Advice Needed!!!

[killah]

I am thinking of starting in Web Design Business but as it is just me i have to do everything which i don't mind, but for the pay and time it takes to Plan,Design and Build a website, is it worth the hassle?

I am very creative and i am very good at Photoshop and Design work, and just wondering what type of business i can start that is scalable and can be turned into a big business.

And this is also the money too as web design isn't a big payer and not really a good salary to have a good life style off. I am up for any business ideas really that i can start fairly cheaply and build up...

Any Suggestions?

 

Have you compiled a business plan?

 

[GotLiveChat]

Why do you feel like you need a web site? Do you already have a portfolio of sites you've designed?
You may want to consider bidding on jobs like those at Guru or Elance. It will give you an excellent idea the competition involved, and the kind of revenue you can expect to receive.

Though if you are looking to design sites for "local" businesses only, you can expect to charge a bit more.

 

[The Tender Writer]

There are lots of web designers so the market is, very, very competitive. Perhaps, try it part time at first?

 

[Tej]

I am thinking of starting in Web Design Business but as it is just me i have to do everything which i don't mind, but for the pay and time it takes to Plan,Design and Build a website, is it worth the hassle?

I am very creative and i am very good at Photoshop and Design work, and just wondering what type of business i can start that is scalable and can be turned into a big business.

And this is also the money too as web design isn't a big payer and not really a good salary to have a good life style off. I am up for any business ideas really that i can start fairly cheaply and build up...

Any Suggestions?

If that is your kind of thinking!!..forget business, as it is is very hard work.
Business ideas, such as you want?... lots looking for easy money

IMHO, would suggest you stick with your job... and just stay in the "wannabee" club.

 

[thetime22]

The market isn't as competitive as you would think. Have a look at how many terrible looking websites there are out there.

 

[moneysaverman]

I have been running a website mostly myself, i may be able to give you a few tips. It shouldn't be impossible.

 

[moneysaverman]

Check out this

http://speckyboy.com/2011/01/12/45-free-ebooks-for-developers-and-designers/

 

[David Earle]

The biggest problem I had when I was a web designer (self employed) was timewasting clients. I spent too much time with clients who didn't even know what a website was, even though they called ME saying they wanted one.

So my advice would be to avoid people who don't use the internet themselves on a regular basis, because they have some crazy ideas about wha the internet is about. They will demand that their website looks terrible with lots of flash animation etc, which in their mind looks amazing. And then they'll complain to you when their website attracts few visitors and hardly any enquiries or sales.

I got frustrated and gave up trying to sell websites. I still pick up ocassional web clients, usually my neighbours (fellow shop owners etc).

 

[killah]

The biggest problem I had when I was a web designer (self employed) was timewasting clients. I spent too much time with clients who didn't even know what a website was, even though they called ME saying they wanted one.

So my advice would be to avoid people who don't use the internet themselves on a regular basis, because they have some crazy ideas about wha the internet is about. They will demand that their website looks terrible with lots of flash animation etc, which in their mind looks amazing. And then they'll complain to you when their website attracts few visitors and hardly any enquiries or sales.

I got frustrated and gave up trying to sell websites. I still pick up ocassional web clients, usually my neighbours (fellow shop owners etc).

Yeah that's exactly what i mean, after all the messing about there is no money coming in and you end up wasting your time. I want a business that is more reliable with a income like every week, i was thinking of having web contracts where they might up for like 12 months, this way i know i am getting paid.

 

[ricky1001]

Have a look into designing templates for zen-carte, os commerece etc you could do quite well on these sites

 

[GotLiveChat]

...The biggest problem I had when I was a web designer (self employed) was timewasting clients. I spent too much time with clients who didn't even know what a website was, even though they called ME saying they wanted one.
So my advice would be to avoid people who don't use the internet themselves on a regular basis, because they have some crazy ideas about wha the internet is about. ...

Good point. If going into web design you'll need to be clear what you're providing and not providing. Many customers will think once the site's online that those 'billions' of internet users will come 'knocking'

 

[I Love Spreadsheets]

I am very creative and i am very good at Photoshop and Design work, and just wondering what type of business i can start that is scalable and can be turned into a big business.

Web design is a hard market to break in to. Everyone knows everyone who has got a kid who will do it for some stupid rate.

You maybe better of providing design and photoshop services - Designing logos etc - There is less competition and it is easier to make your skills stand out from the crowd

 

[GotLiveChat]

The market isn't as competitive as you would think. Have a look at how many terrible looking websites there are out there.

Hmmm... an avenue worth pursuing for budding web design businesses? Not sure how to word the sales letter to those sites though. Dear business X, I noticed your site looks terrible but I can help! J/K but really you might have something there -- the sales pitch would need fine-tuning though as maybe the owner did the designing...

 

[Gemma R]

If you are going to go into any type of design - web design especially then specialise in something. Its an over saturated market with massive competition from asia/india offering ridiculously low rates. Forget freelancing websites, they're a mugs game again saturated competition and a lot of time spent on a pitch you might win. There is also a huge difference between a freelancer and someone who wants a business. If you want freelance work - pitch to agencies and other companies, if you want your own client base thats a totally different ball game - you need to learn to sell, make connections with people very quickly and get them to buy from you , which in my experience is harder than the work itself. If you're serious about it try get some biz cards and go networking and test the waters.

 

[LicensedToTrade]

The market isn't as competitive as you would think. Have a look at how many terrible looking websites there are out there.

The quality of the work carried out cannot be used as an indicator on how saturated or not the market is. If I use the example of restaurants then there are lots of good restaurants and lots more bad restaurants. Yet the quality of the food has no bearing on whether or not the market is saturated does it or indeed how competitive it is?

 

[mike.davis]

Why do you feel like you need a web site?

Why does a web designer need a website? I thought that was self-explanatory

And this is also the money too as web design isn't a big payer and not really a good salary to have a good life style off. I am up for any business ideas really that i can start fairly cheaply and build up...

Are you looking to start a business or to get rich, because it doesn't sound like your willing to put in much work to run a business, probably best you stick to your job.

 

[Tej]

Are you looking to start a business or to get rich, because it doesn't sound like your willing to put in much work to run a business, probably best you stick to your job.

Its taken 6 days to come to the same conclusion re the OP as mentioned in post #5

 

[mike.davis]

Its taken 6 days to come to the same conclusion re the OP as mentioned in post #5

I have a habit of reading the first post and only skimming through the replies.