My real business for real money

9 replies
My business is based on web renting and other services.

In the past I tried all kind of WP themes, html templates, custom php sites... for my clients and from my experiences (10 years+) the only one that works was WP default theme.

So any, I can say any person with some marketing knowledges can open a real web design business (not hobby) and make real money.

I don't use any special themes for my clients, just default theme with special plugins so no fuss with upgrades. This is incredible, I see people paying for WP themes, you don't need to, you can start with the default and make real cash. I'm sure you heard about adsense heat map templates that attacts visitors to click on ads, well this is that simple, there is a way to attract offline business owners and their potential clients with a simple tweak of the default wordpress theme.
The true is, they love simplistic, convenient and effective site, just like top selling products: iPhone, iPad,...

My business system is based on website rent, my clients pay's a monthly fee that includes their domain name, hosting, webdesign (WP default theme), seo, basic marketing tips and 1 hour/month of website updates limited to some numbers of items. Many options (autoresponder, 30sec video creation, mobile site, custom facebook fan page...) can be add for more fees.
They don't have access to WP admin, it is full managed by my company for several reasons:
- They have to pay for web updates
- They can't quit renting and steal ideas of our WP theme as it's so easy to do but must know witch plugins to get.
- They won't delete any codes, plugins...
- They won't have to learn to use WP

and they are happy this way because most of them are focusing on their business (customers, sales, stocks, marketing...) all they have to do is email me once a week some pictures or text to add, edit or delete.

I have some clients that are still renting after 10 years! Make them sign a contract for a min of 6 months.

The secret is a turnkey website ready in less than a week (I guarantee to give a 1 year free website if not up and ready in less than 7 days: it's my USP), just like a famoust fast food franchise that gives you a free burger if not ready on time.

How to fulfill my promise?
Mass, duplicate system just like Mcdonalds, Soda factories, car makers,...
I use a WP clone script and website for each new customer is up and running in less than 5 minutes.

Then all I need to do is customize to fit my customer business niche (logo, picts, texts, map, contacts infos...) they provide to me.
I also use a hosting reseller account to provide each of my clients hosting space.

P.S.: Don't ask for my theme or a demo, it's my little secret.
#business #money #real
  • Profile picture of the author DianaHeuser
    Hi 4webmaster,

    Thank you for sharing that information. I have been planning out a similiar concept after I landed my first offline client (by accident) .

    They were clueless as to what Facebook, Twitter etc were capable of doing for their business. I have set everything up for them but I think there is going to be a problem with them having the dicipline to blog and post on a regular basis.

    It's not because they don't want to. It is just something that does not interest them. Their passion is their business and doing it well.

    I have timed myself and I can setup an entire WP blog, create FB fanpage, Twitter account and NewsLetter/Autoresponder up for a client within 8 hours (excluding header design).

    Do you charge them a once off setup fee and then the monthly rental?

    Di

    P.S. If I may be so bold? What do you charge them per month?
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    • Profile picture of the author 4webmaster
      For twitter, I have zero clients (some haves for personal use or not using it) using it because as you say they don't have time to do post on it or they have Facebook already and don't want to use both.
      About 50% of my clients have Facebook. They create account themselves or I create it free. What is a one time fee is the custom page and each time I make change.

      I only charge the monthly free that includes everything without optional features.
      My price is so low that I'm a challenger for web designer in my local area with ideas like other WF members with heavy design and real custom sites that cost thousand dollars for creation and then maintenance fees.
      With economy crisis they know that they can't go that way as most of my clients are small businesses, or service providers and not corporate biz. It's like people that buys Hummers then now comes with fuel effency cars.
      The fee I charge for monthly is from $50 up to $100 per month depending on number of page. My biz is based on volume but as explain developping volume is easy with clone script and a well method of management.

      Most important is Marketing ideas (I can't discuss here are will need an entire report) and that's the point why they also choose me rather than my competitors with huge fees, huge website, huge everything.

      Because what they care is ROI and visibility and if they get it cheap: BINGO!

      Originally Posted by DianaHeuser View Post

      Hi 4webmaster,

      Thank you for sharing that information. I have been planning out a similiar concept after I landed my first offline client (by accident) .

      They were clueless as to what Facebook, Twitter etc were capable of doing for their business. I have set everything up for them but I think there is going to be a problem with them having the dicipline to blog and post on a regular basis.

      It's not because they don't want to. It is just something that does not interest them. Their passion is their business and doing it well.

      I have timed myself and I can setup an entire WP blog, create FB fanpage, Twitter account and NewsLetter/Autoresponder up for a client within 8 hours (excluding header design).

      Do you charge them a once off setup fee and then the monthly rental?

