Cheap & Cheerful Web Designer

[SLF]

I think its fair to say in life we get what we pay for so there is no surprises really.

I think best those who think cheap = crap consider what other things they buy in life that they cut back on or choose to find cheaper deals for.

Do they buy all of tesco's 'finest' range? have they ever shopped in Iceland, Netto, Lidl, Ikea or Argos or does all there hosuehold items and food come from M&S and John Lewis & Debenehams?

Do they spend £80 on an haircut every month or do they spend £20 once every 2-3 months or even just get their other half or their mum or sister to do it?

Do they shop round for the cheapest insurance for the car or do they go and buy the top dog all singing all dancing inclusive best policy every year?

Do all the clothes have good labels or do some items come from matalan or littlewoods catalogue or Asda George now and again? Or do they all shop at exclusive expensive shops for all their clothing?

I think it's a case of how people prioritise what an item or a service is worth to them and where it falls in the list of essentials. That list does move up and down in life acording to bank balance, status and necessity.

 

[Big J]

Big J....
What web design skills do you have?
Have you designed a website at all?

None and nope, I'm into marketing and branding.

As i noticed your a hairdresser

I have a hair salon but I'm not a hairdresser - sorry!

 

[Big J]

I think best those who think cheap = crap consider what other things they buy in life that they cut back on or choose to find cheaper deals for.

I think it's a case of how people prioritise what an item or a service is worth to them and where it falls in the list of essentials. That list does move up and down in life acording to bank balance, status and necessity.

Exactly, I recent client of mine recently slashed his Yell advertising of £6000 by half, then used £700 of the savings for a decent website.

 

I think its fair to say in life we get what we pay for so there is no surprises really.

I think best those who think cheap = crap consider what other things they buy in life that they cut back on or choose to find cheaper deals for.

Do they buy all of tesco's 'finest' range? have they ever shopped in Iceland, Netto, Lidl, Ikea or Argos or does all there hosuehold items and food come from M&S and John Lewis & Debenehams?

Do they spend £80 on an haircut every month or do they spend £20 once every 2-3 months or even just get their other half or their mum or sister to do it?

Do they shop round for the cheapest insurance for the car or do they go and buy the top dog all singing all dancing inclusive best policy every year?

Do all the clothes have good labels or do some items come from matalan or littlewoods catalogue or Asda George now and again? Or do they all shop at exclusive expensive shops for all their clothing?

I think it's a case of how people prioritise what an item or a service is worth to them and where it falls in the list of essentials. That list does move up and down in life acording to bank balance, status and necessity.

I think its fair to say in life we get what we pay for so there is no surprises really.

Afraid the above statement does not hold true.

In life one gets what one negotiates for as a rule.

price is no guarantee of quality.

Price is the sucker senario aften use by marketing people.

Diamonds were of very little value until they came up with the idea that they had a romantic connection.

Many products sold by M&S are crap.

But the brand name carries them through.

Quality is not necessarily expensive.

But lack of knowledge sure can be.

Earl

 

[streetslocal]

None and nope, I'm into marketing and branding.



I have a hair salon but I'm not a hairdresser - sorry!

And you were an IT TECHINICAIN on other threads???

So your a hairdresser whos into marketting and fixing your computer?:|

 

[zoezoe]

So this site you have in the portfolio would fall within the £250 mark?
www.japlasteringcontractors.co.uk

Kind of. That website was written 2 years ago now and they did not pay £250. However it is a reasonable example of a budget website. This is probably a better on for a tradesman on a simular budget http://www.davidrichards-decorator.co.uk/index.html

 

[zoezoe]

sorry, what I should have made clearer is that I havn't seen anyone targeting tradesmen with value of money websites with tradesmens specific wants in mind (well, on UKBF or anywhere else where it jumps out) Your site is like all the hundreds of others - the same

I dont understand why the trademen woudl need to be targeted? If they want a value for money website then they can buy one teh same place as the accountant or the hairdresser. Why are their needs any different? At the end of teh day the website it just code (which can be the same regardless of content), design and content. The content is to be supplied by the trademen.

