Is there call for small business web development still?
Discussion
5 Years ago i used to work for a small business who offered bespoke small to medium sized businesses web design and develoment solutions, i worked for the company for 3 years in that time we grew from two members of staff to 7 by the time i had left. Work was always around the corner and there wasn't a time were we werent busy.
I've dropped out of the web game over the last few years but still have the knowledge and eye to do it.
I'm just wondering if the market is still the same, are people still looking for websites designed by the one man band (so to speak). I always remember clients seemed to have a hell of alot of funding available to them from different organisations, we landed most of those contracts via the local chamber of commerce.
I guess i want to start using my skills to return a small amount of extra cash each month, would it be worth spending my time buying a domain developing a website to showcase my previous work and start looking for clients?
The difficult part i can see is the fact that i hold down a mon - fri 9 - 5 job, thus meeting with clients and being able to answer there questions during business hours is going to be impossible.
Any suggestions, or advice would be greatly appreciated.
I guess another avenue to explore would be picking up the odd bit of out sourcing from other web dev businesses, if any members need a hand with projects i'd be happy help. My background is PHP, MySQL. But i now work with MS SQL so i'm quite database savvy. I also work with CSS, etc and have an eye for design.
I've dropped out of the web game over the last few years but still have the knowledge and eye to do it.
I'm just wondering if the market is still the same, are people still looking for websites designed by the one man band (so to speak). I always remember clients seemed to have a hell of alot of funding available to them from different organisations, we landed most of those contracts via the local chamber of commerce.
I guess i want to start using my skills to return a small amount of extra cash each month, would it be worth spending my time buying a domain developing a website to showcase my previous work and start looking for clients?
The difficult part i can see is the fact that i hold down a mon - fri 9 - 5 job, thus meeting with clients and being able to answer there questions during business hours is going to be impossible.
Any suggestions, or advice would be greatly appreciated.
I guess another avenue to explore would be picking up the odd bit of out sourcing from other web dev businesses, if any members need a hand with projects i'd be happy help. My background is PHP, MySQL. But i now work with MS SQL so i'm quite database savvy. I also work with CSS, etc and have an eye for design.
We offer small business website design, hosting, SEO services and submission. Yes there are a lot of companies out there doing this but we have never been busier. 60% of our business comes from word of mouth referrals which is nice. We offer affordable prices but our USP is our exceptional customer service. We have never had a single customer that has not been more than happy with our sevice.
So as long as you treat your clients like they deserve the rest should fall into place.
So as long as you treat your clients like they deserve the rest should fall into place.
Tim
There will always be people looking for websites, from a cheap website-in-a-box (to get them on the ladder) to a fully bespoke integrated ebusiness system. The important thing is to find your niche and do it better than your competitors.
Try not to be all things to all men, so be prepared to turn business away (but you can refer it to a specialist and get an introducer's fee).
As Jamesuk28 says, keep customer satisfaction as a priority and your reputation will slowly build so that you can achieve lots of repeat and referral business.
Good luck with it.
There will always be people looking for websites, from a cheap website-in-a-box (to get them on the ladder) to a fully bespoke integrated ebusiness system. The important thing is to find your niche and do it better than your competitors.
Try not to be all things to all men, so be prepared to turn business away (but you can refer it to a specialist and get an introducer's fee).
As Jamesuk28 says, keep customer satisfaction as a priority and your reputation will slowly build so that you can achieve lots of repeat and referral business.
Good luck with it.
jacobyte said:
Tim
Try not to be all things to all men, so be prepared to turn business away (but you can refer it to a specialist and get an introducer's fee).
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Very true, we are asked now and again to do very technical coding work / websites. We could have a go at it, but the client would be better served by an expert in this field. We are never ashamed to say "sorry we just can't do this particular project justice" please try so and so. As Jacobyte said find your niche and develop it.Try not to be all things to all men, so be prepared to turn business away (but you can refer it to a specialist and get an introducer's fee).
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