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Hi all, my wife has been learning web design for a while now, she is a stay at home mum, but she is wanting to start a business in web design (of course working from home), anyone here do anythign similar and can give her some advice on how to get started, drum up business etc. even people not in webdesign who have got ideas on how to drum up business are very welcome to reply...
Rob
No experience myself, but I have seen a few good ways that apparently worked (as the companies stayed in business!)
The first is to have a web site which shows examples of what sort of thing you can do (with mini sites for fake companies). The way I see it, if people can't see your work they won't be interested, so this is the most useful.
The next is to advertise in respectable local newspapers, making sure you say you are local. People feel happier spending money if it is going to somebody nearby, especially as you can have face-to-face meetings if needed.
A very good way if you can get it is to advertise in computer shops, assuming of course that they don't provide a similar service! people will tend to go to (or ring) these stores to ask about it occasionally anyway. I have seen someone who left 100 leaflets at the counter of a small (but very respectable) computer store get 6 months work from it.
The market is fairly busy, but I reckon if you go for all these options together you will get a decent start.
:)
Good advise Si.
Also, instead of fake sites usually they want to see what other professional sites you have already done. Having live sites up and running
shows the prospective shopper that others trust in your work and they can see for themselves, your skills. ;)
When I get a new potential web project they ALWAYS ask for "What other sites have you done". You want to show them your best stuff
and sites that are similar to the line of business they do. You wouldnt show off a law firm's site to a potential manufacture company
type of company, etc.
:)