Hey guys,

I'm designing a site at the moment and my client has asked that I include a function where users can register an account with the site. He wants this so he can attain all his clients info and contact details and send them monthly emails.

It would involve a sign up button, whoch leads to a sign-up page where the user fills out a form, chooses a password and username and submits it. Then an automated email response lets them know they are signed up. And from then on they can sign-in to the site.

Has anybody got any idea where to start with this? I'm told I need to talk to the server about it?

Cheers,
Colm.

Talk to the hand 'cos the server ain't lissnin'

You need server side code and a database. Do you have either available?

To be quite honest, I don't even know what they are??

I'd imagine side code is code written by the server which I then add to the site, so the user can get the automated response?

And I'd imagine a database is to store all the users info?

Excuse my ignorance

Server side code is written by a programmer/developer that runs ON the server, PHP, ASP,ASP.NET etc.

And you are correct on the database.

You will need some form of database server. eg: MSSQL, Oracle, MySql, Access which the server side code can interact with to store/read user details.

I see.

So if I build the forms and buttons and pages etc. Will my server be able to help me out with the rest if I ring them?

I have very little experience with websites, Im a graphic designer, and I have no idea about code.

Is this really complicated or is it relatively easy if I look into it?

Your server won't do anything at all other than "serve" pages.
Certainly you could design the forms and hire a developer to code the "back end" system, and there are prebuilt systems that can be "plugged in"

If all that is needed is to maintain a mailing list there are hosted services available without needing any coding.

Well I have my own mailing system "Mailchimp" works as a newsletter... Though it doesn't let people log in, etc.

yes, hire on that can code, it is easy to do, if you know, how to... but remember no to limit that site that way, so you do not losse users

I do not understand!!!!!!?!