My New Business

[jtwhite]

So after looking for a job for months on end, I've decided to start my own business designing and developing Web sites. I've always been a fairly professional, businessy person.

My portfolio is located here: http://justinsnetwork.com

Unfortunately, I've not been able to find any clients. I've mailed letters out to potential clients to no avail.

Does anybody have experience in running/marketing a small business? Could you offer me some advice?

[adamparkzer]

So after looking for a job for months on end, I've decided to start my own business designing and developing Web sites. I've always been a fairly professional, businessy person.

My portfolio is located here: http://justinsnetwork.com

Unfortunately, I've not been able to find any clients. I've mailed letters out to potential clients to no avail.

Does anybody have experience in running/marketing a small business? Could you offer me some advice?

How much are you charging for your services?

[jtwhite]

Here are my typical rates... Well. Let me define some terms first.

• Web design: Starting from scratch.
• Web site usability: Redoing or modifying an existing template to make it more useful.

Okay, back to the rates:

Web Design
First 3 hours is $25/hr, thereafter it is $20/hr

Website Usability
First 3 hours is $20/hr, thereafter it is $16/hr

Script Installation
$10 flat fee unless something time consuming is involved

[adamparkzer]

You're going to charge by the hour? Wouldn't you end up making less and less money as you get more experienced, because you'll be able to whip together new websites faster and better as you get more and more customers?

[jtwhite]

I can always change the prices down the road.

Or charge more for more advanced things.

[adamparkzer]

I can always change the prices down the road.

Or charge more for more advanced things.

Wouldn't some customers accuse you of intentionally stalling to make more money? Or say that the number of hours it took you to make the website was way too long for what they believe the website should have taken.

Wouldn't it be better to charge by characters written or pages created? Something where the customer can see the work done, and their payment is based off how much actual content they're receiving.

[leafypiggy]

$25 is very high.

I'd do something like maybe:

$18/hour + $5/page after 5 pages.

Makes more sense.


Not a big fan of the one page portfolio.

[jtwhite]

Wouldn't some customers accuse you of intentionally stalling to make more money? Or say that the number of hours it took you to make the website was way too long for what they believe the website should have taken.

Wouldn't it be better to charge by characters written or pages created? Something where the customer can see the work done, and their payment is based off how much actual content they're receiving.

Nope. I don't think so. I think an hourly rate is much more professional and cost effective. The client and I would be under contract where I promise not to boost up the hours and they promise to pay. If I find that it's going to take more time than the estimate I give them, I will contact them and inform them before continuing.

Also, if it's businesses such as a roofing or stone company, they will want images on the site. I need to charge by the hour in order to have image editing included.


Edit:

$25 is very high.

I'd do something like maybe:

$18/hour + $5/page after 5 pages.

Makes more sense.


Not a big fan of the one page portfolio.

Most professionals charge $30/hr - $200/hr. My prices are very cheap compared to others.

[adamparkzer]

Nope. I don't think so. I think an hourly rate is much more professional and cost effective. The client and I would be under contract where I promise not to boost up the hours and they promise to pay. If I find that it's going to take more time than the estimate I give them, I will contact them and inform them before continuing.

Also, if it's businesses such as a roofing or stone company, they will want images on the site. I need to charge by the hour in order to have image editing included.

Hmm, didn't think of the image thing. Dunno, if you think you're better off with the hourly charge, then go for it. I have absolutely no experience charging other people for making websites for them. The only websites I make are my own (which fail design-wise -___- ) and free ones for my friends.

How many letters have you sent out so far?

[jtwhite]

How many letters have you sent out so far?

I've mailed out 5 letters to varies different company types such as: computer repair shops, restaurants, and a stone work company.

Edit: 1000th post :D