What do I tell them?

What do I tell them? (Full Version)

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R Clark -> What do I tell them? (4/11/2005 9:45:49)
I've been designing in the corporate world for the past six years. I've been wanting to get into the real world for some time now. I've done a lot of research in the area's of Hosting, ecommerce sites and the things that are involved with them but I have no real world experience outside my intranets. A friend of mine just handed me a possible client that wants a site with the ability to sell products online. I feel that I can do this with out to much problem but I'm not sure how to approach the first meeting with this potential client. Do I avoid the subject and just be a yes man and tell the no problem I'll do it. Do I let them know that they are getting someone that is confident but new to this arena (will that scare them off?). I'm just not sure how to approach this first phone meeting (today or tomorrow) and then I'm not sure how to present myself to them. I have no history to show them and don't want to come across as unable to deliver. any thoughts? Thank you in advance! Randy

dpf -> RE: What do I tell them? (4/11/2005 10:13:14)
quote: Do I avoid the subject what subject? your lack of "real world" experience? dont sell yourself short! quote: I've been designing in the corporate world for the past six years that is the real world, friend! ok you lack a portfolio (I'm sorry - my last six years was corporate design and the corporation owns the rights and they are in an intranet where you cannot see them. ) do you have any graphics/design stuff you could show? in my experience, they will be more interested in can you do what to them seems like black magic - the storefront. go with confidence! if they are unsure of your abilities graphics wise, get some of their stationary , product pics and offer them some "sketches" in a few days but my experience is if they get to meet you, they assume you can design (isnt always true of course..lol.. thats my weak area) Good Luck

R Clark -> RE: What do I tell them? (4/11/2005 11:15:27)
All Very good points! quote: what subject? Subject meaning 'I haven't got any experience outside the corporate world' quote: they will be more interested in can you do what to them seems like black magic - the storefront. I have confidence that I can do this, I guess I am just nervous about questions that I can't answer because I haven't actually been through it and by that I mean hooking the store up to paypal or some other method and actually hooking up to a host (outside of the IT department! [;)] ) I guess you all have had to make that leap of faith and now it is my turn! Thank You! The more input the better! Randy

dpf -> RE: What do I tell them? (4/11/2005 11:47:33)
quote: just nervous about questions that I can't answer because I haven't actually been through it and by that I mean hooking the store up to paypal or some other method and actually hooking up to a host hooking up to a host is childs play - as to the others - you just say you can do it..and yes with SSL secure link - their questions will not be super technical - or they would be doing it. It also helps to have invisible partners/employees or contractors to defer to... as in "Oh, I let my designer handle those details" , or "Well, my database guru knows all that"

R Clark -> RE: What do I tell them? (4/11/2005 12:41:41)
quote: as to the others - you just say you can do it..and yes with SSL secure link - their questions will not be super technical - or they would be doing it. It also helps to have invisible partners/employees or contractors to defer to... as in "Oh, I let my designer handle those details" , or "Well, my database guru knows all that" That makes sense! I do have actual resources in DB design as well as other areas to supplement my own experience. I would say that graphics is the area of least experience, not 'no' experience but least amount of experience plus I plan to start by using templates out there (tons of them) first to expedite the building of sites. (SideNote: I would certainly consider these forums, one of my 'private' resources! [;)]) Randy It will sure be nice to get through these first few though! Thanks Again!

dpf -> RE: What do I tell them? (4/11/2005 13:24:17)
Randy: If you do use templates, be sure to select ones that are fully css based even if you dont yet know css - good way to learn it- lots out there that look good but are junk code

R Clark -> RE: What do I tell them? (4/11/2005 13:56:51)
quote: Randy: If you do use templates, be sure to select ones that are fully css based even if you dont yet know css - good way to learn it- lots out there that look good but are junk code I've been tinkering around the http://www.ecommercetemplates.com web site and will probably elect to use one of these because they come with nearly everything already assembled. I've looked at a lot of others as well but I'm gravitating towards these right now for simplicity. Your thoughts? Randy

dpf -> RE: What do I tell them? (4/11/2005 14:02:10)
havent used them but I hear they are good- owned by Outfront members!

jaybee -> RE: What do I tell them? (4/11/2005 18:05:37)
quote: I would certainly consider these forums, one of my 'private' resources! Spot on. Can you do A? Yes. Can you do B? Yes. Can you do C..... my team can. Then you log in here and go HEEEEEEEEELP! [:D]

erinatkins -> RE: What do I tell them? (4/12/2005 8:55:46)
quote: I've been tinkering around the http://www.ecommercetemplates.com web site and will probably elect to use one of these because they come with nearly everything already assembled. I've looked at a lot of others as well but I'm gravitating towards these right now for simplicity. These are really nice templates easy to use & support is great. They integrate easily with payment providers & paypal. Generic template is easy to use if you have your own site design.

