This is a tip I want to share that doesn't get mentioned enough... or ever.

If you hire a coder or even someone to build your website, make sure that you have repository hosting and you insist that they "commit" their changes daily.

There are too many benefits to repository hosting to mention in a short thread like this but here are a few:
  • Multiple coders can work on the same project without conflict
  • It's the best backup system I know to insure against accidents or sabotage
  • It's a running journal of who change what and why (if they commit with comments)


If you're new to this then here's the short version of what you need to know:

Go set up a monthly account at either repositoryhosting.com or beanstalk.com (I use the first one)
Learn how to set up a new website for your coders to put their code changes (30 min learning curve)
Download, install and configure a free subversion client (software, see below)
When you hire a coder, tell them they must commit daily and put comments with their code commits
If they don't know what you're talking about, don't use them


Subversion clients (software)

http://versionsapp.com/ for Mac

http://tortoisesvn.net/downloads.html for PC


Quick explanation of subversion is on the VersionApp.com link above, half way down the page.

It might take a bit to wrap your head around the purpose and exactly how it works, but this will save your bacon one day and once you understand it, you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner.

Jack