Sale of finished sites : good or bad concept?

[Sleidia]

Hi guys,

As a freelance webdesigner, I'm just wondering about one thing : instead of waiting for clients to contact me or, instead of trying to sell an imaginary web project to a client, what about creating a highly configurable website first, and then, offer it as a personalized product to several companies with a good specific design and a private administration area for each?

I know there is nothing really new with that idea and I'm sure that most of you have already tried such a concept.

The questions are :

1) was/is it a success in term on money?
2) what is the probability that a company buys a finished site without previous planning on any kind on their side?

Thanks for your inputs

 

[johnwm]

This probably belongs in forum1248, but a quick Google on 'free website templates' gives over 14 million hits - take out the 'free' and you get over 35 million hits, so there is quite some competition in the field. You will need to work out a really good USP to make this work.

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[TruthInSatire]

What you're looking at is more or less a hosted solution. I run one and helped with a second myself, for two target groups. a CMS system to do something like this is HUGE. You'll never be "done" with it and it will take a good year or so before it's even self mantainable.

You'll want to pick a target group to cater to, then expand. For example you'll have different functionality from a realistate site, than you would for an appliance repair shop.

good luck, it's quite an undertaking.

Technology is dominated by two types of people: those who understand what they do not manage, and those who manage what they do not understand. - Putt's Law

 

[Volk359]

Sleidia,

If I understand correctly your intention is to build a website for a specific company that currently does not have one. If that's the case than I'd see it as no different then peddling some other other product to them. They'll be interested if the product is affordable and will be an asset to the company.

You might want to do a bit of research and find out what the company's needs and wants are. Who are their customers? Why do they need a website? What purpose/service will the website provide? Will they need a shopping cart? Will they want email accounts? Can they host/maintain it themselves.

The idea is to create a site that will make them want to buy it. Stay away from the fluff and bells and whistles and keep it open for modification for things they like but want to change or add. I've done this a couple of times and it's tough. Expect a lot of no's but don't get discouraged. That's easy to do when you put a lot of time and effort into the site only to have to scrap everything.

I'd say it's near impossible to create a finished website for a company without knowing all the minute details or their needs. One idea is to create 3, 4 or 5 pages so you don't spend a lot of time on it but will give them a good idea of what the potential is. Have the links for other areas but don't neccesarily create a page for it. Remember it's not only the product but the sale that will sell it.

You may also want to look into getting one of Brian Tracy's books or CD's. He's got some very fresh ideas about selling. See this one at Amazon.com or see his website

http://www.briantracy.com.

We've got several of his books and CD's and he's a very enjoyable speaker to listen to.

Good luck!

 

[Sleidia]

Thanks a lot Volk359

If I understand correctly your intention is to build a website for a specific company that currently does not have one.

Or a websites far better than the one they currently have.

I'd say it's near impossible to create a finished website for a company without knowing all the minute details or their needs.

Of course, each potential buyer would want the site to be customized in accordance to his own needs. The key point, in my opinion, is to edit your proprietary content management system so that the requested features can be added/removed very easily without extra codingin the future. In the end, I guess you would have a nice tool in hand.

The idea is to, for example, create an online booking system that I could resell to every hotel, event organiser, theme park, etc.

I know that there are plenty of free scripts available on sites like

http://www.hotscripts.com

but, even if it is seen as a waste of time by others, I prefer to use my own tools.

Anyway, it looks like Tek-Tips is less crowded than at the time whem I was a more active member so, this thread is bound to be read by only a few individuals. I wish I could get a lot more responses from experienced people like you, Volk359.

Anyway, thanks again.



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[aaphandana]

I am also learning how to create a CMS of my own. I was so fired up until I was introduced with MAMBO. That thing is so good.

I started to think wy people want to buy mine which is mostly similar with mambo while mambo is free.

Doesn't open source things like that killing the industry?
Don't get me wrong, I love OS but I am scared for the future it will bring to it's competitors (one of them is me, and probably you).

Any kind of replies are highly appreciated.