Interview with Jeff Halligan with Successfulwebdesign

What services or products does your organization offer?
Successfulwebdeisgn##comma## provides affordable one roof solutions to small business##aps##s faceing the unique challenges and needs of professional website design and corporate identity development including everything from logo and stationary design##comma## to marketing and promotion both online and offline.

What type of business or organization do you operate?
Sole proprieter. We started off as a home based business by myself while I was designing under the umbrella of a large company and began doing some request sites on the side.

How many employees do you currently have?
We dont use full time employees but do o

How did you originally discover the idea for your organization?
By doing alot of research##comma## and reviewing my own experiences##comma##I noticed the shortcomings of most website design comapnies and what clients were needing##comma## and then set up a structure that would aloow those needs to be met in a timely and affordable manner.

How did you originally fund your organization?
Personal funds##comma## and some venture capitol.
Luckily##comma## A website design company does not require tens of thousands of dollars to begin.

Are you the founder of your organization?
Yes

Do you believe there is any distinct culture within your organization? If so, please describe it.

What obstacles or challenges have you faced in your organization?
I would say that the biggest opstical has been getting clients. In the beginning##comma## there were a few comeing in from some referals and such##comma## but I really had to get creative in my marketing strategies inorder to attract more clients##comma## It is now to the point were we have started haveing to book clients about two weeks out##comma## but with our unique process##comma## this enables them to have everything prepared on there end for when the project is ready to begin.This also enables us to present a final product much sooner than many of the other website design companies oyut there today.

Did you accept any advice along the way? Do you believe new organizations should be open to such advice?
I think that Advisors and Mentors are extremely Important##comma## They have already experienced some of the things that you will run into and can advise and teach you how to best handle various situatiions and how to turn a situation into a valuable learning experience##comma## in turn this will make you a better business person.

Did you receive any help along the way from other businesses or organizations? If so, how and from whom?
Absolutly##comma## The biggest one was Washington Cash##comma## a org. that offers small business classes and micro loans to would be entrepreneurs. They also have an ongoing support and mentor program. I was also lucky enough to connect with the owner of a different website deisgn company##comma## who was experienceing all the success that he can handle##comma## and He mentored me In the Beginning##comma## We remain in constant contact and now help eachother out.

What have been the keys to success in your business? What do you believe are the keys to success?
A constant belief in myself and what I was doing##comma## I know that this is a valuable service and that it will help small businesses Succeed in todays world.

What kind of relationship do you establish with your customers or clients?
By providing better service##comma## more options##comma##at competative rates. We are consantly studying both what other companies are and are not doing. We also are continuously looking for ways to improve ourselves by asking clients for sugesstions.

What types of marketing do you employ?
The Internet##comma## Search engines##comma## Article submissions and one of the biggest has been word of mouth. We offer discounts and free upgrades in exchange for participation in our referal program.

Do you employ any web or online marketing?
Absolutely##comma## Technology is the meat of our business##comma## while our customer service remains the heart of it. without the technology##comma## we could not provide nearly the amount of services that we do.

What role does trust play in business or in your organization?
Not really##comma## I have had some challenges ad learning experiences arise but I dont call them ##aps##mistakes##aps## because they all helped us get where we are today.
I think that the biggest one was that for a long time we had no print material for marketing##comma## We were only marketing online and that was costing us too much money##comma## as such we now have numerous print materials and have cut our marketing cost down to under $500 for an entire year while seeing a large increase in clients.

Did you struggle with starting your own organization or venture? Why did you decide to begin on your own?
I always wanted to kind of do my own thing but then at the same time grew up with the mind set that if you go to school and get your grades##comma## you get a good job and work your way up to CEO. This is not always the case however. they forget to tell you about layoffs##comma## polotics##comma## and all of the other ##aps##stuff##aps## in corporate America.

What books or resources would you recommend for individuals starting off now?
I think that one of the most influential books I have read would be ##quote##Awakening the Giant Within##quote## by Tony Robins.
He is a excellent motivational and educational speaker and author.

Do you notice any trends in the marketplace? If so, what are they?
I see more and more Small businesses looking to the Internet for either ecommerce soutions or as an affordable Marketing venue. Both of these are true but should be combined with other avenues as well.

Do you believe networking and contacts are important? If so, how?
I think that can be one of the most important things for an entrepreneur##aps##s
success##comma## you shopuld always look for and take full advantage of any networking oportunity##comma## also make sure to refer some of your contacts when appropriate.

What do you think about contracts and other legal obligations? Are they important in your business?
That you have to believe in your business products##comma## or services. If you are just in it for the money##comma## people will see that. If you are doing it out of belief and lovee for what you are doing##comma## that will also show through.

If there is one thing that would sum up your advice to new entrepreneurs, what would it be?
I Would say that Both are valuable##comma## We all learn different ways.However##comma## Both Structured and Realworld learning are valuable in any business or industry.

What, if any, final advice do you have for new entrepreneurs?
Just remember to treat your customers fairly##comma## like you expect to be treated##comma## and Do what feels right. I can not stress that enough##comma## follow your gut instincts.