Is age a big issue?

[lolage]

Hi

I'm looking into setting up a little business making websites for local busineses! The only thing which is almost stopping me from doing it is my age. I'm not that young - I'm 19 however I do look quite young.

Is this going to look bad for potential clients? I may get sterotyped at being 'too young' for business etc.

Any views on this?

Thanks.

 

[Graemem]

I think being young and building websites is a good thing. People expect younger people to know about these things. I think smaller businesses will trust you, but maybe not the bigger ones who are used to dealing with real companies etc.

Plenty of people your age doing it, no reason why you can't. If you know what you're doing and can prove it, then it'll be fine.

 

[seanheather]

You'll be fine, make sure you have a good strong portfolio, obviously you need clients for that, so maybe create a few website examples (all different) and create some decent logos and then get some cards made to give to these local business'. Once they see your work, and are impressed, they won't care how young you are or look.

Try and make everything you do look bespoke so it makes your stuff different because if you charge £500 for a small website, whats making the client go with you instead of an already well established web design company charging roughly the same.

Also, don't be too cheap and don't put standard price packages on your website, it's off putting as how could you possibly know a job is going to cost £399 without even speaking to the client, this is where companies knock out generic websites using the same codes and altered templates.

You might even consider approaching a few local business' (small ones) and offering to create a website for them for free so's to boost your portfolio, as other clients don't know you've done them for free.

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

I think its best to start a business as young as possible for many reasons.In fact there are more reasons for starting young than there are waiting until your older.
It might also be good if you get help from someone that has been in business for a while that would give you a bit of head start.
You can get some advice from Business Link but remember many of these people have never run a business and quite often work from set precedure

 

[soldalot]

Hi

I'm looking into setting up a little business making websites for local busineses! The only thing which is almost stopping me from doing it is my age. I'm not that young - I'm 19 however I do look quite young.

Is this going to look bad for potential clients? I may get sterotyped at being 'too young' for business etc.

Any views on this?

Thanks.

Are you sure that is what is holding you back lolage ?

Fear of failure is often what stops people doing things in business, and other endevours. Often people you know will give out the negative vibes and that is all it takes for many good business ideas to be stillborn.

We are at different ends of the age gap, you and I, I will be 68 this year but still have two businesses that I run and am (dont laugh ) just getting into an IT business as well.

You go for it, I would think that if there is any business will not hold youth against you it is the one you are thinking of.

In my case it could be just the opposite

Good luck

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

I agree with soldalot but if you do it now and it all goes wrong you have nothing to lose .I mean a doubt if you have a massive mortgage 6 kids and a people carrier on finance with 40K on credit cards

By doing it now you will learn a lot at a very early age then you may not have to work when your older like us

 

[Rainbow Chasers']

Do it now and learn, I started when I was 16 with no real issues - people will take you seriously if you are competant and confident. I also think with web design, it is more a matter of what you can do- older generations accept that youngsters have grown up with computers and are pretty savvy on their use.

Do a few cheapies to get your name out there, and build a portfolio - then let the work speak for you!

I was reading of a young lad recently having won some quite high awards in this field and was subject to interviews on certain ethics - he is 16, and shows how age is only an issue to yourself and is often ignored when you have the right skills.

 

[captaincloser]

Hi

I'm looking into setting up a little business making websites for local busineses! The only thing which is almost stopping me from doing it is my age. I'm not that young - I'm 19 however I do look quite young.

Is this going to look bad for potential clients? I may get sterotyped at being 'too young' for business etc.

Any views on this?

Thanks.

Start young, great idea... (I did and many others on here I suspect)
Best of luck.

 

[oliverbanks]

I think it can a problem if you're doing face to face transactions. But for building websites I wouldn't say it's a factor.

I would be more interested in seeing what kind of websites you've built in the past, what the quality of work is like etc.

I'm 17 and have a small online shop which is turning over a couple of k a month, so over the internet it's certainly not a issue to worry about.

 

[Richard BF]

I dont think it really makes a differance your age tbh as long as you can talk the talk.

More so proven the talk the talk - would you let a 16/17 year old work on your £50k car ? more than likely not reading the fact theyre 16/17 but if youve spoke to the 16/17 year old and seen some of their work it puts them at ease and 9/10 times you'll land the work.

If you present yourself correctly you shouldnt have any problems what so ever.

 

[lolage]

Thanks alot for the replies, has got me motivated to start building some websites to build to my portfolio.

 

[UniqueOpportunity]

Hi

You never too you or too old to start anything. So long as you are will to put the effort in you will get th rewards. If you work hard and do as much as you can consistently you will get your rewards regardless of your age.

Best of luck with you venture

Cheers,