For a business that is honest starting out and has a limited budget, an Internet-based phone system will save money, provide maximum flexibility and make a great first impression on customers. In the past, businesses that have wanted a sophisticated phone system have had to spend thousands of dollars to purchase and install hardware, only to be locked into equipment that quickly becomes obsolete. By using an Internet-based phone system (sometimes called a virtual pbx) the business owner can be up and running within minutes for very little upfront cost, and will always have the most up-to-date technology at his or her disposal.
There are many companies that offer Internet-hosted phone systems. In choosing one, you will want to consider the features offered, any set-up charges (which are typically less than $100), the monthly account charge, and any charges for calls made and received. If you already have a phone number, you will want to check if it can be ‘ported’, or transferred to the new provider. Most companies offer both toll-free numbers and local phone, so if you are getting a fresh number, you’ll need to choose. You may also want to check if you will contain the number, which will allow you to transfer to a different provider in the future.
The central feature of a hosted phone system is the auto attendant. When callers dial your number, the auto attendant will retort the call and present a list of extensions and other options. In addition to listing available extensions, many auto attendants include dial-by-name capability. Once the caller chooses an extension, the auto attendant will either send the caller directly to voice mail or else ring one or more physical numbers for a set amount of time before sending unanswered calls to voice mail. It is up to you to program the attendant to follow the sequence of actions you wish, and this can vary by extension, time of day, and day of the week. The actual phone can be located anywhere – in your office, across town, or in another county.
Although a hosted phone system can be dwelling up using standard phone lines, the most flexibility and cost savings are achieved when you spend the system with VoIP phone lines (calls are transmitted via the Internet), and IP phones designed to plug directly into your local spot network. While this will increase your initial cost, it is well worth the investment.
Related Posts
Filed under Small Business Phone Service by on Apr 21st, 2011. 
Many people are considering doing freelance work or starting a minute, home-based business due to the global economic recession. Unemployment figures are ugly and the job market is worse than many of us can remember. Web design is a great home-based business for anyone who is Internet savvy and detail oriented.
I have worked as a freelance web designer for more than a decade. During the past ten years I have learned a lot about what works well and what does not work well in the web design business. I have also watched the industry mature and change as it continues to evolve. I actually wrote an entire e-book about starting a web design business recently and decided to offer some of the highlights here on Associated Content free of charge!
The Internet has been referred to as a “disruptive technology” because it has completely transformed so many aspects of unique life. The Internet has permeated nearly every aspect of society, from communication to banking, and from research to shopping. The Internet has changed our world to the extent that most people have a hard time remembering life before the Internet.
This amazing technology, coupled with the universal mainstream adoption of the technology, has created exciting unusual business opportunities for entrepreneurs. Many people now earn a genuine living working from the comfort of their home in jobs or businesses that were not even invented a few short years ago. The web design business is one of these new opportunities afforded by the popularity of the Internet.
As Internet usage continues to rise around the globe companies are constantly in need of web design services. Some large companies hire web designers and web programmers to maintain their websites. However, most smaller businesses (and a lot of larger business too) contract out their web design and web content needs to freelance web designers or web design businesses.
Web perform businesses are also ideally suited to starting and operating on a limited budget. (This assumes, of course, that anyone interested in starting a web design business probably already owns a computer and has access to the Internet!) Web design businesses can be easily run from a spare room at home, a corner in the living room, or even from a local Internet cafe. In more than a decade as a web designer I have never had a client want to visit my “office.” Most communications are handled via e-mail or phone with an occasional visit to their office.
Web Design as a Business
The web compose business could not have been imagined by most people just a few short years ago. I graduated from high school in 1988 and knew only one person besides my who owned a “home computer.” Computers were only beginning to be implemented in business and the World Wide Web would not yet be invented for another year.
The Internet is clearly the driving force slow the popularity of personal computers. E-mail, Internet chat, music and video downloads, instant access to reference material, and e-commerce all owe their very existence to the Internet. Without the Internet none of these popular services would be possible.
The web form industry has changed considerably over the ten years that I have been involved in the industry. In the 1990s most websites were simple, static sites with content that rarely changed. Most sites today are dynamic and powered by database applications. Modern sites may be updated daily or even many times each day. The type of sites customers need may be somewhat different now than in the past; however, businesses still need websites designed, set up, and maintained. The market may evolve and change but businesses will always need someone to take care of their website.
Legal Considerations
Starting any businesses involves many decisions, including some factual considerations like which business structure to use. A comprehensive discussion of the legal considerations for a web design business is beyond the scope of this article but many resources are available to provide more information about this topic (both online and in print).
Some early decisions you will need to manufacture include:
- should you rent office space or work from your home
- which business structure should you use (sole proprietor, corporation, etc.)
- what type of record keeping system will you use for your business
- how will you prepare your tax filings
- does your state/local government require you to obtain a business license
I have always operated my web obtain business from a home office. Commercial rent and utilities are far too expensive for me to consider office space a viable option. I would not personally consider rented office space for my web design business unless I had employees or a customer infamous that expected to be able to come to my office frequently.
