How do you get clients?

advantagewebs · 09-24-2008, 02:40 PM

I am new in the web development business - just coming up to six months - and would like to know what others are doing to get new clients, particularly non-local. I would like to build my client base both locally and globally, but seem to be stuck on ideas for marketing and getting them! Would love to hear what is working for you!

seoexpert · 09-24-2008, 04:05 PM

Same here, I would like to know as well.

athomas · 09-25-2008, 12:27 AM

Find sites to advertise on, post in forums advertising your services.

suz · 09-25-2008, 08:59 AM

Also make sure to have good examples of what you can do on your site. It doesn't matter if the work wasn't for a paying client.

advantagewebs · 09-25-2008, 02:25 PM

Thank you for the suggestions! I really appreciate it.

I now have something more to work with.

bullzeyedesign · 09-29-2008, 08:53 PM

you should try a marketing campaign such as a postcard mailer to a targeted set of demographics. I've used AccuData before and that's an easy way to get a list of mailing addresses to send your information to.

I've found that I get a lot of clients because I've put testimonials on my website -- having some information about how previous client interactions have gone really seems to increase the likelihood that your site visitors will want to do business with you. It's very very competitive so anything that can help you stand out will be beneficial.

Also, think about starting a blog and becoming not only a web designer but a "professional" in your industry. Submit your site to search engines and any kind of web design directories you can find (try google). It takes a lot of effort to do this but it's worth it.

wetgravy · 09-30-2008, 08:53 PM

Direct mailing campaigns are great ... and relatively cheap if you know what sort of business you want. I get loads of free postcards from vistaprints and mail them directly to my local businesses that i want to target (restaurants and service providers like handymans and plumbers always need design services and ways to improve their customer base). Also if you get them printed blank on the back you can put a printed sticker there later to provide any special ads or services directly to your customers you do business with regularly.

Also, offering refereral discounts (for both the new client and existing client) is also effective since you can get repeat business from your old client (they always want to use a discount) and from the new client (who is basically been given the best form of guarantee in the form of a friend/family/associate who endorses you). Also, another use of postcards can be to inform the old client that he has been refered to as a client and is eligable for the discount (little more personal than an e-mail and less annoying than a phone call).

advantagewebs · 10-01-2008, 01:35 PM

Great suggestions! I like the postcard idea - it sounds like a great way to go about it! Thanks so much for the tips!

3dmagicaldesign · 10-04-2008, 02:39 PM

I agree with wetgravy, the direct web marketing campaigns are very helpful and effective. Although you can't only think about a single strategy, you need to consider and try as many techniques as possible. I have applied marketing campaigns, forum postings, link exchanging, XML sitemaps, I am developing my own forum, my own blog, I would say that each SEO strategy helps, just be constant and you will start to see the results.

09-24-2008, 02:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
advantagewebs New Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Windsor, Ontario Posts: 10	How do you get clients? I am new in the web development business - just coming up to six months - and would like to know what others are doing to get new clients, particularly non-local. I would like to build my client base both locally and globally, but seem to be stuck on ideas for marketing and getting them! Would love to hear what is working for you! __________________ Jess Webb Advantage Website Solutions www.fastcustomwebsite.com

09-24-2008, 04:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
seoexpert Bronze Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 45	Same here, I would like to know as well. __________________ SEO \| Website Design

09-25-2008, 08:59 AM	#4 (permalink)
suz Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 378	Also make sure to have good examples of what you can do on your site. It doesn't matter if the work wasn't for a paying client. __________________ Art for the web - Web page templates The work from home blog

09-25-2008, 02:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
advantagewebs New Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Windsor, Ontario Posts: 10	Thank you for the suggestions! I really appreciate it. I now have something more to work with. __________________ Jess Webb Advantage Website Solutions www.fastcustomwebsite.com

09-29-2008, 08:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
bullzeyedesign New Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Scranton, PA Posts: 15	you should try a marketing campaign such as a postcard mailer to a targeted set of demographics. I've used AccuData before and that's an easy way to get a list of mailing addresses to send your information to. I've found that I get a lot of clients because I've put testimonials on my website -- having some information about how previous client interactions have gone really seems to increase the likelihood that your site visitors will want to do business with you. It's very very competitive so anything that can help you stand out will be beneficial. Also, think about starting a blog and becoming not only a web designer but a "professional" in your industry. Submit your site to search engines and any kind of web design directories you can find (try google). It takes a lot of effort to do this but it's worth it. __________________ Unique, Stylish Graphic Design Don't forget to visit the Scranton Design Blog

09-25-2008, 12:27 AM	#3 (permalink)
athomas Silver Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 103	Find sites to advertise on, post in forums advertising your services.

09-30-2008, 08:53 PM	#7 (permalink)
wetgravy Silver Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 119	Direct mailing campaigns are great ... and relatively cheap if you know what sort of business you want. I get loads of free postcards from vistaprints and mail them directly to my local businesses that i want to target (restaurants and service providers like handymans and plumbers always need design services and ways to improve their customer base). Also if you get them printed blank on the back you can put a printed sticker there later to provide any special ads or services directly to your customers you do business with regularly. Also, offering refereral discounts (for both the new client and existing client) is also effective since you can get repeat business from your old client (they always want to use a discount) and from the new client (who is basically been given the best form of guarantee in the form of a friend/family/associate who endorses you). Also, another use of postcards can be to inform the old client that he has been refered to as a client and is eligable for the discount (little more personal than an e-mail and less annoying than a phone call).

10-01-2008, 01:35 PM	#8 (permalink)
advantagewebs New Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Windsor, Ontario Posts: 10	Great suggestions! I like the postcard idea - it sounds like a great way to go about it! Thanks so much for the tips! __________________ Jess Webb Advantage Website Solutions www.fastcustomwebsite.com

10-04-2008, 02:39 PM	#9 (permalink)
3dmagicaldesign Silver Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 169	I agree with wetgravy, the direct web marketing campaigns are very helpful and effective. Although you can't only think about a single strategy, you need to consider and try as many techniques as possible. I have applied marketing campaigns, forum postings, link exchanging, XML sitemaps, I am developing my own forum, my own blog, I would say that each SEO strategy helps, just be constant and you will start to see the results. __________________ 3D MAGICAL DESIGNS 3d Architectural Business Development, Web Design email: mauricio@3dmagicaldesigns.com website: www.3dmagicaldesigns.com office: +57 (67) 461991 cell: +57 (317) 3417958 USA: (239) 2475835

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