My barber has a terrible website.

Erwin's Barbershop

It's been bugging me for a long time and now that I'm cutting my teeth in web design, I'd like to use him as my first client. I'm going to speak with him this week and offer to build a new site for him. Discussing this with my father, we decided that since I'm new and inexperienced I can offer to do this guy's website for free, but of course keep my name all over it, use it as an addition to my portfolio, and use the barber for networking.

 

Essentially I'm looking to you guys for words of wisdom. You've been in my shoes, what would you do?

I am assuming that you are between 13 and 18 here - the age were all web designers start off

 

If your barber is not actually looking for a website (and why does he need one) then he is unlikely to want to pay for one again (esp. if his current one hasn't increased his trade).

 

As such, the only value you are going to get out of this deal would be an extra testimonial to your skills.... and maybe a couple of free cuts...

 

As such, do it for free (unless he offers to pay for it) - don't mention it will be for free until the end of the pitch because it is much better practice for the real world that way. People are much more sceptical when there is money involved.

Aiaiai.... a site that uses a single image for all the content... x_X

 

I was fortunate enough to get payed for my first jobs. But I have a very good discount. They needed a website and didn't have much of a budget and I really needed to build a portfolio.

 

To get started you will need to have some examples to show. You might even just build some dummy website to do so. But there's an advantage to doing a couple of freebees for people, as then the word might get around and you get recommened to others.

 

...and that site really need to be replaced... *shivers*

yep... £600 for a full ecommerce site feels so cheap to me now... but it made me proud whilst i was doing it...

Aiaiai.... a site that uses a single image for all the content... x_X

 

...and that site really need to be replaced... *shivers*

The site is complete garbage. If you go to the contacts page, the navigation bar no longer works. Half the information on the site isn't even correct such as the address of the shop. The site says "70 Grant St" the actual address should be "170 Grand St". I have no idea who built this site for him, but I certainly hope it didn't cost any money.

 

And so, assuming I build this site for him for free, I could still charge him fees for maintaining and updating the site, right?

And so, assuming I build this site for him for free, I could still charge him fees for maintaining and updating the site, right?

 

 

That sounds like a very reasonable offer.

Be careful with the word free, simply because some people will hear that word and take advantage. You should specify exactly what you are willing to do for free, should you not then the Barbershop owner could ask for an all singing all dancing website.

 

Also remember that just because you don't like the site doesn't mean that he doesn't for all you know he could have built it himself and be really proud of it. So be careful when giving your sales pitch, you don't want to offend him.

 

 

I wish you luck and hope that you get to do it. Also if you do manage to do it post it here when it is done, as the constructive criticism you will get will help you a lot and help you grow as a designer...even professionals need to get others opinions as sometimes they can be too close to a project.

be careful with the word free, make sure not alot of people hear that it's free, don't make a big issue of it, make the next 1 like $15 or £15 pounds, steadely raising whilest your getting better. hope that helps

A webcam in a barbers shop would be fun

you could market it as see before you try

i dunno dizi, it is kinda fun to p*** off amatuer site owners ... you know the ones who are real cheapskates and just blatantly aren't gonna be buying a new one... "Your site is *wordThatRhymesWithSite* get a new one.. and don't use PNGs to display text (its naughty"

 

fun

yeah fun....only if the guy says no, then you do that and make him cry that he is using one huge image and not being user friendly.

I have all but given up on approaching people who have existing (but crappy) websites. I'm just so sick of hearing people getting indignant and saying, "Well my BROTHER made it in FrontPage and I think it looks FINE!"

even professionals need to get others opinions as sometimes they can be too close to a project.

I agree completely. The friends I graduated with from my design class have all given up on their dreams and I'm left here to work on my own and it is extremely difficult to get a second opinion on things that I create. I want to be in an environment where I can bounce ideas off my colleagues and create strong designs and feel better about what I create knowing that it's been approved by a second set of eyes.

Well you have us now...so hopefully we all can be of some use to you

so are you doing it and are you done yet?

so are you doing it and are you done yet?

I'm getting my haircut tomorrow. I'll give him the sales pitch while I wait.