Business structure decisions may be little by the situation in which you live. For instance, the state that I currently live in offers no business structure other than sole proprietor to individuals. I would need to grasp on a partner in order to file any type of corporate business application. Which business structure you should choose for you web design business will depend on your circumstances and what options your home state provides. Contact the Secretary of State in your home state (or visit their website) for more information on business structures available in your home state.
Small business bookkeeping is actually not as scary as it may sound. Unique accounting programs like QuickBooks by Intuit make it fairly easy to keep accurate records and generate very useful business financial reports. Accurate financial records are key to business success. It is impossible to know if you are making money or losing money without good records and reports. Accurate business records will also help you (or your accountant) claim all business deductions you are entitled to when you file your tax returns. Your accountant will be able to help you configure your accounting software to best meet the needs of your web design business.
Two things in life are certain, as the saying goes, and they are death and taxes. Business tax returns can become quite complex and it almost always advisable to have an accountant prepare your returns. The general rule is that your accountant will probably set aside you far more than you pay in accounting and tax preparation fees. There are many deductions available to small business owners but the rules are often confusing. To beget matters worse, many tax rules change from year to year. Accountants regularly take classes to stay on top of the complex tax regulations and are likely to save you money in the long run.
Business licenses are required by many cities and villages. This is something that seems to be less approved in rural areas than in urban areas. Ideally your city or town clerk’s office should have this information on their website. However, many governments have been ludicrously listless to migrate information to the Web so you may have to call or visit to examine about business licenses. Usually a business license simply requires filling out a short application and paying a filing fee (usually renewable annually). My experience has been that this is usually just one more tax and the application is more informational than anything. It is wise to pay the fee if your municipality requires a business license rather than risk being fined or penalized for not obtaining the license.
Marketing and Advertising
Every business needs to engage in marketing and advertising in order to attract customers. The simplest and most effective form of marketing and advertising is “word of mouth” referrals from satisfied customers. Unfortunately, this requires customers to work so new businesses will need to jumpstart their advertising in order to find customers.
Networking or social marketing is a powerful (and low-cost) device of marketing your business. Networking seeks to leverage existing relationships to find customers. The reality is that most people, including business owners and decision makers, would rather do business with someone they know than with someone they do not know. This is not to say that a business owner will not do business with a stranger, but they often prefer to do business with a friend or acquaintance. You can use this to your advantage by respectfully asking for people’s business (not by spamming them though).
Direct marketing to local businesses can also be an effective way of jumpstarting your web beget business. Many businesses prefer to deal with local service providers rather than an unknown service provider in a distant city. Frosty calling, or visiting target businesses “door to door” can be a great scheme to meet local business owners and find new customers. This approach does require the ability to handle rejection from prospective customers but can still pay off with new customers.
Obviously you will want to use the Internet in your business marketing. Make sure your business website is top notch and conveys a professional image to potential customers. Remember that you only have one chance to make that first impression! Your website should be search engine optimized for the markets you want to target. For instance, you may want to dedicate a page on your location to your location and any local businesses you work with already. This will improve your search engine ranking for web design services in your town or city. Similarly, you may want to create several pages dealing with any market niche you service. This will improve your search ranking for web invent services in your market niche.
Printing is easy to forget about in the Internet age. However, you will at least want to have quality business cards printed. You will have many opportunities to hand out business cards to potential customers. Business cards should have your name, your company name (if you use one), enough information about your business to characterize what services you offer, and your contact information (website address, e-mail address, and phone). You may also choose to have multi-part contract forms printed or other promotional literature like brochures or flyers.
Formal advertising options include advertising in your local newspaper, pay-per-click advertising, banner advertising, squawk mail campaigns, and advertising in trade association publications. Which options are best will depend on the type of customers you are seeking to attract and your advertising budget. It is always a superior opinion to test marketing campaigns with some type of quantifiable data so that you can measure performance. Blind marketing campaigns can purchase your entire advertising budget without producing any meaningful return on your investment.
Hosting Providers and Domain Registrars
Domain registrations and web hosting are two closely related income streams that should not be ignored. Some business customers may already have a domain name registered and hosting set up. These customers may only want you to provide design or content. However, many businesses, particularly those without an existing web presence, may want you to handle the domain name registration and hosting as well. Domain name are typically renewed annually and hosting is typically renewed monthly (though either can be renewed for longer periods). The actual income from either source is small by itself but quickly adds up with multiple accounts. Domain registrations also provide residual income each month that requires little or no work on your part.
Some hosting providers offer reseller accounts that will allow you to easily set up customer hosting accounts and even integrate billing. This is quite convenient since billing for hosting can get complicated once you originate amassing more than a few hosting accounts.
There are many excellent hosting providers to choose from and more than a few not-so-good hosting providers. Carefully check out any hosting provider in advance and research what their customers are already saying about them. Cheap is not necessarily a good thing when it comes to web hosting. Remember, your customer will not be calling the hosting provider when their area is down – they will be calling you. Save yourself these headaches and choose an affordable, quality hosting provider.
Web Manufacture Business Software
Starting a web design business will require some computer software. The software you use will depend on several factors though, including budget, personal preferences, and the type and level of services you intend to offer. You will need a text editor, graphic software, and an office suite at a minimum. The good news is that these programs are all available for free by using open source software! Many web designers also like to use a visual XHTML editor. These are much harder to acquire in non-commercial versions.
