The Webdesign Business – 5 Surefire Ways To Fail
Author: amind // Category: Latest Hosting InfoSeveral years ago, I launched a small web design company in
a rural area of California. Market conditions couldn’t have
been better, my skill level was above average, and I had a
large pool of aquaintences to which I could market.
Within 12 months I went broke.
My business failed because I made some very fundamental
mistakes, and made them consistently.
I now work in the web hosting industry. I have had the
opportunity to interact with numerous self-employed web
designers and have found that the mistakes which I made are
extremely common, and usually fatal.
If you are hoping to make a go of your business over the
long term, you may want to memorize my top 5 mistakes, and
avoid them like the plague.
If, on the other hand, you are determined to run your web
design business into the ground, the following list may be
used as an expeditious roadmap to failure.
1. Underprice your services
This is the most common mistake web designers make. The
temptation is to break into the business by producing a few
cheap websites in order to build a portfolio. Don’t do it!
Remember that you will only be spending about 40% of your
time designing sites. The other 60% will be spent hustling
up the next client. If you think your time is worth $10.00
per hour, consider asking for $30.00. This will give you
sufficient revenue to pay for all the non-paying time you
spend marketing your business.
2. Fail to set and enforce boundaries
Everyone loves a nice guy, and the temptation to be one is a
trap which many of us fall into. It’s crucial to remember,
though, that you are in business for one primary reason – to
make money.
You will, doubtless, encounter clients who will pay you for
a small website, then end up wasting all of your time with
questions about how to remove spyware from their computer
and requests to add “one small thing” to an already
completed website.
You can avoid this, somewhat, by establishing clear
boundaries with the client from the very start. A contract
is useful here. Make sure that your client knows exactly
what can be expected of you, and what you expect of them.
If your client asks for extras, and you’re amenable to
providing them, give them a quote. Never toss it in for
free. The only thing you have to sell is your time and
expertise. Don’t give away either.
Remember, you’re in business. Try asking a service station
owner for a little free gasoline. They would be shocked by
your question. Likewise, you should be shocked when someone
asks you to provide free service.
3. View your clients as temporary
Many of us get into this business because we love creating
something new. By the time we finish a website, we’re tired
of that site (and sometimes that client) and we’re ready to
start a new project, and put the old project well behind us.
This attitude can cut deeply into your potential gross.
Over time, your client will need numerous updates to his or
her website. updates are sometimes bothersome, but can add a
significant revenue stream to your business. More important,
a satisfied client becomes one of the major links in your
marketing network.
4. Ignore recurring revenue opportunities
During the best of times, web designers live from project to
project. While finishing one project, you will be lining up
the next.
Every business, however, has slow stretches.
Unfortunately, your own creditors will still expect payment,
even when your own revenue slows down.
A wise web designer looks for ways to provide his business
with some sources of recurring revenue. Even $400 a month
which you can count on can get you through a dry spell.
There are numerous ways to set up some recurring revenue.
Take a look at maintenence contracts with your clients,
reselling webhosting, etc.
5. Build pretty websites which do nothing
Your best source of advertising is word of mouth. Nothing
generates great word of mouth like a satisfied customer. You
can build the flashiest, prettiest, most cutting edge
websites on the net, but it’s all for naught if your site
doesn’t perform.
Every website has a purpose. That purpose might be to sell
goods, leverage an advertising budget, disseminate
information, assist in personnel management, or one of a
million other possibilites.
Your first job, as a web designer, is to ascertain what the
web site is supposed to do. Once you find that “thing” – the
thing it should do – make sure that the site you deliver
does that particular thing like nobody’s business! By doing
so, you will ensure a client who will sing your praises at
the Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce meetings, and to his or
her friends and family. A client like this is golden, and
will bring a steady stream of customers to your door.
John Pierce is a technology writer and the Customer Service
Manager for Gold Zero Web Hosting – http://goldzero.com -and
the Webmaster for Cheap Webhosting Info Guide –
http://cheapwebhostinginfo.com.
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