What makes their needs different from other small businesses?

 

[Big J]

So your a hairdresser whos into marketting and fixing your computer?:|

I've told you I'm not a hairdresser but your somewhere along the lines with the IT and Marketing.

Why are you trying to dig for information? Touched a nerve, have I? Sorry if I have but if it's going to get personal I don't want to continue this discussion with you as we are going off subject on an interesting thread. Lets agree to disagree.

 

[Big J]

What makes their needs different from other small businesses?

Nothing, your quite right.

Every business, even more so in these times, needs a quality online presence - its not something that you should scrimp on. As I've said before, you may be doing more harm than good if your website is pants.

 

[streetslocal]

I've told you I'm not a hairdresser but your somewhere along the lines with the IT and Marketing.

It was because i asked if you had any web design experience?
So i looked at your threads:

Hairdresser thread

IT TECHINICAIN THREAD

Your career crossroads

Oh and then i wondered if you owned a web design company as you have started two threads about the same company:


http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=83831

http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=82815

 

[ABCStudio]

Personally i don't object to cheap websites, not everybody needs something all singing all dancing and in many industry's simply the fact that you have a few images of your previous work available will speak volumes.

I do however find some of these threads (not necessarily this one) quite offensive, I imagine if I was to ask the OP's courier to transport a box across town for a fiver because all i need is it throwing in a van and a bit of driving and after all any monkey can do that I'm pretty sure he would tell me exactly where to go.

If you want a cheap web site then fine, but dont be supprised if some highly skilled workers take offence when you value what the do so little.

 

[streetslocal]

everybod seems to be making the assumption that quality is based on price but i dont feel it it.

I could match most companies for design,and coding and quality and usually for a more competive price.

But its not about that i simply enjoy what im doing and this forum is about helping each other and not undercutting and slagging off everybody unless some member makes an exception to the rule and with that i will stand my ground.

Many of the older more established members understand the core elements of this forum and make it a joy and then you have the odd member who never bothers to make the effort to post unless looking to make a sale.

 

[Matt1959]

I dont understand why the trademen woudl need to be targeted? If they want a value for money website then they can buy one teh same place as the accountant or the hairdresser. Why are their needs any different? At the end of teh day the website it just code (which can be the same regardless of content), design and content. The content is to be supplied by the trademen.

What makes their needs different from other small businesses?

well that kind of illustrates my point if you have to ask the question really. Tradesmen by definition usually are away from the PC all day - maybe a designer could offer an evening service between 7 and 9 or something.

Tradesmen are uaually pretty PC illiterate and are almost always cynical of paying for this sort of thing and should be approached accordingly - perhaps some dumb arse explanation of the basics of email and basic website workings would be useful to have, expecting them to deal with you and react to you in the same way as an office based business would be a mistake I think.

Also, if you target a particular group, are you not going to make that group of people think that you have a special package for THEM and that you are the people they should be using? For example, a garage who decides to specialise in say cam belt changes is going to get more of that work if they highlight they do them as opposed to a garage that offers general work *including belt changes.

I should imagine sooner or later on here, some web provider will pop up offering all these things in an easy to explain manner and slowly they will pull in work from tradespeople - no guesses for who thats gonna be here

 

[streetslocal]

maybe a designer could offer an evening service between 7 and 9 or something.

We offer live chat until 10pm through our website

 

[Big J]

the odd member who never bothers to make the effort to post unless looking to make a sale.

Was that a pop at me streets?

 

[SLF]

err there's a handful on this thread alone offering their services. Its prolific on this forum throughout most threads with people pushing their services in what is supposed to be a discussion not a sales pitch fest.

 

[Big J]

err there's a handful on this thread alone offering their services. Its prolific on this forum throughout most threads with people pushing their services in what is supposed to be a discussion not a sales pitch fest.

I know, although I have never touted for business on this site - ever. Just wondered why streets has tried to get personal?

 

[SLF]

I dont know but I agree, he does seem to be making it personal. Why it should matter if you are a web designer or a hairdresser I dont know, he didnt explain when he asked, what difference it would make or why he wanted to know. Perhaps you should ask.