Text editors are arguably the most versatile piece of software you will install on your computer. In fact, probably the only software I use as worthy as a text editor is a web browser. Microsoft’s Notepad is fairly anemic and few programmers enjoy a favorable opinion of the application. I currently use the Scite SC1 editor freely available from Scintilla. I have also used Notepad++ in the past. Any decent text editor will work but most modern versions now include syntax highlighting (very useful for hand coding or editing), line numbering, word count, and other handy features.
Text editors are essential for any type of scripting (PHP, JavaScript, etc.). Many web designers, me included, aloof prefer to design and edit sites in a text editor rather than risking problems with a visual HTML editor altering code. Even if you like to consume a visual editor to develop sites it is sometimes convenient to use a text editor when you just need to check something hasty.
Visual HTML editors have advanced considerably over the past decade and most web designers now use some type of visual editor to hasten station development. Many options are available when choosing a visual HTML editor.
Well-liked visual HTML editors include Microsoft Visual Web Developer, CoffeeCup HTML Editor, and Adobe Dreamweaver. These applications are all commercially available in varying packages with varying costs. Microsoft Web Developer and CoffeeCup HTML Editor both do offer a limited-feature free version. KompoZer is an interesting (and free) project currently under development. KompoZer is a continuation of the abandoned Nvu project.
Each visual HTML editor has its’ own set of features, advantages and complications. Which editor is best (or if any of them are best) will be definite by your preferences, budget, and the type of development you are doing.
Graphic design software is most frequently veteran for photo and image editing. However, decent graphic design software is also essential for making banners, logos, and site graphics. Graphic design software can be quite costly depending on which program you pick.
Popular graphics programs include Adobe Photoshop, Corel Paint Shop Pro, and Gimp. Adobe Photoshop is the industry standard but carries a price tag that might well be more than your monthly rent payment. Corel Paint Shop Pro (formerly Jasc Paint Shop Pro) is a great program with a much more affordable note. Gimp is a powerful, originate source program that is available for free. Gimp will likely take care of everything you need to do unless you are a real graphic designer (in which case you probably already have Photoshop).
An office suite of software is essential for routine business tasks, like proposals, invoicing, presentations, and basic bookkeeping with spreadsheets. Regardless of how high-tech the web design business may be there are serene occasions when you will need to type a letter, prepare a presentation or use a spreadsheet. Customers are also likely to send you documents periodically.
Some popular office suites include Microsoft Office, OpenOffice.org, and Corel WordPerfect. Microsoft Office is, of course, the industry standard. Office and WordPerfect both carry outrageously high price tags though. OpenOffice.org is the up and coming office suite of choice for many people. OpenOffice.org does everything you would expect an office suite to do – but without the price. OpenOffice.org is freely available and will import and export Microsoft Office documents.
The Importance of Standards Compliance
Standards compliance is something of a buzz word these days but is something that every web designer should be striving to enact and maintain. Developing websites that comply with current, International standards is best practice and should always be the goal. Sites that are standards compliant should work satisfactorily in every modern web browser – whether desktop, laptop, or handheld.
Many web designers have a bad attitude about web standards. They seem to think that standards are implemented to hold them back or to invent their job difficult. Nothing could be further from the truth! Web standards allow web designers to design one site that works in all browsers rather than designing multiple copies of each site to accommodate several different browsers. As the Internet continues to grow and more mobile devices are used to access the Internet it becomes even more important to design to industry standards. It is simply impossible to predict what devices will be used to access a website. Standards-compliant sites are the only way to guarantee that everyone can access a site.
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is an international consortium that develops internationally-accepted, open-source standards for the Internet. W3C’s stated mission is “to lead the World Wide Web to its full potential by developing protocols and guidelines that ensure long-term growth for the Web.” These may seem like loft goals, yet they are absolutely essential. Anyone who has been developing websites for any length of time remembers all too well the nightmare of browsers without standards compliance. (For that matter, anyone that attempts to design sites that work the same in Microsoft’s Internet Explorer as in every other browser still knows why standards are important!)
Expanding Your Web Construct Business With Freelancers
Sooner or later you will be faced with a project that is beyond the scope of your abilities and skills. This leaves you with the option of turning down the project (and the revenue) or finding a freelancer to complete the portion of the project you cannot handle. Subcontracting out parts of a project to freelancers has become increasingly common as websites have become more complicated.
Working with a freelancer (or several) allows you to expand your business and offer more services to your customers. However, this also complicates your business because you are now relying on other people to complete critical projects. Remember to build extra time into each project if you plan to subcontract out part of the work. This will provide you with a time buffer if you run into problems with the work.
It is also a friendly idea to have a customer sign off on the project scope before you contract with a freelancer. Only after you are definite on what the customer needs should you ask a freelancer to screech on the project.
Deciding to hire a freelancer is one thing. Finding the right freelancer is something else altogether! How do you go about finding a freelancer for your web design project?
Fortunately, there are companies that specialize in connecting freelancers with people who need serve with a project. Elance, Guru, and RentACoder all help to match up freelancers with available projects. The competitive nature of the bidding at these sites usually means the employer is able to have the work done at a profitable price. (Some people criticize these sites because the prices may tend to be too low because of the competition.)
