Guidance on Designing Database Structure Please

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Hi! I am very new to the whole database collection/coding side of WIX and am trying to figure out the best/smartest way to set things up. I am doing the website for a small non-profit (crookedcreekart.org). I’ve only set up a couple of smaller WIX websites before without database requirements. The non-profit needs more capabilities on their website so databases are essential. But, I’m a volunteer (they have very limited funds) so stuck with trying to figure it out myself :-). Can someone please give me a little guidance or help to steer me in where/how I should best be setting things up?

We are a member based arts organization and we are trying to use our site to track our members (contact info, areas of interest, areas they’re willing to volunteer, etc.). I’ve set up a database collection with all the various fields and we are using it to collect member applications and renewals. It’s working but it’s a big database (meaning lots of fields, not lots of members) and I’m wondering if it would be better structured as two collections (one member specific data (name, contact info, etc) and another with all the potential volunteer service areas (all Yes/No fields) which are linked to the primary member data using a reference field or something along those lines. I’ve been trying to read all the articles and am still somewhat confused about figuring out how best to design your database structure.

We also hold annual art shows our members can enter 1-3 pieces of artwork into for competition. We need them to be able to submit their entries online. I built a basic database collection and we used it for the last show but it is separate from the members database. It’d be great for future shows to be able to tie the two together somehow so members don’t have to re-enter their core data (name, contact info, etc.) How would I best do that? Is it best to set that up as a database collection that links back to the members data for their contact info, etc.? Is that best done through a reference field or something similar?

Help?

Thanks!

Barbara

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You might want to consider checking out the WixArena - it’s a hub where you can look for Wix Code (and other) experts for hire.

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Thank you. I had already gone there and contacted a local expert but they were interested in just creating it for us and want far more money that we have to give. So, I’m trying to figure out how I can learn it for myself. Is there anything that gives guidance on not just the technical of how to set up a database (I think I understand that) but the LOGIC of how best to structure your design? For example, when to put things together into a single database versus break them up? When it is best to use reference fields vs data hooks versus other alternatives? Etc. Where can one go to learn not just the how but the WHY you should put things together a certain way? I haven’t been able to find a resource like that so I thought I would try here to see if someone could give me guidance on how to get started for beginners. Suggestions for web resources, books to read, other forums (if this isn’t the right one)? The WIX articles and videos seem to be focused on WHAT to do but less on the basics of when to choose one design versus another for it to operate most efficiently. Thanks for any help or guidance you can give!

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@crookedcreekartleagu You should be able to find a lot of guidance by doing an Internet search for database structure.

One article that should be helpful is Planning Your Database Model .

Since there’s so much “general” information available on-line, the Wix documentation is focused more on “how to using Wix Code”.

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@yisrael-wix Thank you. I’ll start there. I appreciate the suggestion.