fredecd -> RE: What do I tell them? (4/13/2005 13:37:34)
Your story sounds very familiar. I started exactly the same way. I built a site for our employee recreation club back in 1995. Soon after, members of the club began asking me to do sites, and my business took off. Before you begin, I would suggest that you identify what you really want out of your business, then stick to it. I made a decision when I started that I would rather provide quality service to fewer clients and be selective on my client list instead of taking every client that came my way. I have a great job that I have no interest in leaving, but I love the web design stuff as well as a sideline. Selecting quality clients ensures that I have customers who are willing to pay for services without a lot of grief in return. Your expectations may be different, but it will help if you know what they are from the start. In the end, it's your business. Operate it in a way that allows you to have fun with it while making it profitable at the same time. Hope this helps.

RickP -> RE: What do I tell them? (4/13/2005 13:52:26)
Hi R Clarke I admire your frankness in expressing your fears! It sounds as though you can pretty much cover the general design work but just need to be aware of all the peripherals. I have two suggestions that my help... 1. Type out a check list of things to mention at your first meeting - I have done one which starts with client's name & details etc. and goes on to: 'nature of business' (ask lots of good questions and build a picture of exactly what their business is and what they expect from the site etc.) domain name (pros & cons of choices), keywords (ask client what they think are the vital keywords) - initial design plan (how many pages and what kind of 'look' the client has in mind - reassure tham that you have plenty of design ideas if they do not have specific ones at this stage) Search engines (does your service include SE registrations for them - tell them what to expect and not to expect - be realistic about results!) Costs (Give them an idea, if not an on the spot quote if you can). Tell them about the future! What to expect from your service and possible future costs. These are just some ideas of what to cover but make a list and fill in a few notes while you're with them is my advice. It will help focus you, it will look serious to them and you can at least 'hide' a bit in your notes if you need thinking time! 2. Consider partnering-up with someone who will be happy to let you lead and do most of the work but will do, or, check that YOU have covered all of the 'extras' to make the job complete. A good temporary partner may be able to steer you round some pitfalls and into good hosting and domain registration deals - just make sure it is someone who has experience in the type of facilities that are required on the site. That's my two penneth (I'm English not American!) worth [;)] Best wishes Rick

R Clark -> RE: What do I tell them? (4/19/2005 1:17:41)
Thank you all, this is really good stuff. I had the first phone call. I was all worked up about it. Turned out to be anti-climactic. I woke the client up off the couch, they were sick that day. I thought...this is a great start. I apologized and scheduled a face-to-face, the phone call lasted all of about a minute (one down [;)]). The Face-to-face is tomorrow. You guys have prepped me well, thanks. I'm also working out of 'Start your own Home-based website design business' by Mark Frank. Bought it here a while back I think. Rick, a lot of your suggestions are mirrored in this book. Thanks for confirming their effectiveness. I'm working on my checklist as I write this! Scheduled the meeting at a pub with free wi-fi (figure I'll need a couple after the client leaves [:)]), plus, can't beat the free wi-fi to help with the meeting I would think. We can look at sites and the like. Wish me luck. Thanks again for the tips and support! Randy

RickP -> RE: What do I tell them? (4/19/2005 6:40:24)
Oh yeah, and ask them when is a good time for phone calls [:D] Best wishes for the meeting - relax and remember, you will know a lot more about the subject than they will [;)]

R Clark -> RE: What do I tell them? (4/20/2005 1:59:14)
Well, the face to face is in the history books. I imagine it was similar to so many of yours. Some things I felt went very well, some things I wish I could do over. Final result... Original idea dismissed, I directed them to a cheaper alternative other than designing a site so I suppose in actuality, I lost that job myself. However the client then went on with... "I have this other idea for another site..." and we went an hour or so into that site. Plus at the end, the client asked for my card to give to their primary employer because their corp was looking for a new web designer and they wondered if I would mind if they mentioned my name. Funny how these things work out! Who knows, we'll see if it all works out. Thanks for all the help and see you in the forums! R Clark Out!

dpf -> RE: What do I tell them? (4/20/2005 14:20:01)
quote: I directed them to a cheaper alternative other than designing a site so I suppose in actuality, I lost that job myself. IMHO - such honesty, and putting the customer first, will pay off long run - good job.

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