Issues... need advice and honesty

Ok, I'm at my wits end trying to figure out what the right way to go is. Maybe you do.

Around 6-8 months ago, I had a coder start work on a PHP/MySQL backend project. The project was to basically construct a backend that would be accessed by clients via a common central admin panel (housed on one domain). All the sites would then share a common set of features (edit text, add pictures, podcasting, photo galleries, etc).

The problem is, that coder created a few modules - then fell off the face of the planet - leaving the project stalled. That was over 6-8 months ago. Later, I realized what he set up was all XML based, not MySQL based, like what was originally planned. Not saying that's bad, just wasn't what was asked for. But, he certainly took his money no question.

My issue at this point is complicated, at least it is to me. I started a business almost 5 years ago - then it kind of blew up in my face. I started this as a design company, it just turned out that after making one site, that's what everyone else seemed to want. So things started going that way as far as focus. The issue there is that I am a designer - not a coder. Yes, I understand some basics of PHP and Javascripting, etc. And yes, I can deal with CSS. But I am not professing to be that good at any of it :) - but I can operate in a CSS environment, and I know what to look for in PHP generally, etc. I just can't write it.

The problem is - I really, really need to somehow get a "backend" package done. Again, the original idea was to have a PHP/MySQL "centralized" system set up to where the clients would log into that one point (a domain) - make their changes - then it would update their site - all the domains are housed on the same dedicated server currently. But given my luck with coders in the last year, that's looking farther and farther away... but is still the eventual goal most likely. And so you understand, that is simply due to the complications of cross domain/server situations - nothing negative meant towards Drupal what so ever.

At this point though, I've already lost quite a bit of money and a hell of a lot of time looking for PHP coders, only to wind up having them screw around for months and nothing get done, or simply walk away with money and not ever reply to emails or calls. Most recently, I met with a guy here locally on several occasions and he explained how he could get most of the situation solved in a month or so. Great. I gave him his requested money upfront - then... nothing. I called him, no answer. Or I would reach him and he had to go. Then he was sick. Then he was being sued from his ex wife. Then he was sick again and pooping all over the place. (His words exactly). Then after a month of that go around - he tells me he doesn't have time to do it at all and would send the money back. 2 1/2 weeks later, I'm still waiting, but 2 days ago he insisted that he sent a check that day. So here's to hoping.

This is where Drupal becoming a possible option for me has come in. From the outside looking in, people seem to think my "little" company is much larger than what it actually is. It's just I presently work somewhere between 90-150 hours a week trying to keep up with everything. 90 hours is a good week by the way. 80% of that time is consumed by just running manual updates of sites, that's the killer. This is exactly why I need a backend because my body and mind cannot take much more punishment.

My concerns about Drupal (please hear me out before beating me up with a 2x4 please)

1. Can it support larger sites? - from my research, yes. RCA Records uses it, Lifetime TV, SONY, AOL, etc. But is that "Drupal" or "Drupal on Smack"? And yes, I mean that lovingly. I'm just curious if those sites are basically Drupal straight from the box, or some seriously ramped up mega coded version - as in, RCA or Lifetime has a full time dedicated Drupal staff?

2. Is it possible to share only certain info over a certain number of sites using Drupal? I know, I've heard and read some on the "multi-site" feature, but I don't know that much about it yet.

The other big concern I have, actually - probably the biggest concern of all to me and my company, is what will the client think? My issue at this point is that in the particular industry I focus on, my company has a very short list of "competition" out there - who would love to undermine my company or our position with any client. All of them have their own special "customized" backend’s. One using ASP for theirs ... some others using PHP. Some are better than others - all are much larger than my company with employees all over their buildings, and god only knows how much money available to bury me.

My fear is that after all this time of me telling clients that we are "working on a solution so they can access this and that on the site"... that if all of sudden it winds up being Drupal, that could be an issue with them. Yes, I would certainly turn right around and mention companies like Google, Yahoo, AOL - all big money makers that all use Drupal in one form or another. But regardless, and yes, I've even had this question asked to me when I brought Drupal up - "isn't it free? Can't I just download it myself? Why do I need to pay you for that?" - I'm fully aware how much hard time and dedication has went into this Drupal project, and I respect that and any and every person who has ever worked on it, and continue to do so. A key note about why I’m concerned about it – the clients pay a fee monthly for the site. That is where my complication factor begins. In reality, they are paying the fee for the design work of the site, and there would still be a multitude of elements that I would be dealing with monthly. Regardless though, I have concerns that they will get that “what do you mean I’m paying for something that’s free” mentality, and be blind to what they are really paying for.

