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I do this, but I also know
other people who do this. It is a great business
for operating from the home, because it takes only
a desk, a filing cabinet, a computer, some
software, and an internet account - once you have
those, the costs to keep going are minimal. For
someone who already has a computer, this can be a
natural if they have the skills or can get the
skills. It does require some pretty intense training to do a good job.
Web design requires skill and a natural talent for 5 different
disciplines: HTML (or how to use a good HTML editor
program), Page Layout, Computer Science,
Copywriting, and Graphic Design. A good web
designer will possess a range of skills, or knowwhen they need to hire out something.
It is not just a matter of knowing how to get the elements on
the page, but of knowing what things make it
comfortable for viewers, how to make it easy to
use, when to use a picture and when to use words,
and a whole range of marketing, color, aesthetics
and technical skills and talents. Anyone can build
a website. It takes a special combination of skills
to build a GOOD website. If you possess them, orcan get them, then this business is good.
Web design would seem a natural to market online, but
this is not the case. The little guy, especially if
they are working with basic but functional skills,
or on a limited budget, has a hard time competing
with companies that are almost giving away web
design to attract customers to their hosting
services. Most of my customers are local. For
something so personal, people want to know you, to
feel like you can understand them well enough to
not only market their product well, but to do it in
the way they want it done. You need to be
comfortable writing up proposals and presenting
them in person to individuals, companies, or
government entities, as you choose.
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