I have recently re-established a business my father had originally started, called Nearly Normal Creative Service.
Me and him now will be re-establishing the business to cover Web Design, Web Hosting (Reseller, although I want own server[s] ASAP), Flyers & Advertisements.
I was wondering if anyone has any advice along these lines I would love to hear them.
This is my first attempt at a business (an actual one that is, Juice Stands a few years ago doesnt count 
), so I'm looking for anything that may help me in the future of it.
If you want to see the simple demo page I have set up at the moment, check out http://www.nearly-normal.com
Thanks,
~Eric
Eric Roberts
http://www.nearly-normal.com
I Need Servers! [Donations Are Acceptable And Highly Encouraged]
The Webmistress posted this at 07:54—17th August 2001.
She has: 5,587 posts
Joined: Feb 2001
Hiya Rice,
Have you actually done any sites other than your own which you are obviously working on? If you haven't the best way to get started is to do some sites for non-profit organisations for little or no money so that you can build up a portfolio. Most important though is to have a good site yourself as this is what a lot of people will base their decisions on!
It can be hard breaking into any business field but webdesign has to be a hard one right now as there are so many of us doing it! What was the business originally? Can your father re-establish any old contacts?
Julia - if life was meant to be easy Michael Angelo would have painted the floor....
Rice posted this at 01:54—18th August 2001.
They have: 7 posts
Joined: Jul 2001
The business was originally my father doing Flyers and Advertisements, but the demand for those diminished because everything was so easy to do on software these days that anyone could make them, so the business went on kind of hiatus for a while. I brought the idea to him that we could include web design and hosting to try and re-establish it.
As for contacts, I dont think any of them would be interested in a web site, but he does have a few yes.
And actually, before I read this, I offered to redo the web site for a school I might go to for free. My reason: to help myself establish a portfolio for my business =]
Eric Roberts
http://www.nearly-normal.com
I Need Servers! [Donations Are Acceptable And Highly Encouraged]
Jaiem posted this at 12:25—20th August 2001.
They have: 1,192 posts
Joined: Apr 1999
Definately if you can do some work for friends, associates etc to build a portfolio and reference base.
If you do good work word gets out and things go from there. But it is slow to start.
Jaiem
Ocean View Host - FREE domain name, 1 month FREE hosting!
The Webmistress posted this at 14:55—20th August 2001.
She has: 5,587 posts
Joined: Feb 2001
Rome wasn't built in a day and neither is a good, healthy business. You have to be prepared to put in a lot of hard work for little return at the start, but if you have the determination and stamina it is worthwhile.
Another thing we did when we started (well still do sometimes) is to contact companies that already have sites, that perhaps are old & tired looking and offer a revamp. This can be another way of building up a portfolio as they can be quick to do once you've come up with the design idea as the content is mostly already there.
Julia - if life was meant to be easy Michael Angelo would have painted the floor....