OPINION NEEDED: Earning money offering free websites for clients.

46 replies
To make this short,

I want to create residual income for my family. I have basic wp knowlladge and I though that I could target certain kind of business that doesnt have a website offering them a basic one set up for free. They will be covring domain expense and I will be hosting their website for a fee. Im thinking about $15 to $20 monthly.

I will use this service as a door to offer other complementary services:

-Social profile managment
-SEO
-Local listings,
-etc.

My target is to get 5 clients per month for the first 6 months, then double that amount for the rest of the first year.

The problem is that I feel that im overoffering for a $15 monthly fee but I feel nervious to get rejected by having a more expensive price tag for this jind of service. Please, let me know your though on this matter and help to pulish this idea, thanks.
#clients #earning #free #money #needed #offering #opinion #websites
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  • Profile picture of the author helisell
    Originally Posted by Service Representative View Post

    To make this short,

    I want to create residual income for my family. I have basic wp knowlladge and I though that I could target certain kind of business that doesnt have a website offering them a basic one set up for free. They will be covring domain expense and I will be hosting their website for a fee. Im thinking about $15 to $20 monthly.

    I will use this service as a door to offer other complementary services:

    -Social profile managment
    -SEO
    -Local listings,
    -etc.

    My target is to get 5 clients per month for the first 6 months, then double that amount for the rest of the first year.

    The problem is that I feel that im overoffering for a $15 monthly fee but I feel nervious to get rejected by having a more expensive price tag for this jind of service. Please, let me know your though on this matter and help to pulish this idea, thanks.
    Frankly, you'll struggle.

    In my experience, businesses owners who don't already have a website are extremely unlikely to be persuaded to actually have one....free or otherwise.

    This could have worked maybe 10 or 15 years ago but not in 2018.

    Think about this, if they don't have a website they will have been contacted by everyone who ever offered websites and yet still they don't have one.

    Some here may try to persuade you that your plan is a good one.

    It seems logical doesn't it?

    But it would be a waste of time and I'm sorry I'm the one telling you this. Better you know now than spend countless hours of work figuring out why it's not working.

    Have a re think. What else are you good at?

    Make a list. Post the list here and ask what people think about starting a business using some other approach. Good luck
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    • Profile picture of the author OptedIn
      Originally Posted by helisell View Post

      Frankly, you'll struggle.
      This - from someone that has a signature link to help you sell on the phone, that resolves to a HodtGator '403 Forbidden,' page.

      Yes - I want to take all of my business training from you, while you are crapping on people's ideas, that if employed properly, could be quite successful.

      You can't make this shit up.

      FIX YOUR PAGE!!! Then preach to others!!!

      Thank you!
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      "He not busy being born, is busy dying." - Bob Dylan • "I vibe with the light-dark point. Heavy." - Words that Bob Dylan wishes he had written.

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      • Profile picture of the author helisell
        Originally Posted by OptedIn View Post

        This - from someone that has a signature link to help you sell on the phone, that resolves to a HodtGator '403 Forbidden,' page.

        Yes - I want to take all of my business training from you, while you are crapping on people's ideas, that if employed properly, could be quite successful.

        You can't make this shit up.

        FIX YOUR PAGE!!! Then preach to others!!!

        Thank you!
        You'll never know why the sig link aint working.

        Assuming you have the faintest idea why is a bit silly.

        I had a lot of success recently with some local advertising
        and had to quickly redirect away from that link.

        I've just reset the redirect and it'll all be fine in the morning.

        Please don't jump to conclusions just to make you feel/look good
        'cos you'll just look silly.

        P.S. Preach?
        So the things you write are amazing insights....but I'm preaching?

        Sheesh....the guy asked for an opinion.

        P.P.S. The guy WILL struggle and it is kinder to let him know that than to tell us how well you did with the same plan. You were approaching NEW businesses....and that is a lot different to just approaching any old business...as THAT plan will fail.
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        • Profile picture of the author OptedIn
          Originally Posted by helisell View Post

          You'll never know why the sig link aint working.
          Correct. Don't know and don't care. I was just trying to help you out. lol

          Assuming you have the faintest idea why is a bit silly.
          Anyone assuming anything, is a bit silly in my world. I wasn't assuming that it wasn't working. I was simply stating a fact. I know they're pesky, little things, but I simply adore facts.

          I had a lot of success recently with some local advertising and had to quickly redirect away from that link.
          I'm guessing that "lot of success" is long gone.

          I've just reset the redirect and it'll all be fine in the morning.
          Glad I was able to help you with that.

          Please don't jump to conclusions just to make you feel/look good 'cos you'll just look silly.
          I never jump to conclusions. The link didn't work. I stated so, What conclusion did I jump to other than the link didn't work? Did I at some point leave a hypothesis on why I thought it wasn't working? Why are you trying to make me look bad when it's you that screwed up? Has that technique taken you far in life???

