Does anyone know how to create an online "instant quote calculator" for an online print company?

Question

I actually like this type of "instant pricing" calculator, I prefer this type.

http://www.fullcolorprinting.com/bcards.html

the following are actually two different sites with the same feel to the calculators.

http://www.digitalroom.com/print/Brochures.html
http://www.uprinting.com/print/Brochures.html

I really would rather not have this type of calculator

https://www.buyerprinting.com/brochureSmall.php

Answer 1

In a case like this, you'd want to write a server-side script, such as PHP, that would handle the calculations, with all the options being kept in a database, such as MySQL. You could hard-code the various options into the script, but that would make the script more cluttered, and perhaps more difficult to work with if the site expands.

Answer 2

There are two approaches, one is where the HTML code contains all the information internally and the other is where it accesses a database on your servers.

With the former, you can use an HTML form with Javascript attached to the options that updates the calculations and displays them.

I don't know how to do the latter. You use PHP I suppose.

Either way, you need a web programmer to do it for you.

Answer 3

I am a developer, and currently doing a similar site (in italian).
The "quote page" is complex, runs under PhP, MySQL, javascript and AJAX... (see www.skytargets.com, web designs, samples in a few days).
The quote is formed by taking all data and applying variable formulas, i.e.:
(ink price per m² * sheet surface in m² * sides (1 or 2) * number of sheets * number of copies) + (paper type price per m² * sheet surface in m² * number of sheets * number of copies) + (biding price per length * number of copies) + ...
These formulas must be editable in the "Content Management System" implemented in the admi side of the site.
Easy, but quite long work, and even harder to get the final client to learn how to enter the formulas...
Good luck