Advice re starting own web design business

[Kerry@Mediasphere]

Hi, im after a bit of advice really!
I have been using dreamweaver, photoshop and little bit of flash for a few years now and I would like to try and make this in to a business.

Im after any general advice that I should take into account really...

Also, a couple of more specific things.

1) What sort of figures should I charge for a website? Im thinking of charging a flat fee per page for the site and then if any updates etc need doing in the future then that will be done on an hourly rate... but I dont want to be too cheap, but I also dont want to be too expensive (especially as I am a newbie!) oh and im in UK... so obviously will be charging in £'s

2) This might sound a daft question but... say if someone gives me the content etc for the website and I create it using Photoshop and Dreamweaver.... when I have completed it... then what? i.e. Do I just send it to the client as a folder containing all the pages i.e. index.html and pics? Would I upload it anywhere for them? If they dont have dreamweaver I dont think thats a prob is it? They could view it using internet explorer? Sorry it sounds a bit vague!

Any advice much needed! ;-)

Cheers
Kerry

[D856C]

Both 1 and 2 depend on your philosophy and target prospect. It depends heavily on what you consider your business is -- design, development, full service, no frills, or strategy development and consulting in addition to design and code development.

For example, template sites generally do not upload and install to the client site. That's a low price point, targeting a no frills customer.

You will always get prospects who want everything for nothing. What you do is explain -- on your web site -- what the customer gets for how much.

As there is no concept of value added services in the vast majority who contemplate "making this into a business" you may want to start there.

[jkinz]

My advice:

1) The most important part of any project is the discovery. During this phase you establish what the project will consist of. You need to be clear about what is included and perhaps more important, what is not.

2) Have a contract. Once you have outline and found the requirements for a project, form a written contract between you and the client. Limit your liability in the contract (if you're not setting up a LLC) and provide a means for settlement if something does go wrong. (Disclaimer: I am not an attorney, nor do I pretend to be, this is just general advice)

3) Do not burn bridges. If and when things go bad, remember to keep your professionalism first and foremost. You may be tempted to send an angered email, but don't. Wait a while and let yourself calm down.

4) Speaking of communications, spelling, and other etiquette needs to be followed. The manner in which you write, speak, and generally conduct your business will be reflected to your present and future clients.

5) If you are going to offer hosting, a reseller package maybe best. It offers separate control panels, and many companies will brand things to match your company and/or domain.

6) If your not proficient in something, don't pretend to be just to "make the sale". Be honest and up front with clients. They will appreciate it.

7) Hourly or package? Well that depends. If you charge $60/hour and get a 5 page website done in 2-3 hours, it maybe better to charge for a package (where you may be able to fetch $300-$400 dollars for the same thing). On the flip side, packages don't cover everything, and on more complex websites, you can get burned. I would say setup a very very basic package set where you know it will take you 'x' number of hours, but you can fetch more than what the hourly total might be. For anything else, go to an hourly system.

[reynoldsdigital]

Try it out, get a few small projects and work out how long it takes you from that, then next job charge a bit more and so on till you find an exceptable level. You will put far more hours in to start but just treat this as learning and you will benefit in the future. Don't get mugged over by people taking the mick and I would say don't do anything for free unless charity as you will really get the **** taken out of you, however thats just my experience.

[Scriptage]

I've been building walls and the occasional fence for a few years so I'm thinking of giving structural engineering a go. Any advice?

[StiligeCecilie]

I've been building walls and the occasional fence for a few years so I'm thinking of giving structural engineering a go. Any advice?

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing ;)

[jkinz]

I've been building walls and the occasional fence for a few years so I'm thinking of giving structural engineering a go. Any advice?

LOL, classic. Help the man out.

Oh and by the way, there is an entire section dedicated to this I believe.... Graphic Design Business Forum

[dcpweb]

Hi, I have been running a web business for the past 5 years and I have some basic tips below:

1. Remeber you are running a business so its not only about building websites, you need to keep track of your accounts, trust me I learnt the hard way. If your based in the UK it is very easy to get business support, try speaking to Business support, information and advice | Business Link - they will help you understand the fundementals.

2. After competing a project give your client an incentive to recommned you to someone esle. I normally offer a 10% commission for referal and that seems to work well in most cases.

3. Have a exit plan, your long term goal should be to sell the business for a good profit unless your planning to do the same thing for a very very very long time.

4. Keep up-to-date with technolgy, its easy to fall behind your competitors.

5. 50% deposit - 50% on completion of website. Always try to get a deposit upfront.

6. Never launch a client website until you have been fully paid.

7. Try to work with other talented developers / designers - you can't be the best at everything so working in a team will lead to better development of your projects. After two year of running my business I hired two staff memebers, 1 PHP 5 developer and 1 Graphic Designer. I now simply focus on project management.

8. Buy some good books or reseach SEO, this will help you to build sites which rank high on search engines.

9. Invest in a skype-in telephone number - one of the best investments I ever made, basically its a landline telephone number connected to your skype account so you can take call via the internet. Simply the best, I do a lot of traveling overseas and the skype-in number allows my clients to call me at local rate no matter where I am on the planet. Online number SkypeIn - Skype personal internet number

10. Set up a reseller hosting account - I use site5.com which never seems to let me down :)

Finally Good Luck !

[Kerry@Mediasphere]

Hi dcpweb.
Could you email me: kerry@mediasphereproductions.co.uk so I can have your direct email rather than this thread.. I have some more questions I would like to put your way.
Cheers
Kerry

[blueocto]

Why not share with the rest of the forum; we've been curteous to offer our own advice to you....