          P.S. Preach? So the things you write are amazing insights
          Nope. Personal observations and experiences. I charge real money for anything beyond that. I might be able to squeeze you in for a session or two, though I'd advise more than that.

          ....but I'm preaching?
          Read your signature. Yeah - that's preaching, albeit in an effort to sell something.

          Sheesh....the guy asked for an opinion.
          And I gave him mine. All you did was piss on his parade. I'm sure he'd go far in life following your lead and/or example on "how to sell." :-)

          You're welcome!
          Signature

          "He not busy being born, is busy dying." - Bob Dylan • "I vibe with the light-dark point. Heavy." - Words that Bob Dylan wishes he had written.

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    • Profile picture of the author discrat
      Originally Posted by helisell View Post

      Frankly, you'll struggle.

      In my experience, businesses owners who don't already have a website are extremely unlikely to be persuaded to actually have one....free or otherwise.

      This could have worked maybe 10 or 15 years ago but not in 2018.
      Yep, totally agree. I think it won't be worth the time. By now people know how to do it themselves and the ones who didn't know how...well they secured someone years ago to do it for them.

      Of course maybe you can compete and try to Flip them over to your service. But nickel and dime for a lot of work, is not worth it , imho


      - Robert Andrew
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      Nothing to see here including a Sig so just move on :)

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    • Profile picture of the author graeme_pc
      Originally Posted by helisell View Post


      Frankly, you'll struggle.

      In my experience, businesses owners who don't already have a website are extremely unlikely to be persuaded to actually have one....free or otherwise.
      You're ridiculous, man! You can say that about any business: mobile websites, Google ads, insurance, double-glazing, window cleaning even!

      "If they haven't got it already, they never will - so it's useless trying" is the rallying cry of the FAILURE.
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  • Profile picture of the author ryanbiddulph
    Hi Service Representative,

    I see 2 issues buddy:

    1: Making money for your fam is a prime driver, moving you away from giving your energy toward rendering inspired service, to some outcome

    2: You will join the hundreds of thousands of people offering the same service who pitch people daily, going in cold, landing in junk folders, struggling until you fail.

    Consider the approach of building your authority by offering free content through your self-hosted Wordpress blog and various online channels. Build bonds with top folks from your niche. By creating and connecting, business flows to you, versus you targeting and pitching folks free website development.

    The money - residual or not - does not flow in for a minute. Focus on improving your site developing skills and show 'em off generously all over the place online. This is one way to build your service on a branded, rock solid foundation.

    Ryan
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  • Profile picture of the author IGotMine
    This could have worked maybe 10 or 15 years ago but not in 2018.
    Plus you have companies like Godaddy offering $1 domains and dead simple drag and drop builders. Anyone with the skills to use a word processor can have a simple site in a couple hours with very little upfront investment.

    It's a web 3.0 world now.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    Service,

    Consider the paltry size of the game you're considering playing here. To get anywhere you'd have to sell, install, and chase after billings for literally hundreds of these things. Just because you gave someone a website does not mean they'll continue to pay you month after month for hosting...you'd be amazed at the work you'd have to do to collect that fee. It will NOT be a "do the work once, collect the money forever" situation.

    The effort vs reward ratio is terrible. You'll give up. Even if you can sell one a week, you won't get enough momentum going before you say, "Why am I doing this? It's too much work."

    As Helisell and Ryan have alluded to, convincing people to make a switch in a basic belief is hard work. You're much better off going to people who already have a website if you want to sell web design. They already value it and will want to reward you at a higher level. I understand "it's not about the website" here but frankly if you can make $2000 from one web redesign, contrast that with $15.

    And let's talk about that $15. This is one of the depressing things about coming to this forum from my perspective and why I don't do much here. A $180/year customer value? If you're afraid to charge $15 you won't make it. That fear says everything about you, your self-valuation, and who you will filter for when it comes to prospective customers. You might say, "But how can I charge more for monthly hosting?" and I will respond, "That's why I lead with 'Consider the paltry size of the game you're considering playing here.'" I've written what I think about Foot In The Door tactics: waste of time as you filter for scared, broke customers who will never see you as the higher value service provider. Find another plan, one that rewards you for your effort. You and your work are worth a lot more than this.
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  • Yeah, I'm afraid $15 is not sustainable.
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  • Profile picture of the author OptedIn
    I did very well with this model, but I only offered it to brand new businesses, the names of which I would get from the County's fictitious name registration roles, a requirement to do business in my county.

