littlened started this topic @ 16:36 on 21/02/2006
Ok, I'm working for a travel agent at the minute, building and maintaining their website. I've been building my own websites on and off for a good few years now, but I'm looking to do it in a more serious way.
So far I've build 2 simple websites that have been payed for.
http://www.libra.com & http://www.matthewsandenglish.co.uk
I've also managed to get myself on the Business Link register in the North-East.
My big question is, what do small businesses and startups want from a web designer? I imagine its the best quality they can get for the smallest feee possible. I can do low prices at the minute, because I do have a full time job, so I suppose that's a bonus.
I'm just finishing off creating an online shop I can use if clients require a shop that uses paypal for its payment method. A sneek preview of this can be seen at http://www.sr8.co.uk/titanium2/ but it's not finished yet, I'm planning to use this as my demo.
I'd be grateful for any advice anyone can give me.
RE: starting up as a web designer
blokey | 21/02/2006 05:51 PM
In the first instance, make sure your own website is top-notch and not hacked by a Venezuelan group. The online shop looks promising, though.
RE: RE: starting up as a web designer
littlened | 21/02/2006 09:27 PM
sorry the first url I gave should have been http://www.libraifa.com.
What would a small business constitute as a top notch website? loads of flash? pretty pictures? a web designer and a client may have different opinions on what constitutes as a good website. I think sometimes it might be difficult to get the point across that a great website doesn't have to have all the bells and whistles like flash and big large images.
RE: starting up as a web designer
blackhorse | 21/02/2006 10:58 PM
I know what I would have appreciated - for a low price obviously, money is always tight fot new startups - is expert advice, and not just someone routinely following my orders, as this is not my area of expertise.
IE. I might think 'flash, great, gotta have it' but if you think its gonna look like crap, please tell me, cos even if it was my idea if the finished result looks like crap I'm gonna notice.
You could also do just an advice service like one hours consulation for people who are on a v low budget and need to design the site themselves but need some advice on technical issues or advice on things like paypal v merchant, which host is the most reliable etc.
Obviously the other thing is that its really preferable if you understand the line of business that the customer has. Ie you would want a wedding planner site to look beautiful, classy, lots of pictures etc, a site advertising specifically punk rock clothing for etc could probably look more avant garde and off the wall.
The last thing is that I wouldn;t want a website and thats it - what sort of guarantees could you give me of not necessarily sales but at least visitors to my site via seo and marketing.
RE: starting up as a web designer
blokey | 21/02/2006 11:16 PM
By "top-notch" I mean a site that is standards-compliant, has been tested and works on all major browsers, is accessible (see the W3C's WCAG 1.0 spec) and is visually appealing. It doesn't have to have reams of Flash or Java, in fact, the fewer the better.
When seeking clients, it doesn't hurt to introduce them to these aspects of a well-designed website as long as you can explain it to them in terms they can understand -- i.e. how it will affect their business. If you can demonstrate a sound knowledge of your field and how your reasonably-priced services will translate to higher profits on their part, you should clinch the deal.
As an aside, you do realise that your site at http://www.sr8.co.uk appears to have been adopted by a group of crackers?
RE: RE: starting up as a web designer
littlened | 22/02/2006 07:39 AM
Originally posted by: blokey
By "top-notch" I mean a site that is standards-compliant, has been tested and works on all major browsers, is accessible (see the W3C's WCAG 1.0 spec) and is visually appealing. It doesn't have to have reams of Flash or Java, in fact, the fewer the better.
When seeking clients, it doesn't hurt to introduce them to these aspects of a well-designed website as long as you can explain it to them in terms they can understand -- i.e. how it will affect their business. If you can demonstrate a sound knowledge of your field and how your reasonably-priced services will translate to higher profits on their part, you should clinch the deal.
As an aside, you do realise that your site at http://www.sr8.co.uk appears to have been adopted by a group of crackers?
Thanks for pointing that out, I'll get straight onto the company hosting my account.
Thanks for the advice.
RE: RE: starting up as a web designer
littlened | 22/02/2006 07:47 AM
On another note though, I only use the sr8 domain as my own personal account, for email and such. I'm in the process of putting together a website to advertise my services and some business cards to match the design of the website.
RE: starting up as a web designer
fastfences | 22/02/2006 12:24 AM
Hi Ned,
web designers are a 'dime a dozen' everywhere. sounds harsh, I know, but this means you really have to have something special to capture your market. I think initially, you have decide who your market will be and how to attract them. Networking, local paper advertising, phone calls to businesses, leaflet drops? Map out what and how you're going to do it, then the basics like whether to use fllash, or not, will fall into place.
Cheers, Nigel
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RE: starting up as a web designer
creacom | 22/02/2006 09:47 AM
As said above, your site will have to be 1st class. Its your showcase. Start ups are interested in a site that will be durable, meets all the latest regulations and works on EVERY browser.
You also need to get into the market that your client is in. There is no point creating seomthgn that doesnt reflect their business and services. I would also move away from using the word "cheap". This will put people off straight away. Be careful that you dont pigeonhole yourself as more and more start ups are looking for quality services and dont mind investing in it.
Best of luck
Jacqui
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