The right development strategy to a web studio?

Question

Business Informatics

I work as a programmer and develop websites, over time I start working for myself: sometimes friends need a website, sometimes friends of friends contact me. And now, thinking over the development strategy, I have questions, so I would like to know the opinion and maybe a more correct direction:

1. I need to come up with a name, perhaps in the future of my studio. It's ready: Creativix
   
2. Rent VDS hosting
   
3. You need to make your site, promote it, and advertise.
   At this stage, I am interested in how to introduce myself to customers, how to convince customers to work with me?
   Even if I have a good portfolio, it seems to me that when the customer wants to come to the office, but he is not there or just finds out that I am doing everything alone, he will think that this is all frivolous, and so on. or I'm wrong?
   
4. Develop sites on free CMS, as well as on Bitrix. Support, website promotion.
   
5. Develop your CMS.
   To some extent, its engine binds clients to me.
   And it also seems to me that you won’t go far on free engines, for larger projects you need to make a convenient CMS for yourself.
   
6. And then as you develop, opening an LLC, buying your own servers, moving to an office, etc.
   

Answer 1

Sasha, welcome!
Do not listen to anyone, remember that - the road will be mastered by the walking one.
I speak as a person who has implemented a design studio since 0, 2 years ago. :)
You need to tighten up your planning strategy - this is noticeable :) try to read business materials on the topics:
1) Tactics and development management strategy
2) Creating a business strategy, basics
3) Creating a business strategy for the short, medium and long term
Everything is in order with your tactics - it is noticeable, to the question - "how?" You answer perfectly :), but you need to work with the sequence of actions and their order, and the strategy is responsible for it. Good luck to you and don't listen to anyone, especially swindlers and confused smart IT people, who always "everything is complicated", who have never tried and never try anything, always failed and sit on the fifth point calmly, while having nothing, or having something then in life, but "crazy then." Don't listen to anyone! - this is the main rule, but tighten up the strategy anyway :)
Good luck and luck to you!;))

Answer 2

I'm very skeptical about plans that start like this:
When it goes, then you'll come up with it.

Answer 3

I need to come up with a name, perhaps in the future of my studio. It's ready: Creativix

Excuse me, but the first thing that came to mind:
- Hello, is this Internation World SMM digital group?
- (whispers) Yes
- Why whispers?
- I'm in math.
You decide who you are. Developer/PR/Manager/Sales. The word "company" suggests that you have employees.
It's not worth it, the result will be shit 99.99%
The client is usually on the side. The only thing you will achieve by such actions is an extra liter of blood from the eyes of the next programmer and a higher price for his services.
Larger projects usually do not use CMS at all.
Sounds great, how many years ahead is your business plan worked out?))

Answer 4

Well, point by point:
1. In general, do not care what to call. The first clients still come on personal recommendations.
2. No comments. Surprised that this is a separate item.
3. In general, the question of where to get clients is not only the main one, it is generally the only one in this business. If you know how to find clients - finding people who will do the work itself is not a problem.
Creating a studio from scratch as a structure only makes sense if you have:
a) experience in how it is done
b) a good budget for promotion.
In all other cases - it is necessary to go gradually. Start working as a freelancer. Start taking orders more than you do yourself - hire an assistant. etc.
I advise you to read the book rework (available on flibust for free), there are a lot of very correct thoughts for a beginner.
4. Bitrix is ​​a separate special world with its own rules. I would say that either Bitrix or everything else.
5. The engine does not bind clients to anyone. If they want to leave, they will.
6. It makes sense to open a legal entity if you feel that legal entities are becoming your clients. This happens even in freelancing, but rarely.

Answer 5

Good evening!
If you are from Ukraine, then let's get acquainted. I'm Vladislav and I just need a partner who can create websites, and I, in turn, can sell. (SaloStudio.com.ua)