So lets say you have decided to start a web development company ? - You have the knowledge - You have a site with all your links and contact info up - You have a reseller hosting & registrar account setup - You have business cards - You have a few local clients Where do you go from there ? Is internet marketing better then local marketing ? Where does a user go when looking to improve their website ? My current clients were reffered by a prior business partner, I know word of mouth is key. I like being able to sit down and chat with my clients, lay things out for them and draw out a sitemap and project map with them sitting in front of me. I also like being able to take payment directly vs having to deal with paypal or merchant fees. Discuss.
Stay local at the start. Pour your heart and soul into local SEO (It's actually not that hard). Pick up a copy of the web design business kit by Brendan Sinclair. Go to your local industry events. Make sure your current clients know you are looking for more work. They will be your greatest asset. Make sure you give 110% each project. Under promise and over deliver. (cliche I know). Focus. Do not offer web design, development, DB design, programming, SEO, marketing, online PR. Offer ONE. **** This is the most important. Network. This is a 100% sure fire recipe for success. (It was for us).
yes : local marketing !!!!!!!!!!!!!! start building a good protfoli, (even if at first its just yourss)
Hmmm, I could think of a thousand things to do... Here's one off of the top of my head... 1.) Create a list of every business in your local area that currently has a website. (I know that my local chamber of commerce has a website that lists the names, addresses, and url's of every business in my area). Depending on your area you might want to limit it to a hundred or so.... (unless your really bored) 2.) You'll find that most of these sites are circa 1995 and look terrible. Jot down a quick list of the 5 biggest problems you notice... 3.) Write up a little report like, "Learn the 5 shocking mistakes that are keeping your business's website from succeeding..." or maybe "Does your website make these 5 simple mistakes?" 4.) To conserve your marketing budget, go through your list and pick out the most likely candidates for your services (maybe the top 20 or so). for example, an accounting firm with 4 partners would probably have more money to spend than a cookie shop operated out of someone's basement. 5.) Take your top 20-30 list and mail them a copy of the report along with a letter that introduces your company. Make sure to focus on the prospect in the letter and how their business could benefit from your services (more leads, sales from the website, etc.) try to personalize the letter to them. 6.) In the letter, mention the report that you have enclosed. Tell them that your trying to be of "service" to your local business community since your are a "top web design expert". (They probably don't realize their website is junk, the "report" is a gentle way to get them to realize it. Also, it builds your credibility and makes them feel obligated since you gave them something of value) 7.) Make sure that your letter offers a "package deal", explain that since your new and your looking to find some new clients you are making a special offer. say something like, "We normally offer our XYZ package for $2997 but for the first 5 companies to respond, the XYZ package will be $1497. Of course this is first-come, first-serve since we are mailing out hundreds of letters and couldn't possibly complete that many sites at this incredible price." (change the $ numbers to whatever works for you.) 8.) Take the remainder of the names on your list and send them a post-card that offers your free report. Use a catchy title and give a URL. Setup a download page that requires them to opt-in to your email list and asks for their phone number. Hopefully number 7 should give you immediate sales. If the results aren't favorable adjust your offer and mail out more sales letters. Continue to market to the email list you built, send out postcards, sales letters follow up by phone and even stand on the busiest intersection in your town in a clown suit with a large poster advertising your services... (Whatever works, eh?) Jim