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!

 

You could start with a niche segment and look for potential customers, of course your site should be optimised to get some leads to come from Google (to start with).
Visiting forums, reading requirements and providing your inputs on how you can help others would certainly gain you respect and reputation from members and gradually orders may start to trickle in...

all in all, you have come to right place at DP forum, Read what others are doing and you implement one or two things at a time. You would do good :0)

Cheers
G

 

I advertise in the papers and in others' sites.

 

PPC is a great way if you can get low bids. One thing is on your clients websites give them a discount to put your tag at the bottom. You can get a lot of business this way and it will only take a discount of $25 per website or you can even just place it on there as part of your design (make sure you tell them this upfront) and give them an option to remove it for another $25. There are many ways to promote your business from SEO, blog comments, posting on small business forums, etc. Think outside the box.

 

Have you tried signing up for any sites where people hire outsourcers. You could do that or offer special offers for your services on forums to get a customer base going. Then your biz could grow by word of mouth, too. Have the first several customers give you a review/testimonial/video in return for the reduced price. Use those on your website and ask those customers to please help spread the word.

 

you can try using google adwords, that will help promote your service. You can try starting out cheap or even free so you get exposure and than the people can write reviews about your service

 

Thanks so much for the suggestions all! Those are some great ideas and it has given me something more to work with now.