 

[streetslocal]

I dont know but I agree, he does seem to be making it personal. Why it should matter if you are a web designer or a hairdresser I dont know, he didnt explain when he asked, what difference it would make or why he wanted to know. Perhaps you should ask.

Didnt make it personal at all...
And it was not intended in that manor.
But for the poster to openly fly comments at me in the way he did about the website design so i asked for his reasoning and wanted to know on what judgement he made it.

And i wanted to know if he was a hair dresser or an IT techinican or does he own the company he has started two threads about.

As he seemed to be putting a sales pitch onto one thread which would i thought he may own the very web design firm he was asking questions about.

NOW THE OPEN QUESTION IS DO YOU OWN THESE WEB DESIGN FIRMS?

 

[Big J]

As he seemed to be putting a sales pitch onto one thread which would i thought he may own the very web design firm he was asking questions about.

NOW THE OPEN QUESTION IS DO YOU OWN THESE WEB DESIGN FIRMS?

This is starting to get a bit silly now so this is my last post.

As I said before streets, I have never touted for business on this site - ever. And no, I don't own a website design firm, although I'm thinking of having a website done for me.

The end.

 

[SLF]

@ streetsloacal

I just spotted this, which might explain why you were asking if BigJ is a web designer or not.

"....Remember that most of us commenting on this tread are in the trade..." (from the other thread about £250 websites)


But in any case, why does it matter if the guy is a web design or not and as he hasnt pushed the £250 website in this thread why is that thread content relevant to this thread? He hasnt brought it into the equasion you have and even if he was or wasnt a web designer or the owner of the £250 website biz, on any count, he is entitled to give an opinion so it seems pretty pointless trying to find ways to discredit him in this thread, as that is how it is coming across, whether you see it that way or not.

 

[streetslocal]

This is starting to get a bit silly now so this is my last post.

The end.

He says again...

And no, I don't own a website design firm, although I'm thinking of having a website done for me.

The end.

http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=79745 ok whats this then??

Maybe you could share details of these websites so we can see your special work that is obviously so much better than the one i listed....

Look you may think im picking on you but chap listen to me please..

Lets not make it personal from here on in but all i ask you is that you be forward and open with us all...


Do you have a website design you can show us??

Simple question and im happy to leave it there....

Also where are you based out of curiousity?

 

[SLF]

I dont think he owes you an explanation - this is like the Ling-thing, demanding answers to questions just because he posted an opinion.

Why on earth does all those answers matter to you? There is zero requirement for members to tell you who they are, what they do and where they come form when they post and quite frankly it's harrassment. Just leave the guy alone and stick to the relevancy of the thread.

 

[streetslocal]

I think it is very relevant i want to know on what experience he bases his views.

Can he not share his designs?

As i think it is simply a rival giving me a thrashing for the sake of it.

 

[SLF]

I wouldnt mind but its not even your thread so why you think this guy should reply to you, puzzles me.

 

[streetslocal]

Because BIG J who is based in Somerset

Who on some threads on this forum has asked about the quality of two companies who he defends to the hilt but makes out he is not the owner.

The same guy who says he does not own a website design firm....

Well Joeseph.............

http://centralops.net/co/DomainDoss...rue&net_whois=true&dom_dns=true&svc_scan=true


So Joespeh or BIG J please understand i cannot see why you are hiding this?

I am open about my business practices and will share my designs openly.

The way you have done so is un ethical.

 

[Tin]

I think it is very relevant i want to know on what experience he bases his views.

I thought this was a forum which allowed members to voice opinions irrespective of whether they had any particular expertise in a given thread. That's why we learn from others, or am I mistaken.

Can he not share his designs?

Not if he doesn't want to.

As i think it is simply a rival giving me a thrashing for the sake of it.

I haven't seen evidence of a thrashing but maybe you could point it out?

Yet again, another thread which seems to be leaning towards a witch-hunt.

Can't we just drop the personal stuff and get on with being helpful?

Cheers

Ray

 

[SLF]

but he does not have to give away any details about who he is or why he asks.

