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Design and Launch an Online Web Design Business in a Week (Clickstarts) by Jason R. Rich
Are you an online artist ready to take your passion to the next level? Would you love your creative talent to be on showcase for millions to see and buy? Thanks to today’s amazing technology, it’s easier than ever to tap into your passion and turn it into your next paycheck! In just a few days and a few clicks, you can build a successful online web design business selling your creative services. Discover how to easily develop your own website, effectively showcase your work, promote yourself to a worldwide audience, generate new clients, better service existing clients, and more! Design an attractive, business website using inexpensive, turnkey solutions from established companies like Google, Yahoo! and Go Daddy that require no programming knowledge Create a killer online portfolio that captures new clients Use easy online tools that work 24/7 to handle requests and payments Drive traffic using search engine optimization and other marketing and advertising techniques Boost profits by expanding your specialty or your business
- GenresWebsite Design
Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
2 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
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September 9, 2021
I wasn't very impressed by How to Open Operate a Financially Successful Web Site Design Business, but I like Entrepreneur Magazine and some of the other books produced by Entrepreneur Press, so I thought this book would be worth reading. I liked it better than How to Open.... Both books leave it up to you to learn the technical web design skills skills, and simply guide you through the business side of web design.
The advice is primarily for web designers, but every chapter also speaks to graphic designers, photographers, and others who market their digital work online.
One of the main points is that it's critical to focus on a narrow niche and establish yourself as an expert. You can create a premium brand by targeting a specific industry or client type, and charge accordingly. Aiming for too broad a market makes it hard for you to gain expertise in any one area, and makes you less appealing to clients because you don't stand out as unique.
Another point is to provide a range of services, because clients like one-stop shopping, and you benefit from multiple revenue streams. In addition to web design, you could offer site editing/updating, SEO, hosting, domain registration, photo editing, logo creation, advertising, setting up merchant accounts, etc.
The book provides helpful recommendations for creating a portfolio, as well as advice on forming contracts. It mentions marketing by word of mouth, but spends more time describing how to find work online through Guru.com, eLance.com, and Craigslist.org. Even if you're doing "faceless" business through one of these sites, it's important to personalize quotes, proposals, and design work for each client.
Notes
Portfolio
• Choose your focus. Demonstrate your specialty and target your niche audience.
• Show fewer than 12 sites. Link to others.
• Include a bio about who you are, your expertise, and why the client should hire you.
• Categorize your work by type.
• Provide brief explanations for how each site solved the client's needs.
• Every page should display your contact info.
Marketing
• Advertising and marketing pros cost you up front, but provide a better return than doing it yourself.
• Attract media attention by becoming an expert in your field. Media lets you plug your products and services while building credibility.
• As soon as you finish a job, ask the client for the names of referrals. You may offer an incentive (discount or commission).
Contracts
Contracts should include:
• Specific deliverables
• Specific milestones and deadlines
• Specific price (fees) and payment terms
• Ownership of your intellectual property, trademarks, copyrights
• Details and fees for ongoing work/maintenance
• Terms for remedying problems
• Cancellation clause for ending the agreement
• Limitation of liability boilerplate
Design
Design a client's site based on:
• client's logo
• websites the client likes
• functionality the client needs
Pricing suggestions
• Editing: bill in 15 minute increments at $50/hr. Allow clients to purchase blocks of time at a discount.
• SEO: charge monthly
• Hosting: use an affiliate or reseller program.
• Start with low prices to build your portfolio and reputation, then raise prices as work comes in.
The advice is primarily for web designers, but every chapter also speaks to graphic designers, photographers, and others who market their digital work online.
One of the main points is that it's critical to focus on a narrow niche and establish yourself as an expert. You can create a premium brand by targeting a specific industry or client type, and charge accordingly. Aiming for too broad a market makes it hard for you to gain expertise in any one area, and makes you less appealing to clients because you don't stand out as unique.
Another point is to provide a range of services, because clients like one-stop shopping, and you benefit from multiple revenue streams. In addition to web design, you could offer site editing/updating, SEO, hosting, domain registration, photo editing, logo creation, advertising, setting up merchant accounts, etc.
The book provides helpful recommendations for creating a portfolio, as well as advice on forming contracts. It mentions marketing by word of mouth, but spends more time describing how to find work online through Guru.com, eLance.com, and Craigslist.org. Even if you're doing "faceless" business through one of these sites, it's important to personalize quotes, proposals, and design work for each client.
Notes
Portfolio
• Choose your focus. Demonstrate your specialty and target your niche audience.
• Show fewer than 12 sites. Link to others.
• Include a bio about who you are, your expertise, and why the client should hire you.
• Categorize your work by type.
• Provide brief explanations for how each site solved the client's needs.
• Every page should display your contact info.
Marketing
• Advertising and marketing pros cost you up front, but provide a better return than doing it yourself.
• Attract media attention by becoming an expert in your field. Media lets you plug your products and services while building credibility.
• As soon as you finish a job, ask the client for the names of referrals. You may offer an incentive (discount or commission).
Contracts
Contracts should include:
• Specific deliverables
• Specific milestones and deadlines
• Specific price (fees) and payment terms
• Ownership of your intellectual property, trademarks, copyrights
• Details and fees for ongoing work/maintenance
• Terms for remedying problems
• Cancellation clause for ending the agreement
• Limitation of liability boilerplate
Design
Design a client's site based on:
• client's logo
• websites the client likes
• functionality the client needs
Pricing suggestions
• Editing: bill in 15 minute increments at $50/hr. Allow clients to purchase blocks of time at a discount.
• SEO: charge monthly
• Hosting: use an affiliate or reseller program.
• Start with low prices to build your portfolio and reputation, then raise prices as work comes in.
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