[Inzvestor]

Ben, we wary of this market - it is tough. Most startups want something for free (at least those that frequent certain forums etc.....)

Established businesses that require a makeover or who have outgrown their brochure site could be a target market.

[Indizine]

I have found that the start ups who want something for cheap or free are those that are not committed to investing in their business - not those who are just trying to save cash - so I agree some of those people do exist, but just make sure you then gear your content towards the type of start up that intends to invest in their business properly.

If you give the impression you do cheap and cheerful or that it's all about price, then you will only have price to negotiate with - and that is often a downwards spiral on your side if that was the case.

Also, if I come across people who start saying they dont have much money for start up, I simply refer them to places where they can get free help or cheap as chips services, albeit likely a lesser quality, but I make this clear and that is their choice to make.

[IP2]

Originally Posted by Inzvestor

Ben, we wary of this market - it is tough. Most startups want something for free (at least those that frequent certain forums etc.....)

Established businesses that require a makeover or who have outgrown their brochure site could be a target market.

Sorry to disagree with you, I would say the opposite is almost true. Start ups often spend far too much on basic services, because they believe they need to spend that money.

Any start up wanting things for free, has not yet met the commercial world and probably won't last in business long.

[Inzvestor]

Most of the startups that (finally) come to us for advice have bootstrapped their way to failure.
Many will spend, as you rightly point out - But they spend money on the wrong elements.
Most seem to think a logo is the be-all-and-end-all of everything, and many do not even have a basic business plan.
Startups will overspend on stock (which they cannot shift because the do not have distribution channels in place - or do not have effective marketing to get customers in the door (or to their site)
There are a growing number of DIY'ers who spend then think and finally realise that they needed to have spent in different areas to be effective.

Indi is spot-on

[IP2]

Indi is rarely not spot on - she is a very talented lady!

Don't you think though that you can not grumble about start ups, the advice is available (look at this forum) but through a lack of education to help someone. I totally disagree that all start ups are just after a free dinner. They just need the right help and the right advice. I was a start up once as was everyone on this forum, success can be built individually or through learning.

[Indizine]

With very talented cushions

Most start ups are learners after all, and bound to make errors, but havent we all? There's definately things I would have done differently and I have helped many hundreds of new business start ups - but saying it is one thing and doing it is completely another!

[freelancer]

I've got my target market now then, serious start-ups.

Can anyone advise on the content now e.t.c?

[Indizine]

well think about the barriers for start ups. Do a couple of polls and surveys.

[freelancer]

Barriers.

I can see them been things like the initial cost of the site, understanding what solution they need (e.g. CMS or store), they'll want to know about SEO and ways they can improve efficiency e.t.c of their site (I could set-up a blog I guess talking about this), options for growth and additions to sites e.t.c like forums e.t.c

Also I believe they want an agency that can do everything from their cards and stationary to their logo and marketing, thus negating the need to work with 5 different companies