Since you are targeted local niche. Then your advertising method must be tailor make to achieve the goal. For example,you can post the offer at local forum or even you can spread by word of mouth about your company offer.
simply use social networking site to connect with local groups or ecommerce organisations. Havuing good friends refer you is a plus.
Joining the local chamber of commerce is of great benefit. It does usually cost a bit to join but the benefits far outweight the initial cost. I've participated my local chamber luncheons, after dinner gatherings, etc and usually pick up at least one or two local clients each time. Most people have their own website but are looking to improve, while some have no web site and recognize the need for one. Do good by your local chamber and its members, and word of mouth take care of the rest.
you can simply go to google or msn and search web design and then your country you will find the lists of companies which will help you in working your web design locally
Why locally? On the internet it makes no difference if you work for someone in the same city as you or half-way around the world... unless you don't trust freelancer sites and you want to meet face to face with your clients. If you really want this, then I guess you can put up fliers around the city or look for local businesses that may need web design work. If that doesn't work, you can always pick a local business, redesign their site and send them a preview of your work. If they like it, you got your first paycheck, if they don't you have your first design for your portfolio.
When you are doing work locally you don't go online when you are looking for work. Its really simple. Take a look at a bunch of companies that are making somewhat good revenue and then take a look at their websites. If they are crap then pay them a visit and show them your work.
Offering redesign services is a great way to get local customers. When you throw in how you can get them ranked when many times they are not ranked at all it is even better.
if we are looking about a small area, then doing marketing locally in real life is the best option. trying to target someone who lives near you, using the internet is not the best option, so I would personally forget about trying to reach them via web/forums. Maybe I would contact them via email or in person.
Make a list of companies with no website and get off your bum and go sell to them....you really needed to ask this?
Yeah some "Out of the Box" ideas work better than others -C P.S. - weve decided to target certain local niches first
What kind of site do you want to design? There are companies that offer free website setup. You only need to buy a domain name and hosting from them which of cos is necessary when building a site.