Web design business without staff

[dino25]

I was wondering whether it is possible to successfully run a web design business without hiring full time staff.

Is it not better to outsource the clients requirements to freelancers and keep the fixed costs low and hire people later on when the business grows?

I know the solid basics of web design, programming and hosting and till now have been hiring designers/programmers for my websites.

Kindly advice.

Thanks.

[veikoh]

You sould ask a question: why would anyone buy it from you if they can directly hire a freelancer?
If you can add value between those freelancers and customers, sure you can have your business.

[Carlos™]

Actually, its not novelty. Its been done before.

Buy a forum software like vbulletin, and a SEO plugin like vbseo, and start a small web-design forum that provides tips, tricks, ideas, etc. etc. THEN start creating forums that are designed for web design freelancers.

I know some sites that are doing EXACTLY what you're describing.

One used to be vbskinz, the other is a popular vbulletin skinning community, and then some more. But what you're describing is a service that does projects for all kinds of sites. It is a niche market where there aren't many websites that do what you want to do...but the idea has been done before.

Hell, I'm seeing a huge trend of websites that are doing signatures with the same idea.

[johng]

sounds like your really running more of a "referral" business. Could learn more web design so you could complete the sites yourself?

[jgarcia]

I think it's a good idea .

Everything is turning into service "hubs" .
lastminute.com sells tickets from ryanair AA etc etc
hosting providers do it a lot.

I think you should give it a shot.

[sbajwa]

If you are looking for guy please do let me know, i can provide you further detail if you are interested.


you can email me: info at asterisksolutions dot ws

[sbajwa]

Yes you can

[dslackman]

Two key issues when you outsource are to maintain consistent quality while minimizing overhead associated with co-ordination. Both of these can sink your business if not controlled.

[orson.octavius]

What you want to do is figure out an average of how long it takes you to do a job. For that job you bid on how many hours it will take you based on your average. If you are bidding without competition then you want to bid based on a worst case scenario, at least if you are really good.

[jsayers]

If I were you I would do as much of the work you're best at yourself and subcontract the rest of the work. For my own business I often subcontract a graphic designer and build, program and optimize the site myself.