Another option for finding freelancers is through a local university of technical college. Any school with an IT program is likely to have plenty of skilled students who could use some extra work. It may be best to work through the administration and ask for recommendations to be sure that your prospective freelancer has adequate skills and training.
Finally, you can always advertise on Craiglist, Monster, Dice or in your local help wanted directory for a freelance programmer or designer. You should probably have a basic freelance agreement ready if you plan to contract with someone directly. A standard freelance agreement will usually include a non-disclosure clause, payment terms, and will also specify whether the freelancer is an employee or an independent contractor. Presumably you will be looking for an independent contractor if the work is only periodic and per diem. An Internet search should turn up plenty of standard agreement templates you can adapt to your possess needs. (You can, of course, have your attorney handle this for you – for a fee.)
It is also a good conception to review the IRS definition of an independent contractor versus an employee. Classifying a freelancer as an independent contractor is perfectly legal, but the IRS prefers that everyone is treated as an employee and thus subject to income tax withholding. Make sure you understand the distinction before you hire a freelancer. This is not an issue, of course, when using freelance sites.
Conclusion
Starting a web obtain business is an exciting venture. Best of all, web design businesses are well suited to starting as a shoestring business. While some things may be easier if you do have some cash to invest in the business, it is quite possible to inaugurate your web design business with no investment provided you already have a computer and Internet access.
Starting any business requires a lot of hard work. Web design is no exception. However, if you enjoy computers and the Internet, web design can also be a fun business. This business also allows you to earn residual income from every hosting customer as hosting and domain name registrations continue to bring in revenue long after the original sale.
There are plenty of decisions to develop as you consider launching your web design business. The good news is that in many cases you can inaugurate simple or cheap and upgrade software or services as you earn some money. Expensive software licensing fees can be avoided because all of the software you need for your web design business is freely available as open source software; expensive business fees can be avoided by operating as a sole proprietor rather than incorporating. You can always change to more expensive options at a later date if it seems more beneficial to your business.
The future for the web design industry looks strong. The Internet continues to grow at a hasty pace and fresh technologies like mobile Internet are only beginning to see mainstream adoption. Many businesses still have not caught on to the usefulness and importance of a web presence. These businesses will require web design services in the foreseeable future if they hope to remain competitive in a global economy. The expeditiously changing nature of the Internet also guarantees that businesses that already have a web presence will need their sites updated and overhauled. This trend also assures web compose companies of residual work for many years to come.
This book was designed to provide you with a solid overview of the web execute industry. We have discussed the highlights of starting a web gain business without becoming too burdened with microscopic details. We have also looked at ways to initiate a web design business on a shoestring budget. This business model does not require thousands of dollars in capital to be successful. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and gain started with your shoestring web design business!
Related Posts
Filed under Microsoft Small Business Phone by on Dec 16th, 2010.
Many people are considering doing freelance work or starting a small, home-based business due to the global economic recession. Unemployment figures are frightening and the job market is worse than many of us can remember. Web design is a great home-based business for anyone who is Internet savvy and detail oriented.
I have worked as a freelance web designer for more than a decade. During the past ten years I have learned a lot about what works well and what does not work well in the web design business. I have also watched the industry mature and change as it continues to evolve. I actually wrote an entire e-book about starting a web design business recently and decided to offer some of the highlights here on Associated Content free of charge!
The Internet has been referred to as a “disruptive technology” because it has completely transformed so many aspects of novel life. The Internet has permeated nearly every aspect of society, from communication to banking, and from research to shopping. The Internet has changed our world to the extent that most people have a hard time remembering life before the Internet.
This amazing technology, coupled with the universal mainstream adoption of the technology, has created exciting new business opportunities for entrepreneurs. Many people now earn a respectable living working from the comfort of their home in jobs or businesses that were not even invented a few short years ago. The web design business is one of these new opportunities afforded by the popularity of the Internet.
As Internet usage continues to rise around the globe companies are constantly in need of web design services. Some stout companies hire web designers and web programmers to bear their websites. However, most smaller businesses (and a lot of larger business too) contract out their web form and web yell needs to freelance web designers or web design businesses.
Web design businesses are also ideally suited to starting and operating on a limited budget. (This assumes, of course, that anyone interested in starting a web design business probably already owns a computer and has access to the Internet!) Web design businesses can be easily run from a spare room at home, a corner in the living room, or even from a local Internet cafe. In more than a decade as a web designer I have never had a client want to visit my “office.” Most communications are handled via e-mail or phone with an occasional visit to their office.
Web Design as a Business
The web design business could not have been imagined by most people just a few short years ago. I graduated from high school in 1988 and knew only one person besides my who owned a “home computer.” Computers were only beginning to be implemented in business and the World Wide Web would not yet be invented for another year.
The Internet is clearly the driving force tedious the popularity of personal computers. E-mail, Internet chat, music and video downloads, instant access to reference material, and e-commerce all owe their very existence to the Internet. Without the Internet none of these favorite services would be possible.
