Hi!

 

I've completed my Web Design Qualification, built my first site (as my sandbox, not my for my showcase) and have been fiddling around with DWCS3 for a while now. I am currently building a family member a website for his business, and will create a couple of spoof sites for my portfolio, but after that I want to start doing real jobs with real money, with an aim to eventually going freelance full-time. What I need to know is... where do i start?? I have no business experience and know nothing about what I need to set up from a legal prespective. Any advice would be helpful! Things I particularly wonder about is:

 

- contracts - what should they say? are there any templates anywhere??

- how do clients like to see their websites built? i.e. do they want hand sketches first, then a few basic designs to choose from, then the finished product with room for final tweaks?

- How to charge clients? What methods to use? Do you ask for a percentage upfront? What about maintenance costs?

- Where should I start?? What order should I do things in and what's the first step?

 

I'm sure I'll have many questions in the upcoming future! Anything you think I've missed out that's essential to a newbie, please feel free to add.

 

Many thanks!

 

Shelley

1. Yes, contracts are essential. I made the mistake of neglecting contracts when I began freelancing and ended up in some sticky situations. You should also consider using one even when dealing with a family member.

 

2. This is partially down to the client and partially down to the system you use. When you meet a client, they will most likely talk through what they expect to see from you and by when etc etc. You will most likely come up with your own system over time as well. I.e. you draw a layout/create a mock up in photoshop, show the client and so on.

 

3. The 50% up front seems to work best for most people. Although this is entirely up to you.

 

4. You've already taken the first steps, so you're pretty much on your way. You could try using your family member that you're currently making a site for, as a test client. For example, using a contract with them and trying to be as professional as possible. Treat it like a real situation and see how things go. That should give you an idea on how to improve in future.

1. Yes, contracts are essential. I made the mistake of neglecting contracts when I began freelancing and ended up in some sticky situations. You should also consider using one even when dealing with a family member.

 

2. This is partially down to the client and partially down to the system you use. When you meet a client, they will most likely talk through what they expect to see from you and by when etc etc. You will most likely come up with your own system over time as well. I.e. you draw a layout/create a mock up in photoshop, show the client and so on.

 

3. The 50% up front seems to work best for most people. Although this is entirely up to you.

 

4. You've already taken the first steps, so you're pretty much on your way. You could try using your family member that you're currently making a site for, as a test client. For example, using a contract with them and trying to be as professional as possible. Treat it like a real situation and see how things go. That should give you an idea on how to improve in future.

 

This is really good advice here and this sort of advice is something that i am really in need of to. I am in the middle of designing my first freelance website and learning how to become a marketer, business owner and web designer, is gonna be a challenge. Especially when they say that the recession is gonna last a few years from now and things might not pick up until 2010, it's gonna be tough!

 

But if I/we can build a successful business in this recession then I/we can look forward to a lengthy and successful career? Who knows?

Thanks for this! I have couple more things to ask in more detail...

 

 

1. Yes, contracts are essential. I made the mistake of neglecting contracts when I began freelancing and ended up in some sticky situations. You should also consider using one even when dealing with a family member.

What are the main things to include on a contract? I don't want to have one of these 20-page-long contracts that may as well be written in Latin! Is there an example of a good, clean, to-the-point contract anywhere to view?

 

2. This is partially down to the client and partially down to the system you use. When you meet a client, they will most likely talk through what they expect to see from you and by when etc etc. You will most likely come up with your own system over time as well. I.e. you draw a layout/create a mock up in photoshop, show the client and so on.

What are the crucial questions to ask your client initially, to avoid having to call them every 5 minutes and appear unprofessional?

 

3. The 50% up front seems to work best for most people. Although this is entirely up to you.

 

4. You've already taken the first steps, so you're pretty much on your way. You could try using your family member that you're currently making a site for, as a test client. For example, using a contract with them and trying to be as professional as possible. Treat it like a real situation and see how things go. That should give you an idea on how to improve in future.

 

Thank you very much for your help, it is much appreciated!!

 

Some members of the forum have posted examples of the contracts they use in order to help other members. Eskymo has kindly provided a template of her contract for members to use; you can find it here.

 

With regards to 'crucial questions to ask clients during initial meetings'. Well, I would start by saying not worry too much about what to ask, as realistically, it is the client who will hold the vision of how they want their website to look and what they're hoping to gain from it (hopefully anyway ). Having said that, you will still need to give your own 'creative input' as you are the one who will be formulating the design and you will most likely be a much more creative thinker than the client.

 

In a nuthsell, you need to be able to go away from the meeting, having all the information you need from the client to be confident you will be able to produce something that meets their needs.

 

Start by writing down their preferences/needs, brainstorm some idea's with the client, form an initial design, show the client, get it approved by the client and away you go.

 

Hope that helps somewhat.