I'm just posing these questions, and explaining my story and situation to people here to gather thoughts and opinions. I guess my point is - I don't want to lose face, nor do I want my company "marked" by an industry that may not understand - or are too afraid of any change from the "establishment", etc. Honestly, given what I really need a backend to handle - and as expansive as it needs to be - I'm concerned Drupal may not be a long term solution - but I think it can be though. Forgive my non-knowledge on this topic.

Regardless - 2 days ago, I wound deciding to try to get a site converted to Drupal to see how it performed, etc. Considering I'm not sure how to do that "conversion" - I posted a project on elance.com to see if I could find a Drupal person to help do that. In that project listing, I stated that I was just looking for someone to set up Drupal to look like the existing website - the overall look/feel of it - and that I would load in all of the content, etc. I have been getting bids back on the project and I was completely stunned. I got 3 bids over $4,500 to convert the site... one bid over $6,400... I am beside myself. Seriously, I never expected it to be a 5 minute, easy as pie job to set it up - but damn. $6,500?? To set up one page in Drupal?? I don't even know what to say. And yes, I even asked them to confirm that they understood it was for just one page and they said yes.

Maybe I've got it wrong though. Maybe giving Drupal a theme... or converting a page from a static site, or from a PSD is uber complicated. Again, I'm not a Drupal wiz kid, that's why I'm here. I'm here because I need help and advice. I need honestly and clarity - I need to understand what I apparently do not. The way I see it though, if it truly does cost that much to set up a Drupal theme, etc - then it would most likely be better for me to go back to the PHP route because there are at minimum 11 sites that I need to try to convert as soon as possible - and at least another 5-6 on top of that. Again, I'm a small business – not tiny, just in a “gray” area of not big enough to do what I need to, but not considered “small” usually. But, it’s still a small company, regardless of what it may look like on the outside. And yes, I'm aware that I haven't shared that yet... maybe I will at some point. For now though, I'll leave that as confidential. But I will say that it has nothing to do with Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, the porn industry, the presidential race, or donuts. However, it does have something to do with storing bodies in my trunk from time to time.

... for those of you who took that last line seriously... seriously, I'm not being serious about that. Besides, I drive a truck... so I don't have a trunk anyway.

Here I've gotten all long winded. For all of you in the Drupal community that have made it this far though my rambling madness, please accept my humble apology. I just need a solution. I need help figuring out what I should do to actually begin moving forward with this. Any advise, tips, suggestions are beyond the point of welcome as far as I'm concerned and would be most appreciated. I’m actually searching for “how-to’s” concerning setting up Drupal myself – and I’ve installed a copy of it to mess around with. Haven’t gotten very far at all though, and I’m afraid it will take longer to learn what to do than I actually have on some projects. That is if I don't blow something up first.

Final notes: part of the reason I haven't mentioned the name of my company, or the industry I deal in is because it never seems to fail - that as soon as I do, what was once $500 becomes something that costs $5,000. That is not to say that I am trying to be a "cheapy" and get something for free, because I am not. My company just looks bigger than it is - and that was my goal originally. But that has come back to haunt me in more ways than I can count. Yes, I do deal with what most would consider a "lucrative" industry - but in reality, that "lucrative" word should be replaced with "in disarray". It's a confused industry to say the least, but not lost, and not broke. But only willing to spend so much right now. But for whatever reason, once some people see the clients, or learn of some of the contacts I have, instantly, they get that "goldmine" look in their eyes, and I know then, the conversation may as well be over. And I find myself left between a rock and a hard place trying to figure it all out.

Thanks for reading. Even if you are left completely speechless at this point, I appreciate your time. Thank you for reading, and thanks in advance for any comments. I’m usually much less insane as I may appear now.