Starting a web development business

What are some things I should consider before launching a web development business?

What do companies typically look for when considering who to go with to build their web-site?

I'm looking to focus on small businesses that just need a basic information site to promote their business, not large database driven sites.

 

I suggest reading The Web Design Business Kit, by Brendon Sinclair. You can buy it on Sitepoint and it is packed FULL of stuff to get you going.

 

Is this going to be your first time building sites for income? If yes, I would suggest going into freelancing first... and then as you get familiar with the process and how to work with clients, then you can start considering developing a web development business.

 

My real job is with a dotcom using perl, php, mysql, javascript, css and of course html. I've built numerous sites of my own as well.

I'd just like to make some extra income building simple sites. I guess a better term is "freelancing."

 

To look for or bid on freelancing projects, have you ever tried Guru.com or Elance.com? Also, searching through Craigslist under the computer related categories, you will find people or SMB's posting for Web designers. You can also advertise on CL as well.

 

i recomand GAf (getafreelancer)

 

It's my experience that small business owners get recommendations from their personal networks for web development companies. If you know a few business owners and are able to get your name out there (and of course do good work) it's quite possible to stay busy via word-of-mouth alone. I have.

 

That's very true. For something like this I would start locally. Especially networking and possibly a local chamber.

 

Personally I find bidding online to be nearly impossible. Very few people are willing to pay a reasonable fee for my work. I have much better luck bidding for jobs locally where my reputation and skills are known. Online, every job gets bid on in the $XX range.

Unless you don't mind doing a lot of work cheap, stick to local jobs. Online is OK if you want to build a portfolio but I wouldn't want to make money at it.

 

$XX is low. Where are you searching for work? Those higher-a-freelancer bid type jobs? (they charge way way to less there because its so competitive).

I think, if you can establish a well named web development company, you can fairly well. And like stated by tandac, local might be best (there's an advantage to being local because you can meet up with the clients therefore forming more of a trustful relationship than hiring some designer from across the globe)

 

try advertise in the local paper, as well as bid on projects on scriptlance.

local businesses may be interested - or if u want to cut costs, go door to door offering domain/email/basic site packages

 

If you want to actually get paid for your work skip all the freelance sites that were mentioned here and find a group of webmasters that don't mind paying for quality work.

 

I totally forgot that a website development business is typically run by a group of designers and programmers.

I guess you also need to consider who you will be working with.. do you know a lot of programmers and designers that are willing to be working with you? If you're lacking PHP skills, photoshop skills, etc it's best to find another person who can fill that gap.

 

You either didn't read or didn't understand my post.



That is a freelance site rate formed after competing with third world designers and noobs. If you want to get what you are worth you won't get it at the sites mentioned above.

 

I have my preliminary business site running at www.icarusindie.com now.

I'm planning on starting by looking for local business web-sites that need some improvement. There's no shortage of bad sites out there.

 

May I remind everyone that guru and elance are not the only freelance websites that there is out there. There is also project4hire.com which is a very nice freelance website.

 

That's actually a really good way to get business. If you come up with a few simple suggestions for what you would change about the site it will get you in the door to discuss redoing the entire thing.

One bit of advice from experience: Ask the potential client when they had their site designed and how they feel about it before you trash it. I made the mistake once of assuming (because it really looked like it) that my realtor's site was built at least 4 years ago and that he wasn't too happy with it... it turns out he'd just bought it a month ago and thought it was alright.

 

Typically, you start by building your reputation. Create websites that would appeal to the cliche that you are going to target.
If you are that good...words will spread and this will be your best marketing tool. I suggest that you build...build...build...build...