Web,Design,Business,For,You,am DIY Is A Web Design Business For You?

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;mso-style-noshow:yes;mso-style-parent:"";mso-padding-alt:0in When starting a new work at home business it is very easy to become consumed by it. We spend so much time trying to get the business up and running that we may end up becoming burned out and lose our motivation. There is so much to learn and

If someone was going to really pressure me to recommend a hot home-basedbusiness for now and the future, there's one I'd have to list. That's webdesign! It seems everyone wants/needs to get a website up. For those whohavestarted creating sites for yourself, family, and friends and becomeintriguedwith the idea of actually making money doing something you really enjoy, webdesign might be the perfect home business for you.Jennifer Czawlytko, author of the eBook, "A Bizy's Guide To Creating SuccessIn Web Design" took time out of her busy schedule to talk about her businessof web designing.Jennifer has been my web designer for several years. I first met her in anonline chat that I used to host on AOL several years ago. A couple of yearsinto designing my site myself, I was in desperate need of finding adesigner.Because Jennifer wasn't shy about the business she ran, I knew exactly who Iwas going to ask to take this job.I know you'll learn so much from Jennifer's past experience and the tips shehas to offer.Liz: Jen, what makes web design the right business for you?Jen: I have always had a creative side that I primarily saved for my offtime(doing crafts, helping the PTA, etc.). I never really knew how to use mycreativity to succeed in my work life until I started working on thecomputers at my children's schools. As I explain in my eBook, I started withdesktop publishing and eventually discovered web design. Here was abusinesswhere I could be creative on a daily basis and make money. It is importantto note though, while I can make a good income with this business, thebenefits of running this business go far beyond financial. I am a naturallyshy person, but web designing has allowed me to do something that I love,something that can make a difference for so many people, and mostimportantly, something that has allowed me to believe in myself. As a Mom Ihave always told my children that they have to believe in themselves. Now Ican teach them by example. For me, that makes this the right business.Liz: For the Moms thinking about starting a web design business, would thisbe a good business for them to start from home? And why?Jen: Definitely, if they have creative talents and can project a solidbusiness image, this is an ideal business to run from home. In my eBook Icover not only the skills you need for this business, but also talk aboutpersonalities. It is important for the budding entrepreneur to know thatthis type of business is not for everyone. For example, you won't make moneyovernight and you won't have the benefit of someone else's product to sell.Web design is a business where you are selling your skills, your only"product samples" are things that YOU create. That may sound scary, butremember the benefits ... YOU create your own success, YOU manage your ownschedule and workload, and YOU reap all the benefits. I love being able toattend all my boys' school events, being able to work at 1 AM if one of myboys isn't feeling well during the day, deciding when I want to take avacation, etc.Liz: Has this business always been easy? Did you ever think about giving up?Jen: Has anyone ever actually answered yes to that first question and no tothe second one? LOL I truly believe any business you start is going tohaveits tough times and there will be times you feel like giving up. So no, ithasn't always been easy, and yes, I have considered giving up, many times.But it isn't important if you have times like that; what is important is howyou handle them and grow from them. The first "problem" that arises willalways be the toughest one because you are more vulnerable in the beginning.But if you learn from each bad experience, you will prevent future mistakesand you will be stronger for it. In my eBook, I present some of theproblemsI have faced so that others can learn from my experiences as well as theirown.Liz: Do you have to know everything there is to know just to get started?Jen: No, that is one of the wonderful things about web design, there isalways something new to learn. You can start out offering the most basicservices and work your way up as you learn new techniques and strategies. Inmy eBook, while I do not explain or teach the reader web design skills, I doexplain what the different skills are and new ones to keep an eye on in thefuture. The Internet is a constantly growing and changing environment forthose who design it and those who surf it, so you can really dig out yourownlittle niche tailored to what you know and what you are willing to learn.Liz: Is a web design business expensive to start and manage?Jen: If you already have a computer then you have the biggest expense out ofthe way. I started with the basics: a computer, printer, HTML editingsoftware, graphics editing software, and lots of free learning resources. Idid not take any college courses or pay for any online courses, most of mylearning came from a few books I picked up (like Laura LeMay's "TeachYourself Web Design in 21 Days"), free online tutorials, and viewing theHTMLcoding from other web sites. As your business grows you can add otherequipment and upgrade your currentequipment. In the beginning I made a rule that I would not purchaseanythingnew for my business unless I had the money in my business account. Myaccount started out with $100 of my personal money, which I have sincerepaidmyself, and I have never had to violate my rule. I had to make somesacrifices, like not buying the "best" programs when I started, not usingthemore expensive forms of advertising, or borrowing my friend's scanner untilIcould buy my own, but I wanted my business to pay for itself and it has.Liz: What has been your biggest struggle with marketing your business andhow did you overcome it?Jen: My shyness. Online I can talk to anyone and can project a great image.But offline I am incredibly shy and introverted. A lot of that stems fromlow self-esteem and a general belief that everyone is better than me. Ihavemade great strides in this area as my business has grown, but in thebeginning it was very difficult to overcome. I was able to get around it byfocusing my marketing on techniques which did not involve me being placedface-to-face with potential clients. My marketing was primarily accomplishedonline. As I mention in the marketing sections of my eBook, this might notwork for everyone, but it was what I had to do to feel confident enough tospeak with my potential clients.Liz: Any last words of advice?Jen: Know your strengths and weaknesses as a business owner and have a goodsupport network around you. Many times you will find that your strengthscan be utilized in unusual ways to compensate for your weakness in otherareas. Your family, friends, and business colleagues can help you determineif you are overly concerned about weaknesses you may have. We are alwaysourown worst critics anyway. If you aren't finding enough support in yourcurrent circles then go out and find new ones, because starting a businessishard and you need truly supportive people around you. In my eBook, I havetried to lay out both the pros and cons of starting a web design business,but only you can make the decision on if it is the right type of businessforyou. Weigh the pros and cons, then balance them with your own strengths,weaknesses, and the advice of your friends to make the right decision foryou. Regardless of your decision I wish you well and hope you achieve allyou hope to in life. Good Luck!To order Bizy Guide To Creating Success In Web DesignBy Jennifer Czawlytko visit: http://www.bizymoms.com/main/?10000!0201 Article Tags: Design Business