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.
领英推荐
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.
11 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
11 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