Using a community portal to build web design business (Full Version)

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BigBlue -> Using a community portal to build web design business (11/7/2002 17:01:27)

I had seen a discussion some time ago on the concept of creating a community portal site as a compliment to your web design business. You sell " space" on the community site, and now have a business contact and a reason to contact them on a regular basis. The theory is that this gives you an advantage when the client is ready to create/redesign their own web site.

I' ve searched around here but come up dry, so I thought I' d ask... Are any web developers here using a community web site to complement their design services? Do you have any examples of such a site? What do you " sell" vs. give away to clients (or potential clients)?

I' m interested in doing this soon, so I may have my own case study to share, but I' d like to get some feedback from folks who' ve either done it before or know of someone who has.



LB -> RE: Using a community portal to build web design business (11/13/2002 19:24:14)

Hi, Jeff -

My current community sites are totally embarrassing, but since it was you asking (my complete respect, sir! [8D]) and the fact that no one has spoken up yet, I came back to add in a response.

www.rubyvalley.com -- several years old and meant to be a temp on the way to another version (which is currently a 6month old site that was put on the back burner). I used to charge for businesses to be listed there to help cover expenses, but didn' t bother with that the past couple years. Has helped in getting a handful of local clients (amazingly!) ...planning a bit more of a community feel to the next version, but that' ll be finished as I find the time and inspiration. (note to self: find time and inspiration... this really needs to be done!!)

www.ennismontana.com -- absolutely nothing there, but the form has brought in quite a lot of email addresses for a notification mailing when it' s finally up and running (note to self: get with it and finish up these sites!!)

Definitely hobby sites, as in no direct income. I may charge advertising on the Ennis site, but I' m planning on listing businesses at no charge and giving banner ads to my current clients for free - I charge them a yearly fee for hosting, maintenance, site submission, etc, so this is another bonus if they have me do their web work.

The problem with not setting them up as direct income providers? It' s too easy for me to let them slide and not give them the attention they deserve.

Linda



BigBlue -> RE: Using a community portal to build web design business (11/13/2002 21:26:26)

Thanks for the reply, Linda. It' s encouraging to hear that it brought you some work.

I did happen to find the article I was looking for at [url=" http://www.ecommercebase.com/article/897" ]Sitepoint[/url].

Here' s a couple of other sites I' ve found where the web developer is doing the same thing:


I also looked at your sites and I think you' re selling yourself short. The Ruby Valley site is actually very nice. A simple, straightforward design too seldom seen these days. And putting a form on the Ennis, Montana site is a great idea. I' ll bet it brings more contacts (and potential clients) than a simple email link would.



caywind -> RE: Using a community portal to build web design business (11/15/2002 15:56:36)

Heh, I use a community site to advertise, but it' s not my community site! Oh, well, they asked for advertisers...

I think the best seller is to build up a well rounded " stable" of sites. then when a prospective client calls, I just give them some URLs. for the most part they just want to see completed projects and that you can provide the requested features...



LB -> RE: Using a community portal to build web design business (11/27/2002 12:25:14)

Good article. [;)]

I' ve put up my new version of www.rubyvalley.com -- more additions planned for it and lots more content needed, but as time goes by I' ll see what' s working, what isn' t, and what I simply feel like doing with it.

I' d like to start doing some restaurant reviews and possibly add user comments to them so people can post their own experiences at the reviewed restaurant.

This is purely a for pleasure, not for profit, site, but on the business end it does create local awareness of what I do everytime I contact someone for information or to request permission to use an article. Following up with an email with a link to something on the site I' ve talked to them about is a quick and inexpensive way to promote myself.

Locals haven' t been the core of my business, but it does feel good to turn around and start expanding into my own backyard.

Linda



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