Hi there - I am a moonlighting web designer and running into something that surprises me... In an attempt get a few more jobs, a lot of the web hosting companies have no interest in farming out jobs (or doing it themselves) for web design.

To me, it would seem natural that the two go together (that way, the client has a page that can be hosted and an intelligent person managing the account instead of sucking up support time.

Is there a reason for the incompatibility of the two services? Please advise.

Thanks,
Matt

Two points you could consider...

How does a host single out and support just one developer?

How does a host justify competing with its own clients?

What you're suggesting is something of the past in my opinion. At least outwardly. (Generally speaking) gone are the days of the host site with everything from web design, to search engine optimisation, to internet marketting...oh, and hosting as well. :-)

Cheers

Gary

Hello,

Our company not only provides web hosting, but also design. We find that some of our customers need a "managed site", so to speak, and that in order to receive the hosting dollar from them, we also need to charge for some design work/maintainence. If it is work we are unable to do, because of lack of knowledge or time, we certainly have willing and capable outsource people. There are obviously two different and distinct contracts written for the customer.

It is necessary in this case to have some designers/maintainers on the payroll. I would think that trying to do this all by yourself would prove to be very time consuming and darn near impossible with many clients.

Our company would not have got off the ground and making money the day it opened without the influx of design dollars. A modest design contract worth $1000-$2000 is worth the same as many many hosting clients. We have also established relations with big(ger) design houses that are willing to plug our hosting service to their clients. A "you scratch our back..." kind of situation.

So anyway, I don't think that these two facets of the web world are incompatible. To the contrary, I feel that if you are willing to provide these services, there really is nothing stopping you.

Regards,

Jeff

hey
it all depends on what you can manage... if you want to be an exclusive high class, then yes, what you suggest is feasible... but if you are a host who is selling everything for pennies, its going to work... you will need to build a royal customer base...


an example of your asking, is a night club in any posh city... you have a night club that caters to anyone and everyone.. while you have another where only the elite are allowed...

know what i mean?

kunal

I think quite a few web-hosting companies may have started out as developers/designers and have enough people on staff to take care of design. We are in that boat ourselves. We give referrals only when we have too much work in-house to take on more jobs. Web-Design is one of our value added services that we try and "upsell"

Justin