Starting a web/software development business?

[MasterBates]

My friend who pretty much lives in 3 world country recomended this idea to me.

I have at least a group of 10-20 people who are mainly software designers, programers, web developers etc etc who will work for dimes and nickles compared to american workers. They have good knowledge with good experience, most of them work for companies overseas and some even for the goverment. They are smart people who learn quick, some even end up in USA if they get lucky, Making big bucks.

Anyway, I'm still a college student so I hardly have any experience in business world but for some reason I think this type of business should work.

what do you guys think?

 

[Razorguns]

My friend who pretty much lives in 3 world country recomended this idea to me.

I have at least a group of 10-20 people who are mainly software designers, programers, web developers etc etc who will work for dimes and nickles compared to american workers. They have good knowledge with good experience, most of them work for companies overseas and some even for the goverment. They are smart people who learn quick, some even end up in USA if they get lucky, Making big bucks.

Anyway, I'm still a college student so I hardly have any experience in business world but for some reason I think this type of business should work.

what do you guys think?

People writing code for small potatoes. Yes it's a proven profitable concept if that's what you're asking.

But you want to create a _business_ around it. Therein lies the main bulk of work.

Right now, you're better off just bidding on small jobs at like guru.com or whatever they are -- those sites where people wanting work done can post the reuqireements and people bid on them.

If you want more specific information -- feel free to ask more specific questions.

(word of warning, foreign developers are HORRIBLE at communicating with one another, and it's quite common to ask for one thing and wind up getting something completely different. makes you want to rip your hair out).

 

[MasterBates]

Well I speak their language, My cousin knows every single one of them and lives there.

I have good funding if need be, My father owns lot's of real estate in that country, so If they need offices they will get one.

I just dont know if there's a big market for this.

 

[Razorguns]

Well I speak their language, My cousin knows every single one of them and lives there.

I have good funding if need be, My father owns lot's of real estate in that country, so If they need offices they will get one.

I just dont know if there's a big market for this.

Two options:

1) Hook up with a CEO or President of someone who's built or run a successful foreign offshore development company. Someone who can help build the 90% of the company that doesn't involve X++.

or

2) Start off slow -- and slowly start building up the experience and know-how yourself that is already existent in the above-mentioned CEO.

#1 is probably not even feasible. So your best option is still #2. Start off slow and start building the company.

You really need the experience in learning about all facets of a successful company. Let alone facets of a _successful_ company. You have a lot to learn grasshoper.

Don't be niave and start throwing your money around until you have gained such knowledge. Guys like you are sitting goldmines for opportunist scammer people with ill intentions on their minds. Be careful.

 

[Agathe]

So what would be the first step for something like this? building a website I assume?
What's the best way to advertise this business?

 

[Mr.X]

My friend who pretty much lives in 3 world country recomended this idea to me.

I have at least a group of 10-20 people who are mainly software designers, programers, web developers etc etc who will work for dimes and nickles compared to american workers. They have good knowledge with good experience, most of them work for companies overseas and some even for the goverment. They are smart people who learn quick, some even end up in USA if they get lucky, Making big bucks.

Anyway, I'm still a college student so I hardly have any experience in business world but for some reason I think this type of business should work.

what do you guys think?

what sets your company/idea apart from the 100,000+++++ outsourcing/underbidding firms out there?

Indian outsourcing firms - as well as US ones - are dime a dozen, and unless you've got an innovative idea don't waste your time.

Mr.X

 

[Ulcasterdropout]

works for Microsoft

 

[MasterBates]

what sets your company/idea apart from the 100,000+++++ outsourcing/underbidding firms out there?

Indian outsourcing firms - as well as US ones - are dime a dozen, and unless you've got an innovative idea don't waste your time.

Mr.X

Well, my goal would be to beat any price out there and I think it would be a good start. Gotta start learning somewhere right.

So far all the prices that I've seen in this business seem to be beatable.

 

[Mr.X]

Well, my goal would be to beat any price out there and I think it would be a good start. Gotta start learning somewhere right.

So far all the prices that I've seen in this business seem to be beatable.

