I realize this forum is all but dead but since I was the one who initiated it long ago I thought I'd post this business topic here first and see if I get any action on it.

Have you noticed how for most people who are creating their first website the process is a catalyst for clarifying exactly what they're actually doing with their business? I don't really feel fully qualified to assist in that arena. I'm not a business coach OR a branding expert. But I don't want to send business away either. I do help some. But it's certainly not a service I'd advertise! So I'm just curious how much you all get into this with clients? Maybe I see a lot of it because my target market is one-person start-ups. I'm finding it often to be a very slow process. They come to me wanting a website, but sometimes they're unclear on such basics as what they really offer, who they want to reach and even what their business should be called.

Thoughts?
Sheila

I realize this forum is all but dead but since I
was the one who initiated it long ago I thought I'd post this business topic
here first and see if I get any action on it.
 
Have you noticed how...

Hi Sheila

I know what you mean I find this happens a lot. As I go through questions about what they hope to acheive with the website, who their competition is, what the future possibilities for the website might be, I see people changing their business plans and sometimes choosing a new route altogether.

Perhaps its the point that if we are doing our job properly we are communicating with the customer, and giving them inspiration and ideas, rather than slotting text and pictures into a "pretty" design?

Many website designers, especially around here, won't even go out of their office to meet a client, in their workplace for example. I learn such a lot from the interchange of information I make it my habit, where possible, to visit and talk to as many people as I can to build up "the bigger picture"

Perhaps you just need to network more and find people in your area who are business coaches?

As far as profitability is concerned I look at the long term. There are thousands of website designers out there. Why should they choose me? Maybe because their friend, neighbour or relative tells them I was patient, resourceful and above all interested in their business not just dashing off a design and moving on?

Graham

"Sheila Hoffman" hoffmanNOSPAMgraphics.com> wrote in message news:A921.1196041238.407@gfwebforum.com...
I realize this forum is all but dead but since I was the one who initiated it long ago I thought I'd post this business topic here first and see if I get any action on it.

Have you noticed how for most people who are creating their first website the process is a catalyst for clarifying exactly what they're actually doing with their business? I don't really feel fully qualified to assist in that arena. I'm not a business coach OR a branding expert. But I don't want to send business away either. I do help some. But it's certainly not a service I'd advertise! So I'm just curious how much you all get into this with clients? Maybe I see a lot of it because my target market is one-person start-ups. I'm finding it often to be a very slow process. They come to me wanting a website, but sometimes they're unclear on such basics as what they really offer, who they want to reach and even what their business should be called.

Thoughts?
Sheila

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I realize this forum is all but dead but since I was the one who initiated it long ago I thought I'd post this business topic here first and see if I get any action on it.

Have you noticed how for most people who are creating their first website the process is a catalyst for clarifying exactly what they're actually doing with their business? I don't really feel fully qualified to assist in that arena. I'm not a business coach OR a branding expert. But I don't want to send business away either. I do help some. But it's certainly not a service I'd advertise! So I'm just curious how much you all get into this with clients? Maybe I see a lot of it because my target market is one-person start-ups. I'm finding it often to be a very slow process. They come to me wanting a website, but sometimes they're unclear on such basics as what they really offer, who they want to reach and even what their business should be called.

Thoughts?
Sheila

Hi Sheila
 
I know what you mean I find this happens a
lot.  As I go through questions about what they hope to acheive with
the website, who their competition is, what the future possibilities...

The biggest, and hopefully most helpful, advice I ever give is "A
website won't solve your problems". Too often people expect that merely
having a website will drive customers to their door, with no extra input
from themselves. In some cases this can be the case, but it's rare, and
clients have to realise that having a website is just the starting
point; if they're not going to be proactive in promoting it, it's money
down the drain.

As far as developing a business and how the website can slot into the
bigger picture, I've been in business for longer than I've been in web
design and worked as a business consultant also, so it's often possible
to suggest new ideas or directions or areas where a web presence can
help a business either diversify or focus on a niche.

Mike

Toadie wrote:

Hi Sheila

Oops! I'm currently updating. Most of the work I do is currently for
writers and artists (I had to choose the niche where nobody has any
money!) and I've tailored part of the site for them -
http://writers.ktf-design.com/

Sheila Hoffman wrote:

Fun Mike...thanks for sharing. Interesting to read. I can tell you're really
a writer yourself so it makes sense to go after that niche. I don't know
where you are geographically but your prices are VERY low. And like you, I
don't change my price or collect until the job is 100%% complete and they're
satisfied. But awhile back I changed to asking for a 50%% deposit once we
agree we're going to work together.

I know, my prices are hideously low... sadly it's a destitute niche! I
have to make it up with numbers, I have 6 in the queue at the moment.
Sadly everyone has a friend who'll knock up a website for nothing... I
charge more for commercial sites (which is why I'm revamping the main
site, I need to work harder to get the bigger payers in!).

Sheila Hoffman wrote: