Looking to help a few small businesses with a free website

[ToffeeStack]

Hi everyone,

I’m a freelance web developer based in Liverpool and I’m currently looking to work with a few small businesses that don’t yet have a website.

I’ve worked in web development for over 10 years, mainly building websites for local companies while working for agencies and other businesses. I’ve recently decided to start working independently, but because most of my previous work was done under other companies, I can’t really use it in my own portfolio.

Because of that, I’m looking to build a few websites free of charge for businesses that are actively trying to grow and improve their online presence.

This could be ideal if you currently:
• Only use Facebook or Instagram
• Have no website at all
• Want to look more professional online
• Need a simple modern website for customers to contact you

The website design and build would be completely free. The only ongoing cost would be if you decide you’d like the website published and managed afterwards, which would be £39/month for hosting, domain management, email setup and ongoing site care.

No pressure sales or anything like that, I’m mainly just trying to build genuine portfolio work while helping small businesses at the same time.

If interested, feel free to reply here or send me a message with a bit about your business

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

So, will you develop a SAAS, ebay/Amazon style, video hosting, p*rn site etc?

What platform will you use?

Can the client update their own content?

 

[Mark T Jones]

To clarify, it looks like you are offering 'only pay if you use it' rather than an actual free site?

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

To clarify, it looks like you are offering 'only pay if you use it' rather than an actual free site?

@ToffeeStack So, if I have my own domain and hosting, would you develop it for free?

 

[ToffeeStack]

@ToffeeStack So, if I have my own domain and hosting, would you develop it for free?

This is fine, I am looking to build my portfolio currently, ive worked in the industry a long time but just getting started on my own.

Currently i am looking to offer static websites for free, as per your previous message, if you are looking for a SAAS style website then I would not be offering this for free, but I am a full stack developer and can build something like this if you are interested.

 

[ToffeeStack]

To clarify, it looks like you are offering 'only pay if you use it' rather than an actual free site?

I am looking for people to design portfolio pieces, if you have your own domain / hosting and would like to host it yorself then this is perfectly fine. But I do offer a site care service where I would manage everything including text / image updates at any time for £39 /pm.

 

[ToffeeStack]

@ToffeeStack So, if I have my own domain and hosting, would you develop it for free?

So, I am guessing you don't wnat a website you were just trying to be smart?

 

[fisicx]

So, I am guessing you don't wnat a website you were just trying to be smart?

No. I'm in the same boat. I've got a server so wouldn't need you to do anything except build me a website. I can then do the updates myself.

 

[ToffeeStack]

No. I'm in the same boat. I've got a server so wouldn't need you to do anything except build me a website. I can then do the updates myself.

Thats fine, I can do this, I am just trying to build my personal portfolio at the minute. Do you want to drop me a message with a bit of information about your business that you would like a website building for?

 

[Chris Ashdown]

Honestly, every computer kid is tying to sell the same thing as you. starter sites are everywhere but the major problem is no money to gain customers i.e. Advertising or SEO experience and both together

 

[fisicx]

Thats fine, I can do this, I am just trying to build my personal portfolio at the minute.

Do this using a CMS. Very few people want a static site. They want all the bells and whistles with contact forms and other interactive bits and pieces.

 

[ToffeeStack]

Do this using a CMS. Very few people want a static site. They want all the bells and whistles with contact forms and other interactive bits and pieces.

I build with node.js mainly, you can still have contact forms on a static site.

I am offering this away coded free, for my portfolio, if someone wants bells and whistles I can build systems to specification.

 

[ToffeeStack]

Honestly, every computer kid is tying to sell the same thing as you. starter sites are everywhere but the major problem is no money to gain customers i.e. Advertising or SEO experience and both together

Very cool but I have been in the industry working for a local company for 10+ years as a full stack developer and wanting to do it myself, work with my own clients. Nothing more, nothing less. Good for them 'kids' wanting to go out there and make some money.

 

[fisicx]

I build with node.js mainly, you can still have contact forms on a static site.

