Sometimes it's difficult running a business by yourself. Especially ones that deal directly with the web, which by the way is what I do. It has it's ups and downs but can very rewarding if you like it.

The Honesty

Although, I think I'm going to take a different approach because it's a global market now and just because I can and want to. I've ran several businesses, most of them flops but one thing I've came to realize is people don't want to deal with large companies (sometimes), they want the personal touch of someone they can trust and do business with. Ever call your cell phone company? Then I think you know what I'm talking about. Which is why I've decided to run this business with a personal touch rather than like a know-it-all large corporation.

You may be thinking..I don't want to be friends with you, I just want service. Well this is for the other people that DO WANT the personal support they deserve. Now I'm not sure how long I can keep this up but I will try my best to give every client I receive the same courtesy as if they were a personal friend of mine.

The Business and Transition

Recently, I've decided to move my servers to a new location because of the lack of support I was getting for the co-located hosting. I want name names but it was rather horrible. So in transitioning, I've got new servers in two locations now. One in Miami, FL. and the other in Dallas, TX.. This will allow me to offer services from either location and give my clients I do serve a choice in: cPanel Hosting or Hsphere Hosting with incredible speeds from the internet backbones on either coast. With that said I've had to raise my prices in hosting for my clients websites because of resource allocation. Now I've thought hard on the subject and I figured if I was giving the personal 1-on-1 support to clients I serve (even through telephone) then I can probably raise the prices some to make some kind of living at this. I realize now after several years of hosting websites, I can't compete with the big boys until I become a big boy myself.

I can compete though on a personal level and develop a tremendous relationship with the clients I do have and make sure they get everything they need for all of their websites. I'm a graphic designer, very computer savvy and can can develop full blown applications with coldfusion, php or even asp. So I'm not lacking in the experience but since I'm a one man shop I have to charge for it. But you'll be safe with someone "like a personal friend" you can call at anytime to get help. Need a resume system, I can do it. Need something off the wall, like a full blown customized pharmacy system, I can do it. Possibilities are endless!

The Merger

I'm teaming up with myself so to speak. I have another website that will have all of the services I provide. It's called Image Be Technologies but it's not quite ready yet due to working with client's websites to get them up and running. See, I lookout for them first and then myself. However, it will be ready and what will be nice about it, it will allow me to update content from a database-admin screen perspective instead of having to make the changes manually and then uploading. By the way it's basically a content management system I built myself in coldfusion.

Comments: Please, if you have comments, register and let me know what you would like personally from web services. It can be anything from I want the largest hosting account the world could provide or I like your personal approach but I would like "blank blank blank".

I just thought I would try and comment on what this website is about. I guess it's a kind of "about me" link or post. Hopefully, after writing and commenting on what others have to say, my English writing skills will improve. I never was a great wrtier (Edited - writer...see already 1 spelling mistake) which is why I'm a designer at heart. So please excuse grammer mistakes.

It all started when I was born...just kidding! Really, about 5-7 years ago, I attempted to open a web service based business in creating websites for people and businesses. Mainly mom and pop shops. At that time it was called "Cyber-webdesign". What a cool name for a newbie like me. Well, I'll try and explain where I'm at and where I hope to go in the future.

Has anyone tried to do something you love and make it into a business? Well that's exactly what I thought I would do. My main mistake back in those days, and possibly still the case, was "if you build it they will come" syndrome. You ever had that feeling in building a website? Not only were my designs aweful but I thought, HEY, everyone is doing this so why not make a go at it. I can't say it was a total failure because now I work for a major aerospace and engineer company called Westar (PIMSOL) doing web development type applications in "Coldfusion". I've also worked for a major University, The University of Alabama in Huntsville doing distance learning websites for Capella, Kaplan, Strayer, and Southern Christian Universities just to name a few. In addition, I had the chance to work for Mike Shulla, The University of Alabama's football coach, but turned it down for salary reasons. However, it would have been a major bullet in my resume. However, my personal resume isn't the reason for this website. I want to share my experiences with the world on running a web based business.

Instead of trying to write everything in this one post, I'll break it up into several "About me posts" I just don't want to burn myself out and most importantly I don't want to bore you with a long post. So until next time.

---Chris