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You can find the product at [no self promotion please]

Uses Rich Text Editor, traffic/search tracking, image resizing, secure admin utility for $499!

The product I am talking about has not yet been released on the market. It is different then the one you mentioned above and much more user friendly for the designer, developer and the end user.

Yes, that is what I have already created at [no self promotion please]

Uses two include files/dwt files for the framework.  Uses a rich text editor for adding content/updating content.  Has the ability to add and remove images.  Also has search and complete tracking system.  Included is image resizing, forms to request additional product information, secure admin utility, image reporting (size|color resolution|date added etc)

This is a complete system, believe me!  It was just released last week.  It is listed on Aspin.com.  It can be installed with complete instructions and NO ASP knowlege required.  It has been critically acclaimed already by many veteran ASP developers!

Nothing beats doing it yourself the pain, anguish, then the joy of success are not worth $499.

If i were to pay $499 for the product it should do the following:-

It must produce valid (xhtml) markup.
It must be very intuitive.
it must have no DLL's in it.
There must be a fantastic help system.
Content must be seperated from design.

There's your answer

Very valid points. I agree there is nothing like doing the job yourself and getting the satisfaction of a job well done. However, a lot of us are running a business and the heart ache of getting the job done well yourself can end up costing you money.

The idea of these systems is to quickly turn around web sites with great functionality and ease of use. The money and time saved on work can greatly outway the satisfaction of DIY development. This can change from business to business and person to person but in general a lot of us are trying to make a living out of this and if this can help us achieve it... then why not?

The system does not produce xhtml markup
It is very intuitive
It has no dll's
Help includes online support, developer docs and user docs, AND it is simple to install and use
Content is completely seperated from design

So if $499 is too much, what is it worth?

Because when it breaks you would spend a great deal of time trying to find out what went wrong. I'm in the same situation myself as clients needs differ i just take out whats not needed and add what else they need.

You have already written the system so with every new client you can build or enhance the system whilst working on that project i call this progress.

This can change from business to business and person to person but in general a lot of us are trying to make a living out of this and if this can help us achieve it... then why not?

I have built portal sites before, and I am currently in the process of developing a new one.  I think that the price depends not only on features but also on the target market.

If you are targeting a web developer who works with small business clients with relatively small budgets < $10k then around $450-500 would work.  However there are many software and product companies online that build communities around their software. IE: Computer Games, Car Products, Music.  These companies generally have a larged budget and therefore you could charge closer to the $1-2k margin.

Further, I believe that one of very important and key selling points here is to be able to integrate the online shopping system with the content portion of the site.  I believe you will only be able to charge the prices I quoted above with this feature set.  You have done it right, with the shopping system you have here on Udzone.  A central login for all features. Another feature that also can increase the price is limiting the software to SQL only, this requires more software on the clients end, but allows you to deliver a higher level of product to a higher level of customer.

I also believe that although you have your forums mod'd they are still based on the Snitz forum.  The problem I see with this is there are other much more powerful and full featured with load times that Snitz cannot even compare to. They also use much less bandwidth and processor time.

I think you guys have done it quite well here at UDzone and it's family of sites.  With the proper marketing, you will definettly be able to sell product effectively.  Good luck with UDzone and with the future of your CMS product.

Oh, I guess I should have read it more carefully then :)

But my post applies to anyone regarding a CMS.

Good luck to all the developers....

Dear Macromedia partner, please use the proper channels to advertise on DMXzone.com.

Thank you.

I think in terms of the design vs content separation argument, I think Macromedia have really tapped a vein with their contribute package and accordingly the licensing is (in Macromedia terms anyway) priced to sell.

I think it will be very difficult to make a business case for using a different CMS,