MLM Directory

Some questions about part-time web design?

Just for like, small businesses around my area that just want someone who knows how to make a nice site and will charge much, MUCH less than a "professional." I know it's possible to make some decent rainy-day money on this, as my dad (yes, I know, as a teenage girl, I may have a greater struggle with marketing) used to do sites for similar clients (but doesn't anymore because of the fact that they then seem to view you as obligated to make as many alterations as they wish and consider it part of the initial job, even if YEARS have passed. This may bug me, but it's not like I have any real responsibilities at the moment or in the near future, so it wouldn't be as much of a hassle for me.) I'm computer-literate (At least, in the skills that I'd need to make awesome graphics/webpages... Just don't ask me anything about myspace.Most of my family consists of supernerds, who have taught me well.), good at (at least coming off as) being professional (when I want to. :) ) Despite the way I'm writing this post, I even have great language skills. So... My questions are: -Where should I go first for customers? I got the idea to do this when visiting the craptastic sites of some places I frequent, (The music store's looks like a shady flea market ad, the skatepark's looks like a "Roll-Bounce" fan site, the cafe's looks... unpalatable, and some places that could just use a simple page don't have one.) I take it that would be a good place to start? -How should I offer my services to the people in charge? Meaning: How does one say "Your page sucks; give me your spare change and lemme at it," without getting rejected and having security called? -Is this even a good idea for me? I'm mostly doing this because I like and am good at that sort of work, have more free time than I know what to do with, and would really like a part-time job that doesn't involve ground beef. Do I even have a chance at making this work, if I build a resume with "friendly" customers? Yes, I know it's long. Anyone who reads anything I've ever posted on here knows I make stuff long. If you choose to read and give a legitimate answer, then thank you. If not, go to P&S, do not pass go, do not collect two points. See what a nice answer Jerry has? Let's be like Jerry.

Public Comments

1. Before taking any paying customers on you should build a site for yourself or an organization you belong to. Having a portfolio of sites you have created is a HUGE asset. Once you have a few nice looking pages under your belt post in a local craigslist looking for work. You could also shoot an email to businesses you think you could do better for. If you get a meeting from an email, showup with a laptop and a rough draft.
2. Three ideas: 1) You never do a website for money (even $10) without a written contract spelling out EXACTLY what that money buys. (And stating that ANY work not specifically listed in the contract will be at additional charge.) That would have saved your father a lot of aggravation (or made him more money). Aside from my own site, the only site I made without a contract for someone I wasn't an employee of was my brother. (I do that with insurance companies too - you want me to fill out an accident report? Send me an employment contract and, if I like it, I'll sign it and start filling out the report. My salary will be $150/hour. [Needless to say, I've NEVER been required to fill out an accident report by the other party's company.) 2) Just make the sites - especially for the ones who have craptastic ones. Then send them an email - "I'm just a teen-ager, but I was looking at your site, and I thought I could do better. What do you think? http://www.notcraptastic.com/" Host it on your own computer. (If no one there has ever said "Apache" or "WAMPP", there's not a nerd in sight.) 3) Go door-knocking. Diners, restaurants, hardware stores, large annual festivals (take a look at http://ntif.org/ even though the festival's over for this year - no, I'm not from Dallas, but I do gp dpwn there once a year - for the festival.) - just ask if they'd like a website designed for them - for FREE. (They pay for the domain name and hosting, of course - you do the design.) A few sites like that (or to replace craptasticAndFriends.com, and you have a portfolio - make yourself a site listing some of your clients. (A free client is still a client.) Make sure you put a "designed by" and your email at the bottom of every site you do and, when you have your own "We do websites" site up, a link to is (in small type) at the bottom of everything you do. (Don't forget the contract - even for a free job.) Do you have a chance of making it work? You have a pretty good chance of making it your career, if you want. (I've been cutting code of one sort or another for 35 years.) Get a degree, though, just so you can say you have one. It actually impresses some people. (Yes, I have one - that and about a dollar gets me 24 ounces of pretty decent coffee at 7-11. I learned most of what I know after I got out of school. But some HR people ...) Good luck. (Tag your sites "Super Melsa" so I know you made it.)
3. First you should make a website of your own. Then when you have it ready, send a few emails to companies that might interest you, you can even try this once or twice: chose a company you think might be a good prospect, make a demo website for them, and propose it to them, it's easier to sell something that they can see, than something that they can't. How much would you charge for a website? or for a webpage? or for rearranging a cafepress webstore? I might be interested in a small job if the price was right...