Hey everyone. I was wondering how to start making money from my new web development business website. Sorry if this has been asked but I just don't know where to start. All suggestions would be appreciated,
Are you selling anything on the site? I guess I don't understand... Are you trying to monetize your site with such items as, adsense, adbrite, clickbank and so-on?
Making money from something like that is simple. In order to make money you need clients. I would suggest you try working with local businesses before you try to tackle the online market. There are TONS of people offering the exact same service and if you are new then an easy way of getting some clients, some repeat business, and some testimonials, as well as to figure out what makes you different from the rest of the world is to work with local clients and simply ask. Once you figure everything out then you can open up to the online world and you will have an instant advantage of everyone starting out.
you have to build your portfolio first. Work on some project to build a portfolio. That would take some time. In this business nothing is better then the words from a happy client.
I've got some stuff I would like to get done, but like others said, without a portfolio I probably wouldn't buy from you, just being honest. It's basically like paying your dues first. I spent two years in Drafting class to develop my drafting and design skills, once I got out I had a basic portfolio and never made a dime from those drawings. This is the way your field works too, people will want to see your work. If you are looking for some basic stuff to do to get in your portfolio without having to spend a ton of time, hit me up, I need a few things done. I would gladly offer you a real review here on the forums to possibly get you some more business (if you do a good job).
The best way to start is to decide for one way like affilate programs, selling own products and then work daily on it to accomplish what you wanted. Don't jump always onto another tactic - there are many out there - stay on your way till you making some money. Then duplicate it, duplicate it and so on.
I think thats what most people dont want to hear, but its the truth most of the time. Do you think this applies to all fields for monetizing online though? Seems some people talk about making profitable web sites in a months time.
Well, in a lot of fields, as Jeremy Shoemaker and many other bloggers will say, you can "fake it until you make it" but that saying isn't true for the web design field. If you try to use other peoples work as a portfolio for your own, people will eventually call you out and destroy your business without thinking twice. I just think you're better off by paying your dues, establishing some solid business relationships and eventually your business will spread. There is a huge need for seriously good web designers at affordable rates in the affiliate marketing / landing page niche. I only know of a few. Another great way of doing it is to hop in the contest section and have a chance at winning some money, but from a long term perspective, I think it's better to quickly leave that arena and get regular clients with guaranteed payments for your work. It's a good area to build your portfolio though.
I agree. Local business is one of your best bets here. Get some business cards from vista print, get an online blog, put up some great content, and a contact form. Direct from there. Try to go for retainer whenever possible. It is better to get a $250 monthly contract than a $500 one time contract. Best of luck!
I sell custom made/ready made templates, banners etc. I'm new to all this Adsense, affiliating etc. and would like some light to be shed on what is what. I'm looking to make money from my web site other than selling. I would also like some advice on how to get my business out there, and recognised. I already have some stuff to put into my portforlio, but they wasn't for any companies. My dad is hooking me up with someone who wants a web site building etc so that should help start it off and he knows some other companies who'd like web sites too, so he's recommending me for that which is positive. On the local business note that ryanstreet said, how would I go about that? I'll have business cards printed off by next week. PHPGator - That would be excellent, I'll give you a PM.
If you're sure of your skill and have some portfolio, then sell your soul to site like getafreelancer or rentacoder and start with low-paying projects.