So You Want to Start a Web Design Company

A Web Hosting Article Contributed by Frances Rhea

Introduction to Starting a Web Design Company

Whatever you reason, you have decided to start a Web Design Company. There are several things you need to consider first. For example, do you have the skills necessary to do all of the work required yourself? Or will you need to contract with others to do part of the work? Do you have all the tools necessary to accomplish any task? If not, do you know what you will need and where to get it? How will you get your first clients?

Let's see if we can provide answers to some of these questions.

Skills for Starting a Web Design Company

It is not enough to know just HTML with today's market. There are many scripting languages that are required of the complicated business Web sites. Some of these are PHP, ASP, CGI, Perl, Java, and DHTML. Most of these can be done with a simple HTML editor but there are graphics programs like Photoshop and Flash. These take special software packages and learning to create and optimize graphics, and script your Flash designs. If you do not have these basic skills, you will need someone else who can do them for you.

You will also need to know how to create a database and set up ecommerce solutions as they are a large part of the online community. Your Web Design Company must be able to provide these services.

Tools for Starting a Web Design Company

The first things you will need are the software programs to design a Web site. A good text-based HTML editor will do the trick but having a program like MacroMedia's Dreamweaver can make your work much easier. Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro is also a necessity for creating, editing and optimizing graphic images.

It is also to your benefit to become familiar with shopping cart programs and know where to get a couple of good ones. One can be simple but the other should be able to provide extended options for creating an ecommerce database-driven site. Also know where you can find economical Merchant Solutions for processing online payments. 2CheckOut.com has a great package that is inexpensive to setup and comes with a shopping cart included in their complete payment solution.

There are several hardware items you will need to have. Choosing a good scanner and digital camera will be of benefit along with a copier.

You might also want to have a broadband connection to the Internet instead of just dail-up access.

Getting Your First Clients for Your Web Design Company

Your ISP is a great place to start. They are in constant contact with Internet businesses and often need referrals for their Web design services. If your company can get connected with an ISP, you may not need to look any further for clients. They may provide all you need.

If not, print some classy business cards with your Web Design Company information and give one or two to everyone you know.