Starting a Small Web Design Business?

JamesU2005 · 11 Oct 2006 at 18:17

Just for research purposes I was wondering what would be involved in starting up a Small (freelance) Web Design Business. This would have course be part-time, just something to add to the CV plus an extra income.

The keyword here is small, focusing on value for money for the lesser sized companies or personal websites.

What costs would be involved? Other than the obvious such as Hosting, Domain and Software, would there be any other charges or taxes?

Sorry if these questions are slightly unprofessional but I just couldn't help but wonder.

Any input or advice would be great.

RandomTom · 11 Oct 2006 at 18:44

You don't really need to make a business, you can survive on freelancing - get your name out there, start off very cheap, say £50 for a small and nicely designed standards compliant site, not including hosting for them, but you can add that on if you do, and keep advertising yourself on the internet and talk to people. If there are any local small businesses ask if you can update their site for them. They might find it cheeky but I've asked a couple of local places/people and they've welcomed it.

blade007 · 11 Oct 2006 at 18:57

you only need broadband, a host and somewhere to work, probably your bedroom so that's free.

problem arrives if a small business pays you with a cheque.

Mr_L · 11 Oct 2006 at 19:24

I just found this ebook that you can download for free that might be of some use. I havn't read any of it, so I don't if it's any good.

Web Designers Success Guide: How to Profit from Freelance Web Design

JamesU2005 · 11 Oct 2006 at 19:33

blade007 said:
problem arrives if a small business pays you with a cheque.

I'm not very business conscious so forgive my ignorance but is the problem Tax based?

Edit: The Ebook looks like a worthy read but seems to be for the full-time freelancer and not the part-timers.

shifty_uk · 11 Oct 2006 at 19:38

RandomTom said:
You don't really need to make a business

Thats all very well until the tax man comes knocking. If your running a business it needs to be registered.

Freelancing is very difficult. The hardest thing is getting your name out there, then your dependant on word of mouth.

It helps if your good designer and know your stuff?

I'd suggest doing a couple of sites for close to nothing to get you started, although your not getting paid much, make a good job of them. Get yourself a domain sorted out and a build yourself a decent site to go with it.
Make a great portfolio site, as you wont have many clients/websites to showcase.
Also, design some business cards, and get them printed off by a professional printer.

It's a lot harder than it sounds, but good luck dude

[edit]

JamesU2005 said:
I'm not very business conscious so forgive my ignorance but is the problem Tax based?

Yes.
If you get caught running an un-registered business, you'll get a heafty fine.

JamesU2005 · 11 Oct 2006 at 19:42

This was the problem I imagined.

I just want to run something part-time, creating small websites for small businesses or individuals.

Are there any Web Designers here they run a similar set-up, e.g. have a full-time job but also run their own web-design business/company?

Are you all registered businesses or is there something we are missing. Surely there would be very little to fill out for a part-time web designer, you may go weeks or months without a project, you may even not be looking for one. What happens then?

For something so small I didn't realise there would be implications, again forgive my ignorance.

shifty_uk · 11 Oct 2006 at 19:54

I do some freelancing for some people, nothing big though. I'm not registered, but I suppose I can get away with it as I don't do it that often, or work with anyone I don't know etc.

You can get away with it if it's just a wee hobby, plenty of people do it.

Search "freelancing" on google. Should get some information.

First result:
http://www.freelanceuk.com/become/is_freelancing_for_me.shtml

Have you got a portfolio or anything? Have you done any sites before?

blade007 · 11 Oct 2006 at 20:09

i don't want to put you off ... if people pay in cash then you'll be under the radar ... but if you accept cheque it becomes a problem if the company gets tax audited and there's a cheque gone out to an unknown company.

punky_munky · 11 Oct 2006 at 22:08

Get yourself in with an agency. They'll sort all the bother of money, contracts etc.

Mark JB · 12 Oct 2006 at 08:14

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Can you register with an agency if you work full time though ?

Also how do you go about finding them ?

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