I want to provide my services which are Programming (PHP, JavaScript) and Coding (HTML, CSS) to other Web Development/Design companies and businesses of the like. But you don’t see many how to’s or guides for people that want to stay as far as away from non-technical people as possible. I have no interest in explaining why or how the web works to every client ;), channelling Roy from the IT Crowd “have you tried turning it off and on again”.
Is there anyone out there that is running their own business purely from subtracting? Staying well away from the people that actually want the work done? I’m a code monkey that want’s to know how to live just being a code monkey, and make money doing it. How did you leave the cubical for your own home-office doing what you love?
The problem with that model is you’re relying on someone else to get the clients, which is what your current employer already does, and most people are not that good at getting clients. You’re essentially trading one job for another. It would be better if you could find the clients yourself and hire what you need. GL
I don’t agree. If you are not a good seller, it’s better to partner with someone who can do the job better than you. It’s not like an employer since you are free not to work with the partner any more if things don’t suit you. In fact you can have multiple partners.
It’s also very difficult for the brain to focus on two so widely different things, you lose productivity and procrastinate more often because of the mental overload which will create stress, so for that reason too it’s good.
I owned a services company which exclusively provided development services to other web development companies, who resold our services. It’s a tough market to deal with, but you can be very successful.
The trick is to find out what kind of services web development shops REALLY want, and to stay away from the very, very small shops - they can be more troublesome then end-clients.
Hey PHPKick, I can see your point but disagree because I’m really trading a structured safety net for a uncertain freedom. I want to be in control of the types of work I take on, and I’m happy to live on noodles while I wait for better work I still have clients, they are just different types.
Hey reboltutorial, I definitely agree with what you are saying. It’s also much better to be able to talk to your “clients” on the exact same technical level. That’s what I want from my business “clients”.
Yeah definitely, I have done sales before, like it and it was a lot of fun but it was definitely the most mentally exhausting thing I have ever done. Coding does not compare. Your brian is going at a million times a second. It was a much different type of selling to IT Consulting though. Could not do sales and all that jazz as well as coding. I know my limits.
Hey Sagewing, what makes you say that it’s a tough market to deal with?
How did you go about finding what they really wanted? Did you email? Cold call? What were their responses like?
My strategy is about consulting and technology. You can partner with someone who are good at consulting and can get clients for you. On technology front you can give your service and expertise. This is how you can build a strong foundation. Later with experience you can also learn how to bring client to your business.
Hey Sagewing, what makes you say that it’s a tough market to deal with?
How did you go about finding what they really wanted? Did you email? Cold call? What were their responses like?
Web design is a large industry, with very little barrier to entry. There is no real certification process, and anyone with a computer can jump in and go for it. There are huge amounts of new/inexperienced vendors who will have sticker shock at everything you do, and you have to wade through them to get anywhere.
When I started I thought that working with web professionals would be easier than working with end-clients. Well, perhaps it’s true but there are plenty of headaches - late payers, stress cases, and vendors who sign a ridiculous deal with a client then stress out trying to make it work - those issues will affect you.
As for finding out what they really wanted, I did some market research (using sitepoint.com a lot), and generally got into the mix with the community. I wrote an e-book and got a lot of contacts that way, ran ads, and grew the business based on what a select group of vendors wanted. That select group consisted of web design shops who had been in business for a minimum of x years and had reached a basic success and experience level, which I confirmed by running their credit/background whenever I get a new client.
I still have clients, they are just different types.