The web design industry has changed considerably over the ten years that I have been involved in the industry. In the 1990s most websites were simple, static sites with content that rarely changed. Most sites today are dynamic and powered by database applications. Novel sites may be updated daily or even many times each day. The type of sites customers need may be somewhat different now than in the past; however, businesses still need websites designed, set up, and maintained. The market may evolve and change but businesses will always need someone to take care of their website.
Legal Considerations
Starting any businesses involves many decisions, including some suitable considerations like which business structure to use. A comprehensive discussion of the legal considerations for a web design business is beyond the scope of this article but many resources are available to provide more information about this topic (both online and in print).
Some early decisions you will need to make include:
- should you rent office state or work from your home
- which business structure should you use (sole proprietor, corporation, etc.)
- what type of record keeping system will you use for your business
- how will you prepare your tax filings
- does your state/local government require you to obtain a business license
I have always operated my web design business from a home office. Commercial rent and utilities are far too expensive for me to believe office space a viable option. I would not personally contemplate rented office region for my web perform business unless I had employees or a customer base that expected to be able to come to my office frequently.
Business structure decisions may be limited by the state in which you live. For instance, the state that I currently live in offers no business structure other than sole proprietor to individuals. I would need to take on a partner in order to file any type of corporate business application. Which business structure you should choose for you web design business will depend on your circumstances and what options your home state provides. Contact the Secretary of Position in your home state (or visit their website) for more information on business structures available in your home state.
Small business bookkeeping is actually not as scary as it may sound. Modern accounting programs like QuickBooks by Intuit make it fairly easy to maintain right records and generate very useful business financial reports. Accurate financial records are key to business success. It is impossible to know if you are making money or losing money without salubrious records and reports. Accurate business records will also help you (or your accountant) claim all business deductions you are entitled to when you file your tax returns. Your accountant will be able to help you configure your accounting software to best meet the needs of your web form business.
Two things in life are certain, as the saying goes, and they are death and taxes. Business tax returns can become quite complex and it almost always advisable to have an accountant prepare your returns. The general rule is that your accountant will probably save you far more than you pay in accounting and tax preparation fees. There are many deductions available to limited business owners but the rules are often confusing. To make matters worse, many tax rules change from year to year. Accountants regularly take classes to stay on top of the complex tax regulations and are likely to save you money in the long accelerate.
Business licenses are required by many cities and villages. This is something that seems to be less current in rural areas than in urban areas. Ideally your city or town clerk’s office should have this information on their website. However, many governments have been ludicrously slow to migrate information to the Web so you may have to call or visit to inquire about business licenses. Usually a business license simply requires filling out a short application and paying a filing fee (usually renewable annually). My experience has been that this is usually just one more tax and the application is more informational than anything. It is wise to pay the fee if your municipality requires a business license rather than risk being fined or penalized for not obtaining the license.
Marketing and Advertising
Every business needs to engage in marketing and advertising in order to attract customers. The simplest and most effective form of marketing and advertising is “word of mouth” referrals from tickled customers. Unfortunately, this requires customers to work so new businesses will need to jumpstart their advertising in order to find customers.
Networking or social marketing is a powerful (and low-cost) method of marketing your business. Networking seeks to leverage existing relationships to find customers. The reality is that most people, including business owners and decision makers, would rather do business with someone they know than with someone they do not know. This is not to say that a business owner will not do business with a stranger, but they often prefer to do business with a friend or acquaintance. You can use this to your advantage by respectfully asking for people’s business (not by spamming them though).
Direct marketing to local businesses can also be an effective way of jumpstarting your web design business. Many businesses prefer to deal with local service providers rather than an unknown service provider in a distant city. Chilly calling, or visiting target businesses “door to door” can be a great way to meet local business owners and find new customers. This come does require the ability to handle rejection from prospective customers but can still pay off with current customers.
Obviously you will want to use the Internet in your business marketing. Make positive your business website is top notch and conveys a professional image to potential customers. Remember that you only have one chance to make that first impression! Your website should be search engine optimized for the markets you want to target. For instance, you may want to dedicate a page on your site to your location and any local businesses you work with already. This will improve your search engine ranking for web design services in your town or city. Similarly, you may want to create several pages dealing with any market niche you service. This will improve your search ranking for web design services in your market niche.
Printing is easy to forget about in the Internet age. However, you will at least want to have quality business cards printed. You will have many opportunities to hand out business cards to potential customers. Business cards should have your name, your company name (if you exercise one), enough information about your business to describe what services you offer, and your contact information (website address, e-mail address, and phone). You may also determine to have multi-part contract forms printed or other promotional literature like brochures or flyers.
Formal advertising options include advertising in your local newspaper, pay-per-click advertising, banner advertising, jabber mail campaigns, and advertising in trade association publications. Which options are best will depend on the type of customers you are seeking to attract and your advertising budget. It is always a good idea to test marketing campaigns with some type of quantifiable data so that you can measure performance. Blind marketing campaigns can rob your entire advertising budget without producing any meaningful return on your investment.
Hosting Providers and Domain Registrars
Domain registrations and web hosting are two closely related income streams that should not be ignored. Some business customers may already have a domain name registered and hosting region up. These customers may only want you to provide design or deny. However, many businesses, particularly those without an existing web presence, may want you to handle the domain name registration and hosting as well. Domain name are typically renewed annually and hosting is typically renewed monthly (though either can be renewed for longer periods). The steady income from either source is small by itself but speedy adds up with multiple accounts. Domain registrations also provide residual income each month that requires little or no work on your fraction.
