> 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
> 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
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> 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
>