Ask HN: Is there any money in website design for small businesses anymore?

Re:Ask HN: Is there any money in website design for small bu... by jason_pomerleau on Saturday January 19, 2019 @09:54AM (#18947318)

Agency work is less profitable and higher hassle. They tend to want to “manage the project” and many of them do it rather poorly.

My sales cycle is very short. I usually close the sale in the first meeting - or walk away knowing that a PO is imminent. Or I finish that meeting knowing that there’s no real opportunity there. Over many years I’ve developed a pretty good instinct of what is an opportunity and what isn’t, and where there’s a good fit and isn’t. Wish I could be more prescriptive, but it seems to be one of my magic powers.

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Re:Ask HN: Is there any money in website design for small bu... by sixtypoundhound on Saturday January 19, 2019 @10:25AM (#18947459)

Thank you - matches my expectations.

The older I get, the more I value clients who are willing to shake hands once and let us handle it from there (or better yet, send me an email before a project and a check after it).

Having some 23 year old AE clumsily attempt to "manage" us is a recipe for imminent violence.... (us => spouse and I)

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Re:Ask HN: Is there any money in website design for small bu... by maratd on Saturday January 19, 2019 @12:15PM (#18947957)

> Agency work is less profitable and higher hassle.

I agree with the first part, but disagree with the second. Rather, partially disagree. Most agencies are inept. There are some out there that run a very tight ship and it is a pleasure to work for them. They tend to be larger and have a system for handling contractors.

That said, since it's always less profitable, you're always better off having your own clients.

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Re:Ask HN: Is there any money in website design for small bu... by mrhappyunhappy on Saturday January 19, 2019 @07:30PM (#18950172)

This has not been the case for me. One of my best clients is a small agency that does not have an in house UX designer. They pass 100% of their UX work to me at the full price I decide. I had a very candid conversation with the owner and he was adamant about paying whatever to make me happy about the work to stay long term. It has been a win win relationship with them over the years. I charge a premium they are happy to pay and the work brings major wins for their clients which allows the agency to get even better and bigger contracts.

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