    I ran what I called a 'Local Business Cooperative.' I told them that the free site was our way of welcoming them to the local business community, as helping them get off to a good start was good for everyone involved. Most were not aware of Wix and the like and if they were I made them a promise. I would never do what their business did, as long as they promised never to build websites. They got the joke. I also told them that while they could build their own site for free, it would in no way match the professional website, built to their exact need (within limits, of course), and that every minute they spent toying with this aspect of getting online, was time taken away that the other things that they might be better suited to help launch their business.

    I charged them $29.95 a month for managed WordPress hosting, including weekly off-site backups and a heavy-duty security suite. I don't think I ever did one of those were the customer didn't up-sell themselves, by wanting to add a premium theme, additional pages, some type of plugin or at least minimal on-site SEO.

    Once in the fold these folks generally purchased additional services going forward. Auto-responders, videos, Photoshop services, color-printing - you name it. We established ourselves as a 'one-stop shop' for anything required to market or promote their business, locally.

    This, over the years was probably my main source of acquiring new business along with referrals from current clients. I didn't spend any money to advertise, market or promote my business. My goal was to always put my clients to work for me, once I was done doing some work for them. They wouldn't do squat without calling us to inquire if we could help, first. That's called 'customer loyalty' my friends.

    If you are good at sales, especially telemarketing and are looking for a so-called, 'out-of-the-box' way to build a business like you describe, you could do much worse than this business model.

    It's like anything else, you're only going to get out of it, what you are willing to put into it, but it was perfect for me as I can get you to believe that I am your best friend and that I will work for you as if you were my only client, in 5 minutes on the phone. I knew exactly what they wanted to hear, exactly how they wanted to hear it and when I was done with them they went to bed that night with a smile on their face, knowing that all of the problems and confusion in the myriad steps required to launch a new business, had in one phone call been lifted from their shoulders. They felt like they had hit the lotto.

    Yes - I was that damn good!!! Still am, actually. (I just sold you on this, haven't I???) This stuff doesn't fade with time. :-)

    Get out there and sell. You control your own destiny and this plan will at least put you on a path and you can head in different directions with it, based upon your own skills. Me? I outsourced almost everything. Not that I couldn't do a lot of the work, but just as in the question I asked the client, although I could, why would I? Any minute I spend building a website or making a video is time I'm not on the phone, selling other businesses.

    I may be crazy, but I damn sure ain't stupid.

    Good luck.

    P.S. Oh, I forgot to mention that I usually got the hosting paid for a year-up front - with nary a complaint.
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    • Profile picture of the author DWolfe
      Originally Posted by OptedIn View Post

      I did very well with this model, but I only offered it to brand new businesses...

      I may be crazy, but I damn sure ain't stupid.

      Good luck.

      P.S. Oh, I forgot to mention that I usually got the hosting paid for a year-up front - with nary a complaint.
      Very interesting post thanks for responding to the O.P.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
      Positioning, sales skill, and collecting a year's worth of fees up front... Plus upsells available and the understanding of how to use them... While your basic model may be similar to what the OP is talking about, the way you executed is much different. Can they duplicate it? I don't think they can in their current headspace.

      Appreciate the details of your example, though.
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      • Profile picture of the author OptedIn
        Originally Posted by Jason Kanigan View Post

        I don't think they can in their current headspace.
        A simple matter of changing one's mindset and getting a few calls under your belt while you develop a personal style of presentation. I don't expect anyone to be me as I would wake-up each morning, already 'assuming the sale.' Additionally, I'm an actor and can instantly adapt my presentation to jibe with what I am sensing on the other end of the line. The information is the same, but the presentation and possibly the prioritization of benefits may be juggled, based on what I'm hearing. Being able to read people is one of the first tenets to being a success in sales, but there are many people that can learn to do this. Either on their own or with proper training. It's not rocket science. Additionally, each call helps build confidence, going forward - even in rejection, as you begin to learn where you are going wrong. It's a process, folks.

        My point is that this is something that shouldn't be discounted, out of hand. Depending on your financial goals, skill level, sales ability and stick-to-it-ivness, it's a valid business model that has no costs attached to it. Time, yes - but nothing in the way of start-up funds.

        The other thing I left out is that through that process, I developed 2 of the best clients that I could ever want. They became the 'goose that lays the golden egg' and even though I am formally retired, I still service these two clients and will until one of us dies. They were my lotto ticket - but you know what they say, "You gotta be in it, to win it." Picking up the phone and dialing a number was just like going to the lotto store and picking 6 numbers, except I had much more control over the odds of winning.

