The Big Step
So you've got an interest in running your own web design business. Congratulations on this big step! Starting a business can be a very scary, yet exciting adventure. Here is a list of great resources you can use to get started on the right track...
Training / Education
First off, it is very important that you know what you are doing. A website is a website right? Wrong! Although anyone with a WYSIWYG editor can slap a few images and text together in Frontpage and call it a site. It is very important that you understand the coding aspect and web standards that make up a web page.
W3Schools
Lynda
PSDTuts
KillerPHP
Advertise
Getting your name out to people is a very big step. Begin networking with everyone you know starting with friends and family. Word of mouth is what starts successful business. Advertise on websites and your local newspaper. Get the word out!
Craigslist
Adwords
Find Work
Check online job boards for people who need your services. Let them know you exist and what solutions you can offer them. The more clients you can land, the better. Remember that word of mouth thing mentioned earlier?
FreelanceSwitch Job Board
Elance
Rentacoder
ODesk
Authentic Jobs
Find Inspiration
There will be times when you get designer's block and you can't think of a new concept for a web design. Check out web design galleries of nicely built websites to get an idea. Take the ideas you get from these websites to create something unique and don't steal other people's work!
CSSmania
CSS Zen Garden
Project Management / Bookkeeping
Being able to successfully manage a project from start to finish takes practice. Be sure that you are always tracking your time accurately. In this case, time is money.
When you are able to track your time, you can easily create invoices. The sooner they go out the more money you will make.
Basecamp
Freshbooks
Make More Money
Your relationship with your clients should not stop after the design is completed. Offer to provided web site maintenance, search engine marketing or web hosting services. Web hosting can be accomplished by purchasing a reseller hosting account. By providing these additional services, it will allow you to have continued cash flow and more constant contact with your clients.
Hostgator Reseller Hosting
Additional Resources
Here is a list of some additional websites that will aid you along the way to running a successful business.
Web Design Business Blog
Freelance Work at Home Blog
Church Website Design
Training / Education
First off, it is very important that you know what you are doing. A website is a website right? Wrong! Although anyone with a WYSIWYG editor can slap a few images and text together in Frontpage and call it a site. It is very important that you understand the coding aspect and web standards that make up a web page.
W3Schools
Lynda
PSDTuts
KillerPHP
Advertise
Getting your name out to people is a very big step. Begin networking with everyone you know starting with friends and family. Word of mouth is what starts successful business. Advertise on websites and your local newspaper. Get the word out!
Craigslist
Adwords
Find Work
Check online job boards for people who need your services. Let them know you exist and what solutions you can offer them. The more clients you can land, the better. Remember that word of mouth thing mentioned earlier?
FreelanceSwitch Job Board
Elance
Rentacoder
ODesk
Authentic Jobs
Find Inspiration
There will be times when you get designer's block and you can't think of a new concept for a web design. Check out web design galleries of nicely built websites to get an idea. Take the ideas you get from these websites to create something unique and don't steal other people's work!
CSSmania
CSS Zen Garden
Project Management / Bookkeeping
Being able to successfully manage a project from start to finish takes practice. Be sure that you are always tracking your time accurately. In this case, time is money.
When you are able to track your time, you can easily create invoices. The sooner they go out the more money you will make.
Basecamp
Freshbooks
Make More Money
Your relationship with your clients should not stop after the design is completed. Offer to provided web site maintenance, search engine marketing or web hosting services. Web hosting can be accomplished by purchasing a reseller hosting account. By providing these additional services, it will allow you to have continued cash flow and more constant contact with your clients.
Hostgator Reseller Hosting
Additional Resources
Here is a list of some additional websites that will aid you along the way to running a successful business.
Web Design Business Blog
Freelance Work at Home Blog
Church Website Design
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by collinsinternet
Collins Internet provides custom web site design and SEO solutions. (more)
