planning | Get a blueprint of my final database | Confirm it will match my goals | 1 week | $2,500 | $0 |
| Custom | Design | See what my interfaces will look like | Will have an idea of the experience my team or users will get | 3 weeks | $13,125 | $0 |
| Members Village | Design | See what my interfaces will look like | Will have an idea of the experience my team or users will get | 1 week | $2,500 | $0 |
| Custom | Development | Interact with my data and dashboards | Can confirm that it is going to meet my goals | 4 weeks | $17,500 | $375 |
| Members Village | Development | Interact with my data and dashboards | Can confirm that it is going to meet my goals | 1 week | $2,500 | $195 |
| Custom | Report (optional) | Generate a shareable and beautiful report | Capitalize on my data and its processing | 2 weeks | $8,750 | $0 |
| Members Village | Report (optional) | Generate a shareable and beautiful report | Capitalize on my data and its processing | 2 week | $5,000 | $0 |
| Custom | Database Changes | Change my database such as the nomenclature | Respond to my changing needs | 1 day | $875 | $0 |
| Members Village | Database Changes | Change my database such as the nomenclature | Respond to my changing needs | Immediate | $0 | $0 |
A database deployment should also expect follow up costs such as hosting with a yearly cost of $240 (we're not including discount hosting providers).
An SSL certificate with a yearly cost of $100.
Software updates, such as changing your user interface to match any database changes, which are managed for you at a rate of $150/hour.
Data management causing you nothing but frustration? Time is saved, errors are reduced, and valuable insights are gained through straightforward reports with the help of our personalized database system.
Our effort begins with your needs, goals, ideal experience which we then turn into a robust data structure design, spectacular reports, and straightforward interfaces.
Over the last 15 years we supported the rollout of Ottawa web design, database and CRM portals for Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, the Business Council of Canada, and CropLife Canada.
Get a free consultation to start enhancing your data management right away.