Starting A Web Design Business Need Advice

[shaggy2dope]

hi im 13 and im starting my own web design buisness. i could use some advice on how to get my buisness going. my website on bizland.com recently got hacked and i will be getting a domain name soon for my buisness. are there any good programs out there that could help me with web design. i have frontpage 2.0 do u know where i can download a newer copy? any suggestions on how much i should charge? my only customers have been regular people not buisness yet thanks

[jadison]

As far as a newer version of Frontpage, I don't think there is one but u can check @ http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ and then click on Product Updates on the left-hand side, microsoft will check ur sys, to see if u have an outdated ver of Frontpage...If ur just starting out on web design I'd use what my ISP has 2 offer 1st, usually they give u 5MB or more of space to use on the web, u can use this to build ur website on. Other websites like www.globe.com (http://www.globe.com) have there own web-page builder that let's u customize a webpage based on there templates, it's less customizable, but it's quicker and sometimes more professional. If u know HTML, than that's even better...But I'd try what I said earlier...just experiment by making a few webpages and get used to the basics, the key is to make ur website more professional looking: don't have heavy background graphics, if possible use white or black as a background color, don't use very many images and if u can compress the pictures u insert on ur webpage so they don't take up that much space, and lastly u want to make sure that the website u make does not take forever to download (it should load up between 1-4 seconds), that will definately improve ur traffic!!! Ur starting early so don't quit if at first u don't succeed!!

Good Luck!

jadison

[Mntsnow]

As for what's the newest version of FrontPage it is Version 4.0 which is also know as Frontpage 2000. You have a old version but I do belive you can download some updates for it over in the "office" section of Microsoft's website. While those updates wont bring you all the way up to fp2000 speed and benifits it will add some nice funtionalitys and such to your older version.

On to what to charge for website creation...That will depend a bit on how proficent you are and what type of website the customer is wanting and of course what kind of rate is being charged in your area. I personally charge a flat fee of 60 dollars for a "home page" that is very straight forward and simple to create and then charge 20 dollars per hour for additional pages or updates that they want done. (I also burn the customer a CD of their website when I'm done)

Mntsnow

[jadison]

Hey Mntshow, I was curious, I'm beginning the production of a weekly newsletter similar to the one sysopt distributes but has more to offer and will first be distributed throughout my local area (San Antonio, TX). I currently have only one other friend working w/ me on this and all I have to show right now is a Powere Point Pres. about the newsletter. I wanted to know if u could maybe aid in the design or anything else. If u could email me, w/ ur response, we'll stay in touch. Thanks

jadison

[Mntsnow]

Jad. I'm at work right now but when I return home I will be happy to respond to your email http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Mntsnow

[CujoRbd]

jadison-
i am more than willing to help you out. i have plenty of free time (cuz i'm still in high school as well), so whatever...

and i'm well-versed in HTML, so i could edit the page so that it actually looks good. (I personally use Frontpage to fine- tune my site, but i usually just copy the code and then edit it with Notepad.)

and BTW, i'd do this sort of thing for free (unless it took up ALOT of time, in which case we'd have to discuss things). just post or e-mail me if you're interested at all.

and good luck with your biz!


CujoRbd
( CujoRbd@hotmail.com )

[jadison]

That's great, CujoRbd...
It wouldn't take long hours to put together this newsletter. I have a Power Point Presentation on the project, but I can't seem to send it as an attachment using Outlook Express 5 or even yahoo mail. I'll try to get more info. about this weekly newsletter to u ASAP, thanks for ur support!!!!

jadison

[shaggy2dope]

thanks i already have my a website for my buisness but it recently got hacked

[shaggy2dope]

ok thanks for your advice