e-commerce - anyone interested in taking on work requested

[charlie]

Hi all ... don't know if the title describe it really, but (as today), I occasionally get requests for e-commerce sites and I've never got round to having a go at one and nor am I likely to. It seems a shame to lose any money for this but at the same time I don't really want any involvemnt with them.

I'm thinking maybe there are people on who who would like this kind of work and would do it for a finders fee ?

I would make it clear that they were dealing direct with you and all legal responsibilities pass to you etc etc so there's no confusion .. so in effect, they would be your client and I'd just get a finders fee. I don't know how succesful this will be but if anyone is interested, can you let me have a bit of info about your or your company, a few e-commerce examples and I guess what finders fee you'd be happy to pay ....

anyone interested ?


Charlie

[Haze]

I tried this too as I haven't built any ecommerce sites. I find that the potential client wants to see some ecommerce sites, and as I haven't done any I have missed out on a potential finders fee. I did try to redirect a few potentials in the direction of one or two folk on here, but not sure that the potential client bothered once they found out they wouldn't be dealing with someone local.... a big shame as there have been about half a dozen enquiries of the last year at least..... I really need to get into it myself.... Sorry I'm not answering your enquiry but just thought I'd say something....

Andy

[Matt]

Im happy to do work like this. You can do it one of two ways, as I used to be (and sometimes still do) a similar thing.

If there is some aspect of a website I cant do, I either give it to someone else and charge a fee, or I do what I can, and pay someone else to do the work that I didnt know how to.

Either way, if you get any work let me know and Ill be happy to quote you for it, you can then add a finders fee ontop of what you quote to customer or we can work something else out.

Im sure others are the same. I know like me, Sarah & Dave have a wedding to pay for!!

[sarahA]

Guys, from my own experience you may be better doing the project managing so that any client wants to continue dealing with you. However, you need to ensure that you add enough on top of any quote you may get. You can still inform the client that you've got a part time developer working on the system, but the client probably won't worry about that if they're just dealing with you and not the developer. As Matt said, you do what you can to make as much work from it plus you need to factor in your time for project management and then you just have a developer do what they need.

If you get a good working relationship with someone who can do what you need then once you get a good line of communication set up the developer will be much more comfortable and happier dealing with just you, someone who understands and knows what they're talking about, rather than a client that doesn't. You'll most likely find a slight reduction in rates as you'll probably waste their time less than a client would, plus the developer won't need to deal with meetings etc. with the client as they can just work off the brief and information from you.

However, all that said, it can also be a bit of a nightmare if the developer doesn't complete all the work and you then start having to chase for it, or if the client keeps changing things and you need to keep relaying these changes to the developer.

If you would rather just pass the job on to someone then you run the risk of losing the client altogether, so I would suggest that if anyone comes to you for work beyond your capability, tell the client that you can refer them on to a partner business to manage the project but if you feel you could lose them, and/or if you feel they came to you because you're local or were recommended, then possibly suggest that you project manage as they'll probably trust you more than the developer they don't meet.

If done right then it can be an easy job for you, but I won't lie and say it can also be stressful and time consuming, then again, that goes for all jobs!

And, if you have the time, I would recommend at least getting a feel for ecom sites, install a copy of osCommerce (not the best for markup but the logic is pretty good on how a shop site should run), or if you can spare the money, look into JShop. If you can learn to set up most of the shop then you may just need a developer to do the design integration/template and perhaps any code tweaks necessary.

There's plenty of experienced people on here who I'm sure will answer any questions on most of the popular eCommerce packages.

[Matt]

I echo what Sarah says, I had Khalid do a load of work in the past for me, the website www.trashypants.co.uk was built by Khalid on OSC, I got a quote from him before providing the quote to the customer from 'mattian' - they knew I had developers working for me, and I dont hide the fact I use other business to complete some elements, they are better then me at those bits, but I can manage projects so why give all the profit away?

I also did other bits and have learnt a lot that way, including integrating a WP blog within OSC, took a few days to sort the design, but I learnt a lot through that and the inevitable little tweeks needed.

Id have no hesitation in recommending people on here, Ory and Sarah and Dave are all people Id trust with my work, and thats important, because this way it comes back to your business if its crap.

[Shirker]

 

the website www.trashypants.co.uk

Nice link 

[charlie]

Thanks all ... some good advice but for my own situation, I've decided to do a 'pass it all over for a fee' and have been contacted by someone who I've worked with previously and who I'm more than happy to pass to clients.

Matt .. will definitely keep you in mind but as I've worked with this person before it seems to make sense to go that route .. thanks for the offer though.


cheers


Charlie

[Matt]

Dont worry about me, Ill just tell the missus the weddings off and its all your fault

Thanks all ... some good advice but for my own situation, I've decided to do a 'pass it all over for a fee' and have been contacted by someone who I've worked with previously and who I'm more than happy to pass to clients.

Matt .. will definitely keep you in mind but as I've worked with this person before it seems to make sense to go that route .. thanks for the offer though.


cheers


Charlie

[charlie]

lol .. that might work ..... doubt it

[Haze]

Matt.... long live bachelor-dom... lol