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Generating Web Design Leads in the current market

by fabians
16 replies
Hi, I know this question was posted many times, but things change constantly and I am wondering how, nowadays you guys are generating leads for your web design businesses? I am still finding clients through the job boards such as CL and freelancer.com, I got one client from thumbtack. What do you recommend?
#current #design #generating #leads #market #web
  • Profile picture of the author majortree
    I myself make a good living from online marketplaces. I have recently found area301.com, it aggregates leads from different job boards. They have also some kind of database of website/business owners that you can contact directly. Other than that, I am getting many referrals, the secret is to do a good job for your current clients and ask for referrals. Good luck!
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    • Profile picture of the author fabians
      Originally Posted by majortree View Post

      I myself make a good living from online marketplaces. I have recently found area301.com, it aggregates leads from different job boards. They have also some kind of database of website/business owners that you can contact directly. Other than that, I am getting many referrals, the secret is to do a good job for your current clients and ask for referrals. Good luck!

      Thx! Yeah, I actually use area301.com. I agree on referrals, but I find myslef not asking current clients for sending toward me people they know. I dont want to be too pushy.
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      • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
        Originally Posted by fabians View Post

        Thx! Yeah, I actually use area301.com. I agree on referrals, but I find myslef not asking current clients for sending toward me people they know. I dont want to be too pushy.
        There's a way to ask that isn't pushy. All you want is an introduction, which most business owners understand.

        The trick is not to ask for referrals, i.e., "do you know anyone else looking for web design?"

        Ask about a specific problem. "When you talk to other business owners, do any of them complain that they aren't getting enough responses from their websites? Would you mind if I contacted them and used your name, or could you introduce me? Maybe I can help them, too."

        If you've done a good job at a fair price, you should get a few referrals. Repeat the process with new clients, and you may not have to worry about freelancer sites.

        If you do want to go online and look for business, especially on Facebook, look for pages and groups that talk about business development and improvement. Contribute whatever you can, from real advice or opinion to links to industry news they may have missed. If you add value and people know what you do, they will seek you out. You might also want to check out LinkedIn, as it's more business oriented.
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        • Profile picture of the author fabians
          Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

          There's a way to ask that isn't pushy. All you want is an introduction, which most business owners understand.

          The trick is not to ask for referrals, i.e., "do you know anyone else looking for web design?"
          I did that few times, but I feel people expect to give them a better price since they are referred.

          Some time ago I created a big ecommerce website for one of my client. He was very happy, I did a great job and gave a great price. I did it for building portfolio. He sent me few potential clients, but all of them knew how much he paid, and they were surprised that I want to charge them more.... Man, I hate price negotiations, so hard to find a balance and make me and the client happy
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          • Profile picture of the author DABK
            You make it harder than it is.

            I go to the store, they have 8 kind of bread, each with a price on it. If I want one, I pay whatever the price is on it. If I asked someone if I could by for less, they'd say, No. Or go to such and such store.

            The problem is that you are not willing to let go of leads that don't fit your criteria.

            Establish a firm criteria in your mind, then talk to people to fit them into the I want them or I don't want them categories.

            I can do x for $7500, you say. They say, I can only pay $3750. You say, See ya!

            If they say, I can only pay $7,000, you say, How's about you Pay $7,500 and I throw in abc into the pot?

            Or you present them 3 price points and let them choose the one they want, no negotiating.

            Originally Posted by fabians View Post

            I did that few times, but I feel people expect to give them a better price since they are referred.

            Some time ago I created a big ecommerce website for one of my client. He was very happy, I did a great job and gave a great price. I did it for building portfolio. He sent me few potential clients, but all of them knew how much he paid, and they were surprised that I want to charge them more.... Man, I hate price negotiations, so hard to find a balance and make me and the client happy
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            • Profile picture of the author freewebsiterankingchecker
              The way i do it is i use Google to search for local businesses near me who has existing websites that can use some fixing up. I'll end up finding a/1 website a week most of the weeks i would honestly say and would land a job that usually cost them from about $200 - $500. Usually i'll try selling them seo services too but 99% of them will pass. So you can definitely fix existing websites and make somewhat of a good income from home.

