Freelance site

stevecov · #1 (**permalink**) 05-28-2008, 11:04 AM

Hey,

I am looking to start a site for freelance projects. I find all the ones out there are bidding but wudnt it be much easier for someone to go on the site and then find a project they are intrested in completing and email them instead of bidding. Then the customer will be able to find out more about the freelancers and choose the best one for them. I am all for it I can code PHP from scratch I just want to turnover a bit of money from this (atleast enough to cover domain costs) I just don't know what I can do to get money out of it any plans. I am a freelancer myself so I can use this to get projects for myself aswell.

lisa · #2 (**permalink**) 05-28-2008, 01:22 PM

Instead of starting a freelance site just yet have you ever thought about becoming a coder on Rentacoder.com? You can earn money faster than trying to launch your own site and you can keep in touch with the people whose site's you design and when you do launch your site you'll already have a client base.

If you need money quick, launching a site or blog is not the way to go. It might be best to just freelance at a place that already has traffic so you can generate some business, then launch your site later.

stevecov · #3 (**permalink**) 05-28-2008, 01:39 PM

I tried rentacoder but the whole system does not impress me (no offence). I know that many freelance sites go for the bidding technique but I would much prefer to have contact with the client and discuss with him a resonable offer. This cannot be done very easily through rentacoder. I am not looking for money fast as I want to do freelance while running the site but I am just looking of ways where I can earn money from the website.

lisa · #4 (**permalink**) 05-28-2008, 01:44 PM

Sorry, I got you confused with another member who was looking to make money quick.

And I understand. There are a lot of freelance sites out there like you describe, and it's definitely doable, you'll just have a lot of competition. Do you have a specific type of project you like to work on? For example if are good at customizing and designing vbulletin forums you could start off just doing that. The reason I suggest that is it will be much easier to get found in the engines if you start with a smaller niche. And you could post over at the vbulletin forums where a lot of new vbulletin users hang out and build up clientele that way.

Of course the vbulletin idea is just an example. You could try that with any smaller niche. I just would hate to see you try to compete with "freelance projects" or "web design". Once you generate the clientele then you can broaden your scope.

stevecov · #5 (**permalink**) 05-28-2008, 01:51 PM

Lol yes I did create another post with another idea and saying I need money quick but I am going to use programming to get by. Yes I am involved in alot of forums for design and I know I can get clients through that (both customers and designers). Its going to be a slow start but I think I can get it up once it gets known. So how do you suggest I get money from it because I want atleast enough money to get the hosting domain and a little extra for myself

.

Regards,
Steve

stevecov · #6 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008, 11:17 AM

?????????

lisa · #7 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008, 01:29 PM

Oops, I somehow missed your last reply.

Well if you already know how and where you can get clients why not just create your site now? Hosting is cheap at $3/month and if I remember correctly someone posted a site where you can get domains for $5/yr I believe. Are you trying to start this site for free?

Since you have interested clients, just create your site with your forms and begin promoting it. If you participate in a lot of design forums just promote your service in your sig and start getting some clientele. Not really sure what more to tell ya. Is it the marketing you are concerned about? Costs? I certainly wouldn't do it with a free host.

stevecov · #8 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008, 01:56 PM

Thats ok.

No I have contacts for a host and domains I can afford and know various services. It's just the problem of I would like to make a bit of money out of this but how do would I go about making money from it? What could I do to get some money from it.

lisa · #9 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008, 04:02 PM

Well you'd make money from your clients right? They would pay you for your web design services. So I'm guessing you mean in addition to that. You could also monetize your site through google ads and other affiliate programs related to web development. Larger networks like CJ.com, LinkShare.com and Shareasale.com have affiliate programs that can help you monetize your site.

I would also include some free design tutorials on there just to help you attract more repeat traffic. And once you begin to get traffic you can make money by having other webmasters advertise on your site, etc.

Is that what you're asking?

stevecov · #10 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008, 04:17 PM

Yes that helped loads. I will have to get around to coding it aswell as coding my own design site so I will see when I can get it up.

Best Regards,
Steve

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