Some hosting providers offer reseller accounts that will allow you to easily set up customer hosting accounts and even integrate billing. This is quite convenient since billing for hosting can get complicated once you originate amassing more than a few hosting accounts.
There are many excellent hosting providers to choose from and more than a few not-so-good hosting providers. Carefully check out any hosting provider in advance and research what their customers are already saying about them. Cheap is not necessarily a good thing when it comes to web hosting. Remember, your customer will not be calling the hosting provider when their site is down – they will be calling you. Save yourself these headaches and choose an affordable, quality hosting provider.
Web Design Business Software
Starting a web design business will require some computer software. The software you use will depend on several factors though, including budget, personal preferences, and the type and level of services you intend to offer. You will need a text editor, graphic software, and an office suite at a minimum. The good news is that these programs are all available for free by using launch source software! Many web designers also like to use a visual XHTML editor. These are much harder to find in non-commercial versions.
Text editors are arguably the most versatile piece of software you will install on your computer. In fact, probably the only software I exhaust as much as a text editor is a web browser. Microsoft’s Notepad is fairly anemic and few programmers hold a favorable opinion of the application. I currently use the Scite SC1 editor freely available from Scintilla. I have also customary Notepad++ in the past. Any decent text editor will work but most modern versions now include syntax highlighting (very useful for hand coding or editing), line numbering, word count, and other handy features.
Text editors are significant for any type of scripting (PHP, JavaScript, etc.). Many web designers, me included, still prefer to design and edit sites in a text editor rather than risking problems with a visual HTML editor altering code. Even if you like to use a visual editor to develop sites it is sometimes convenient to spend a text editor when you just need to check something hastily.
Visual HTML editors have advanced considerably over the past decade and most web designers now use some type of visual editor to speed site development. Many options are available when choosing a visual HTML editor.
Popular visual HTML editors include Microsoft Visual Web Developer, CoffeeCup HTML Editor, and Adobe Dreamweaver. These applications are all commercially available in varying packages with varying costs. Microsoft Web Developer and CoffeeCup HTML Editor both do offer a limited-feature free version. KompoZer is an interesting (and free) project currently under development. KompoZer is a continuation of the abandoned Nvu project.
Each visual HTML editor has its’ own dwelling of features, advantages and complications. Which editor is best (or if any of them are best) will be determined by your preferences, budget, and the type of development you are doing.
Graphic design software is most frequently used for photo and image editing. However, decent graphic design software is also valuable for making banners, logos, and site graphics. Graphic do software can be quite costly depending on which program you prefer.
Popular graphics programs include Adobe Photoshop, Corel Paint Shop Pro, and Gimp. Adobe Photoshop is the industry standard but carries a price tag that might well be more than your monthly rent payment. Corel Paint Shop Pro (formerly Jasc Paint Shop Pro) is a great program with a much more affordable price. Gimp is a great, launch source program that is available for free. Gimp will likely take care of everything you need to do unless you are a proper graphic designer (in which case you probably already have Photoshop).
An office suite of software is essential for routine business tasks, like proposals, invoicing, presentations, and basic bookkeeping with spreadsheets. Regardless of how high-tech the web design business may be there are still occasions when you will need to type a letter, prepare a presentation or use a spreadsheet. Customers are also likely to send you documents periodically.
Some approved office suites include Microsoft Office, OpenOffice.org, and Corel WordPerfect. Microsoft Office is, of course, the industry standard. Office and WordPerfect both carry outrageously high price tags though. OpenOffice.org is the up and coming office suite of choice for many people. OpenOffice.org does everything you would expect an office suite to do – but without the impress. OpenOffice.org is freely available and will import and export Microsoft Office documents.
The Importance of Standards Compliance
Standards compliance is something of a buzz word these days but is something that every web designer should be striving to achieve and maintain. Developing websites that comply with current, International standards is best practice and should always be the goal. Sites that are standards compliant should work satisfactorily in every modern web browser – whether desktop, laptop, or handheld.
Many web designers have a bad attitude about web standards. They seem to think that standards are implemented to hold them back or to gain their job difficult. Nothing could be further from the truth! Web standards allow web designers to design one station that works in all browsers rather than designing multiple copies of each site to accommodate several different browsers. As the Internet continues to grow and more mobile devices are used to access the Internet it becomes even more notable to design to industry standards. It is simply impossible to predict what devices will be used to access a website. Standards-compliant sites are the only way to guarantee that everyone can access a site.
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is an international consortium that develops internationally-accepted, open-source standards for the Internet. W3C’s stated mission is “to lead the World Wide Web to its full potential by developing protocols and guidelines that ensure long-term growth for the Web.” These may seem like loft goals, yet they are absolutely essential. Anyone who has been developing websites for any length of time remembers all too well the nightmare of browsers without standards compliance. (For that matter, anyone that attempts to earn sites that work the same in Microsoft’s Internet Explorer as in every other browser still knows why standards are important!)
