Market for online only web designers

[metal5]

I wondered if anyone in this thread does web design completely online and does not go out of the house to a company to work.

Because of a back injury, I would like to design websites for a living completely at home, and only communicate over the phone or online with clients who want my services.

If anyone who has knowledge about this type of employment can give me some information about this, I would appreciate it. I'm still a beginning web designer and learning more each day. I haven't got myself employed yet though. Just searching.

I thought the best thingn to do would just be to start a small business, but I wondered how often an employer would contract for someone to build websites for them who just stayed home to build them.

metal5

[chrisranjana]

If you setup a good setup

1) high speed internet
2) good fast machines

you can start a good home based webdesign business ?

[sharkey]

What does high speed internet access have to do with it i work from home most of the time and im on dial-up. You can go to www.scriptlance.com and apply for web jobs.

[buntine]

I have done some contract-based Software Development for a home based Web Design Business.

He had a fairly basic setup, 56k connection, Windows XP, etc. Most of his clients were Government organisations and local Business'. The Company did quite well during the time i was involved, luring several new clients and even offering me full-time employment.

The manager mainly worked completely from home, commuting via the Internet and Telephone. He had a few meetings with clients, which just meant getting out of his raggy clothes and meeting some potential clients at a restaurant to discuss site layout, expectations, etc.

For someone in your position, the Web Design industry would be a very logical field to enter. I hope you do well.

Regards,
Andrew Buntine.

[metal5]

Thanks everyone for answering with ecouraging news.

I figured web design would be perfect for a homebased business. I almost don't see the sense in getting up every morning to build web pages at an employers place.

I would get the high speed again if I did this. Right now, I have the dial-up to keep expenses down.

It would be fun to go out just to get the details of how clients would want their websites built. This I wouldn't mind, but its too much of a hassle to go to a part-time or full-time regular job on the employers hours. Sometimes I"m up through the night because of insomnia also and this is sometimes when I do my best work.

Talk to you later
metal5

[buntine]

Ok, sounds good.

Your in the right mindset. Most Programmers/Web Designers can relate to all-nighters, otherwise known as Hacking the Twilight.

You will just need to setup some basic advertising system, such as placing adverts in your local newspaper. You dont even need a Web Site for your home-based Business. Just supply clients with an email address to contact you.

A regular dial-up Internet connection will suffice. You wont be doing anything that demands speed.

Regards,
Andrew Buntine.

[metal5]

I don't know about anyone else, but I sure like the quiet of working at home without supervisors, meetings, demands and coworkers constantly barraging me all day while I'm trying to build a website. I also get websites built much faster and I go straight through to completion without interferance when I'm at home. I only stop to sleep about 8 hours then i'm off again the next day learning more.

But, I"m still in the process of learning how to build them. Sometimes, I can spend days learning something and only stop to sleep and eat. I'm motivated. I love web design.

metal5

[buntine]

Thats good to hear. Very refreshing.

Im still quite young, so I am yet to experience the real buzz of working life. Though, working from home is really appealing to me, especially considering the industry I am involved in allows me to.

I would like to move out to the country and setup a small networked office so i could work from home and attract clients through the Internet. I could have animals and grow vegetable's -- away from the buzz of the city. What a life that would be!

It becomes very addictive, too! You will often realise that its 4AM and you have been sitting at your machine for 7 hours straight. Its a great feeling to know that you have completed something individual, such as a Web Site.

Regards.

[Intensity]

I have started my business at the beginning of this year and have found out that it is a real .... real competitive market out there.
I am currently working part-time at Verizon Wireless Call center while trying to make a living of this website design business.

My first impression was that website design was easy and will my skill would be a walk in the park after doing a little advertising.
I waited for business by adding links around the internet and passed out business cards.

I have to find out that the money really lays in offering Ecommerce and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) with the websites.

Why do people want to have a website? Mostly to market their own business and that is where SEO comes in at by ranking them higher in search engines ranking and PCP and generating clientelle traffic.

Advise 1: Get cable service. ( you need it for the research)
Advise 2: Dedication (lots of it with any new business setup)
Advise 3: Research
Advise 4: More research
Advise 4: Good luck

[Reli4nt]

I run my web design company from my home. I recommend that you team up with some people and if you can afford to do so, do some low cost work for clients for your portfolio. All of my designers work out of their homes too. Some have full time or part time jobs on the side, some don't. It's an obstacle to not be able to visit clients because we all feel more comfortable giving money to people we know. However, the key is to simply get yourself out there in front of everyone you can and be patient. My company is still young and it will be a while before I am on solid ground http://thejpproject.com. Here's my advice, find a hook/niche and don't lose hope. Walt Disney started out of his garage.

Best wishes

[crh3675]

I have been commuting to my workplace (20 miles from home) for over 5 years now. I have brought up telecommuting to my bosses several times. They reject the idea simply for the fact of "losing control of the leash". We occasionally hire extra contract help. The contract help almost always makes their own hours at home. This poses a problem for us since we are a very customer oriented company. Being at the office allows me to respond quickly to emails and phone calls regarding projects. Of course, when you have over 250 clients, you need to be readily available. If you are working by yourself, go for it, work at home. But I really recommend an office space with development teams. I enjoy interacting with my other co-workers because I get different perspectives on the project and it helps me grow as a developer.

[Reli4nt]

Working as a team is a huge plus in the creative field, we all need input in order to excel.