Free Web Design!

[sgtpeppers]

I offer free web design, free graphic design, free wordpress installation, free wordpress login page customization, and free web servers. Simply visit my site for more details : Hayes Blog (http://hayespotter.co.nr)


or email me at: hayes@yourtechtoday.com

[deronsizemore]

Can I ask why you are doing this for free?

[sgtpeppers]

because i just want to be helpful and most people wouldnt take me seriously anyways cuz im 13 so ill do it for free

[goldfries]

that's stooping pretty low isn't it? I don't know, by going for FREE people actually could think that you're desperate. Yes, it's good to be helpful. and you CAN still be helpful in many ways.

I suggest you show people what you've done so far. You could charge a little perhaps but I don't think FREE is the way to go. You could end up setting a precedence of something. :)

Why do you have to tell people your age anyway? I don't see any point of it unless you want to show what a 13 year old can do. If people start to not treat you seriously because of your age, then remove it. It's all for the better.

I checked out your blog, I think the ABOUT page could use some improvement.

I would like to share more but I'll stop here, just in case I sound like I'm bashing people (which I'm not, rest assured).

But one word of encouragement to you (I hope) is
1. Don't expect everything to fall into place immediately. It takes time to build reputation and recognition.
2. Press on, don't give up. Take steps to fix whatever you need to. :)

btw "yourtechtoday.com" has potential.

[Evan]

If you're happy to do stuff for free you can use what you do to build a file of recommendations from satisfied customers. So that you help to build your reputation if not an income (for now).

[deronsizemore]

I wrote and article that touches somewhat on this topic a while back. Might be of interest?: If Yous Skills - Random Jabber (http://www.randomjabber.com/blog/article/if-youre-a-web-developer-your-skills-are-inferior-to-other-professionals/)

The problem with offering services for free is that it basically turns web design services into an obsolete service which no one wants to pay for.

You may be the best designer/developer out there for all I know (I'm not making assumptions here, just generalizations). But, most clients looking for a website or some kind of service related to the web don't know how to differentiate between what makes a site "good." All the client knows is that they want a site and they want it for a cheap as possible. That's fine, but it's not how business works. Can you imagine if there were 1 million web designers out there all offering their services for free? Basically web design as a business would be down the drain because with so many people offering free services, no one would ever want to pay again.

Here's my take. You could look at it a couple different ways. You could look at it like people won't you seriously because you're 13. Yes, it's true some people probably wouldn't take you seriously. BUT, I'd be willing to bet that for everyone that doesn't take you seriously because of your age, there are double that amount of people that won't take you seriously because you're offering free services. If you don't think highly enough of your own services to charge for them, why should anyone else take them seriously either?

A lot of people see a higher price and instantly associate that with higher quality of services. I hate paying high prices to get my car worked on when something is wrong (usually around 75 an hour for labor) but I think if I took my car to a dealership and had the engine fixed and they had it for five hours and told me that it would cost me $5.00, I would think there was something seriously wrong with that picture and reconsider if I really wanted to let these people look at my vehicle.

Like someone else said, the great thing about the net is that no one has to know your age.

Anyway, good luck. Hopefully I (and others) have given you some things to ponder. ;)

[Evan]

Another approach is to give free samples. Do a freebie on one aspect and then charge if they want the other stuff done. Many a blog platform gives away free standard designs.

Or you can 'give away the principles and sell the personalisation'. The most usual way to do this off line is for an expert to write a book, on line a free e-book on the principles of what you do. This demonstrates you knowledge and abilities and builds your credibility. Then you have rates and contact details or just a place to write to get a quote.

Hope I'm not just deluging with stuff that you don't want to think about.

[SarahG]

I agree with Deron. Please don't forget that some of us rely on a competitive market with reasonable paying rates to live. I shouldn't have to explain to my client why they'd be better off staying with me than going for a freebie off someone else. Unfortunately some have, so I've lost a client because I wasn't prepared to do something for free. Free doesn't pay my rent and bills.

[goldfries]

So far the only people I ever did FREE for are friends. Close friends. :)

[sgtpeppers]

hmmm thnx for the help you have rly inspired me on the whole business stuff. i dont know much about business. =)

[deronsizemore]

hmmm thnx for the help you have rly inspired me on the whole business stuff. i dont know much about business. =)

No problem. If you have any questions, just ask.

I guess my years in business school at college are paying off! :devilhorns:

[goldfries]

sgtpeppers, I'm a web designer by profession. :) There's been 101 other occassions that I have to convince people to pay for my service.

There's plenty out there (in the local industry here) that offer services at a minimal cost, ridiculously low prices that you actually wonder how are they going to make $$$ out of it. They're spoiling the industry, so to speak.

[sgtpeppers]

yeah i kno what you mean goldfries

[templatelite]

There's plenty out there (in the local industry here) that offer services at a minimal cost, ridiculously low prices that you actually wonder how are they going to make $$$ out of it. They're spoiling the industry, so to speak.

Services that charge minimal price might not be a good option if you want a professional website.

[sgtpeppers]

yeah I dont work for free anymore

[Hazel]

I think it's perfectly possible to work for free without destorying the availability of work for professionals. You just need to find work for people who would never be interested in paying money.

For example, you could design and release free wordpress themes and plugins. People who want something more professional and unique will still hire someone, but there are plenty of people only interested in a free theme. You might even make money through donations or end up with some offers of work from it, and if not, it will still add to your portfolio and draw traffic to your site.

DeronSizemore does professional web design work, but still offers his/her beautiful set of icons for the public to use.

If you are interested in the more technical side of web development, you could look at contributing to an open source project like Wordpress or Drupal.

I guess in general what I'm saying is don't do custom, unique work for a specific person for free. But doing something you enjoy and then releasing it to other people in case they want to use it is ok.


As a final note - over the web, noone needs to know your age. You are the one sharing the fact you are 13 with potential customers and if you think that will cause problems for your business, you don't have to mention it. You just need to make sure your design and content is of a level where people won't be able to tell.

[davemcnally]

DeronSizemore does professional web design work, but still offers her beautiful set of icons for the public to use.

That should be his if I'm not mistaken. Deron's around here anyway, I'm sure he/she could confirm that one for us!! :naughty:

[Hazel]

That should be his if I'm not mistaken. Deron's around here anyway, I'm sure he/she could confirm that one for us!! :naughty:

Ummm... oops.
I don't know why I assumed he was female - please don't take too much offence!

[sgtpeppers]

lol no its cool.