Starting a Web Design Business

[dstrout]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? NH
I am a web designer that is planning on starting a business where I visit the offices of various local businesses and offering them websites for a modest sum (under $500). If they accept, I will make the website at my home, the post it online. I will probably do an average of one a month (more in the summer). Do I need any kind of license, or registration with some bureau? The thing is, I am 15 years old, and I'm just doing this as a sort of hobby. But I don't want to break the law. Also, will there be any taxation I need to worry about?

 

[racer72]

You are not old enough to start such a business that would involve contractual obligations. Take the time between now and when you turn 18 to learn the business including all aspects such as licensing and taxes. Take a class or 2 on running a small business. When you know enough to start the business without asking how, you might be ready. Have you even developed a template portfolio yet? Unless you can present at least 20 templates to potential customers, you won't have a chance in this field. Web design is a cut throat business, there are literally thousands of unemployed folks out there with a whole lot more experience than you. The more you know, the better you chances of succeeding.

 

[dstrout]

Well, how you presume to know my level of experience, I don't know. Anyway, what if there isn't any contract? What if it's just "I make the site, you pay me. If I don't make the site, you don't pay me."?

 

[racer72]

Well, how you presume to know my level of experience, I don't know.

Your age and lack of knowledge you already professed. Anyone that has to ask how to run a small business is not ready. Do you know how to set up a secured socket shopping cart? Do you write Flash code? These are typical small business website requirements. You never answered the question about the portfolio. Where is yours? Is it online so I can see your templates? Can I manipulate the templates to see the available options? I am a small business owner, convince me you are ready.

Anyway, what if there isn't any contract? What if it's just "I make the site, you pay me. If I don't make the site, you don't pay me."?

That's a verbal contract and even more risky for you. You would have absolutely nothing to protect you if one of your customers decides to stiff you. Plus only the riskiest of businesses would do business with you, no established business will enter into a verbal contractual relationship with a kid just starting out.

 

[dstrout]

Your age and lack of knowledge you already professed. Anyone that has to ask how to run a small business is not ready. Do you know how to set up a secured socket shopping cart? Do you write Flash code? These are typical small business website requirements. You never answered the question about the portfolio. Where is yours? Is it online so I can see your templates? Can I manipulate the templates to see the available options? I am a small business owner, convince me you are ready.

I professed a lack of knowledge of business law, not web design. I can set up an SSL shopping cart, though I cannot code flash. However, for small local websites, flash would be overkill. Besides, I can do HTML, JavaScript, CSS, and PHP. As to the portfolio, in all honesty, I cannot design, I can only program the code for websites. I get my designs from a free template website. I have read through their terms, and I am allowed to use their templates for any site, even a business, for-profit site, as long as a footer link is left. Further, I have e-mailed them about removing the link, and they say that I can do that provided I pay them a certain amount. I know what you will say to the fact that I cannot design: forget it. But to that I say: Since I don't do the designing myself, it is much easier and less time-consuming, and I can charge less. That is what will attract small companies to me. Which brings me to your second point...

That's a verbal contract and even more risky for you. You would have absolutely nothing to protect you if one of your customers decides to stiff you. Plus only the riskiest of businesses would do business with you, no established business will enter into a verbal contractual relationship with a kid just starting out.

A verbal contract is fine for me, because if the company decides to stiff me (unlikely, it's a family-owned company that my parents have purchased from before), I can always stiff them back. They don't know about website design, so they will be happy to leave management of the site to me. If they don't pay, I take it down. As to them not entering into the contract in the first place, that is up to them. They will see what I can do, and they can decide for themselves. I will not be surprised if I get laughed at a few times, but I don't really care. People really should get rid of the idea that ages less than 18=dumb.

 

[Mass_Shyster]

If they don't pay, I take it down.

That could end you up in a world of hurt.

 

[dstrout]

That could end you up in a world of hurt.

How so? It was a verbal contract, and there are no laws (as far as I know) saying I can't login and do what I want if I've been granted access. And besides, they didn't pay.

 

[Silverplum]

I professed a lack of knowledge of business law, not web design. I can set up an SSL shopping cart, though I cannot code flash. However, for small local websites, flash would be overkill. Besides, I can do HTML, JavaScript, CSS, and PHP. As to the portfolio, in all honesty, I cannot design, I can only program the code for websites. I get my designs from a free template website. I have read through their terms, and I am allowed to use their templates for any site, even a business, for-profit site, as long as a footer link is left. Further, I have e-mailed them about removing the link, and they say that I can do that provided I pay them a certain amount. I know what you will say to the fact that I cannot design: forget it. But to that I say: Since I don't do the designing myself, it is much easier and less time-consuming, and I can charge less. That is what will attract small companies to me. Which brings me to your second point...

A verbal contract is fine for me, because if the company decides to stiff me (unlikely, it's a family-owned company that my parents have purchased from before), I can always stiff them back. They don't know about website design, so they will be happy to leave management of the site to me. If they don't pay, I take it down. As to them not entering into the contract in the first place, that is up to them. They will see what I can do, and they can decide for themselves. I will not be surprised if I get laughed at a few times, but I don't really care.

Which leads directly to this:

People really should get rid of the idea that ages less than 18=dumb.

Who called you "dumb?"
Which poster here on FA, in which post?

 

[dstrout]

Who called you "dumb?"
Which poster here on FA, in which post?

Nobody. It's just that generally in society, people assume that teenagers cannot do anything and aren't very bright until they hit some "magic age" - 18, 21, whatever. That's not true!

 

[Mass_Shyster]

How so? It was a verbal contract, and there are no laws (as far as I know) saying I can't login and do what I want if I've been granted access. And besides, they didn't pay.

Courts disfavor selp-help remedies.

If they didn't pay you, your recourse is to sue. Your recourse is not to hack into their website and vandalize it.

 

[Silverplum]

Nobody.

Then it's not something to discuss here. Advisors have treated you with respect.

It's just that generally in society, people assume that teenagers cannot do anything and aren't very bright until they hit some "magic age" - 18, 21, whatever. That's not true!

Such is life.

 

[dstrout]

Courts disfavor selp-help remedies.

If they didn't pay you, your recourse is to sue. Your recourse is not to hack into their website and vandalize it.

But it is a verbal contract, so I can't sue. I'm not hacking though, because I was given access. I am just using this access as I see fit. If they didn't want me to take it down, they shouldn't have given me access - or they should have paid! But this is all in theory. I think we should all return to my original question. Are there any rules I need to follow in going about this business, assuming people are willing to hire me?

 

[Wanda June]

But it is a verbal contract, so I can't sue. I'm not hacking though, because I was given access. I am just using this access as I see fit. If they didn't want me to take it down, they shouldn't have given me access - or they should have paid! But this is all in theory. I think we should all return to my original question. Are there any rules I need to follow in going about this business, assuming people are willing to hire me?

You mentioned something about not being dumb?

 

[racer72]

But it is a verbal contract, so I can't sue. I'm not hacking though, because I was given access. I am just using this access as I see fit. If they didn't want me to take it down, they shouldn't have given me access - or they should have paid! But this is all in theory. I think we should all return to my original question. Are there any rules I need to follow in going about this business, assuming people are willing to hire me?

You have just proven you are not ready for such an endeavor. As such, I doubt you will get much help from this site.