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Getting my web design business off the ground

(Posted by: Matthew)

I have just turned 16 and have had a huge interest in web and graphic design for the last 5 years of so. I have wanted to start a website offering design services/a personal blog for a while and kind of have.

Key points:

  • Personal site at www.mattnet.co.nr
  • Design site will be at www.mattnet.co.nr/design
  • Aged 16 so can’t really get proper ‘.co.uk’ or ‘.com’ hosting (don’t know how to go about it)
  • Need to promote site

Can anyone give me a few ideas/pointers. Is anyone/has anyone tried/trying the same sort of thing?

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Responses to this question (5)

  • Sean Downing

    16/01/2008, 09:41 AM

    Hi Matt Get your name out there,start networking. What’s your location? best regards sean www.face-talk.com

  • David McQueen

    09/01/2008, 07:12 PM

    David McQueen

    What most people are looking for Matt is a portfolio of your work. Not only that but they are looking for an array of skills over a number of platforms from CGI to ASP and back again.

    Develop your portfolio by designing things for schools/colleges/communities for free or a nominal amount and then start building it from there.

  • Pat Philpott

    07/01/2008, 01:44 PM

    Pat Philpott

    Hi Matt Do you mean you can’t get hosting for yourself or you can’t get hosting to sell on?

    If you mean you can’t get hosting for yourself, it’s immensely easy. www.larrytech.com is my first port of call. They’re not the cheapest but they’re very very good.

    It’s great that you’re doing a blog. Perhaps move away from doing a personal blog and start writing a blog that’s more to do with young people getting into design? Website design and your views of it? Something to do with your professional interests that could raise your profile.

    A lot of the advice I’d give is what Henry has already said - very sound! Networking is great, it stands you in very good stead to have a good network of contacts.

    Good luck!

  • Tom

    07/01/2008, 12:36 PM

    Matt,

    We need to talk! I have run a webhosting company for 4 years now: www.floppynet.co.uk and I have many contact web designers who would be happy to advise you about making it big in the industry. What’s more (no plug intended) you should find yourself a web hosting company you trust and enjoy working with! They will become the lifeblood of your business once things start moving…

    What is more, there is NO reason why you cant get a propper .co.uk or .com you shuold speak to me about this a little more and i can explain things. My email is tom[at]floppynet.co.uk replacing the [at] with a @.

    I look forward to hearing from you.

    Tom

  • Henry Warren

    07/01/2008, 11:01 AM

    Henry Warren

    Matt

    The main thing at this stage is to build your portfolio. Create a diverse number of sites, do them cheaply or free for others to get yourself set. Without a portfolio, few companies will touch you. After that just start networking and touting yourself around. If you can, look for niches in the market to exploit, better to be great at one thing that average at many (as long as that market is big enough).You are only 16 (great that you are so ambitious so young) so just spend the time developing your skills, developing your network and portfolio. In the end though the consultant designers I employ time and again are the ones who are reliable and know how to project manage (you’d be amazed how many can’t).

    If you want some work keep checking our jobs board at www.gemin-i.org - we have juniour stuff up there ever so often and our intern scheme might suit.

    Good luck