Entrepreneur,

So you want to start maketing yourself to the local community, and start designing websites for the local businesses...

Here is what you do...

It is all about being professional. I suggest you create flyers or
tri-fold brochures for each type of business you're targeting such as
Restaurants, local hotels, mom & pop shops, real estate, lawn care
etc. Make each brochure PROFESSIONAL and target specific; tell them
why they NEED a website. Don't use pictures of a yard in a brochure
for a restaurant. EVERY BUSINESS IN THE WORLD CAN USE A WEBSITE!!!
Why? Services they provide, business hours, directions, online
portfolio, e-commerce etc.

Tell them how their website will make them more money. Businesses are about profit, so tell the potential client how working with you will further their business aims.

Till you become advanced, stay away from auto and real estate type
businesses.

You also need to immerse yourself in e-commerce. Get familiar with
PayPal, very easy to use for beginners.

Start a local online business directory.

So now you have an idea... now you need good hosting for your clients,
try www.bmkhosting.com. Pay BMK their price, charge your customer
your price (10 to 20% mark-up)

Don't get to big to fast, if that happens, have some back up designers
like me, or some of the other talented designers that frequesnt this site.

Charge a fair price for the sites. Till your proficient, try
http://www.bmkdesigns.com/Turnkey_Site_Design/ again pay the price,
charge your customers what you need to, typically 100 to 200 % markup.

Last but not least, you need to project a bigger than life image. If
your site is not 100%, than your clients will NOT contact you and
loose faith in your abilities. Also if your not designing in flash,
swish (Swishzone.com), or Photoshop, than you need to start now!

Please feel free to e-mail me for any mentoring.

Neal Therrien
BMK Designs
www.bmkdesigns.com

Flash is not needed at all, some people don't have a flash player (some? a lot!) and they won't be able to watch your designs and sites. So flash isn't the best program to make your designs with however the people who can see your flash designs, and can watch them, will like them a lot proppably, anyways

BTW: actually YOU are the smart business man I guess you're trying to get people to your site, pay you, and then follow your tips, but you'll have your cash then xD

skyfe,

Thanks for the compliment, but I truly believe it is all about being professional. I did not mean to focus on the flash aspect, and you are correct, allot of people do not have systems that will support flash sites, or the connection to load the site. I use flash in headers more than anything else, and also for menus. Again, thanks for the feedback on my post...

Neal
www.bmkdesigns.com

i come from china and im chinese

Great tips.

__________________
Novaone

I don't think that designing in photoshop or flash is a necessity, but an option. Many people don't want flash sites, they want serviceable sites in html which they feel comfortable with. If you cater for both, then you catch more fishies.

flash sites are nice and their are some advantages but more disadvantages, updating is much easier in flash but compatibility issues may arrise