        Look, I'm oftentimes just as likely to tell someone that they are wrestling with a bogus concept, based on nothing more than what sounds like superficial thinking and a flawed thought process. As hard as it is to get a foothold in business, today - I just think I have to encourage someone that is looking at something that COULD be good for them. Just trying to offer a little encouragement, is all. I would never tell anyone to bet the farm on anything I say or do, but I certainly would never attempt to throw unhelpful advice their way. This model is a good way to get one's feet wet. Each new call presents an opportunity for anything to happen that can shift someone's life in a totally different direction, instantly. While it may be a crapshoot, sitting on your hands and just thinking about doing something won't present any opportunity, at all. Ever!. You try it on for size. If it doesn't work - no harm, no foul. At least you know instead of always wondering, "What if I had." I thought the idea was to, "Take action." With all of the trite clichés and bumper-sticker slogans that are continuously regurgitated on this site, which are totally worthless, we have one that actually means something. So - I say - "Take action."

        "Follow your passion," my ass!!! lol People spouting that crap should be banned for life. Who knows how many lives and IM careers they have ruined, not to mention getting someone to take something they truly love and destroy it but making it their friggin' job? OK. Getting off-topic, but had to interject my major pet-peeve in helping to get people started in an IM career.

        Almost anyone can do this. Some will do better than others. That's what makes the world go 'round. I say if you have nothing better at the moment, go for it. You can park it the day something better comes your way. Right?

        Appreciate the details of your example, though.
        I live to serve - but it's always nice to be appreciated. :-)

        Thank you.
        Signature

        "He not busy being born, is busy dying." - Bob Dylan • "I vibe with the light-dark point. Heavy." - Words that Bob Dylan wishes he had written.

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    • Originally Posted by OptedIn View Post

      I did very well with this model, but I only offered it to brand new businesses, the names of which I would get from the County's fictitious name registration roles, a requirement to do business in my county.

      I ran what I called a 'Local Business Cooperative.' I told them that the free site was our way of welcoming them to the local business community, as helping them get off to a good start was good for everyone involved. Most were not aware of Wix and the like and if they were I made them a promise. I would never do what their business did, as long as they promised never to build websites. They got the joke. I also told them that while they could build their own site for free, it would in no way match the professional website, built to their exact need (within limits, of course), and that every minute they spent toying with this aspect of getting online, was time taken away that the other things that they might be better suited to help launch their business.

      I charged them $29.95 a month for managed WordPress hosting, including weekly off-site backups and a heavy-duty security suite. I don't think I ever did one of those were the customer didn't up-sell themselves, by wanting to add a premium theme, additional pages, some type of plugin or at least minimal on-site SEO.

      Once in the fold these folks generally purchased additional services going forward. Auto-responders, videos, Photoshop services, color-printing - you name it. We established ourselves as a 'one-stop shop' for anything required to market or promote their business, locally.

      This, over the years was probably my main source of acquiring new business along with referrals from current clients. I didn't spend any money to advertise, market or promote my business. My goal was to always put my clients to work for me, once I was done doing some work for them. They wouldn't do squat without calling us to inquire if we could help, first. That's called 'customer loyalty' my friends.

      If you are good at sales, especially telemarketing and are looking for a so-called, 'out-of-the-box' way to build a business like you describe, you could do much worse than this business model.

      It's like anything else, you're only going to get out of it, what you are willing to put into it, but it was perfect for me as I can get you to believe that I am your best friend and that I will work for you as if you were my only client, in 5 minutes on the phone. I knew exactly what they wanted to hear, exactly how they wanted to hear it and when I was done with them they went to bed that night with a smile on their face, knowing that all of the problems and confusion in the myriad steps required to launch a new business, had in one phone call been lifted from their shoulders. They felt like they had hit the lotto.

      Yes - I was that damn good!!! Still am, actually. (I just sold you on this, haven't I???) This stuff doesn't fade with time. :-)

      Get out there and sell. You control your own destiny and this plan will at least put you on a path and you can head in different directions with it, based upon your own skills. Me? I outsourced almost everything. Not that I couldn't do a lot of the work, but just as in the question I asked the client, although I could, why would I? Any minute I spend building a website or making a video is time I'm not on the phone, selling other businesses.

      I may be crazy, but I damn sure ain't stupid.

      Good luck.

      P.S. Oh, I forgot to mention that I usually got the hosting paid for a year-up front - with nary a complaint.

      WOW, thanks! your words are GOLD. I think that I need to reconsider some factors of my business strategy to overcome the vulnerabilities of my original plan.

      I already did some research and in my state alone there theres a record of 21,000 new business registrations in the last 3 months and I got every name on that list!

      Thank you for taking from your time, I'm more motivated now.
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      • Profile picture of the author OptedIn
        Originally Posted by Service Representative View Post

        WOW, thanks! your words are GOLD.
        Platinum, actually - but why quibble. :-)

        Thank you for taking from your time, I'm more motivated now.
        Normally, I would say that my work here is finished, but it may be just beginning. If I can help you by answering any specific questions, I am at your beck and call.