Expanding Your Web Design Business With Freelancers
Sooner or later you will be faced with a project that is beyond the scope of your abilities and skills. This leaves you with the option of turning down the project (and the revenue) or finding a freelancer to complete the portion of the project you cannot handle. Subcontracting out parts of a project to freelancers has become increasingly common as websites have become more complicated.
Working with a freelancer (or several) allows you to expand your business and offer more services to your customers. However, this also complicates your business because you are now relying on other people to complete critical projects. Remember to build extra time into each project if you understanding to subcontract out part of the work. This will provide you with a time buffer if you bustle into problems with the work.
It is also a respectable idea to have a customer sign off on the project scope before you contract with a freelancer. Only after you are clear on what the customer needs should you ask a freelancer to bid on the project.
Deciding to hire a freelancer is one thing. Finding the right freelancer is something else altogether! How do you go about finding a freelancer for your web design project?
Fortunately, there are companies that specialize in connecting freelancers with people who need befriend with a project. Elance, Guru, and RentACoder all help to match up freelancers with available projects. The competitive nature of the bidding at these sites usually means the employer is able to have the work done at a genuine price. (Some people criticize these sites because the prices may tend to be too obscene because of the competition.)
Another option for finding freelancers is through a local university of technical college. Any school with an IT program is likely to have plenty of skilled students who could use some extra work. It may be best to work through the administration and ask for recommendations to be sure that your prospective freelancer has adequate skills and training.
Finally, you can always advertise on Craiglist, Monster, Dice or in your local help wanted directory for a freelance programmer or designer. You should probably have a basic freelance agreement ready if you plan to contract with someone directly. A standard freelance agreement will usually include a non-disclosure clause, payment terms, and will also specify whether the freelancer is an employee or an independent contractor. Presumably you will be looking for an independent contractor if the work is only periodic and per diem. An Internet search should turn up plenty of standard agreement templates you can adapt to your own needs. (You can, of course, have your attorney handle this for you – for a fee.)
It is also a good idea to review the IRS definition of an independent contractor versus an employee. Classifying a freelancer as an independent contractor is perfectly legal, but the IRS prefers that everyone is treated as an employee and thus subject to income tax withholding. Make sure you understand the distinction before you hire a freelancer. This is not an narrate, of course, when using freelance sites.
Conclusion
Starting a web design business is an exciting venture. Best of all, web design businesses are well suited to starting as a shoestring business. While some things may be easier if you do have some cash to invest in the business, it is quite possible to start your web design business with no investment provided you already have a computer and Internet access.
Starting any business requires a lot of hard work. Web design is no exception. However, if you enjoy computers and the Internet, web execute can also be a fun business. This business also allows you to earn residual income from every hosting customer as hosting and domain name registrations continue to bring in revenue long after the new sale.
There are plenty of decisions to make as you consider launching your web earn business. The gracious news is that in many cases you can open simple or cheap and upgrade software or services as you earn some money. Expensive software licensing fees can be avoided because all of the software you need for your web construct business is freely available as start source software; expensive business fees can be avoided by operating as a sole proprietor rather than incorporating. You can always change to more expensive options at a later date if it seems more salubrious to your business.
The future for the web design industry looks strong. The Internet continues to grow at a rapid pace and new technologies like mobile Internet are only beginning to see mainstream adoption. Many businesses still have not caught on to the usefulness and importance of a web presence. These businesses will require web design services in the foreseeable future if they hope to remain competitive in a global economy. The rapidly changing nature of the Internet also guarantees that businesses that already have a web presence will need their sites updated and overhauled. This trend also assures web design companies of residual work for many years to reach.
This book was designed to provide you with a solid overview of the web design industry. We have discussed the highlights of starting a web design business without becoming too burdened with small details. We have also looked at ways to open a web earn business on a shoestring budget. This business model does not require thousands of dollars in capital to be successful. So what are you waiting for? Win out there and score started with your shoestring web design business!
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Filed under Microsoft Small Business Phone by on Oct 14th, 2010.
Dell has released a fresh line of computer with limited businesses in mind. There is a wide variety of machines in this line to fit any spot that you may have. There are desktops and laptops both, with the desktops being lauded as having the power to be a small server for your company. This may all sound good, but is it really true? There are many critics out there, but there are two sides to every story and that includes tech reviews. Keeping in the realm of cramped business, we will take a study at the basic version of the Vostro laptop. Most entrepreneurs are looking for the cheapest solution to a problem. The Vostro 1014 and 1015 have answered this call. These are referred to as the “primary” versions on the Dell website. These two do not have any color options for the exterior, but black matches everything, right? The biggest difference between the two machines is the size. The 1014 is slightly smaller and lighter than the 1015. Appearance should be tossed out when you need performance though. Here is a look “under the hood” on these two models to see if they can really stand up to the test.
When it comes to the tech specs, there is really only one difference between the two models. The memory on the 1015 is up to 8 Gigs, while the 1014 is only upgradeable to 4 Gigs. Other than this, the two machines are identical. They both have a 320 Gig hard drive and 8x DVD +/- RW. They also have the same Core 2 Dual processor and all other components. There is very little difference between the two base models, and at the same price, it would be better to go with 1015 for the extra memory space. Since most people do not upgrade the memory anyways, there is really no difference other than size. The price is also identical at $399 each for the base model.
