Hello All,
I am a newbie here... I have a few quick questions.
I wish to start my own internet services company providing webhosting, web design, dialups, shop creation...

- (1) Can one make a living off this type of business ?

- (2) With a well designed and clear site what would be the average amount of customers received a month ? ;)

- (3) Is web design profitable any more with all these companies around?

- (4) What is the future of the webhosting and design businesses are the to many big guys out there to compete ?

Just a few questions ? ;) :confused: :eek:

Thanks for your time.
Sonicer.

P.S: I love this webhostingtalk resource it is very informative.
:)

1) Yes, there is still a possibility to make a living off this, but not rigft off the bat.

2) This depends. It's more like a variable that constantly changes. There is no way of finding a rough estimate for this without previous statistics. Even this isn't true.

3) This is just like web hosting. You can still make money here since many people would like new designs or their first design.

4) There are "big" companies out there, but that does not mean you don't have a change. Most of them started out small just as you will be doing. Everything takes time. Take baby steps and learn.

Thanks for replying so quickly.... ;)

I really hope there is a future in webhosting and design...

No problem. If you need any help, let us know. We're here to help. :)

1) You can make a living off ANY type of business, provided you know what you are doing and DO IT WELL.

2) No one knows and no one can tell. If anyone can, they'd be King of the World..literally.

3) It is, if you have your own niche.

4) Big guys fall too you know. Never let competition deter you if you are serious about what you are doing.

Wow... everyone answers really quick in this forum.
:)

Thank u for your input net-trend....

We try our best. =)

You can do it for sure :)

Just take your time

Thanks UltimeWWW

So how do you guys advertise, with so many other webhost and design companies out there. it must be hard to stand out from the rest ? ;) :D

There are numerous of ways to advertise such as newspapers, radio, television, magazines, online banners, etc. It all depends on your budget. A lot of "big time" companies invest a ton of money into advertising. Oh, did I mention word of mouth? It's a great way to advertise for free if people like your service. It can also be a day in hell if they don't.

Originally posted by Sonicer
it must be hard to stand out from the rest ? ;) :D


It is hard to stand out from the rest. But given time and with proper advertising techniques, you will and can be one of the top guys. :)

Just remember this important fact. Nothing happens over night. With much effort and dedication, it can happen in a reasonable amount of time. Nothing is impossible (within reason) if you set your mind to it.

Thanks Guy's... I will keep u updated on my progress.

Greetings:

“(1) Can one make a living off this type of business?”

It depends on the time and effort you put into it.

This is our eight year in business; I’m the founder.

The 1st two years required me to work a full time job and the business full time. When I took the business full time in May 1997, my salary was cut in half; based on today’s wages, I would be close to minimum wage.

It was not until 1999 that I started making close to what I was making in 1997; and one could counter that had I stayed in my previous position (not took the business full time) I would be making 25% to 100% more than what I was making in 1999 based on raises et all).

So it took four years out of eight to get to a point where I was making decent money.

Some people here on WHT did that in a year, some in two, and some much longer.

“(2) With a well designed and clear site what would be the average amount of customers received a month?”

While a clean and well designed site is important, do you think that’s why people buy?

If your only difference from the competition is a cleaner site, let’s talk in a few years to see how well you did.

“(3) Is web design profitable any more with all these companies around?”

We did Web design in-house from late 1996 until late 1999. We stopped because we found out three important facts (at least facts for us):

A. Web design is best sold locally.
B. Advertising agencies got into design, and they could sell a complete advertising and marketing package where we could not.
C. Every one is a Web designer.

“(4) What is the future of the webhosting and design businesses are the to many big guys out there to compete?”

As long as you can add values that other companies cannot add for a fair investment, there is room to compete.

However, if you are only competing on price, then the market is completely saturated in my opinion.

Thank you.

As I am still getting into the industy myself I cant answer most of your questions but I can tell you this, with my prior self employment endeavors I can honestly say it is not possible without hard work, money, and more hard work. If I had 10 thousand dollars right now I could almost guarantee I would never have to work for someone else again. That may seem kinda far fetched but it is possible. But ever since graduation in june these bills just keep getting bigger and bigger and more behind heh

Thanks