        Cheers.
        Signature

        "He not busy being born, is busy dying." - Bob Dylan • "I vibe with the light-dark point. Heavy." - Words that Bob Dylan wishes he had written.

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        • Originally Posted by OptedIn View Post

          Platinum, actually - but why quibble. :-)



          Normally, I would say that my work here is finished, but it may be just beginning. If I can help you by answering any specific questions, I am at your beck and call.

          Cheers.

          Thank you! I appreciate it. Hopefully, I'll contact you to tell you good things about my journey.
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      • Profile picture of the author OptedIn
        Originally Posted by Service Representative View Post

        in my state alone there theres a record of 21,000 new business registrations in the last 3 months and I got every name on that list!
        My advice is to sort by zip code and work as close to home as possible. People want to work with and support other small businesses in their community. Always keep the 'Shop Local' concept at the forefront of your thinking. Lately, most Chambers of Commerce and local business associations are promoting this concept - many in conjunction with American Express. Get plugged in.

        Try to call businesses within 3 days of them filing their paperwork. Generally that means they have moved past the 'thinking about it' stage and are getting ready to take action, themselves. Also, tell them that they have 30 days from the day that they filed their paperwork for the business license to avail themselves of your free offer. Create that 'sense of urgency.'

        Keep in mind that they are probably overwhelmed with all that has to be done to get their doors open. Ask them if there are any other projects facing them that you might be able to assist them with. Printing is always a good one and you can handle this in one of 3 ways.

        1. Take the printing job and handle it from start to finish. Add a 15% fee to the bill. Not much on most individual printing jobs, but it can add up. This is assuming that you don't have a logistical nightmare to contend with.

        2. Form a relationship with a local printer. Tell him that you will bring him all of your jobs, but he has to give you 15% off the price of every job. I've never had one say 'no' to that. It's found money for them.

        3. Just recommend the printer you are working with and tell the client that by working with that printer and telling them they were referred by you could save them some money. Besides a kickback from the printer, you will help to have the client begin to look upon you as the 'go to' guy, for anything they might need. You just want to train them to always ask you first.You can juggle all 3 methods, based on what has the most upside for you. Being flexible is the name of the game.

        Be careful to not make it appear that you do all of the things you offer, yourself. You don't want to look like, 'a jack-of-all-trades, but a master of none.'

        I get around this by communicating the following:

        "I need to make you aware of the fact that I work with a highly-skilled team of professions that I have partnered with over the years. Their expertise covers any aspect of what you might need on any given day to assist you in growing your business. While I would like to say that I do everything myself, I'm happy to honestly tell you that I don't. I have spent years honing these relationships which means that you don't have to start from scratch and take a gamble in dealing with people who's capabilities you can't be sure of. Just turn that project over to me. I'll get it handled from start to finish in the most professional and least expensive way possible. Getting that burden lifted from your shoulders will allow you to have more time to do what you do best - without getting sidetracked into areas you may know nothing about. My job is to make your life easier. I do that, in part, by saving you time, aggravation and money. It's what I do! So, in what other way might I be able to lighten your load?"

        Don't bite-off more than you can chew in the beginning. You can spend months building your reputation and have it destroyed in minutes. When you work 'local' you will be dealing with business owners that might know one another through different organizations. They can be your best source of new business, but can also be the kiss of death if they have reason to bad-mouth you.

        Finally, DON'T scrape the bottom of the barrel. Get paid fairly for your work. I have more than once said to a prospective client:

        "If you're shopping strictly on price, looking for the absolute lowest price possible, I can't help you personally, but I can supply you with at least half a dozen names and phone numbers of other companies.

        If your searching for that combination of the highest-quality work attainable, at a fair and competitive price, your search is over."

        At some point, if the conversation continues, they may ask you:

        "Why would you offer to point me to your competition?"

        Respond with: "I don't consider them competition. Honestly, they're not in the same league with us, but if that was what you truly wanted, I'm still going to try to help you achieve your goal in finding the lowest price possible. I can do this because I'm confident that after seeing what you get for your money from them, I'm all but guaranteed to hear from you again, in the future."

        Finding that fine line between sounding arrogant and extremely self-confident is very important as not to alienate anyone. I'm never afraid to sound a wee-bit arrogant as most hard-scrabbled small business owners view arrogance as nothing more than supreme self-confidence, with a cherry on top. I could never sound as arrogant as many of them come across.

        Go make some phone calls. It's the only way that you will be better at this, tomorrow - than you are today!
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        "He not busy being born, is busy dying." - Bob Dylan • "I vibe with the light-dark point. Heavy." - Words that Bob Dylan wishes he had written.