In business, the word: ECONOMIES of scale come to mind here, how will you be able to compete with top indian outsourcing companies that pride themselves as being the CHEAPEST?

what is your competetive advantage? price is not an advantage.

Mr.X

 

[Mr.X]

btw...don't think I'm chewing you out or picking on you, the point I'm making is that business is not just all homeruns, for striking out is a part of business but sometimes you can avoid the strike by looking at the facts first.

 

[Razorguns]

Well, my goal would be to beat any price out there and I think it would be a good start. Gotta start learning somewhere right.

So far all the prices that I've seen in this business seem to be beatable.

A $50 million firm is not gonna sign a $2 million software development project with Larry Jones of Peoria, Illinois who works out of his basement.

These indian companies, albiet are working off of cheap developers as their main strength -- are by no means mickey mouse operations aside of that.

They have CEO's and top american executives, sales reps in the US, us offices, professional websites, solid proof and experience of past multi-developer enterprise development projects, insurance, off-shore technical infrastructure, software development guidelines and accounting practices, professional marketing materials, seminars, as-needed top-notch consultants, on-site tours for clients, meeting spaces, human resources, lawyers, etc. etc. etc.

Start off slow by doing some stuff for local businesses and then go from there. Use your ever-expanding knowledge as you build it, as your foundation to make it even bigger and more successful.

Dreaming without defining a solid roadmap and blue-print of how to achieve that dream, will ensure only one thing. It'll always remain a dream.

 

[MasterBates]

Well actually I was thinking working in the prices range from 500-25000, targeting small businesses and not big coorporations.

Developing data entry software, oneline stores, inverntory managment software, etc etc.

 

[Razorguns]

Developing data entry software, oneline stores, inverntory managment software, etc etc.

That's a much better bet. But make sure you have all the other formal procedures, processes, accounting, etc. in place or at least understood -- so u don't look like a schmuck when running your business. You'll find running the business will be more than just coding and compiling.

Even a small business can be run by pretty intelligent acute businessmen who expect formal x,y,z's during negotiations and services rendered. Have those in place, otherwise you'll never attract the attention of the medium to big potatoes.

 

[Mr.X]

Well actually I was thinking working in the prices range from 500-25000, targeting small businesses and not big coorporations.

Developing data entry software, oneline stores, inverntory managment software, etc etc.

how are you going to market your product?

I can read you off a list of at least 30 companies that contacted my retail chain offering this same service, what sets you apart?

Mr.X

 

[Agathe]

can't you advertise you're company on sites like yahoo?

 

[Agathe]

.

 

[MasterBates]

how are you going to market your product?

I can read you off a list of at least 30 companies that contacted my retail chain offering this same service, what sets you apart?

Mr.X

Good question, any suggestions?


Well, like I said, the only thing that I can offer is quick service and beat any price. As far as marketing goes, mass mailing? trying to come up high on google/yahoo search engines, or just pay them to advertise the company.

 

[MasterBates]

by the way, thanks for the help guys, I apreciate it.

I obviously don't want to get burned here so everything helps.

 

[Razorguns]

by the way, thanks for the help guys, I apreciate it.

I obviously don't want to get burned here so everything helps.

No probs. Which is why i suggest learning and reading about "business" principles.

Learning how to code is one thing. But it won't answer the question when someone asks "How you gonna reach clients, and how are you going to set yourself apart from the other 30 in the field offering the same thing"??

Lot to learn grasshopper. But consider it a challenge -- homework. Not as a deflator or an obstacle.

 

[Mr.X]

Good question, any suggestions?


Well, like I said, the only thing that I can offer is quick service and beat any price. As far as marketing goes, mass mailing? trying to come up high on google/yahoo search engines, or just pay them to advertise the company.

your #1 is having a good team, good refs. and a great portfolio
#2 being professional, from an 1800# to at least a small office or conf. room
#3(should be #1 but it's hard to say) marketing and client aquisition, have a full marketing plan ready
#4 business plan - plan out how you're going to make money

1-4 doesn't have to be in that order, but you get my point.

There are other factors, but there isn't enough time for me to teach an MBA course on EF .

Mr.X