Reply to: Website

[PRC1964]

Blimey, a blast from the past.

Even Fleety RIP posted in this thread.

For much of the time I was a contractor I had a website with a specific email address that was only used there.

That account never once got an email. I did however get some junk mail to the (very slightly) altered address of my registered office.

It may have been down to my poor web skills, but I doubt it.

[d000hg]

That's my quandary at the moment. I'm currently putting a site together and have used we/our/us right the way through. I've included no personal details whatsoever, just focused on my products and services. If I'm lucky enough to get any enquiries I'm sure I can do some smoke and mirrors stuff to maintain the fiction. I'm hoping it won't be long before we/us/our is a bit more accurate

It is not a big deal. For a start, 90% of the sites out there for "software companies" are 1-man-bands. Secondly, you can legitimately use 'we' quite easily. I am the only employee of MyCo but I have hired contractors/freelancers and that is my planned model until I win projects more than a few months long.

[wurzel]

It is the "our" that I could never get my head around. In most cases it is one man. Once you know that the rest reads like bulltulip.

That's my quandary at the moment. I'm currently putting a site together and have used we/our/us right the way through. I've included no personal details whatsoever, just focused on my products and services. If I'm lucky enough to get any enquiries I'm sure I can do some smoke and mirrors stuff to maintain the fiction. I'm hoping it won't be long before we/us/our is a bit more accurate

[thunderlizard]

My firm does. The site is very professional and boring-looking. It does attract the odd unsolicited customer but they're usually not in my league. I agree with the Emperor Dalek (can't believe I'm saying that!) - it's just a reassurance. Kind of like if you're a rock band and don't have a MySpace page people think you don't exist any more.

[xoggoth]

That's funny, mine's crap and orange too!

[Joshua Hallelujah Booker]

MIne is total crap but it is orange which excuses everything in my view.

[TheMonkey]

I'm not going to publically show the URL of the web site as that would link me permanently with acres of abusive comments which would make me look unfavourable to clients

We are an "our" - there are 3 of us. 1 on contract, 1 wife and 1 me

Testimonials == contracts. They are all genuine ones and are backed with contracts.

[BankingContractor]

TheMonkey - what is the url of your website, would love to see what it looks like as most contractor sites I know are very poor, and make it obvious that they're a one-man band.

Thanks

[milanbenes]

plan b has a website

Milan.

[wendigo100]

It will if it has client testamonials on it which conveniently overlap and you have contracts to back that up.

You can then claim "you should have at least checked our web site before bothering us".

It is the "our" that I could never get my head around. In most cases it is one man. Once you know that the rest reads like bullsh1t.

However, people like you, our simian friend, can get away with it given that you sub-contract.

Small point, but overlapping contracts mean something re IR35, but overlapping testimonials? What are they?

[Lockhouse]

When I was investigated for IR35 myco's website was quoted by HMRC as being a pointer to IR35 not applying. My view is that lots of little pointers add up to ONE BIG BIG POINTER. IR35 is the only reason for most contractors to have one and anyone can knock up a few web pages in less than an hour. What's the problem?

[xoggoth]

Fair points by Wendigo, but surely if you have a site you can reference it in a CV and then put details of relevant work on it for anyone who is interested in knowing more?

[TheMonkey]

I think in all honesty that having a website will not swing it for an IR35 investigation team.

Perhaps Malvolio can expand...?

It will if it has client testamonials on it which conveniently overlap and you have contracts to back that up.

You can then claim "you should have at least checked our web site before bothering us".

[hyperD]

Yeah I was wondering about the IR35 and having a site to show you are a real business.

I think in all honesty that having a website will not swing it for an IR35 investigation team.

Perhaps Malvolio can expand...?

[DimPrawn]

A single page webtulipe is probably not worth doing.

But if you are touting (for example) that you are the worlds best .NET developer, having a company website to showcase your abilities (some products & freeware), articles, a blog all about .NET and cutting edge stuff, a portfolio of previous projects and clients (high level), etc, actually is useful when at interviews or when bidding for work and also if the IR come knocking.

It also showcases your web dev skills if relevant.