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  • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
    There's a wide chasm between

    It's like anything else, you're only going to get out of it, what you are willing to put into it, but it was perfect for me as I can get you to believe that I am your best friend and that I will work for you as if you were my only client, in 5 minutes on the phone.
    and

    The problem is that I feel that im overoffering for a $15 monthly fee but I feel nervious to get rejected by having a more expensive price tag for this jind of service.
    In this case, I don't think Jason was "crapping on" the OP. Until his attitude is closer to yours, he's going to have a hard time. In addition, at this bottom of the barrel end of the price spectrum, he's going to attract the bottom of the barrel clients who will badger him to throw in the add-ons for free just to keep them from leaving. And with that fear issue, he's likely going to give in.

    As originally presented, he's talking about finding 90 clients in twelve months. 90 clients times $20/month is $1800/mo. Is that enough income to make it worth his while?

    OP, maybe you would be better served to analyze the value that you can bring to a client and base your pricing on that rather than joining the race to the bottom. Can you formulate a package of services and offer it to businesses for who that package is worth $500/month? If so, getting just four steady clients on a monthly retainer puts you ahead of your original plan.
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    • Profile picture of the author OptedIn
      Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

      There's a wide chasm between
      And working to close that chasm is part of the process.

      In this case, I don't think Jason was "crapping on" the OP. Until his attitude is closer to yours, he's going to have a hard time.
      Life ain't easy and business is even harder. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it.

      In addition, at this bottom of the barrel end of the price spectrum, he's going to attract the bottom of the barrel clients who will badger him to throw in the add-ons for free just to keep them from leaving. And with that fear issue, he's likely going to give in.
      That's quite an assumption.

      As originally presented, he's talking about finding 90 clients in twelve months. 90 clients times $20/month is $1800/mo. Is that enough income to make it worth his while?
      Probably 95% of the people on this site would be thrilled to make that kind of money - sadly!

      OP, maybe you would be better served to analyze the value that you can bring to a client and base your pricing on that rather than joining the race to the bottom. Can you formulate a package of services and offer it to businesses for who that package is worth $500/month? If so, getting just four steady clients on a monthly retainer puts you ahead of your original plan.
      My sister and I always have this friendly argument in the we approached our business pursuits throughout of lives. She was always of the mindset of wanting to find one person to pay her $1M per year. I was much more into having 1M people pay me $1 per year. The figure is not real of course - we're talking about the mindset.

      While neither of us reached that status, I'm living a helluva lot better than she is. lol

      Thank you.
      Signature

      "He not busy being born, is busy dying." - Bob Dylan • "I vibe with the light-dark point. Heavy." - Words that Bob Dylan wishes he had written.

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      • Originally Posted by rwbovee View Post

        $15 is a good price for this, I think.

        I will be charging more and will charge at least 6 months in advance.
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  • Profile picture of the author Nick Million
    I think you'd have better luck and make more money going after businesses with old and outdated HTML sites from the early 2000s. Tons of businesses have sites like this, and they know the power of the web, so it won't be hard to sell 'em.

    Of course you're going to need a flashy portfolio, some references, and some sales and marketing skills, but you could charge $250-$1k+ for an entire site redesign, as opposed to going after peanuts making $15 per throw. Plus you can still upsell your related services like you mentioned in your original post.
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    • Profile picture of the author OptedIn
      Originally Posted by Nick Million View Post

      they know the power of the web, so it won't be hard to sell 'em.
      If they "know the power of the web," why would they still be running a crappy, old site for the OP to suddenly be the person to rebuild?

      Think about what you are saying. Makes no sense, at all.
      Signature

      "He not busy being born, is busy dying." - Bob Dylan • "I vibe with the light-dark point. Heavy." - Words that Bob Dylan wishes he had written.

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  • Profile picture of the author helisell
    Oh dear.....somebody feeling a bit out of sorts ;0)
    Signature

    Making Calls To Sell Something? What are you actually saying?
    Is there any room for improvement? Want to find out?

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    • Profile picture of the author OptedIn
      Originally Posted by helisell View Post

      Oh dear.....somebody feeling a bit out of sorts ;0)
      Actually, just bouncing back from heart surgery and I haven't felt this good in quite awhile. I feel 10 years younger physically and 20 years younger mentally.

      There is one issue that I can't resolve, though.

      Every morning at 5 AM I take a huge wizz and at 6 AM I have a really healthy bowel movement. The problem is, I don't wake up until 7.
      Signature

      "He not busy being born, is busy dying." - Bob Dylan • "I vibe with the light-dark point. Heavy." - Words that Bob Dylan wishes he had written.

