Starting a web design business can be often exciting and full of glamour at a glance. This speaks of being one’s own boss and working at your pace. This can be quite fun and also overwhelming exhilarating. This is because of the uncertainty as well as the creativity involved in the course of doing your own business.
This guide aims to provide you with the necessary ways on how to kick start your website design business. Aside your skills as a web designer, there are other things you need to take into consideration when kick starting your own website design business. Some of these are:
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Plan well your Business
When it comes to kick starting your website business, it is relatively important you have a clear plan, for this is essential for success as an entrepreneur. Your business plan will help you prepare for a lot of specifics you never considered initially and should include the following as well:
• Who your target market is?
• the startup and ongoing costs
• The length of time it will take to break even in your business.
• The name of your business.
All of the above should be duly considered to have a complete plan for kick starting your business.
One of the first things to look at is to know the cost involved in operating your website design business as an entrepreneur. This cost of operation can be drastically reduced when you choose to operate from your home office. This will save you the startup and operating costs involved in the renting or purchase of an office space. This money freed up from the budget can be re-invested into other aspects of your business such as education, web tools and even marketing. .
Some of the basic tools you would need considering when starting are:
Monitors
Software
Computer/laptop
Materials for marketing (websites, design cards and even brochures)
In deciding who your target market is, it is important to note that your most valuable clients will be those who have benefited from the dividends of your website design. Once each client is progressively satisfied, they become retained as customers and will often form the basis of network for other prospective clients. It also important that you build a strong relationship and trust with them as time goes on, so they can become comfortable with working with you and inviting others to become your clients as well.
Establish Your Business Brand
When it comes to branding yourself, the name you use for your business really matters as it gives your clients the perspective on the kind of business person you are. Some people often love to use their personal names as this they feel gives the business a personal attachment. However, it is often best to use a formal name especially if you have plans to expand your business to other horizons. In addition, a formal company name gives you the flexibility to branch out to other areas as your business expands.
Although this decision is entirely up to individual’s preference, it is worthy of mention that the perception of our business by a client from the name, gives them an eye view into how they see our business – as an individual brand or as a young company. This makes this decision highly important in kick starting our website design business.
Figure Out How Much to Charge
The subject of what to charge when it comes to website design business is a whole separate debate itself. This largely depends on the framework you have set up for establishing your rates and once this is in place, it will enable your business properly take off the ground or you will just end up working for peanuts.
In taking this decision, it is also important you take into consideration the following as well; your monthly costs, including rent, power, bill, travel cost as well as what you would love your annual salary to be like. After having done this, you can then be able to decide how much you would need to make in a week in order to meet up with these cost. This will provide you with perspective, on what you should charge for each job from a client. It is also important that you be very specific with your clients as much as possible so you can get the proper framework for your charges.
Organize a Schedule Routine
Each day as a website business entrepreneur is going to need structure and as such, it is important you have a consistent structure for each working day. Once this is properly mapped out, it will help make your work more productive and help get things more easily done.
In choosing your routine, it is best to work with the structure that works with your business activities as some activities may best be carried out at a particular hour than others. For instance, you could choose to prefer coding in the morning when your brain is still fresh, than mid-afternoons. The afternoons can be given to other activities such as meeting with clients or checking your mails, as much as it suits you.
Although there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to planning your routine, it is often best you stick with whatever works for you.
Establish your Web Presence
As a website design business owner, it is important you have a strong robust online presence for your website business. This could be in form of a website as well as social media business accounts such as Facebook and even Instagram. This helps clients easily locate your business brand from time to time.
