goingincircles - 4:40 pm on Oct 26, 2005 (gmt 0)

I do see where you're coming from - that's the identical model I used for my hosting websites (which were making some money, but I decided I didn't want the headache of all the support!).

Hosting - £30 a year! Click here to sign up...

Would you like statistics? £20 please

How about spam filtering on that POP account you want? Another fiver!

I agree that it can, and does, work as a model. What I disagree with is that it can be used to produce successful business websites. If you are happy to churn out websites for people, and be strict about how much (or little) support you give people then it could probably make you money.

You would need to think very, very carefully about the application form though. People using this are unlikely to be very web-savvy (based on my experience of clients who used to use online editors before they came to me), and are unlikely to understand even basic terms such as 'mailto' link for example.

I have seen enquiry forms on web designers' pages saying things like

"What language would you like your website programmed in?"

"Will you require CGI forms?"

"How many MB of webspace do you want?"

A lot of people, perfectly intelligent people who run their own businesses, couldn't answer any of those questions.

You may note a hint of bitterness from me on the subject of cheap websites for small clients who don't want to spend a lot. It is a case of having the T-Shirt - you will make a bit of money from a few people who want a website address for no more reason than to be able to put it on their business cards and show they are 'with it', but you will get a hell of a lot of grief from those who are expecting some orders or enquiries, and however clear you make it at the start they will be expecting some orders and enquiries.

I'm sure it could work for the right sort of person, but I think I would have a breakdown if I even wrote about some of the nightmares I used to have with 'off the shelf' website design.