Contemplating doing web development full-time

[johnkruk]

I have been doing web design for personal projects and occasionally for a friend of family member. I have been contemplating opening my own web design firm/office. I was wondering if anyone can give me any tips or advice on coming up Business Plan, Marketing/Advertising, Setting Rates for Design and Hosting. I am also planning to possibly use the office for teaching courses on Windows and Internet to beginners and to sell computer systems but my primary focus would be on design.

I have not really talked to many other people doing design/development and when I found this forum it was a god send. Any tips or help would be appreciated.

[psirus]

Hi, have you considered becoming a freelance developer? My site will help you find suitable work; www.freelanceuk.net

[buntine]

I would suggest taking a 'Start your own Business' short course from a local provider (college, schools, etc). Obviously, starting a Web Design business is the same as starting any home business. Do your research, make some contacts, save some cash, etc.

www.sitepoint.com have an excellent resource package, which may be very helpful, provided your willing to pay. (its about $400)

Regards,
Andrew Buntine.

[johnkruk]

Thank you for the tips guys. I intend to register for your freelance site. I have been contemplating what to choose for my domain name and finally made a decison. I plan on doing my own site to showcase the site's I have done at this point.

I also read some of the articles on webdevbiz.com and they have given me some really great tips. I plan on reading as many threads in this forum as possible.

Thanks!

Jeff

[Intensity]

There is too much to list.

My recommendations would be just do lots of research. Lots of it. Utilize the forums. Become one with the web. Seems like you want to start off right now so classes doesn't to seem to be in your agenda.

Learn from your peers and see what the competition is doing.

With a part time job and a full time commitment you should have your business up in around 6 months with pretty good setup.

It took me that long at least.

Good luck and welcome to the competitive world wide web.

[johnkruk]

Well, I wouldnt say I am in a rush but I'll give you a bit of background why my butt is in gear. In early May i was diagnosed with Stage 4 Large B Cell Lymphoma. I just finished up my last chemo treatment. Since getting diagnosed with cancer Its changed my outlook on life alot and made me want to do those things that I've always wanted to do. I guess you can say I have rearranged the priorities in my life to stop putting off goals and as Nike says "Just Do It!"

I've been off work recouperating from my full time job but I've always wanted to be my own boss. I am tired of working the dreaded 9-5 for someone else and have to answer to Bill Lumberg type supervisors and managers. I work technical support for an ISP and i've pretty much outlived the normal life expectancy for a tech support rep (doing it 5 years before I got sick).

I want to build a business the right way and grow it to the point where it can support myself and my fiancee into our marriage. I want to do it the right way so as to not give myself or the profession a bad name or bad reputation. I figured who better to ask than those who have built theirs into successes.

Thanks again for all the feedback. I really appreciate it!

Jeff

[Intensity]

I got some good info for you. I haven't worked on the layout in ages and need to add some more content that I have found. I think that i have some real good information & material gathered that might be to use to you..

You can visit it: Website design & marketing - Tampa Freelancer (http://www.intensedevelopment.net/Tampa-Website-Freelancing.html)

[johnkruk]

Awesome tips. I have bookmarked this page and as soon as I can hookup to my printer I plan on printing this out and putting it into a reference binder. Thank you so much!

Jeff

[capmexbiz]

Jeff,

It's hard to start a web design business, there's a lot of competition.

Don't assume people will be paying you big time money. A lot of people these days are savvy webmasters.

Locally you could try to introduce new businesses online, but if they don't see a return of their investment sometimes they will just keep their domain and hosting and will not make redesigns or improvements to their sites.

If you don't have much experience being on the seller's side be very cautious, but if you feel comfortable selling things, give it a try.

[Ray Walker]

HI, if you wish to try a FREEEEEEEEEEEEEE SITE for website development of any kind, try the newest and fastest growing site online. Try www.onlinelance.com, as this site wont cost you anything.

No project posting fee.
No accepting fee
No monthly
NOTHING! Just bid and make money on our site. Signup.

The only freelance site online that offer free service to webmaster and freelancers.

Regards

[jaguide]

I don't know where you live, but I have been doing the same as you this year in the US, and for $60 I attended a one day seminar for starting a small business from the Small Business Administration. This covered everything such as accounting, legal, insurance, general start-up, marketing, banking. If nothing else, it got me more organized and opened my eyes to how much work it all is.
http://www.sba.gov/wa
Ggood luck in '05 with everything.
jaguide

[buntine]

Ray Walker, this is your last chance. Do not advertise your business in these forums or you will be banned.

[Ray Walker]

To the moderator butine, strange thihing is, i jut posted all ads in one day, but i hear the stuff you all are sying, for days now.IF you care to read above what i have written, you would not need to warn me or write this in this page. A bit tired of hearing dont advertise.

FOR ALL THAT READ THE THREAD NOW, I WILL NOT ADVERTISE, QUITE COMMING WITH THE SAME AND THE SAME THINGS AGAIN AND AGAIN!'

IF YOU STILL AFTER THIS WANT TO BANN ME, THEN GO AHEAD, YOU COULD HAVE SENT ME AN PM, insted writing it on the site here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ray

[PeOfEo]

Ray, you have posted the same types of messages in every forum, same day or not does not change the fact that it is against the forum rules. Also, typing in caps is not going to help your case... :rolleyes:

[Ray Walker]

PeOfEo


Do you know me or something? i dont care, i dont advertise any more MR.PeOfEo. So please give me a break, okay. Find someone else to go and bug!

Thank you
ray

[PeOfEo]

Ray Walker wrote on 01-02-2005 09:25 PM:
Why dont you just stay away from my listings if they bug you, or hurt your feelings?. I dont like you, and do not wish to advertise anymore on this forum. If i can understand you the forst time, why are you keep repeting stupid messeges to me on the forum all the time?

Not to be rude, but tell me:
Either you are stupid, or dum, which is it?
You have more than 8000 posts, i guess more than 1/2 is because you keep bugging people.

So this is for all Bul.. you keep writing to my old posts. Please do not post on them anymore as i wont/dont wanna advertise, and please make your PR on somebody elses mistakes now, okay!

Ray

doctor_ray@hotmail.com

Ray, that does not change the fact that you are insulting two mods. You are calling me stupid or "dum", yet you are insulting me and buntine? That is amazing. I would not have even looked at this had you not started getting on buntine's case. You will not be advertising on these forums anymore for one key reason, you are going to get banned.

I would have kept this message in the form of a pm but you have that disabled currently, so I figured I would post this where you can see it.