I've been in college for a few years now and a few friends and I want to put our knowledge to the test

We want to start designing websites for people on as a small side-business.

Having websites built for you can be expensive but since we are just personal it will be quite cheaper than spending ~800 bucks to get one done for you.

We are in the process of getting the necessary software we would want to help contribute to our cause.

But what I'm here for is, is there any interest in this?

Also, is it possible once we get completely running to advertise on this site?

What kind of skills do you have? Are you good at web design or are you a programmer? Almost anyone can download a pre-made template or use a service to make a simple 5 page static website. You need to be able to add a value to your customers websites. Either by having excellent graphic design skills, being familiar and proficient with SEO practices, or by developing dynamic websites with a CMS or other custom designed backend features. If you can offer one or all of those added values then you will be able to offer a better service for a higher price. I think the model of selling $100-$200 dollar static 5 page templated websites is a broken model. It creates a lot of bad websites and unhappy customers and a lot of broke web designers :-P. Higher quality websites is the key especially if you are just getting into the game.

My classes involve Javascript / web design and programming as far as this goes

I am not familiar at all with SEO pactices, nor what a CMS is. But I am willing to learn and utilize those skills.

My knowledge extends to javascript / (some java) / XHTML / CSS

Do you have a portfolio of your work ?

Sadly I didn't think much of it when I was taking the classes.

I keep all the work so I could still put one together.

The other 2 people doing this with me, we could combine our work into one portfolio for our "Project" probably?

I definately appreciate your suggestions!!

David,

First I want to say although I am an accountant this is NOT an advertisement, simply a word of advice.  When you are starting a business you will want to speak with an accountant who will assist you in filing the various items with NY and the IRS.  A good accountant will also assist you in deciding what type of entity you wish to be, which will decide what exactly you will need to file.  A good accountant will be available to you when you call, or if he (or she) is tied up will return your phone call in a reasonable amount of time.  A lawyer can also assist you with the filings, and the type of entity you should consider.  However, the lawyer may not understand the accounting aspect, such as the entries you need to make when you start the business, and on a day to day (or month to month) basis, what type of software you should use, or what the final impact will be on April 15th.  One last bit of advice is that you will want to work with your accountant throughout the year.  Too many people wait until the end of the year to see their accountant, and by then it is too late to try to save them money on their taxes.  By talking to your accountant throughout the year, the work the accountant performs at the end of the year will be substantially less (meaning less expensive) and the accountant will be able to help you plan for future events. 

I know that was not the type of response you were looking for, but I hope it will assist you when you do decide to start your business.

Tim

What about if we are doing it as a side project? Not necessarily a professional business of sorts, would we still need to go through all that?

It would be nice if the govt would let us earn our own money and keep it... but unfortunately even as a side-project you have to do all the business junk and pay crazy amounts of taxes. Hopefully Tim can make that easier for you though.

Matt is right,

As a side business if it was just one of you, then you could by-pass alot of the filing if you filed as a schedule C (which means you file Schedule C with your 1040), with that you will still have to keep records and pay taxes on the money you earn.  However since there are a few of you, you will have to file as a partnership, LLC (taxed as a partnership or a Corp) or a Corporation (S-Corp or C-Corp).  I would be happy to answer any questions you have, my e-mail address is tpmccormick@gmail.com.  I also have a listing on the Pipeline Pages with my address and phone number.  As I said in my initial posting, I was not trying to advertise, so feel free to call around, to different accounting firms in Plattsburgh, if you decide to contact me off of the message board, that is when I will let you know the firms history as well as my history.

Good luck

Tim

I greatly appreciate your help

I will talk with my friends and we will discuss our next steps

Thanks!