I'm looking to start doing web design for a living. I'm proficient in HTML, CSS, PHP, and mySQL, as well as Photoshop, Dreamweaver, and several 3d modeling programs. Skills are not my issue, but getting customers is. Anyone have any recommendations? I've already done some pro bono stuff to build up my portfolio, but I'm not sure where to go from there. Also, what do you all charge for web design? I charge anywhere from $45-$60 an hour, depending upon the complexity of the project. Do you think that's lowballing it, or about right? Any help would be much appreciated, thanks!
Services that are provided by others on DP and other places are normally cheap, or to cheap. The designers we hire outside of DP charge around $150 an hour. Its up to how much you want to work, and what type of clients you want to get.
The best free way would be to go meet with local business owners face-to-face and describe to them why having you build a website for them would make them more money. Pick the local businesses where that would be true, of course. After that, it's easy; all you have to do is explain yourself well. You should also get in the yellow pages and register with any local business associations. I'd also plan and host a seminar for local businesses called "How Your Small Business Can Use a Website" and invite everybody you can reach. Don't spend the seminar selling them on your services - make it actually useful for them. Spend the first 30 seconds describing your qualifications, and the final minute describing the services you offer. For the other 58.5 minutes or more, help them. You'll be the first person they go to for a site.
Agreed. I would also create a web site and advertise yourself online. Use services like Craigslist to get your name out there.
That method will probably yield the best results, and will position you as a local industry expert. That idea alone will bring you business. If you need jobs right away, you can try bidding on projects through "Rentacoder.com" - "Elance.com" - "Getafreelancer.com".....this is generally where I go when I have to find someone in web design for one of my sites. Keep in mind that you'll be bidding against some very low international bids. That's fine, just make sure that you write a good Bio about yourself emphasizing your qualifications- education and experience, as well as the speed at which you complete tasks. I'd rather pay someone more if I know that they're not going to screw things up or take forever to complete the project.
Thanks guys, regarding the seminar, any tips on where/how to host such a thing? I mean, I don't have TOO much start up cash. Also, what do you think about the idea of turning my car into sort of a "rolling billboard"?