[Bradfordp2612]

To all who have done this what are the steps you took to fully develop your own web design company. I have a partner who specializes in coding and I am in charge of design.

What steps did you take and in what order? Such as name, design, business cards etc.

[styyls]

To all who have done this what are the steps you took to fully develop your own web design company. I have a partner who specializes in coding and I am in charge of design.

What steps did you take and in what order? Such as name, design, business cards etc.

To add to that... how do you go about filing taxes as a small design firm? I am in the process of getting incorporated, but I am not sure if I should start with quarterlies or what? I suppose I could hire someone for professional assistance.. but I'd like to do my research first before I fork over the dollars.

Anyone care to shed some light?

[Will Roberts]

When i setup my company i used a company in the UK called Duport who specialise in this kind of thing for a low price. I am sure there will be the same kind of thing in other countries.

My company I.M.A.G.E Limited is a registered limited company and took around a week to setup.

We took our time deciding on the name and decided on I.M.A.G.E Limited.

I.M.A.G.E = Interactive Media And Graphic Enterprises.

We then decided on a brand which in my case was based around our logo which has NEVER changed.

From there we built our site and designed our business cards. Never try to get cheap business cards. A good quality card means a lot to businesses. I have attached a photo of my cards.

For the running of the company we submit our books to our accountants once every 6 months. My wife is a trainee Accountant so she also helps out with some.

We make a note of EVERY purchase made for the company and submit them along with our profits etc.

Hope this helps

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[RIPCLAW]

Well let see what I can at

I always start with the logo / brand aswell because that will be the redline in everything.
Then you can build everything from there.
But you have to find out what works for you, because every designer has his own vision what works for him the best.

I also want to add something extra for the new beginners:
(maybe it will help)

Starting your own company, you got to ask your self why do I want to do this?
Like in: Do I do it for the money, or because I love designing or I want to be my own boss, etc, etc

The reason behind this is to build a good foundation.

Don't be afaid to fail!

Starting a small business is always risky, and the chance of success is slim, roughly 50% of small businesses fail within the first five years.
The numbers vary by industry, of course. On the Web, they're probably much higher—say 60-70% in the first year? (Five years in Web time is a lifetime and the barriers to entry are very low). But the conclusion is the same: You're more likely to fail than to succeed (especially on the Web).

So my thinking is, if it's inevitable, why fear it? Embrace it. And go forth with faith and gusto

I would say, first find out what your good points are and you weak points!
That will help you along the way.
And keep pushing your self because if you sit on you ass, nothing will happen!
Take your time and look around because there is alot of competition, learn from them.
Try to be different is good but what are you bringing to the table is an question you should ask?

When I started with www.23mvs.com (mvs: Media Visions Sounds) I set the bar a little to high for my self.
in the beginning and learned it the hard way.
But a good friend told me, don't be afraid to take a step back, take you time and be honest with you self!
With that in my mind, I won my first designer award in 2006!

But the most importent things I have learned in all these years is: Never stop learning new things and respect everybody who is in the same business.
Because there is always somebody that will raise the bar with new things! Again, learn from it!


Bradfordp2612, in your case think about this.
What will happen when your friend don't want to continue anymore?

In other words, do you have a backup plan?
Don't get me wrong, I'm just saying that you have to think about every little thing, even this.
I hope this will not happen to you but you can't go wrong to think about it.

Well good luck and don't forget to show use your stuff!

with kind regards,

René