Ask HN: How to start a solo web design business?

1 points by LewisDavidson 2y ago ↗ HN

I want to give running my own shop a try. But I'm struggling with how to position myself. Quite possibly analysis paralysis.

Ideas:

SEO - I have ranked local websites before and have experience with larger sites. Wordpress sites - Very quick to build and I have the skills to build custom made templates. Full stack SaaS solutions - Built a few personal projects that vary in complexity. Probably the biggest $$$ but also the hardest.

I don't know which angle to pick. I think if I present myself with all options, there's a chance it will alienate potential customers not to mention spread myself too thin. How do I choose which path to go down?

Does anyone have any advice and especially customer acquisition? I'm not looking to get rich and very willing to put the hard work in.

2 comments

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Cypher 2y ago ↗

Do an A/B test build both and treat them as separate entitles and continue working on the one that gains the most traction.

hacknewslogin 2y ago ↗

It's great to see this question posted, I was considering the same thing. My plans is to offer my services to the niche hobby groups I'm in. Many of the members of those groups are older and not tech savy. At the same time, a lot of them do business that relies on a website for marketing. I'm hoping to improve the sites they have, many still look like they made them in the 90s.

You might be able to find niche groups with members in the same situation. Once you help a few of them, they'll spread your services by word of mouth.

Good luck!