Should I Focus?

[myvv]

I’ve read quite a bit about web developers failing because they try to “be all things to all people”. That we should focus on a few niches or industries. Therefore when a client from that industry considers you they start off trusting you more because you know their business and industry and therefore are more likely to get the project. I’m considering this for the travel industry but I fear I’ll be alienating a huge potential market share. What would you suggest?

[flood6]

The online travel industry must be one of the top 5 largest industries on the net.

You will have an enormous pool from wich to seek clients.

If you are truly looking to focus on a small segment of development, you may need to be more focused.

Maybe concentrate on travel sites that connect through a specific network (?), multi-lingual travel sites, or just SEO for travel sites (though I imagine this would be one of the hardest segments of the web to provide SEO services for.

Or instead of focusing on Travel sites, just focus on PHP, .net, mySQL, economy sites, templates, or something like that; the specialization doesn't have to be industry-specific.

HTH.

[Jeff Colburn]

Hi,

You can start in the travel industry and once you are established you can branch out if you want.

You will also probably get people from outside the travel industry approaching you as people you deal with tell their friends about you.

You can change your direction any time you want, so don't worry about being locked in to a particular industry.

Have Fun,
Jeff