New business startup - which way to go?

[mdavies]

I have skills in both web design and teaching IT (Desktop publishing/Dreamweaver/ECDL/Photoshop)

I work at the moment on a temp contract which ends next april, but I am getting itchy feet and want to start a biz in my spare time.

I enjoy both aspects, design and teaching, yet I cant seem to decide what business to go into.

Which one has the best prospects/long term viability?

Thanks for all replies.

 

[epiphany]

I have seen literally hundreds of small time web design companies start and fail in my local area alone. In general people think (and I am not saying you as I don't know you just because they can hack together a website for a mate they can start doing it for a living. Doing it properly and successfully is becoming more difficult and more involved each year and you will need to take it far more seriously than most people do in order to make something out of it. In saying that you should just follow your heart and do whatever you feel like doing, you can go be a teacher anytime I suppose

 

[Essence]

Is there any reason why you cannot look into both aspects? I'm pretty sure that there are loads of small businesses out there who are on small budgets, and would appreciate someone designing a basic and low cost website for them. Additionally, I imagine that those on very small budgets may be interested in learning how to do it themselves, so may be on the hunt for lessons.

Research both of them. Which aspect moves you most of all? (heart, not head). If you know the answer, is it a viable route to take? What do your family, friends and colleagues think you will be good at? (it might highlight something to you that you had not otherwise realised). Which career is flooding the market more than another? Are there any gaps in that market? Are you skilled and experienced enough to provide for that market? How far will your budget extend? Is there something unique that you can offer to that gap? Can you commit to it on a long term basis? These are just questions to start off with. If you are interested further, check out my eBook 'Should I Start My Own Business?', available on my website.

If you would like any more advice, please drop me an e-mail through my website.

Best of luck...
Essence.

 

[Whistle Ink]

Hi,

You could do both, but I'd guess I.T. training would take a lot of time and planning. With regards epiphany's comment yes there are hundreds of web design companies out there, but theres always room for a few more.

What matters is if you are doing web design, how will you get your customers? There are some really bad web designers out there as well as people who need a website but dont know what they should be looking for.

A great business idea would be given crap websites a makeover.

Good luck

 

[Rob Holmes]

The beauty of it is you're in employment until next April. Why not dip your toe in both and see which one you enjoy more and which one is the better cash generator?

Rob

 

[kyber]

Teaching IT and web design both have potential (and significant challenges) but the fundamental trick to making money is to avoid relying exclusively on a finite skill set that is dependent on yourself.

For example, a joiner has a cap on his earning potential. Sure, he can work more hours and possibly, if he is very good, can get high value work where fine finishes are required but once he has hit the premium rates and available hours he can do no more. On the other hand, an average joiner who gets to know the building industry well and starts to put together teams of tradesmen to do work for others has no such caps on his growth potential.

In your case, if you are totally relient on your own ability to do training, you will limit yourself. If instead, whilst building your own experience, you can broaden out into a training service perhaps in a niche area that can make use of other training resources you will be starting to build up a business.

Similarly, on the web design side of things. You may do well with some small businesses but to generate more money you will again need to expand and employe others to cover a wide range of skills. We have mostly moved on from basic brochure ware. To earn money you really need to be delivering improvements to business processes or opening up new opportunity areas. This means transactional websites for some, supply chain management, information marketing, etc.

You could of course start out with the aim of learning the skills and identifying the opportunity areas that suit and interest you.

Perhaps you can combine the two current interest: e-learning is growing rapidly but there are many areas of business that are not yet well covered.

Good luck,

Stuart

 

[Anonymous]

I would probably recommend keeping out of the web design business. Its unbeliveably competitive, and there are companies going bust every month. A better bet would be teaching; where there is plenty of demand, and more job security. Although, running your own business is kinda fun too!


Steven


______________
London Web Designer
Create a Website
Hotels in Greece and Cyprus

 

[top-click]

Hmm, the webdesigners say stay away from it, they should know I guess !

In my experience, if you can stand up and honestly say to yourself that you have the skills, a USP, the backing and tenacity to succeed then go for it! - whether its design, teaching or both.

Thats my 2pence for what it's worth!

Rob

Top-Click

 

[Rob Holmes]

Top-click mentioned a good point and what I would say as one of the most important.. tenacity

It's an important quality for all small business startups - I found the first couple of years the hardest years of my life so far.

Rob