eCommerce Tycoon

**Static1** · 10-26-2008, 09:37 AM

Hi everyone

i have been thinking about starting my own web design business. The problem is im not a very good graphic artist/designer. Some people would wonder why i want to be a web designer if im not very good at designing, but there is a lot more to building a website for a client than graphic design. i.e proposals, pricing, contracts, dealing with clients setting up hosting, html/css, CMS and e-comerce configuration blah blah blah. dont forget the business side of things... actually i didnt realise how much was involved in setting up a business until i started researching it... my brain farted so many times LOL

wait... im rambling...

i guess i was wondering if there is any (sole owner) web designers out there that out-source graphic design or any other part of the business. i dont want to start a web design business with crap graphic design done on my part.

i know a lot of businesses outsource business aspects like bookkeeping and such, but what about the web design aspect?

is it a feasable option?

are you happy with the results of the out-sourcing?

maybe this is a self esteem issue... wanting to be a web designer but needing people to web design for me.

anyway... whats your thoughts?

**usearchme** · 10-26-2008, 02:20 PM

Hi there

Of course people outsource aspects of their buisness, but it adds problems, for example extra time contraints and extra costs, it would probably work if you could find someone to work with closely.

Woc

**JohnDiamond** · 10-27-2008, 01:24 AM

I totally agree with usearchme. Find a partner... and a real life one! Web designing is usually a combination of various fields: marketing (getting sales, advertising the websites, search engine optimization), management of information systems (all the backbone stuff that you mentioned previously), graphic design and web usability... those are two very important points. In fact, without a good design and also user-friendly interface, your portfolio of websites are less likely to get you new sales.

Try to look up web usability on Google. That should be quite useful.

Hope this helps!

Good luck!

**Static1** · 10-27-2008, 05:16 AM

thanks for the replies

so you dont recomend outsourcing from Elance or some place like that?

im in australia and im not sure how to find a graphic designer i can sub-contract that wont charge me a fortune.

**Gilligan** · 10-27-2008, 02:53 PM

You could always find a freelancer, a 'pay by the project' person. Hint hint

Good luck with it starting things up

**thesuperhero** · 06:15 AM

Well, I would say that web design business is not actually about the web design. It's hard for a graphic person/artist to be really good businessman sometimes. Also, it's hard for a hardcore programmer to be a good in business dealing. Technical people think in a very logical way while an artist can be a way too creative. However, there are still some really good artist + business or techie + business person.

What works for my experience is that I let my friend do all the business dealings. He likes to meet lots of people and spend time with customers doing the proposal and presentation. He can handle all the crapy sales talk.

For me, I just like to sit behind the computer and do my technical stuff really quick. I don't like to see the customers as I don't like to waste time talking the deals.

So we work in a 50-50 method. He get as much business as he can, while I produce as much as I can.

** My experience with eLance. The provider seems like just want to finish off the work and hands off. When you view into their codes, it's a way too unorganized. They just want to get the things work on the surface and deliver their work so that they get paid. There's no long term business relationship. I prefer to find a closer partner that near me to work with.

**SportyDog** · 02:43 AM

Why exactly would you want to start a web design business if you're not good at it?

I understand there are lots of other aspects of running a business, .. but that's for any business.

why not sell tires, clean pools, mow lawns, start a limo service, open a video game store, start an e-commerce site in something you have interest in.

What is it that makes you want to start a web design company without being a web designer to start?

That doesn't make any sense.. Start with something you are good at, and build on to it. You have to generally start as a 1 man show and grow.

Even if you start as the designer and are eventually the guy overseeing the other designers how are you going to be able to judge good work without experience?

**Mark Henderson** · 11-18-2008, 03:12 AM

I know a freelancer that can code tableless XHTML/CSS that would be willing to be used for outsourced projects.

Hint Hint

**The-Pixel** · 11-18-2008, 07:52 AM

lmfao @ all the *Hint* *Hint's*

**Static1** · 11-18-2008, 08:49 AM

LOL!

I will take the hints into consideration.

Sportydog - i didnt say i was no good at building web sites... i said i was no good at graphic design

**kezoon.com** · 11-22-2008, 05:46 AM

If I am honest since you can do everything but the graphics design, I think it would be worth investing some time in trying to get better at that.