              Hope this contributes a little. My very first post here on the forum.
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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    Is it not easy to find prospects/business owners who want a website? Or are looking for a web designer? Can you not find them easily via PPC, forums, Youtube, blogs, joint ventures, or social media?
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    • Profile picture of the author fabians
      Originally Posted by Randall Magwood View Post

      Is it not easy to find prospects/business owners who want a website? Or are looking for a web designer? Can you not find them easily via PPC, forums, Youtube, blogs, joint ventures, or social media?
      I have never had luck with social media or YouTube. Any tips how to generate leads from those?
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  • Profile picture of the author Paul Hanney
    It depends which end of the market you are selling to. If you are looking for small business websites at the lower end then a highly targeted Facebook campaign with a good call to action and offer should drum up some good leads.

    Obviously the more you do the better chance you have of word of mouth paying off. I actually find by placing a link to my website in the footer of all my clients websites (with their permission of course) drives a steady flow of qualified leads into my business of people who both have money to spend and are ready to buy. The see their friends, competitors or get referred based on someone else like a business coach seeing our link to the website. Make sure you have a good showcase page on your website and whilst the volume of leads will not be huge the transaction value and conversion rates WILL be higher.
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  • Profile picture of the author kursat
    I do advertise sometimes but most of my customers are from forums like this one. For local businesses I use flyers or get a sales man who would do the negotiations with client and I pay him commission on the job I get.
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    • Profile picture of the author wpmlm
      @kursat

      You hit it! Get a salesperson to sell your design work and negotiate prices for you... great for designers who are not aggressive sales types...



      Originally Posted by kursat View Post

      I do advertise sometimes but most of my customers are from forums like this one. For local businesses I use flyers or get a sales man who would do the negotiations with client and I pay him commission on the job I get.
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    • Profile picture of the author InternetMarketingSmarts
      Originally Posted by kursat View Post

      I do advertise sometimes but most of my customers are from forums like this one. For local businesses I use flyers or get a sales man who would do the negotiations with client and I pay him commission on the job I get.
      I've always thought about doing this. How did you go about finding a sales person that specializes in finding you website design leads? What type of commission did you pay them?
      I'd love to hear more about this process. I've stepped away from this business because I don't want to do the sales aspect. I just want to focus on building the sites.

      A technique I've used was partnering with my Financial Advisor who happens to be a close friend of mine as well. He already had a book of business clients and meets new people all the time. So he would always mention that I was his web guy and I could help them build a website or redesign one. It helped me land a few clients this way.

      I also partnered with a buddy that worked in a local news station. And to help him get business he would offer free website evaluations which I would do. Basically I would do a screen cast video of the prospects website and discuss the issues I would see (not mobile responsive, weak calls to action, etc.) My buddy would offer it as a freebie to his prospect and obviously try to sell them on the news station products and services. But in the process I would get clients that would want to redesign their site before advertising it on the local news station. One client netted me several thousand dollars for one site.

      So it's another approach to consider. You can partner with business lawyers, accountants, etc. I hope this gives folks some ideas.
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  • Profile picture of the author Regional Warrior
    Originally Posted by fabians View Post

    Hi, I know this question was posted many times, but things change constantly and I am wondering how, nowadays you guys are generating leads for your web design businesses? I am still finding clients through the job boards such as CL and freelancer.com, I got one client from thumbtack. What do you recommend?
    I think the best suggestion would be to put this in the right Sub Forum , you will far more answers then on the main forum which is for making money !

    OffLine Marketing
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      Originally Posted by fabians View Post

      Some time ago I created a big ecommerce website for one of my client. He was very happy, I did a great job and gave a great price. I did it for building portfolio. He sent me few potential clients, but all of them knew how much he paid, and they were surprised that I want to charge them more.... Man, I hate price negotiations, so hard to find a balance and make me and the client happy
      That's the downside of discounting to get work.

      Another way to go would be to do some work for free for a local charity, school, church, etc. to build your portfolio. You get to meet local business people on neutral ground, and no one expects you to work for them for free.
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  • Profile picture of the author fabians
    Thank you all for the ideas and advice, very helpful!
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  • Profile picture of the author BarrickBecca
    I guess freelancing websites like freelancer.com, odesk, peopleperhour, guru, etc have always been a great platform to generate leads. Especially for web design & development industry, you just need to properly showcase your previous work through your portfolio tab and having positive customer reviews is also great. I've personally generate some leads in this niche and trust me it is the easiest niche by far i've worked on.
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