Web Design Business Kit 2.0 Review
I recently decided to launch the freelance business I have been doing for years into a full time business. I have been off to a great start and things seem to be shaping up for my business. One of the things I did to launch my business was research. I researched what books and materials were out there that would help me on my way of launching. I came across this kit in my search Web Design Business Kit. The kit is priced at $247.00 dollars on the Sitepoint Website. After reading this book and using the many resources that it has to offer it has paid for itself 10 fold. I am big on figuring out if my money is well spent. I always do a break even point in my head knowing that if I spent “x” amount of dollars on a advertising did it make it’s money back and then some.
In short
Pros: This binder was packed with information about web, marketing ideas and business advice. The book did not only have to do with starting a web business but also how to run a business. The one thing that resonates over and over is that most businesses have poor customer services and that if they would just fix this one thing they would be able to make more money. The binder was also packed with documents that this company uses for its business. You couldn’t get a better bundle of information for this price anywhere.
Cons: The documents provided in some cases seemed to be redundant. For example there is a sample website analysis form that came with the purchase. The questions seemed out of order and some questions were even repeated. I took this 14-page document and rearranged it to fit to 6 pages. But this still beats starting from scratch.
Overall: The binders and CDs were a great resource and starting point for my business. All of the information provided would have taken me months to come up. I was able to get past the creation of the documents and process and just tweak and fine-tune them to my needs. If you are serious about starting a web design business this kit is a must have!
November 26th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
I’ve seen this resource around quite a bit over the last few years, but there is one thing that has constantly turned me off buying it.
Sitepoint state that the kit is only really useful for people running a face to face business. I live in an isolated area an do all my business online.
How would you regard for someone working purely from an online perspective?
Cheers,
Ric
November 26th, 2007 at 10:48 pm
Interesting point Ric. I will agree the resources sold are useful for face to face business. I moved here and since have been in face to face meetings with clients. The core of the program has to deal with creating a relationship with the client. Meaning meetings, going over and taking care of them, holding their hand through the process and providing excellent customer service. Part of the resource gives a check off list, such as: Meet with client, Send letter to clients, Take client proposal, Take client contract and receive deposit. So yes the book (resource) has a lot to do with face to face business. I don’t know how it would apply to your situation other than there should be a system in place. If you receive a client do you take him/her through a, b, c and they know that your system is the same even if they return (other great resource for this is the E-Myth by Michael Gerber). One question when you receive an order or question about a new website what process do you go through and let me see if I can get a better understanding. If you are uncomfortable posting here you can email icemancast (at) gmail dot com. Thanks for visiting the website!
March 7th, 2008 at 7:18 am
Michael Gerber is a fantastic resource. When I had my accounting practice in another life, I used to give every new client a copy of his “E-Myth Revisited”.
All my communication is done by email or via Skype and although the relationships are established over time, I would still be interested in how others have done it in a remote environment.
I had forgotten all about this post until someone else saw it and emailed my to see how I was handling things.
Cheers,
Ric
March 9th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Hi Ric! Yes E-Myth is great. I also just finished the “Purple Cow” which is also a great book. I don’t see anything wrong with doing business over an IM. I just received a project that is over a long distance, we did meet once in person but have been emailing, messaging and having phone conversations. I still applied some of what I learned in the e-myth and some of what I learned in the Web Kit.
To answers your initial question “How to apply to a remote situation”. I would say as in any business, great customer service goes a long way. I go to these “Lead Explosions” with the local chamber here in town. Every company talks about how their company strives for good customer service. I would rather show people that I have great customer service by actions than by words, because we have heard it all before. Every time I finish a website, I send a hand written thank you card and maybe even a gift card. I place the website launch in my calendar and send a website birthday card every year. Stuff like this goes a long way.
1 - It shows the client that you are thinking about him.
2 - It keeps your company in the forefront of his mind. So when he/she is asked “… oh, do you know who does this line of work?”. You are more and likely the first one to be mentioned, AND they would rather take their friends word than yours.
It is these systems that I am referring to. Certain things that constantly remind the clients that you really do care about them and you are not just another company.
Hopes this helps