WAHM Forums

I was wanting to know out of general curiosity, do web designers that stay at home and work have ongoing employment? Or is it by a "project by project" basis only?

Also, for other computer technology jobs, such as ( information technology, java development, web development,) can you do those solely from home as well?

Thanks for your information! It really helps ALOT!

Hi,

I currently work out of my house and its project by project. I have tried to hook up with some area companies that would have more on going projects and they can come to me for design services.

One thing that can happen in web design or any graphic design area is that you can have a project, complete the project and then you may not hear from that customer again for awhile so you have to ensure you have projects coming into your pipeline at all times.

What are you looking to do with web design?

I have to work mine as a full time job because it is replacing my full time position I was downsized from. I have a set goal for the number of projects I have to complete per month to pay myself and any other expenses I have for the business. Anything over that number is a bonus.

I'm just starting out with doing my own thing from home (I have always worked for someone else full time) so while I'm getting my name out there I have been looking into working with some other design companies that may need help with designs. They don't pay what I except to make but its money coming in while I'm building my client base.

Another thing I'm doing is I've teamed up with a salesman you goes out and tries to get business for me. I pay him a % of the total project price for obtaining the business. He works with the clients for me as far as meeting with them (except for the design meeting) etc.

I'm currently a full time student, mom and wife so this allows me to have more time on design and less time on sales.

Let me know what you are looking for and I'd be happy to give you tips and advice on things I'm doing and have learned.

Best Wishes and Dream Big!

It's hard. I'm still working for a company full time and work my butt off in the evening and on the weekends to build up my web design company. Since I'm the sole financial provider in my family, I cannot quit my day job yet. It would be different if I was already working from home. I would have more time to find new clients.

It is my goal to leave my Job and work home full time. I just need to build up my portfolio and client list. All though I've been doing web design for many years, I've just started branching out to do my own business.

Good luck and work hard and your goals will be met.

hi hannahsmommy23!

like Angela, i too am new at having my own design company from home. As a freelancer, it is mainly project by project basis. i also have been contacting local companies for more ongoing work. i am starting as a web coach for one such local company (in which i will be coaching people through the process of starting their own online business). they have also placed me on their design team (in which they assign custom designs on a rotating basis) - still project by project, but i won't have to actually solicit the sales.

since my biz is new, i'm offering prices lower than i plan on charging (for custom design) until my portfolio is satisfactory. so, the coaching will provide a more regular income & i am able to choose my schedule/hours - while i build up my design portfolio.

if you have any other questions, just let me know -- i'm always up for sharing tips with others!

Hi bella|faith,

The web coaching sounds like a great thing and a way to give back a little. How did you go about finding something like that?

You can email me off the forum if you would like at angela@creativejuicestudio.com.

I would love to find something like that around here, my company goals well of course is to make money ;) but also to find ways to help other small business' and give back. So I never thought about being a coach but it sounds great.

Hope to hear from you.

I also work from home. Project to project but i also own a travel company that i run from home. I found that i can promote both my travel business and my graphics business at the same time. I mean they both go together for me. I getgraphics business from my travel business and i get travel business when i do graphics. It's been working out very well for me so i don't have a regular 9-5 but a 23hr job. It has been all worth it to me..

good luck

wow, thank you everyone so much for your input and help, advice, and time. That really does help out! Thanks again!

hi Angela,

it was actually kind of random - i ran across it on my local craigslist.

Just agreeing with the others. I work project to project too, but I know a gal who has been doing it awhile now, and she has many projects come her way so it is more regular for her. So I guess the longer you work at it the more regular it gets.