I know Erwin doesn't charge that much for a haircut but if he does agree to you doing the job you should at least get a few freebies from him.

 

I think the basic idea of a barber's website is dull.....welcome page, our work, prices, find us. Somehow that is all very predictable.

 

I would try and think of something unique or unusual to add that (hopefully) will get people talking both locally and on forum's.

I mentioned the web cam earlier, maybe before and after shots of willing customers, a caricature of Erwin to make his regulars laugh. Really anything to make if more interesting.

 

If your site is good and you have local newspaper or magazine you maybe should contact them and officially launch the site....great publicity for you and the shop...

I know Erwin doesn't charge that much for a haircut but if he does agree to you doing the job you should at least get a few freebies from him.

 

I think the basic idea of a barber's website is dull.....welcome page, our work, prices, find us. Somehow that is all very predictable.

 

I would try and think of something unique or unusual to add that (hopefully) will get people talking both locally and on forum's.

I mentioned the web cam earlier, maybe before and after shots of willing customers, a caricature of Erwin to make his regulars laugh. Really anything to make if more interesting.

 

If your site is good and you have local newspaper or magazine you maybe should contact them and officially launch the site....great publicity for you and the shop...

that's not a bad idea. I was thinking of doing profiles of the barbers that work there with photos and biographies. Maybe a flash music player.

I'm not certain, but I think Erwin has 2 barbershops. I wanted to do sister sites or maybe a Jekyll and Hyde thing, each shop being the alter ego of the other shop. I'll let you guys know how it goes. Wish me a bit of luck please, if not for this, then with the super hot chick I'm trying to get with later today. :crossfingers:

Well, I went to the barbershop. My hair is lookin' tight as always. There really wasn't much of a sale pitch or site discussion. I was waiting for my turn and I hollared at Erwin. He was immediately enthused with the thought of someone taking interest in his website. He mention wanting someone to "touch it up". We all know it needs more than "touching up" so I mentioned I had some cool ideas for him. He took my number and said he'd call me later today. That's fine, because I assume he wants to really talk business and he chose not to do it in front of his employees and other customers.

I'm not going to expect any free haircuts. Erwin is the owner and a barber, but not the barber who cuts my hair. My barber is Moses. Erwin only cuts my hair when Moses is gone for the day. I would want this website to negatively affect Moses' income.

To hell with the website.....

 

Did you get the date with the "super hot chick"?

 

I only ask because I am forty, married and thoroughly P****d off...and I can dream about being young and full of hope etc.

Congrats on getting the website, I hope you will share your progress with it

 

ohhh and good luck with the girl too...I'm sure you don't need it though

it's not a date, she works with me and we're going to a club tonight with other people from work. aaaaand i want her. that's all happening very late tonight, so i won't know for quite some time. but i feel really good today, especially after getting a good haircut and approaching Erwin about his site. I hope the good streak continues.

We'll be awaiting the reports.

This is way more exciting than Coronation Street

Work. Sex. Haircut. What more could anyone want out of life?

 

Good luck with everything!

Expat: beer of course... always pro for the beer

Work. Sex. Haircut. What more could anyone want out of life?

 

Good luck with everything!

 

And cheap web hosting

 

 

From me

Erwin hasn't called me back yet, and that night with the chick totally sucked.

ohh sorry to hear about your bad night, but I'm sure that Erwin will contact you after all you said he was really intrested

Communication with clients isn't always instant.

Just be patient Im sure he'll get back to you.

So whats going on with it??

Erwin hasn't called me back yet, and that night with the chick totally sucked.

 

 

I always found that the best nights out happened when you least expect them....

If you have high hopes you go home very disappointed.

 

As for Erwin......well what seems so vitally important to you is probably way down his list....

 

Just give it time.....if you want some practice why not knock out a couple of rough designs and also talk to other people. Don't put all your eggs in one basket.

Just be patient Im sure he'll get back to you.

 

 

So whats going on with it??

 

 

 

teehee its looks like you're the one who can't be patient

yeah, still no word from Erwin. Liquid's probably right about his priorities.