      Di

      P.S. If I may be so bold? What do you charge them per month?
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  • Profile picture of the author Fernando Veloso
    Hey 4W,

    This can work with some businesses, but not all. NO way in hell some of my customers (all of them??) would pay to have a "simple" website. They pay us to develop marketing plans that include website(s) that rank, that make them money, that make them look good in the eyes of visitors, and for that they need custom websites.

    I understand your point, but honestly I would never embrace a model like that. Even for the rent a site model we use custom programming/design to get the most out of the site and rental profits.

    But if it works for you, Kudos!! Keep up the good work!!

    Signature
    People make good money selling to the rich. But the rich got rich selling to the masses.
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    • Profile picture of the author RentItNow
      Originally Posted by Fernando Veloso View Post

      This can work with some businesses, but not all. NO way in hell some of my customers (all of them??) would pay to have a "simple" website. They pay us to develop marketing plans that include website(s) that rank, that make them money, that make them look good in the eyes of visitors, and for that they need custom websites.
      I fully agree with this. I have not been able to make this model work yet as most businesses I talk to are becoming more and more afraid of a long-term commitment to ANYONE, let alone someone they do not know. However, after a bit of relationship building, it has worked and pays my monthly bills. But I would never use it cold. But as FV said, if it works for ya, hey! great!
      Signature
      I have no agenda but to help those in the same situation. This I feel will pay the bills.
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    • Profile picture of the author addison.agnote
      Originally Posted by Fernando Veloso View Post

      Hey 4W,

      This can work with some businesses, but not all. NO way in hell some of my customers (all of them??) would pay to have a "simple" website. They pay us to develop marketing plans that include website(s) that rank, that make them money, that make them look good in the eyes of visitors, and for that they need custom websites.

      I understand your point, but honestly I would never embrace a model like that. Even for the rent a site model we use custom programming/design to get the most out of the site and rental profits.

      But if it works for you, Kudos!! Keep up the good work!!


      I totally I agree with you. Customers come to seek for the professional help of web design company because they want to have the best website on the web that will make them money.
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  • Profile picture of the author MichaelParsons
    I've had more than one professional (chiropractors, lawyers, accountants) with the "all the bells and whistles" package bemoan the money they are paying for a website they don;t have the time to update. One of my Dr. clients still had "Coming Soon" in his ABOUT page, this after having the big package for more than a year.

    I believe that there is a definite market for the "bells and whistles" but also a large untapped market for what I like to call "Elegantly Simplistic Web Design". I've made templated 'sitebuilder' sites for demo and had quite a positive reaction. I've also had the guy who wanted all the bells and whistles - long story without a happy ending for him.

    Simple Vs Complex? Its about what YOU want to give and what the client wants to get. There is plenty of money on both sides. I'll take simple, as will most of my clients.
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  • Profile picture of the author gecko1
    I'm finding that filling in their need to get online without the high cost is what will get you volume. So let's say your reach $500/mo in residual if you have $99/mo clients and one cancels for whatever reason, you income just went down 20%. You can probably replace them but not as easy as if you loos a $20/mo or a $30/mo hosting client.

    I'm just thinking long term here.
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  • Profile picture of the author 4webmaster
    As I said my clients agree for a min. of 6 months contract and I give a simple reason: Setup is free (hosting+design+running up)

    Since I've started 70% of my clients are fidelity. In the 30% some have closed their business and other need an ecommerce site.

    I don't do ecommerce sites and big big site for several good reasons:
    Time consuming, big updates, unlimited customization... I'm just lazy

    No seriously, my business is going well like the plan I've got.

    What kind of biz? Got all kind.

    How come all of you believe that a big customized site work and not a simple site?
    Have you tried? also I will lie you if I say it work for newbies and everyone.
    You really need a good, I mean a really good marketing plan to get these business to signup for your contract and stay for long term.

    I've got mine and can't post here will need a report like content

    As someone said above my clients don't know nothing about webdesign, they don't have time to update anything online. All they do is focus on their business, use email and browse internet. And this is most of small businesses do! Even I have like 5 tech savvy owners and they could take a hosting and build a website but never done and they tell it to me in front: I don't have time to update if I create my own site.
    Now for skeptical members here. I have a question: Ask your client what's their priority with a website. Is it the nicest or biggest website or it's the more effective to get new clients and keep returning clients.

    They don't care about your php, asp, html, codes, WP, widgets... these are our language not their! So for them hiring a Big webdesign company that will cost like $500/month with full customized website is not what they care. I do recognize that it was true in the past when all business need to have a website they hire web designers but since most of my clients that paid high fees to my competitors (most are close now), they stop having an online site, they did not have a website for several years until I came back with an affordable price and a good marketing plan.
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  • Profile picture of the author 4webmaster
    There is an interesting thread here it's Randa's and about Web rental, similar to my business strategy.
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