Really rethink your business plan. Static sites will not get you many clients.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Really rethink your business plan. Static sites will not get you many clients

Whilst they may work for a few, e.g. online business cards, in this day and age, the ability to not easily add content, manage SEO, self management etc makes their appeal very limited.

I come across too many startups that have had a static site made for a few hundred pounds without realising they couldn't do anything without the developer, who would generally charge them a fortune for anything more than a minimal edit.

 

[TCH]

if you have your own domain / hosting and would like to host it yorself then this is perfectly fine

that seems the better arrangement

if I decide that I don't want any more changes, and that I don't want to pay you any more money, I can bid you a tearful farewell

and change the password

 

[UKHost.Solutions]

Hi, I'm a web developer and was facing the same issue trying to find clients. There's so much competition about.

I created leaduplift.com to help find people who need new sites and other website services, which has really helped. I launched for other devs as there's plently to find and 'warm contact' them.

 

[Gecko001]

Very cool but I have been in the industry working for a local company for 10+ years as a full stack developer and wanting to do it myself, work with my own clients. Nothing more, nothing less. Good for them 'kids' wanting to go out there and make some money.

Just a few comments that could apply to anybody who is wanting to start a side business, in the same sector as their present employer, whether it be in tech, or not. Is there anything in your employment contract that says you can do what you are planning? If there isn't, you might still be expected to tell your employer about it as you could be regarded by your employer as a competitor. Also, if you are going to use anything in your side business that you developed while working for your present employer, then your present employer might have a claim on it, if you do start to make some money from you venture.

 

[Craig3141]

It's quite ironic that no one wants them when it's been shown that every 100ms delay costs 1% of turnover and static sites are blazingly fast. Plus modern ones can include contact forms and the like but nah people want what is stylish rather than what saves money.

The average load speed is 2.5 seconds https://www.tooltester.com/en/blog/website-loading-time-statistics/ and static site is 1800ms

So assuming you are average it should save you about 6000 pounds a year but nah got to have bells and whistles.

 

[fisicx]

It's quite ironic that no one wants them when it's been shown that every 100ms delay costs 1% of turnover

Shown where?

Try running e-commerce on a static site. Try ranking a site built using node.js

 

[Craig3141]

---

By an Amazon study

Amazon study: Every 100ms in Added Page Load Time Cost 1% in Revenue

Amazon did a study that found every 100ms in latency cost 1% of sales.

www.conductor.com

By Google too

https://www.gigaspaces.com/blog/amazon-found-every-100ms-of-latency-cost-them-1-in-sales

I first read an article about it in Forbes. You are quite right, Amazon has a completely different set of tricks to use for their shop than a static site it only maybe makes sense for services.

I don't know about ranking a site on node.js I think static sites are usually on bootstrap or Jekyll and I don't know about ranking them either. That's a legitimate business concern although it's top of funnel rather than bottom of funnel but very different to I want all the bells and whistles.

I always thought ranking was technology agnostic and depended on things like your content and frequency of updates and referrals from other sites but I'm not an expert.

Here i found a case study if trying to run an e-commerce site on next.js there is server side rendering though https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2021/09/lessons-learned-ecommerce-nextjs-case-study/ is that the sort of thing you meant?

 

[fisicx]

whilst latency is important you need to look at the context. For example, you don’t need the whole page to load instantly. You need to get above the fold content in place and then let the rest of the page load.

The architecture of the site is key as is your hosting. An example is using a CDN. This can slow down initial page loads.

So it’s not just about latency, there are umpteen other factors to consider.

 

[Craig3141]

whilst latency is important you need to look at the context. For example, you don’t need the whole page to load instantly. You need to get above the fold content in place and then let the rest of the page load.

The architecture of the site is key as is your hosting. An example is using a CDN. This can slow down initial page loads.

So it’s not just about latency, there are umpteen other factors to consider.

That's intresting thank you. Can you point me to resources about what other factors are important to consider that aren't just people trying to sell their services?

 

[fisicx]

There isn't really a single or even a set of resources. You need to look at your own marketing strategy and search for applicable advice.

Each business is going to be different as everyone has different products and services, target customers, scope, location and expectations.