Now that we have touched on the tech specs, how does it really work? Is it worth my investment? These are likely the questions on your mind. This really depends on what you need it for. The base models do not have Bluetooth installed. You have to upgrade to this. This can be crippling to a small business. If you want to sync these machines with your phone, or even use a wireless mouse or docking location, you will have to upgrade. The other downside to this machine is the sound. If you do not have headphones, do not get this machine. No matter how much you upgrade it, the sound stinks. It has a single speaker mounted in the bottom and you can not hear anything, even at max volume. You will have to use a third party amplifier, and these have been known to blow speakers, crash the system, eat up all of your memory, cause streak, etc. If you make a lot of conference calls or video messaging for your business, be prepared to toss more money on the brand price. There is no built in microphone or camera. Both of these will need to be added. Once again, the sound does not earn loud enough for a favorable conference unless you use headphones.
Overall, the video and sound capabilities of this machine are very lacking. No matter how much you upgrade or invest into this machine, the sound is sub-par and the graphics seem gigantic and pixilated. For many businesses that rely on communication via the computer, this can be a real dilemma. If you do not need the video conferencing and have some headphones, this is your machine. The basic $399 version is really all that you need performance wise. It has the hard drive to handle all of your customer, supplier, financial, and other databases. The sleek and shiny look are also sure to heed at meetings. The leer and speed of these machines is huge.
The price is another tremendous problem for this machine. Dell has begun to get into the fast food mindset with the dollar menu lures. These machines are priced dirt cheap, but when you actually get into what is included, the price gets pretty high, pretty fast. The $399 version is very tempting, but many people are not comfortable with using Ubuntu Linux. Of course, you can not upgrade simple items like many of the al a cart PC ordering systems. You have to upgrade to a whole new package to get Windows, and another package to get Bluetooth. By adding in some trash you do not need with the tools that you must have, the cost gets out of control quickly. You will want to piece one of these together before you buy one. There are so many options and they are very difficult to customize. If you only want one or two options added, you may be stuck buying the whole package. When you get the perfect combination, the price is no longer perfect and is usually better elsewhere. You could even try piecing together an Inspiron if you are a Dell fan.
Overall, these systems are solid and can handle your business needs. The sound is a huge factor that many people are not happy with. The fact that you can buy a comparable machine for much less at a Best Buy or Office Depot. The base price of this may awe you into it, but it is not as cheap as it sounds. The upgrades that you will need to incorporate will get really expensive, really fast. The sound is also weak and, without external speakers or headphones, will cause you to strain even at max volume. Overall, this is a good computer for a small business, if you only use it for the day to day tasks that you need. If there is any video conferencing or if you need Windows or Bluetooth, there are some better options out there.
Sources:
*The above source was used for technical specs. Evaluation of this products performance was conducted in person by the author.
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Filed under Small Business Phone Lines by on Sep 14th, 2010.
800 business numbers, also called toll free numbers, are ideal for busy small business people who work from home or an office. You can get an 800 number (includes 888, 877, and 866 numbers as well) online literally in a matter of minutes. Using 800 business numbers in the course of business is more efficient than passing out your cell phone or landline number for many reasons:
Business Voicemail
With 800 business numbers you can route your customers to a voicemail system that specifically mentions your business name. For instance, instead of a casual “Hey leave a message” you can say “Thank you for calling Smith & Co. We’re available from 9-5pm Monday through Friday” or a similar professional message.
Free for Customers
If you deal with customers who live in other states, having 800 business numbers is a convenience for them. They don’t have to worry about the cost of making a long distance call. The number is also easier for the customer to remember (7 digits instead of 10).
800 Business Numbers Are Surprisingly Inexpensive
If you think having an 800 number is expensive, think again. Some toll free services charge as little as $2 per month ($2 to reserve the number) plus a rude per minute charge when someone calls your business. You can create a number for each division of your business if you want and still pay unprejudiced a couple bucks a month.
Track Who Calls You on Your 800 Business Numbers
Toll-free providers allow you to keep a call log of everyone who calls your 800 business numbers. Just log onto your legend management hide and click the call history option. You can use this information to determine how many people are calling you from a specific set or area and construct pertinent business decisions. For example, if you placed a radio ad in a small town in Missouri and suddenly you start to gain a slew of calls from your 800 business numbers from that specific town’s area code, then you know that ad is working. So you can funnel more money into that market.
Call Blocking
Have you ever had a client or customer who just doesn’t want to leave you alone, even after you’ve ended your relationship with him? What about when you contact another company to inquire about services, decide on another option, but a salesman from that first company decides to call you every week to try to see if you’ve changed your mind. With 800 business numbers you can block all of those annoying types from calling your company.
Just click the calling block feature in your online 800 business number account, type in the person’s phone number, and save it. Everytime they try to call you they’ll hear a busy signal and you’ll hear… nothing. What a relief. This allows you to focus on the important calls—everytime your business line rings you know it is someone you want to hear from.
These are only a few benefits of 800 business numbers for small companies—there are plenty more. It’s a cheap and effective way to route business-related calls to your landline or cell phone.
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Filed under Small Business Phone Lines by on Aug 23rd, 2010.