Starting an Ecommerce Web Site Design Business

A Home Business Article Contributed by Sarah White

Starting an Ecommerce Web Site Design Business

Have you ever thought about starting your own ecommerce web site design business? This niche market is in big demand from small business owners around the world who need attractive, functional sites to sell their goods to consumers. The skills needed to succeed in this business are not all that difficult and it can bring you a lot of revenue as a side business or even as the main focus of your business.

The basics of ecommerce web site design

There is not much more to ecommerce web site design than there is to any other kind of web site design. If you want to make this niche a part of your business, it would be beneficial to know the basics of web site design before you begin. If you know a programming language and the basics of good design, focusing on simplicity and order, you're already ahead of the game.

Additionally, you will need to learn about security measures that need to be taken to protect consumers' identities and personal information when they buy something from a site. There are tons of web sites and books out there that can teach you all you need to know.

Getting clients for your ecommerce web site design business

Of course once you learn the basics of ecommerce web site design you will need to find paying clients. Perhaps the best way to go about building your client list is to start with yourself. Build a really great web site to sell your products and services, and tout the fact that you built it yourself and are available to help others with their web design needs.

If you have family members, friends or acquaintances who are looking to build their presence on the web, you can offer to help them with their designs for free or at a discount. Then you can put testimonials from those people on your web site and use their positive stories to draw paying customers to you.

Another good idea is to start building your new business within your community, advertising in the local paper and phone directory as well as joining the local chamber of commerce and attending meetings where you can offer your services to other small business owners. As your client base spreads you can begin to scout for clients farther from home.

Pricing your ecommerce web site design services

Perhaps the most difficult part of starting any new business besides getting attention for your business is setting prices for your services. You want to offer a reasonable price when first starting out but you don't want to be so much cheaper than everyone else out there that you don't look professional or simply aren't charging enough to live on. Do some research, ask other designers in your area what they charge.

Decide how much money you would like to make each year, how much time you'd like to work and do the math to find how much you need to make an hour. Start small and charge a little less than average, but don't be afraid to raise your rates when your services start getting popular.