My web design business

[Bassfisherman]

I just started a business doing websites for small businesses at a low cost. I charge $599 for up to 10 pages and I do hosting and domain names. I think there is a market for this as it seems most design firms want to charg an arm and a leg to do a site. My sites are custom designed, no templates. I started a month ago and I still don't have any business. I have a broken leg so I' stuck on the couch and can't beat the street. I do adwords and adsense, and I'm listed with search engines. Any ideas for marketing?

Got any samples/examples of your work?

[Bassfisherman]

If you go to my site: http://www.acewebservice.com

[ntarifi dubai]

Sorry to hear about the broken leg - being stuck on the couch for a long period of time would make me crazy (unless World Cup was on....but that's another issue altogether).

Anyway, I am no expert on selling web design but I do have some questions to start with.

1.) Have you been approached for any site design from your marketing attempts?

2.) Are you receving any traffic/hits from your marketing attempts? If so, have you done to convert them?

[Bassfisherman]

Well, I have designed a few sites, I really enjoy doing it. I get some hits from adwords, and I use anylitics, but its to vauge to really follow up. Honestly, there is a lot of competition and the search engines suck as far as driving traffic. So I haven't really had any leads. I really hope to hit up the local market when my leg gets better. I'm not raelly a fan of cold calling and I need to generate a little income to do some direct mailing. Sooo... it's been slow, and sitting on the couch is like being on house arrest, it sucks!

[Prearkeximess]

Have you tried posting ads on Craigslist or maybe doing a special price for the first 5 or so to build up a portfolio or get some referrals. Good Luck.

[allcompanyonlin]

$599 for ten pages?? My honest opinion is that it is way too expensive.
1) Most online stores right now that have the budget of paying that for a website, are the companies that need a lot more that 10 pages.
2) Your overhead is nothing but the web hosting fees ( 11.95 at yahoo with a lot of side services). I think you should consider having a FANTASTIC no way i could pass this up price. If you are going crazy on the couch. It would not hurt you make a few websites for $99.95 and toss in your 2 cents by saying. For a limited time only, free online business advise for a month for free. All that really means is that you will toss in your 2 cents about what they are doing via email for free for a month.


LOWER price. and
A few sounds good things for FREE.
all that and right arround the about to hit the purchase button, toss in a nother thing for free. Get it now and get 3 extra pages. I develope my own sites, and i know that once you get the main idea down such as navigation bars, color combinations etc. Extra pages only mean a little more typing.


good luck

[hurleygurl777]

Why don't you register as a provider on elance, guru etc

[mysunsite]

If I were you I would approach other more established website designers in your area and ask if they have any freelance work… this will give you some work and more importantly experience.

Next… work out what benefits you can give to clients and sell these… customers need to be able to afford your services, but they rarely buy on price… in fact selling too cheap can actually be harder than selling at a higher price… due to perceived value.

Next suggest you read this article: http://www.cyber-aspect.com/features/fa_074.htm

[Bassfisherman]

Thank you all for the advice, and it is all helpful. I have to start somewhere and if doing freelance work and lower prices means getting started, i have to do what i have to do. Thanks