Topic: Buiding sites for free, as a promotion?

I did not build a serious website for ages, but i really liked doing so. Thus i will try to break open the market again for myself. This should happen with the following goals in mind:

1) To get my name known again.
2) To get some links to my new (still building) website.
3) Gain some new experience (some thinggs are realy rusty) and to smoothen my HTML/CSS/JavaScript skills
4) Get a good feeling with the market again (what do people like these days, What do they want etc).

So here is my plan:
I build a free website for a client and instead off paying the client allowes me to put a little text link at the bottom off the page. Or maybe a little button in the same design as the site i build. Since the site is build for free it will not be very complicated no d-bases, serverside scripts, php, etc. Also i will tell the client the site will not be flawless but i will do a decent job. The client also will take care about the webspace, or he let me do it and i charge him for it.

What do you think about this plan? do you think clients will bite? how will other webbuilders react?

If i get a negative advice from you guys i will think about not going on with this promotion-plan.

"Freedom of speech is by no means freedom to insult others" from the Razorart goodbye letter.

It's not a bad idea, but let me suggest three things.

First off, don't say "it won't be flawless." Tell him it'll be the best site you know how to make. Then make it the best site you know how to make. If it's meant as a personal promotion, you need to go balls-to-the-wall.

Second, make it a business transaction. Offer him a discounted rate -- I'm working half-price for a local client myself, in hopes of getting more local business once I'm done -- but don't do it completely for free. Otherwise, people will think your work isn't valuable.

Third, if you do plan to do something for free, do it for a non-profit organization, like a church/library/youth group/charity. That way not only can you retain the moral right to make capitalist businesses pay through the nose, but you can take tax deductions on every expenditure you make -- including the final estimated value of the delivered product. (At least, that's how it is in the US, unless I'm way off base.)

Actually PT had the answer I was going to give. Generally working with a non-profit in these kinds of situations is perfect and gives you a great way to build your portfolio.




.:[ Never resist a perfect moment ]:.

mmm thanks... i go check about the tax laws...
The non profit sector is a good idea.
And the discount is even better.
Hopefully i can crack open the market a bit maybe not to get a living out off it but at least to make some extra money.

"Freedom of speech is by no means freedom to insult others" from the Razorart goodbye letter.

I LOVE YOUR WORK AND YOUR THE MAN , I WOULD LIKE U TO BUILD ME A WEBPAGE AND UYOU CAN ADD ANY LINK YOU LIKE TO SHOW YOUR WORK,
IN NEED OF A FOOTBALL WEBPAGE

Whatever

"Freedom of speech is by no means freedom to insult others" from the Razorart goodbye letter.

[This message has been edited by Rinswind 2th (edited 04-04-2003).]