Part-time home business idea – building websites

If you’re a bit of a technical wizard and like the though of being part of the Internet industry then setting up a home business to make extra money building websites could be a good way of using your skills.

You’ll need to have a computer with the necessary software packages, broadband Internet access and a phone to get started; after that it’s really down to you and your proficiency as a website builder. If you are unsure of your abilities you could invest in an intensive training course, such as HomeLearningCourses or 20-20 Web Design.

The best advertisement for yourself is your own website – you can’t expect people to have confidence in you if your own site doesn’t look good or isn’t fully functional. Take the time to get your own site right; treat it as if you were working for a customer – after all, your website is your shop window.

Think carefully about your target market. Who are you going to aim your service at? It’s obvious that you can’t aim too high, so perhaps focus on local small businesses and start ups. This is where going to local networking events can pay dividends; make sure you have a good supply of business cards wherever you go, and when you chat with people find ways of discovering whether they have a website or not. If they do, are they happy with it? You could offer to do a free audit of their site and give them your recommendations – they are then free to decide whether to give you the work. If they don’t have a site yet, then you can start selling yourself and hopefully get the chance to quote on building their website.

When you first start your business you may need to keep your hourly rate quite low eg £15, but as you get more experience you can expect to earn up to £40 per hour.