Maybe he just wants opinions first and when he wants to start selling openly then he will provide all the details. This is a forum and like I said, there is simply no requirement to bow to your harrassing questions that just seem out to discredit him because you think he could be a competitor.

Perhaps to be a competitor they need to be doing what you do..................... and to me it doesnt look like he is.

 

[streetslocal]

I think it is highly unethical to critise somebody and hide behind a company that offers exactly the same services.

I have never seen anybody on here as a rival.

But for some reason this guy has got my back up....
Must be post xmas stress....
But really i am simply wondering why he will not reveal if he is behind the website design firm he has open threads about?

 

[streetslocal]

but he does not have to give away any details about who he is or why he asks.

Maybe he just wants opinions first and when he wants to start selling openly then he will provide all the details. This is a forum and like I said, there is simply no requirement to bow to your harrassing questions that just seem out to discredit him because you think he could be a competitor.

Perhaps to be a competitor they need to be doing what you do..................... and to me it doesnt look like he is.

He offers pay monthly website design....

 

I have never seen anybody on here as a rival.

Hmm interesting comment,care to expand.?

Earl

 

[streetslocal]

Hmm interesting comment,care to expand.?

Earl

Sure will.

I see this place as a resource and not a bidding war.
I have gained so much from here and i give and take from the forum.

And thats the way it should be.

For example Earl you are an established member who goes back to the roots of this place and you respect that and join in and help out where possible.

 

[SLF]

He offers pay monthly website design....

I was actually referring to his business attitude on a public forum.

I can't imagine if I was a customer of yours and we didnt agree on something, how you would react and behave towards me if this is how you are with a complete stranger who only gave an opinion.

 

For example Earl you are an established member who goes back to the roots of this place and you respect that and join in and help out where possible.

well I ain't been on here for that long.:|

And I certainly do have rivals on this forum who could impinge on my business ventures.

Earl

 

[streetslocal]

well I ain't been on here for that long.:|

Earl

Nearly 2 years.....

 

Nearly 2 years.....

I really must get out more.:|

There must be more to life than Waffling away to a load of wannabies.

Earl

 

[matt.chatterley]

I really must get out more.:|

There must be more to life than Waffling away to a load of wannabies.

Earl

Hmm. Maybe find a load of wannabies who so badly desire a lecture that they will make you lots of waffles first?

 

[Big J]

To put the record straight.

My name is not Joseph.

I do not have a website design company.

Therefore I don't have any designs to show anyone.

Streets, I want an apology for your posts 102 onwards please.

 

[streetslocal]

No,,,,
You have openly admited you do web design.
But for the sake of an easy life i will leave it here now

 

[Esk247]

i feel like i'm bashing my head against a wall sometimes you know.

someone mentioned about working 7 till 9pm when the trades people get back in from work...ARGHHHH big fat ARRGGHHHH i work at a time that suits my customer whether that be 4am or 11am and i still do websites for less than £250..infact...the maximum amount i've ever charged for a website was £500 and yes ok it didnt have a CMS or some kind of integrated shopping cart but the customer was happy with it and thats what they wanted..i always negotiate with customers..instead of saying £500 or i'm leaving I say wellll £500 is what you're aiming for really but we can do something cheaper if we don't have to include some of these other parts..but if you have the money available its best to go the whole hog as it will be worth it in the end.

howeverrrr many of my customers just want 2 pages..thats all..2 pages of html and they are happy! for £100 i can chuck in some nice istockphoto images that they can pick out themselves, they can decide on the write ups and i double check them..they just want something to stick on a business card or in to an advert so people can find them.

but my point is...why do i struggle to find work when i'm prepared to work at hours that suit the client, i'm available 24 hours a day to my paying customers if they ever have a nightmare on there hands, they can come round to the offices and pick out some changes that they want..for many of my websites i even include a maintenance and update service for just £9.99 per month and that includes ALL of the updates they need.

if they want to go up the next level and go fully in to the wonderful world of website design i'll phone one of the experts up from this website and get a quote for my client as i don't do high end websites..thats my usp..i deal with start-ups or people that have 10 minutes spare at the end of each day.

end of rant