how to get into designing for pay

Carpetpaul said: "Having got my first site online, I'm happy enough with the result, but now feel at a bit of a loose end, I know of a few companies that I feel would benifit from a site of similar size and quality, and I'm a bit wary of suggesting that I design a site for them. I know that you'd have to throw yourself in at the deep end at some point, and since I know the people that I'd offer my services to, I'm happy to do the work and then get paid at the end when they're satisfied with the result, and if it all goes wrong, there's nothing lost. although I did end up with a site, I still don't feel that I'm competent, even with this type of site. I was thinking of setting up the site in the following way, please let me know if you think that this makes sence :- I would use the same host for any new sites that I do, as I know how they work, and they're the right price, If I register my customers domain name with the host, and pay for their hosting with my own credit card, suggesting to the host that they use my personal email addy for contacting me regarding setting up and sorting out......then, once the site is finished alter the hosts contact email to that of my customer, so that any further communication will go to the new site owner. I'd obviously recover the cost of hosting within my final charge for the site. When I've finished the site, would you suggest that I provide my customer with all the paperwork, passwords and all, suggesting that they can change whatever they want, so that the site is under their control.......then they could just give access back to me again should they want changes or additions to the site. Are their any legal matters that I could get caught up in, should I seek advice, or have to get some kind of contract made up and signed.........any advice you can give on this subject would be most helpful thanks for your time - Paul"

edwin said: "paul, the main thing is to have a written contract between you and the person outlining exactly what's expected. i wouldn't tie a domain up in it at all. its very hard to change owner info later. i'd just keep the design on my server and when they approve it, you can install the design or give them the files."

Darksat said: "I would also hold onto control of the host if possible."