Would a web designer working from home put you off using them?
Recently, I had an enquiry from a potential new client wanting me to take over their website and SEO. We arranged a date to meet in the New Year, and he seemed very keen. When I told him my office was at my house rather than an external office, he was no longer interested.
I used to have an office in Cambridge; I would make the hour-long round trip each day and sit there working alone. I would occasionally have client meetings or hold website training there, but I prefer to visit clients at their premises as it gives me a better feel for their business.
During Covid, the lease on the office expired, and as I'd moved to a much larger house that would allow me to have a dedicated office there, I decided to switch to home working.
Working from home benefits clients as I can keep costs down due to having fewer outgoing expenses. I could have a central London office with a helter-skelter and ping pong tables, but ultimately, my clients would pay for it with minimal benefit to them.
I also no longer have to commute, saving me time and clients' money.
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It's also better for the environment as I'm not driving daily to and from work.
The only issue with working from a home office is that some potential clients have a mindset where they perceive it to be more professional to have an office in a business park or in a town centre.
To me, it's still the same person, with the same skills, sitting at the same desk on the same computer. I just walk there instead of driving. It is still a dedicated office which I can close off; it isn't just a desk in the guest bedroom or under the stairs; it is set out exactly as it would be if I had an external office.
Would you be happy to have your web designer working from home, or would you be prepared to pay double to visit an office with a helter-skelter and a ping-pong table once or twice?
Software, apps and development business consultant | Helping you navigate technology | Riselabs
10 个月It’s always nice when the troublesome clients show themselves the door ??
CEO + Leadership Team Coach | tech startups and scale-ups | Cambridge | UK | Worldwide
10 个月I work from home and have no office. If I need clients to meet f2f we either do it at their office, in a coffee shop or occasionally we’ll hire a meeting room.
Showstopping Audio Visual and Information technology for your home, company, church, college or school
10 个月Should not matter at all.
I help Commercial Directors and business owners to make their business visible to their ideal clients | Boutique Consultancy | Multimedia content strategy and solutions.
10 个月Adam - I don’t think it matters one jot. I know huge businesses who no longer have offices, and I know small businesses who had offices (I know I was one of them). You can provide a great client experience from anywhere.
Successful Retailer and Team Leader with Forever Living as a Forever Business Owner | I help others improve their health and wealth with the choice to work for themselves, never by themselves, alongside other commitments
10 个月So true Adam, however I guess there will always be the few who think it might not be a ‘proper business’ if from home. One of my businesses, all based at home, is Reflexology and I believe the clients who come to me, like the environment, but some will always want the ‘salon’ experience. For over 30 years I was even based at home as a District nurse, then visited my patients at their homes. Loved that I could be ‘part of their family’ but many nurses feel they ‘need’ to be in a hospital. I love my choices of my home or theirs. For my Forever business I meet some people at home and others in a hotel type setting. Glad we have choices these days and can express our personalities wherever we work. xx