Do you have at least a rudimentary grasp of Java, JavaScript, PHP, and Flash? It does not matter if you’re offering “basic, bare-bones” web services; you absolutely need to know these tools in order to be competitive with anyone. My suggestion is that you at least take a course or two in web design to get yourself up to speed on the current standards. You’ll also need to break into graphic design with tools like Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator – if you have “a guy that does graphics,” he’s either going to start demanding a decent salary (eating up your profits) or he’ll end up not putting a lot of effort into your business since he’s not getting paid enough to care.
The reason the high-profile websites have those browser-choking JavaScript widgets is because they’re gathering information from every user who visits their site (and probably depositing a cookie or two in your computer, too). This information is very valuable to their marketing departments.
Someone in this thread suggested that you work on an option-based pricing schedule, and I think this is an excellent idea. Your basic, bare-bones, you-get-what-you-pay-for website will be your base fee, then you show your clients a list of options that would tailor the site to them. Want information-gathering scripts? Tack on $150. Want dynamic Flash-based graphics? $200. And so on. You get the idea.
One more suggestion: Design a few sites for fake companies you’ve made up. It’s not completely honest, but it’ll show prospective customers that you have an established clientele and that you’re not some fly-by-night operation. Appearance is 90% of business.
Good luck with your first customer.