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  • Profile picture of the author ThomasMeyers
    You can totally do that! I've helped many just like you. You just need a proven system to follow! Stay at it, don't give up, you can do this!
    Signature

    Welcome, I hope what I posted up there helped you. Good to chat with warrior legends, rising stars and forum newbies. Tom

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  • Profile picture of the author edmondpogi
    15$ is, for me, too low.
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  • Profile picture of the author anayb
    Do lead generation business, instead. Learning curve is steep, and that's why not everybody can do it. Website is static, it can't generate leads on its own, and lots of people are doing it already. Offer something that brings leads.
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    Do you need an exclusive video product?
    Graphics Design - Motion Graphics - 2D & 3D Animation - Video Editing - Color Grading - Logo Animation - etc
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    • Profile picture of the author OptedIn
      Originally Posted by anayb View Post

      Website is static, it can't generate leads on its own, and lots of people are doing it already.
      And therein lies the rub.
      Signature

      "He not busy being born, is busy dying." - Bob Dylan • "I vibe with the light-dark point. Heavy." - Words that Bob Dylan wishes he had written.

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      • Profile picture of the author graeme_pc
        If lots of people are doing it, it means there is a market. That doesn't make it easy, but it DOES make it viable.
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  • Profile picture of the author aizaku
    sounds like a time expensive task.

    go was something simpler first like a Facebook page.

    All the best
    Ike Paz
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    80% Of These Proven Guides Are Free... ]
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  • Profile picture of the author Juri Fab
    You should prepare flashy portfolio otherwise it may not work :/
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  • Profile picture of the author cashwire
    What type of business concern are you talking about? As far as 2018 is concerned almost all businesses have a registered domain or subdomain, developed or under construction. So you may find difficulty offering such services.
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    • Profile picture of the author smartadset
      Originally Posted by cashwire View Post

      What type of business concern are you talking about? As far as 2018 is concerned almost all businesses have a registered domain or subdomain, developed or under construction. So you may find difficulty offering such services.
      I'm no so sure about that actually, One of our major services is to create websites for corporations & small business and we're doing great at the moment.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sioh Boon Yap
    Hi guys. Whether $15 is high or not is very subjective. If I may advise, I suggest you do a few websites for free and get your clients feedback. Should their feedback is positive, then you try to charge others in future. Give them your charges and see how they response.

    If you believe your websites and service is very good and comprehensive, I think $15 is reasonable.
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    • Profile picture of the author graeme_pc
      Originally Posted by Sioh Boon Yap View Post

      Hi guys. Whether $15 is high or not is very subjective. If I may advise, I suggest you do a few websites for free and get your clients feedback. Should their feedback is positive, then you try to charge others in future. Give them your charges and see how they response.

      If you believe your websites and service is very good and comprehensive, I think $15 is reasonable.
      Give the websites away for free and charge for hosting and ancillary services: backups and security, logos, marketing, etc. They need hosting anyway and would be more likely to get it from you in reciprocation of having given them a superb free website. Even $15 needs to be sold. Save the hard sell and make the websites in advance for your target customers. Do it for businesses in your area then you can say you are doing it to give back to the community. Think of the $15 you are 'losing' as a marketing cost to get in front of a decent prospect.
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  • Profile picture of the author ChrisBa
    Originally Posted by Service Representative View Post

    To make this short,

    I want to create residual income for my family. I have basic wp knowlladge and I though that I could target certain kind of business that doesnt have a website offering them a basic one set up for free. They will be covring domain expense and I will be hosting their website for a fee. Im thinking about $15 to $20 monthly.

    I will use this service as a door to offer other complementary services:

    -Social profile managment
    -SEO
    -Local listings,
    -etc.

    My target is to get 5 clients per month for the first 6 months, then double that amount for the rest of the first year.

    The problem is that I feel that im overoffering for a $15 monthly fee but I feel nervious to get rejected by having a more expensive price tag for this jind of service. Please, let me know your though on this matter and help to pulish this idea, thanks.
    I don't know about this. Wordpress is pretty easy, most people could just "google" how to do it and have a website up in a matter of minutes. I think you would need to figure out how to offer more value.
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      Originally Posted by ChrisBa View Post

      I don't know about this. Wordpress is pretty easy, most people could just "google" how to do it and have a website up in a matter of minutes. I think you would need to figure out how to offer more value.
      You know and I know that Wordpress is pretty easy.

      But doing anything behind the scenes scares the bejeebers out of a lot more people than you think. Add the terminally busy business owner to the technophobes, and you have a pretty decent pond to fish in.

      I do agree with figuring out how to add more value than every other wannabe SEO out there.

      Unless you're talking about very basic hosting for very small basic sites, $15 (even $15/month) is ridiculously cheap.

