Hi Guys,

 

For sometime now I have been looking over web design business' in my local area (Telford). Some of them do look good and do offer a good design service to their clients, however, recently I have been noticing more and more awful looking web design agencies popping up.

 

Now it wouldn't bother me however they seem to developing big portfolio's rapidly whereas I am struggling to get more than one client every two months.

 

For example: http://www.friendlywebcompany.co.uk

 

In my honest opinion, the website above is poor and so is every website on their portfolio for that matter yet people still choose them, why?

 

What is it that these sites do to get them so many clients? Have you noticed this or is it just me?

 

probably price, they're charging £350 a site.

But even so, £350 is a lot of money for the return they get on the website!

Wow. That site is horrible. After seeing that hand drawn red arrow plastered all over the site I want to gauge my eyes out.

Wow. That site is horrible. After seeing that hand drawn red arrow plastered all over the site I want to gauge my eyes out.

 

looooool!!! a ******* 3 yearold coulda drawn it better

They probably don't get clients based on the quality of their work. Instead they probably charge much less, possibly even less than the £350 someone stated. With that portfolio they wont be attracting high paying clients any time soon.

 

The best way to get work is through referrals. Start by asking friends and build your base like that. You might want to consider offering some kind of incentive.

Seems like most of them are sole traders.

Maybe targetting new-starts from business training programs perhaps

They probably don't get clients based on the quality of their work. Instead they probably charge much less, possibly even less than the £350 someone stated. With that portfolio they wont be attracting high paying clients any time soon.

 

The best way to get work is through referrals. Start by asking friends and build your base like that. You might want to consider offering some kind of incentive.

 

Yea I suppose you are right! Just a pain in the ass when you work your ass off to gain one client and they seem to get them dead easy!

Sometimes the beauty of a website depends on the client's taste.

The problem there is a certain need to 'educate' potential clients, half the time they presume you can build a website and rank top for various search terms instantly for £200. What this means is that they overlook designers of offer SEO and backlinking for cheaper template based alternatives.

 

Sam

Difficult to understand why do people prefer to have a company like this and too much costly for developing a website.

doh, someone didn't understand Jock's post /o\

whereas I am struggling to get more than one client every two months.

How old are you - if I may ask? I'm only 19 myself.

 

One thing I've found is; cold-calling on clients will usually end in rejection for me. I'm a confident guy, I'm very approachable - but at the end of the day, I'm a student. This puts people off. The majority of my work has come over the net, where people have actually looked at my portfolio, seen that I am, not bad shall we say, at what I offer, but are also likely to have little idea of my exact age at the first point of contact.

 

I now have on-going work with 2 (debatably 3) businesses online, and I have a very healthy relationship with their respective employees who deal with their web presence. They know my age, they know why I do what I do - it doesn't matter anymore because they know I'm good for them. What I'm trying to say is - get yourself online, I guarantee it'll open opportunities

That site didn't look too attractive (gently said...:-) )

 

Why would people choose them?

 

They are cheap and their customers don't know a thing about the web or web design. This company gives those customers a "web presence" (how horrific their sites may look, they do have a place on the web) and so the deal is done.

 

I wouldn't go looking for ethics or philosophy here..... It's simply a matter of demand and offer.

 

If you ask for crap than crap you will get.....and if you don't know any better, you'll even be happy with it.

 

Up to us to educate those customers what real web design is all about. That's the only way to get rid of the rotten apples in the business.

 

In the end quality will win over mediocrity it's just a matter of educating the crowds.

 

Now it wouldn't bother me however they seem to developing big portfolio's rapidly whereas I am struggling to get more than one client every two months.

 

 

what are you doing about it?

As a businessman, I would advise you to concentrate on your work. You could always do an offer or similar to boost your portfolio, even offer to do some basic charity sites for a very low cost or similar.But this has to be a limited offer - and advise not taking on unsuitable clients. If you specialise in certain sites - offer those trades the offer.

 

What you have to remember with cheap sites designers is, they have a quantity budget clients, that just want a basic operational site with little knowledge about web design themselves, seeing their business on screen is good enough. That is the psoitive side - you may end up having people who have paid £350 for a site - and moan constantly. Is that worth the hassle?

 

Everyone has to start somewhere - as are these designers. But start as you mean to go on.

 

I would concentrate on quality clients, quality websites that return great results. You may have to do a few on the cheap, but that builds up the figures - set yourself a standard and stick to it!

 

You will then end up being known as a good designer, and not a bulk designer. You don't want to be in the answer to the question 'Does anyone know where I can get a cheap website?' as all your base will be cheap.

 

Set the pace, lead the way - it will pay in the end!

I agree that website is terrible.

 

If they invest heavily or have good knowledge of reaching the top of google then most likely any business owner who doesn't have much of a clue about the web or its presence may search for something like 'I need a website for my business'.

 

If they cater well for this type of search then more than likely they'll look to contact them rather than looking at a portfolio, they'll also most likely look at testimonials etc.

Their website in many respects is a good site

 

- it actively sells

- it is targeted on the market they work in

 

 

if you want cheap food, you go to Lidl or iceland. You dont expect a posh cafe, loos, and all the bells and whistles. Had they produced a slick site, potential customers might actually be put off

Agree with Richard King BWP...

 

The site is basically good.

 

It's like flying a 60 year old plane, it's basically good because it flies. That doesn't mean it's a nice experience though...

ImaDesigner; what steps did you take to promote your business? Could the reason be a lack of exposure of your business?