Newbie - Web Consultant

[NicolaSmout]

Hi everyone, my name is Nicola and I just thought I would introduce myself.

I am a web consultant - seems to be a lot of us about! I used to work as web manager for ITV up in Newcastle but chose to relocate back to my native Merseyside because I was expecting my first child. I started out as a trainee web designer and worked my way up to programmer and eventually web manager. As web manager I concentrated on project management, client relations, creative ideas, and marketing and this is the role that I enjoy most. I work in a specialist niche area of 'accessibility' and more specifically British Sign Language translations for the web. Through ITV I worked on projects for BT, Disability Rights Commission, Northern Film and Media, and the NHS to name but a few. I still work on a freelance basis for my old boss but I am now looking to set up my own web development company.

I feel quite nervous to have taken the plunge and leave a good job. But I'm here now and intend to make a success of this. I'm glad I found this site, It will be good to be able to come here and ask questions, or bounce ideas off you guys.

[Will]

Hi Nicola,

Welcome to the forum and thanks for introducing yourself. It's always nice to meet another web consultant :)

My name's Will and my area of business is also in the web development world. If you're interested in an informal small business meet-up sometime, a few forum members here get together about once a month for a coffee and a chat in Liverpool city centre.

[NicolaSmout]

Thanks Will, I'll see how I'm fixed for the next meet up.

[Will]

I am a web consultant - seems to be a lot of us about!

Nice to see that there's a few of us webbies here (another newcomer today!)

Would be great to get us all together for a chin wag :)

[webgroove]

Let me know when the next "get together" is, sounds interesting.

Many thanks,

Steve.

[Will]

The next meet-up will be in November. If you've a preferred date, please post it in this thread (http://www.businessmix.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=758).

[Vertigo_Web_Design]

I'm a newbie too and another Web bod - design, marketing and development.

Tim

[NicolaSmout]

Sorry guys I've been away for a few days. Thanks for all the responses, it will be good to share some business tips between all the techies.

Just read virtigo's intro and wondered how long you have been going for Will? Have you found it hard or is there plenty of work. Looks like me and webgroove could get some tips from those of you who have been running longer. I am based in Wallasey.

[Will]

I've been in the web industry since 2003 and whilst there is a lot of competition, there's still plenty of scope to carve out your own groove and an endless number of ways to do so. One way is to focus on your strengths and become really good at something. Offer something that others don't or can't.

As for the amount of work available for web designers, I certainly don't feel there's a shortage in our local area.

Starting out on your own can be difficult, but I found that keeping in regular contact with other small businesses, such as some of the other members here, really helped. I got so much more from meeting with real people than I did from trying to get support from people online.