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Starting a Web
Design Business
So, you're thinking of
starting a home based Web design business? Advice for standing
out among the crowd and surviving in this business.
© 1999,
by Julie Frost
When I first started my
Web design business from my home in 1995, people were saying
that the Web was "still in its infancy." But even then
it seemed people were getting on the Internet in droves. New
business sites were popping up left and right... And so were
new Web design firms.
Since that time,
I've seen many web design businesses come and go. But I've also
seen the web -- once a 'baby' -- grow bigger and stronger with
each day. According to the Nielsen Media Research, approximately
70.5 Million adults are now online. And International Data Corporation
reports that 41.2 percent of all small businesses are accessing
the Internet (up from 19.7 percent in 1996).
So obviously
there is a market for web designers. But is the market saturated?
Maybe, maybe
not. Web Design is frequently listed as a "Hot" home
based business idea, in online and offline publications. But
I doubt very much that there are more quality, affordable design
firms then the market can bear. But whatever the answer may be,
how can you get YOUR web design business to stand out?
- First and
foremost, you have to have a niche market.
Just saying that
your target market is "small businesses" is not enough.
Did you know that "small businesses" account for 98%
of all businesses in the U.S.? While it might be nice to market
to everyone, it's not just not feasible.
I know of one
gal who designs web sites for horse breeders, horse tack/supplement/etc.
suppliers and other horse related businesses. Other niche ideas
include: real estate brokers, insurance salespeople, direct salespeople,
restaurants, and the list could go on and on. Your best bet?
Find a niche that you have connections with, have experience
in, and enjoy.
The great thing
about having a niche as a web designer is that, though your customers
may be "competitors," it's most likely they will not
be on the same street or in the same town, fighting to sell more
products than the other. And though the web might bring them
closer together, there's room enough for everyone.
- Learn how
to build a community, and build a business at the same time!
Many people have
started community sites. For example, you could get the domain
www.OurLittleCity.net (not a real site, but it could be!) and
build sites for local businesses. You could even get more specific
- www.southwestoregon.com or www.hustontexas.com. While these
types of sites are gaining popularity, believe it or not, none
of the above URL's are taken! Even if they don't apply to your
situation, the domain that DOES apply may be readily available.
And don't give up if your first choice is taken. For instance,
www.bangor.com is taken, but www.bangormaine.com is not. (At
the time of this writing, the above domains were available.)
- Flashy does
not necessarily mean good.
While the use
of graphics, animation, and flashing/scrolling text can be effective
in the design of a great site, going overboard with these and
other enchancements will ultimately slow your site down, and
turn off a lot of potential clients.
Before you start
grabbing "free" graphics from here and there or creating
your own, then building a virtual mecca of glitz and glimmer,
remember that everything that glitters is NOT gold. If you have
to err, err on the conservative side when building web sites.
Keep the design
simple and effective. If you're not sure what that is, surf around
awhile. When I first started my web design business, I would
look at at least 50 web sites a day...trying to find what I liked
and what I didn't like, what stood out and what stood out like
a sore thumb, what worked, and what didn't. What you like and
what others like may be completely different, but if you see
the types of sites that are continually popular, quick to load,
and effectively doing their job, you'll start to get the idea
of what's already working.
- The price
is right! Or is it?
Just because
the market may be saturated, don't be afraid to charge what you're
worth. If potential customers ask why you charge more, let them
know that it may be truer online then anywhere else -- you get
what you pay for. They can pay a dime-a-dozen web design and
get a dime-a-dozen web site, or they can pay you what you're
worth and get the quality and service they deserve.
And remember,
there will always be someone who will underbid you -- no matter
how low you price your services! Don't worry about them. Remember
the design firms I mentioned earlier that come and go? Those
low bidders, in my experience, are always the first to go.
Starting a web
design business -- like any other business -- is exciting and
maybe a little bit scary, but what a great business it is. Anyone
with the desire to do well and the willingness and determination
to learn CAN succeed!
- Julie Frost is the author of the online booklet
"Start Your Own Home Based Web Design Business".
You can purchase her online booklet for just $19.95 by sending
a blank email to: webdesign@yourhomebiz.com.
Or visit her site at: http://www.YourHomeBiz.com/infomarket/webdesignbiz.html
for more information. You can mail Julie at mailto:sage@yourhomebiz.com
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