SPECIALIZED WEB DESIGN QUESTION

espinosae · 11-13-2009, 06:40 PM

To all my fellow designers, I have a question.. Lately I've been thinking to put all my focus on computer repair businesses. As in, I'm focusing on only designing sites for that industry. Correct me if I'm wrong but i once read an article that basically stated specializing is better then generalizing? But my questions is...

1. Would it be a good idea?

2. Would business owners care I designed their competitors site?

Picture this. YOU as a computer repair business owner check my portfolio and you see I've designed most of your towns competitors site. Is there any form of conflict here? Am I not supposed to put every site on my portfolio?

Any help will do!

Technista · 11-13-2009, 07:18 PM

I've had good success designing sites within a niche. I believe that it gives the impression that I am a specialist in a given field. In fact, I have actually received referrals between companies in the same industry.

Sometimes a prospect will say that they like "so and so's" website, can I make theirs the same? In those cases, I tell them that they can have the features, but the site itself must be unique. In that way, I demonstrate respect and client confidentiality. Conflict of interest has never been a problem, but that may be because most of my business comes from referrals, where trust and credibility has been established.

If you are going to specialize, I suggest including the competitor sites in your portfoliio. It will show that you are experienced in your niche, and that you are in demand. Make sure you ask your former clients for written testimonials. Just starting out? Create sample websites in your niche and build a showcase so prospects can see what you can do. (You don't have to say that they are only sample sites!)

I wish you all the best in your endeavor-

T

Loren Woirhaye · 11-15-2009, 08:20 PM

Specialization is definitely a good business move. Your specialties
become points of reference for prospects. Just because you do
have specialties, things that you do exceptionally well, does not
mean that you cannot do more general work - and often you should
do general work, or outsource it, for your favored clients.

Specialization is generally a first step towards creating differentiation
in your market. If you aren't differentiated you won't stand out from
the crowd... and that's bad for business.

Susan Stones · 11-15-2009, 09:20 PM

I concur, specialising in a niche deepens your understanding of how to help your clients, so it helps them. It also allows you to promote your services in a targeted way so it helps your marketing.

Richard Whyte · 11-16-2009, 02:30 AM

This can be good and bad... Really depends on how big your market is.

If you only have 8 businesses in your area, even if you can get all of them, then you will run out of work in short order.

I like to special, but I do it on a wide scale. Not just local. Once you get good at your craft and learn the terminology of your clients, you can take on projects for clients that are not in your local area.

Have a Great Day!

Orlando Web Design · 11-17-2009, 08:49 AM

I don't think you have to worry about running out of businesses in Chicago

If I were a client of yours, it would make me want to use you more if I knew my competitors used your services (especially if they are successful competitors).

You could sell SEO services and say:

"Remember, if I'm not SEO'ing your site, I'm SEO'ing your competitors" lol.

stellamary · 11-17-2009, 10:55 PM

I think the Mutual benefit for the both the parties who entered into a commercial transaction.By the comments of you all I had learnt this judgement.

11-13-2009, 06:40 PM	#1
espinosae Edgar Espinosa Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	SPECIALIZED WEB DESIGN QUESTION To all my fellow designers, I have a question.. Lately I've been thinking to put all my focus on computer repair businesses. As in, I'm focusing on only designing sites for that industry. Correct me if I'm wrong but i once read an article that basically stated specializing is better then generalizing? But my questions is... 1. Would it be a good idea? 2. Would business owners care I designed their competitors site? Picture this. YOU as a computer repair business owner check my portfolio and you see I've designed most of your towns competitors site. Is there any form of conflict here? Am I not supposed to put every site on my portfolio? Any help will do!

11-13-2009, 07:18 PM	#2
Technista HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 352 Thanks: 4 Thanked 72 Times in 68 Posts	Re: SPECIALIZED WEB DESIGN QUESTION I've had good success designing sites within a niche. I believe that it gives the impression that I am a specialist in a given field. In fact, I have actually received referrals between companies in the same industry. Sometimes a prospect will say that they like "so and so's" website, can I make theirs the same? In those cases, I tell them that they can have the features, but the site itself must be unique. In that way, I demonstrate respect and client confidentiality. Conflict of interest has never been a problem, but that may be because most of my business comes from referrals, where trust and credibility has been established. If you are going to specialize, I suggest including the competitor sites in your portfoliio. It will show that you are experienced in your niche, and that you are in demand. Make sure you ask your former clients for written testimonials. Just starting out? Create sample websites in your niche and build a showcase so prospects can see what you can do. (You don't have to say that they are only sample sites!) I wish you all the best in your endeavor- T
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11-15-2009, 08:20 PM	#3
Loren Woirhaye Who'm I kidding? War Room Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Easthampton, Massachusetts Posts: 4,542 Blog Entries: 15 Thanks: 117 Thanked 904 Times in 651 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: SPECIALIZED WEB DESIGN QUESTION Specialization is definitely a good business move. Your specialties become points of reference for prospects. Just because you do have specialties, things that you do exceptionally well, does not mean that you cannot do more general work - and often you should do general work, or outsource it, for your favored clients. Specialization is generally a first step towards creating differentiation in your market. If you aren't differentiated you won't stand out from the crowd... and that's bad for business.
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11-15-2009, 09:20 PM	#4
Susan Stones Active Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: NSW, Australia Posts: 42 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: SPECIALIZED WEB DESIGN QUESTION I concur, specialising in a niche deepens your understanding of how to help your clients, so it helps them. It also allows you to promote your services in a targeted way so it helps your marketing.

11-16-2009, 02:30 AM	#5
Richard Whyte HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 319 Thanks: 12 Thanked 51 Times in 44 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: SPECIALIZED WEB DESIGN QUESTION This can be good and bad... Really depends on how big your market is. If you only have 8 businesses in your area, even if you can get all of them, then you will run out of work in short order. I like to special, but I do it on a wide scale. Not just local. Once you get good at your craft and learn the terminology of your clients, you can take on projects for clients that are not in your local area. Have a Great Day!
	Richard Whyte - Website Design, Search Engine Optimization and Online Marketing - WebYabber.com, Read my Blog - richard-whyte.com, Easy Sales Page Creator - Power Sales Page Creator

11-17-2009, 08:49 AM	#6
Orlando Web Design Laurence Samuels War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Orlando, FL - USA Posts: 357 Thanks: 63 Thanked 44 Times in 41 Posts Contact Info	Re: SPECIALIZED WEB DESIGN QUESTION I don't think you have to worry about running out of businesses in Chicago If I were a client of yours, it would make me want to use you more if I knew my competitors used your services (especially if they are successful competitors). You could sell SEO services and say: "Remember, if I'm not SEO'ing your site, I'm SEO'ing your competitors" lol.
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11-17-2009, 10:55 PM	#7
stellamary Active Warrior Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 71 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: SPECIALIZED WEB DESIGN QUESTION I think the Mutual benefit for the both the parties who entered into a commercial transaction.By the comments of you all I had learnt this judgement.
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