How would you start from zero with...

3dyDesign

3dyDesign

Banned
Jul 9, 2012
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3dy.ro
...a web design business?

I have almost no Twitter followers, Facebook likes, and website visits. The quality of my work is not a problem, and I DO have a few clients to make a living, but my studio obviously needs marketing work.

So how would YOU do it?

Give me links, opinions, etc. The more exact you are, the more I'll love you.

Thanks, brahs.
 


inbound lead generation through cold calling/telemarketing
 
Ask your current clients for references. Also, if you're good enough and can work quickly and inexpensively to get started, advertise some quick, standardized services (theme mods) on WF and other IM forums to get some quick cash and some decent connections.
 
- Business Website
- Targeted to local SEO get offline clients, rank high.
- Get on every social platform, get a ton of fans/likes (even if fake), make it seem like your legit.
- Get reviews and start a Google Places + page.
- Have Business Cards, Portfolio CD, Brochure, Etc.
- Cold Calling or Find Local Websites that need reworked, meet owners in person.
- Have Case Studies on Client's success with more sales from website, traffic, etc.

Market yourself, a website alone is not going to do it. I wouldn't trust a company that I'm paying thousands of dollars to if they don't have a facebook, reviews, etc. or can't even rank in the top ten for "local city website design", etc.

This is coming from someone who used to own a development firm for 3 years, and went on to pursue better things. Getting clients is easy, you just have to built rapport with business owners, get referrals, and you have to have people skills, that's the most important, period. You can sell someone the shittest website, and if they like you and you've gained their trust, they won't speak up.
 
I am in webdesign business for 12 years and the single most important thing is WORD OF MOUTH. Do a great job, make your clients happy, ask them to spread the word.
 
You can honestly make a full-time income by creating service threads in forums like this. Decide how much work you can handle in a week, and then go out and find clients to fill those spots.

People go on forums to actively talk about their interests. Besides internet marketing, I'm sure you can think of 5 industries that could benefit from your web design skills. Go out and find them.

Now, my suggestion is completely based around the assumption that you're working alone and don't have employees. If you are creating your own web design firm, then I would get going on:


  • A Business Website
  • Social Profiles
  • E-mail List
  • Cold Calling
  • Branding
  • Networking
 
You can find some startup clients through craigslist. Will also probably be good to do some type of social media
 
Hmmm...

- References from existing clients. You can give discounts to them if they refer someone
- SEO your site to tailor to local clients
- Cold call or cold approach businesses with no websites or shitty websites
- You can buy some fake twitter followers / facebook followers to make you business look a lil more credible to future customers. Just don't go overboard and have like 10k followers.
- Look for online communities that could use web design and establish yourself.
- Posting on Craigslist
- Pass out business cards, post up flyers

I mean at the end of the day, just look at it like a normal business you see on the streets. How the fuck do they get customers?
 
I've never heard of businesses actually selecting a design firm over the internet. They will take a look at your work to see if you're legit but most will find a designer/developer by getting referred to someone via word of mouth or they meet/already know someone who they get to do it.

Most business might use Twitter but the majority of owners aren't the ones doing it, so don't worry about having followers.


  • Get out to local business organizations, Chamber meetings etc. Press the flesh.

  • Do a couple pro bono sites for high profile charities in the area.
  • Get testimonials from well known businesses and individuals (local social proof)
  • Get to know realtors/politicians/business owners who know everyone and do some favors for them
  • local SEO - you'll need a physical location
 
Figure out a way to get the decision makers in a room.

i.e. Go to your local chamber of commerce mixers. Join local leads clubs. Exchange contact info and follow up with them promptly.
 
What has worked best for me is keeping my existing clients extremely happy. I've found that delighted clients are always looking for an opportunity to drop my name and get me some more business.

Another angle to consider is targeting a niche that you know is in need of designers. We're on a marketing forum, so obviously there are people here who are in constant need of landing pages, but there are plenty of other niches you can target. Once you find a niche that works well for you, you'll be able to track down plenty of leads to cold call... photographers, car dealerships, locally owned gyms, attorneys, whatever.

Try to select a niche where they owners have money and understand the importance of a marketing budget. Targeting pizza places is only going to get you so far.

hth
 
Excellent answers, guys. I should have mentioned that I'm in the middle of nowhere and there aren't that many businesses around, even less caring about having a website.

But the suggestions are great and might help others as well. Thanks!
 
I would like to second the Craigslist notion.

Build a decent looking WP site and start scouring craigslist for potential clients. People are posting for help everyday and with a little bit of work you will start landing clients in no time.
 
Offer your services here.

Put up a portfolio of designs you have done, offer reasonable rates - bizness!

::emp::

PS: Feel free to give out designs to mods. :P
 
In business you need only three things to be successful....
TRAFFIC, TRAFFIC and more TRAFFIC
 
Sounds like you should learn online media advertising and get the world to buy from your site. Good Luck
 
Are you good at making videos? If yes, make one, optimize it and install quality backlinks for it as vidoes have the highest CTR as we write...
 
Word of mouth is always golden. Work your centers of influence to get referrals, people you know who know business owners. CPAs, Financial Advisors, Insurance Agents, other service providers.

I'd consider partnering with an SEO or Social Media company in your area and set up a referral agreement with them. They send you their design work and you send them SEO or Social Media work after the sites are built. What are people gonna need to do once they have a new site built? Promote it, right? So you can get yourself some new business and get a referral fee on business you pass to your referral partners after you've done a new design job. You also build goodwill with your customers because you're helping them out.

SEO is great, but I'd reinvest money into PPC first to generate some leads quickly - just find someone to manage your PPC that knows what they're doing. I'm sure there's plenty of folks here that can help you with that. Then after your dance card is full, I'd look at investing some money into SEO.
 
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