Anyone considered franchising?

Franchise_2

Ive just been made redundant and fed up already looking for another job as no one wants me at my age

Therefore I started looking at franchising and what scares me half to death is using all of my redundancy money on a franchise. All the good ones seem to costs £20,000 plus.

However i've just come across the Activ Web Design Franchise and it seems spot on

Has anyone considered franchising after they have been made redundant?

sukysue

You must be mad wasting your hard earned redundancy on a rubbish idea like that.

WhiteHorse

Franchising can be quite good as it's a whole deal with everything done for you. You do have to choose very carefully however - remember that they are selling you something so may not be too forthcoming with regard to any downsides.

You must do your background research thoroughly and read the agreement very carefully. Many have all sorts of nasty clauses.

I would certainly be very loathe to part with all my money on something like that - better to pay off a mortgage or other debts first.

Franchise_2

The thing is I cant get a job!

I'm lucky because my mortgage is paid off and i'm looking for something to fill the time. I want something to do with low risk, however most of the franchises Ive looked at cost thousands. I want one that is only a few grand.

sukysue

Plenty of free software sites out there already, also they are not BFA accredited.

Franchise_2

Yes there are - thats what they told me too, in fact they even pointed me in the direction of some free software to download.

However they also pointed me in the direction of research from the Government about how web designers and business owners are ruining their business by designing websites themselves because they don't know how to market themselves properly. I cant post the link on here cos I'm new, but it does back up all the research ive done.

There are some terrible website out there. What I liked about Activ was that they would teach me how to offer a service that will benefit a business. Sue go and type into Google


"web designers ruining businesses"

You will see what I mean!

Anyway going to keep looking as there is so many franchises to choose from.

Just wondered if anyone who had been made redundant had actually taken the leap of faith with any franchise company as I would be interested to know how it was for them.

sukysue

Look I just don't want to see you waste your hard earned money. I have no interest in Francises but you seem dead set on it so I can but wish you good luck .

lowbrim

Save your money. You have more chance of getting a job than making money out of these franchises. I have been there done that!!

daisyf_2

If you are still keen on donig a franchise - business link are running courses on franchises. I personally think you would be better off if you want to start a busness by doing it yourself..... see if business link operate in your area as they run free courses - just signed myself up on a couple more as the previous ones have been so good.

Also website design has such a huge market that people tend to go via word and mouth..... I have recently had two websites for a charity I am a trustee in and I went via word and mouth xxxx

sharkie

Is this spam?

I would feel severely ripped off paying £499 for their advertised portfolio sites.


If they are going to teach you web design from start to finish, and their
franchise is £400, then for me it would be a hard choice between this and a college.

I thing VERY few make good money out of web design. My friend - all he does professionaly is web, was made redundant. He creates and modifies script (creating forums, chat rooms, dynamic pages and data driven designs) was made redundant, in 9 months he got to build 3 small uncomplicated web sites and that was it.

If I owned a web design company, I would get it coded in India and he result emailed to me for review, or coporate web site.

PeterZ_2

I've looked into franchises before, to be honest this web design one looks like a complete non starter, dont waste your money on it. I know a few web designers, they are incredibly talented and good at what they do, but even with their years of prior experience once out there on their own its bloody hard work and the competition is intense.

The key with franchise is all about location, for example a dominios pizza franchise in a good town with no other pizza outlets will make you a tidy packet.