Questions

I'm unemployed and want to start a B to B service I can start from home and someday grow where I can hire some help. When I think of my skills I've built quite a few Wordpress Woocommerce sites for myself and friends. I've done everything from register the name to create everything and the site comes out pretty nice. Not award-winning but I'd be proud to make them for others and the feedback has been good. When I talk to my techie friends about starting a Wordpress business they are *all* negative on it because there is so much competition who, they say, will do it at a lower rate. They tell me to pick a different direction, even like HTML/ CSS front end development will have lots more opportunities. However I would have to go to school and train to do it. Not to mention everyone expecting Javascript/Jquery which I dont have yet. My goal is a small service that is low stress to me (low stress is important to me). I would be happy charging $25/hr to start and work my way up to $45-55/hr. Do you think a Wordpress consulting business could support this or do you think that the competition is too high and I should look at a different skill I can offer, like learning Html5/css3? Maybe if I focused on just Wordpress Ecommerce would be better? I'm worried to build a business only to find 3 years from now that competition is brutal and Im struggling to survive. I want to build something where people are coming to me for help and i can make those mid-range rates easily. Thanks for any feedback.

Sounds like you have been building all the expertise that you need.

I'm not a web developer, but I do have experience as a coach for entrepreneurs in the UNC Kenan-Flagler Entrepreneurship Program.

Sounds like you've given some thought to your offering - which is great. But I really think you should focus on your market first and here's why - what you think the market may want and what they actually want may be different.

First, I recommend that you don't even think about the competition. Your offering will be unique - just because it's you. You may be just what the market's looking for...

I agree with another answer about niching down so I think focusing on Wordpress Woocommerce would be just fine...or a really good place to start.

Here are some of my recommendations to help you get your creative juices flowing.

Strategy 1:
Make a list of 100 (or more) people that you know. Reach out to them and ask if they need help or know anyone that may need help with their Wordpress sites or other sites. Offer your services and ask them to introduce you to others.
You might even reach out with a specific question - like what's the biggest thing that you struggle with as an online merchant - or something like that?

Strategy 2:
Grow an email list - Make a list of 100 (or more) people and ask if they would be interested in joining your email list - and that you plan to send them a weekly newsletter about Wordpress Woocommerce or some other topic of your choice - you'll probably be surprised how many people are interested. This list becomes people excited about buying your products and services. Once you get your first 100 subscribers then start asking them questions, like what are their biggest pain points related to your topic? Once you know what their real struggles are - then you KNOW what product or service can help solve that problem. Then go build that product or service and sell it to your anxious buyers.

Strategy 3:
I agree with one of the other answers that you probably have opportunities right in your own backyard. I recommend contacting your local Chamber of Commerce and joining it. It's usually pretty inexpensive. They have regular networking events - plus you'll get access to all the members in the area and those are your potential clients. And you can become the expert in your locale for this service...you'll be THE GUY that everyone goes to for their e-commerce sites. You'll probably get a lot of satisfaction if you are able to help local businesses (like brick and mortar) to find a way to get a new revenue stream by building or improving their online presence.

These recommended strategies aren't mutually exclusive so mix and match as you see fit.

If you want to talk through your questions further - don't hesitate to reach out for a phone call.

Good luck!


Answered 8 years ago

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