      You may rope in a few bargain hunters, but anyone who is serious will look at that price and figure that you can't be that good if you don't even know what your service is worth.

      Put a price tag, and a reasonably competitive one, on the website. This will do two things for you. One, you may sell some website projects straight up, and add the monthly hosting on top of it. Two, you establish a value for what you are giving away.

      Somewhere in my swipe file is a magalog aimed at yacht owners. To my knowledge, no one has ever actually paid for the piece, but it's stamped big and bold on the front cover $19.95. The vendor can truthfully say that their guide is available at marina ship's stores for $19.95.
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  • Profile picture of the author Johnny12345
    What you need to charge largely depends on two things:

    1) What it costs to get a paying customer. And...

    2) What level of profit you require for your effort.

    If it costs you $50 to get a customer to pay you $15, you're losing money. And even if you're not spending money to get clients, you're spending TIME.

    You're always spending either time or money.

    So, answer the two questions above and you'll have the price you need to charge.

    The thing is... sometimes charging too little is as problematic as charging too much.

    If you're charging $15, many of your prospects will suspect there is a hidden catch... or that you must not be very good.

    There's this thing called "perceived value." Robert Cialdini told a story about this in his book, Persuasion.

    A merchant was selling jewelry. But it didn't sell. So, he told his employee to cut the price. The employee misunderstood and DOUBLED the price... and the jewelry sold out.

    The higher price meant that it must be good jewelry -- not cheap stuff.

    I think your goal should be to charge a very reasonable and attractive price... rather than one that's dirt-cheap. If you compete on price alone, you'll get caught in a "race to the bottom."

    Instead of doing that, give your prospects more value for their money.

    However, that said, you might consider doing your first website for free, just to have an example to show your next (paying) client.

    John
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  • Profile picture of the author DABK
    Some people are saying that $15/month for hosting is reasonable. I don't see it as reasonable. Can one of those people explain?

    Siteground wants about that much for itself... Yes, I understand you can add a bunch of sites. But, what if something doesn't work and you have to spend some time fixing it?
    Some of them will be calling you or emailing you? How do you pay yourself for that?
    How do you pay yourself for the time and effort you spend getting a client?
    How do you make some profit?
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  • Profile picture of the author explorerwhiz
    All the best in your endeavors.
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  • Profile picture of the author Adam Leech
    I have a friend who started a web design company and charges $97 a month to local businesses. He has additional services for $50 like social media management, email marketing and blog writing.

    Believe it or not, if you go to local events, you'll find lots of business owners who don't have websites yet.

    Most of his client's though already had sites, they were just crap (there are tons of those).
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  • Profile picture of the author davisre198
    Here is the better way to look at it. 1st, buy some reseller hosting plan. 2nd find some good themes that make you look better than you are. 3rd, offer a free site ONLY if they sign up for other packages. 4, oursource everything if you cherish your time. In the contract make sure you own the domain, and all rights to the site. That way they can't just pull out and capitalize off your hard work.
    reseller hosting, you can charge $5 a month easily for that. There are free tools out there to do things like bulk listings and things like that. seoclerks, fiverr, WF, Blackhatworld, are all places to find someone to build some backlinks, write articles, and other SEO stuff. Do your homework on what you really need to do. Learn LOCAL seo. That will do more than you think.
    I just landed my first web design/ internet marketing deal. Previously i had only done some web design for bartering and a few for a couple hundred bucks, one time. They didn't care about SEO, they just wanted a digital calling card basically. Useless but hey i made money off of them. However i had recently friended every business i could find locally after moving to a smaller town. Then sat back and paid attention to their posts. I saw one person attempting at a launch but had no website or anything. So i reached out. I ended up bartering a few thousands of dollars worth of services for a website, local seo, squeeze pages, shared social management, and now the launch of a national product. Which has now lead to a partnership in a secondary company he has which is a spin off of the main company so it all ties together as well as reaching an agreement to be the online marketer for all 5 franchises he is in process of launching and future ones. So a simple facebook message lead to all of this. Most of this is still in the beginning phase but once it gets rolling basically i will be charging a startup fee + Monthly maintenance fees to the franchises once they get established as well as being able to say i launched a set of national products and franchises from an internet marketing and web design POV. So first, get over your cheep price tag. If you are that cheap i wouldn't expect much of anything for it. you can barely go to McD's with your spouse and spend less than that. I'd maybe set a higher price like in the thousands and break it down monthly and keep them in a contract like a cell phone.
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  • Profile picture of the author mostCPA
    Launching your startup and set 30$ as a default plan.
    Good Luck ​with noticeable up-ticks in demand during the holiday shopping season.
    but note: the wealth in customer centric. I believe the customer care is the point that you MUST keep in mind.
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