Rate my idea, please.

7 replies
So, I've had enough of creating websites for small businesses, mainly because of the hassle involved (husbands/wifes, cousins, brothers/sisters, kids, you name it). Do you, fellow warriors, think that there is any sense to offer Wordpress based websites where customers select (with a detailed form) what they want (themes and everything), submit the form and I create the site for them. White label, custom admin panel and all.

The work itself for me would be pretty straight forward: Create a new site on WPMU, slap on the selected theme and customize the admin panel.

Now they would pay a set-up fee and a monthly fee for hosting/maintenance, but the point would be that when registering for my service they select their sites' look and feel, but do not get custom coding nor technical support, strictly slightly modified themes and plugins only with custom documentation and tutorials. Maybe a possibility for tech support for a pretty steep rate, if they get completely lost.

The problem I have with this is that nowadays it is possible to get a site, although limited in customizations, for next to nothing and get it set up automatically whereas my system would need me manually setting the stuff up and initially offer almost as limited customization features.

So instead spending a few bucks (I'm not in US and we have a large national company over here offering small business websites for 10 euros a month) and getting a professional looking, responsive site with tech support and ability to build the site for yourself instantly, they'd have to "build" their site using a form (although very graphic and nice looking one), wait for their site to be activated and pay a set-up fee as well as monthly fee without tech support.

They would of course be able to customize their site however they want after activated, so it will be more customizable than the big competitor I mentioned earlier and I might throw a couple extra features as staples (little SEO tweaks and/or mailing list system) there as well. But is it worth it? Will my service offer too little and be too "old-fashioned"?

Sorry for the long post, the language and the possibility that I did not make myself clear. Still, I'm looking for opinions and views on this, so every input is appreciated.
#idea #rate #small business #websites
  • Profile picture of the author vndnbrgj
    Why not just sell sites you already created?
    Create a niche site, then sell it for $xxx
    Include 1 revision.
    And tutorials on how to make their own edits in the WP dashboard
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    • Profile picture of the author Sciencemies
      Originally Posted by vndnbrgj View Post

      Why not just sell sites you already created?
      Create a niche site, then sell it for
      Include 1 revision.
      And tutorials on how to make their own edits in the WP dashboard
      Well my system would be better in a way that companies will have more input regarding their site when choosing from tens of themes, possibly selecting little tweaks such as which side the sidebar is on, etc.

      And the monthly fee is an important part of the plan as well. Although I kinda like your idea, from my experience even the smallest companies want more of an input when creating sites for them. It could be tricky trying to sell a "ready-made" site that they'd have to customize on their own.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sciencemies
    Well I haven't got many comments, yet, but decided to take action, because I jus cannot go on with the current scheme I'm running.

    I'm in a process of creating a WPMU site which will act as an HQ of this whole operation. In there, I'll have an ordering form which will take care of the whole order, the look, the feel, the features of the desired website. From there on, when I'll get an order, I'll slap the site together and host it.

    I'm not gonna say the exact figures, but it will be expensive compared what I've have seen people charge in Warrior Forum, but I'm running a business, not working for someone. Besides, for companies, the amounts are very reasonable.

    So, in essence, I'm taking the "normal" website creation process out of the equation and instead provide my clients with "online presence". I'll keep you posted in this thread.

    Cheers.
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    • Profile picture of the author somacorellc
      Originally Posted by Sciencemies View Post

      Well I haven't got many comments, yet, but decided to take action, because I jus cannot go on with the current scheme I'm running.
      Lol, I think I'm doing exactly what you're talking about.

      LocalSpark Network - Get Found Online! | LocalSpark Network

      In addition the link in my signature is the "reseller" version of it for the WF specifically.

      I don't want to be too self promoting but you're describing exactly what I've been pouring many hours into over the last two weeks.
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  • Profile picture of the author sdentrepreneur
    IMO...building websites is too stressful. The money can be good but the monthly residual and on going payments are small. What is you offered an ongoing web traffic strategy that you could collect $500 to $1,500 a month per client, per website. Manage their search, seo and social media marketing.
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    • Profile picture of the author Sciencemies
      Originally Posted by sdentrepreneur View Post

      IMO...building websites is too stressful. The money can be good but the monthly residual and on going payments are small. What is you offered an ongoing web traffic strategy that you could collect $500 to $1,500 a month per client, per website. Manage their search, seo and social media marketing.
      Yeah, exactly. The hassle of creating websites for clients can be overwhelming when the bosses' relatives come into play. And they will.

      This way clients get their websites, but I don't have to do them from scratch. They'll also get feature rich hosting, social media integration, ecommerce capabilities and email marketing services for a monthly fee. Of course the setting up costs as well.

      For technical support and/or additional support I'll charge a lot, since that is extra work for me that I do not rely on.
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  • Profile picture of the author filipbekic01
    You can find already made websites on internet and sell them, just make your own layout
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