Website Design Forum

**chrislong** · 05-17-2005, 04:53 PM

Hey!

I am only 14 years old but i am already being offered money to design websites for companies. Example: www.originalurbanimports.co.uk

I believe with my talent people would be happy to pay me to design websites
I have had experience in E-Commerce as well as other website related things.

I would love to set up a small company with a website!

Any advice would be really great!

Thanks in advance

Chris

**DaveR** · 05-18-2005, 10:37 AM

That site is pretty good, you have talent

You need your own site, from this you can talk about what skills you have and you can have a portfolio page to show off your work.
That's a good place to start

I'm doing the same thing at the moment. Your first choice is a name. It could just be your name though to give it that personal touch, or you could have a company name.

**chrislong** · 05-18-2005, 11:13 AM

thanks DaveR glad you like the website.

What kind of prices should i be charging for designing a site? or a flash animation or gif animation etc

any feedback wud be gr8

thanks!!

chris

**DaveR** · 05-18-2005, 11:45 AM

I think pricing should be very flexible at first otherwise you might get turned down. You need to build up a portfolio so I would suggest you did it very cheap.

Im contemplating doing some sites for free to begin with...

When you are established I'd try and work out how long it will take based on a sensible hourly rate.
I did a site for £500. It worked out as about £25 an hour in the end.
More than £500 is getting expensive for a small static site IMO.

**chrislong** · 05-18-2005, 11:59 AM

ok kl! i have done a few sites for free such as www.pistache.co.uk

and im currently desiging a site for an orphan charity.

do you fink desiging banners wud be a gd idea?

thanks!

chris

**Brendan22** · 05-18-2005, 12:16 PM

One thing you might want to consider, (if you've got a bday coming up or something, i know at 14 i had no money

) is sitepoint's web design kit: http://www.sitepoint.com/books/freelance1/

a friend of mine just got it and says it's a great help, i haven't checked it out yet but i'm serioulsy considering it

The big thing from that is pricing and working with contracts, as i found out the hard way when i had to completely redo a site with no extra cash cause i never had anyone sign off on anything... plus since i have 0 organizational skills (i'm all right brain) setting deadlines and check-offs keeps me on task and my clients happy

but good luck man, site looks great for being 14! i didnt even know what an internet was at 14

**chrislong** · 05-18-2005, 12:20 PM

thanks for ur advice everyone!!!

and i am currently saving money to purchase software to help me set up a design company

thanks again

chris!

**DaveR** · 05-18-2005, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VitaminB

One thing you might want to consider, (if you've got a bday coming up or something, i know at 14 i had no money

) is sitepoint's web design kit: http://www.sitepoint.com/books/freelance1/

a friend of mine just got it and says it's a great help, i haven't checked it out yet but i'm serioulsy considering it

The big thing from that is pricing and working with contracts, as i found out the hard way when i had to completely redo a site with no extra cash cause i never had anyone sign off on anything... plus since i have 0 organizational skills (i'm all right brain) setting deadlines and check-offs keeps me on task and my clients happy

but good luck man, site looks great for being 14! i didnt even know what an internet was at 14

What happened with that site mate? Did they just change their mind at the end?
The first thing I would do is get them to agree on a design. It wouldnt even be a website, just a jpg uploaded to show what the site would be like.
Its not always possible to get a signature on a contract if you are working "at distance" from the client.

When I was 14 there was no internet

Well, maybe some text browsers/sites and a 800Byte/sec modem!

**chrislong** · 05-18-2005, 05:41 PM

any more advice is welcome!

**brokensoul2271** · 05-18-2005, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveR

Its not always possible to get a signature on a contract if you are working "at distance" from the client.

You can get them to sign with thier e-mail. I see many sites that do this so I presume its legit.
Just e-mail hem the contract and they can sign with thier e-mail and name then send it back.

14?... I guess you wont need too pay tax on what you earn ....I wish I was 14 again .... that was only 3 or 4 years ago...

**DaveR** · 05-19-2005, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brokensoul2271

You can get them to sign with thier e-mail. I see many sites that do this so I presume its legit.
Just e-mail hem the contract and they can sign with thier e-mail and name then send it back.

14?... I guess you wont need too pay tax on what you earn ....I wish I was 14 again .... that was only 3 or 4 years ago...

how do they sign it if its on screen?
Do you mean they just type their name etc in?

**Brendan22** · 05-19-2005, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveR

how do they sign it if its on screen?
Do you mean they just type their name etc in?

yes, and email with an URL/screencap that they respond to saying I blah blah agree to this concept 5/19/05, or a PDF of the contract with agree/disagree checkboxes and line for the name, ect.....

or of course a crazy obscure little device called a fax machine

**brokensoul2271** · 05-19-2005, 10:49 AM

fax machine heh heh... forgot ppl still use them...

**DaveR** · 05-19-2005, 10:59 AM

A fax is under consideration. Pretty cheap now with all these Fax/Printer and scanner combos available.

**webmasterjunkie** · 05-19-2005, 11:18 AM

If you accept a contract over the Internet, in Maryland, you must have 3 copies of the contract. Online original, online final and final hardcopy. Sometimes it's definately easier to just fax. I have affiliates that I cut checks to for different states. They meet the prospective client, present contract, send me a copy, return to client - finalize - and then send to me. All taken care of in a matter of two days max.

Point is, buy a small fax machine to send copies to and from.

**zilla** · 05-19-2005, 07:34 PM

If u plan to start a web design company as first I think you have to be at least 18 or 21 years old to legaly set up a company in most countries. After that comes the tax problems and other that you should consider. Creating one or 2 sites does not transform you in a design company, experience and legal stuff do the rest. Considering your age it would be good if someone a bit older represents you just to be taken for serious.
I like your ambition cos I started the same way and now I own a company with 7 full time employees and a Public Relations PhD working with the clients.

Good luck.

PS Get a lawer to do your contracts, its the best way to protect your work and yourself

**brokensoul2271** · 05-19-2005, 07:37 PM

Instead of setting up a company just do freelance work. At the moment my work comes from friends of friends and word of mouth

...not that I get much of it ...

**chrislong** · 05-20-2005, 10:48 AM

brokensoul2271 i think i will do free lance for now!

**chrislong** · 05-21-2005, 06:34 PM

my site has now begun:

www.longmanwebdesign.co.uk

check it out and feedback would be good

thanks

chris

**DaveR** · 05-23-2005, 04:53 AM

It looks good.
How are you producing it, in Dreamweaver, Photoshop?

The coding is all table based. I think it would be best to learn CSS now, before you start up your business