What do you think the best way to setup a local web design business is?

Josh Rossdale · 04-28-2012, 02:46 AM

What do you think the best way to setup a local web design / web development business is? I have all of the technical skills. I know IM well, but I am confused when it comes to getting local traffic that would be interested in web design and related services. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Stranger Danger · 04-28-2012, 09:01 AM

Local newspaper/classified add (or Craigslist), SEO (search engine traffic), direct mail campaigns, fliers/pamphlets/posters, tv/radio ads, B2B cold-calling, door-to-door sales, Linkedin and other social networks and forums.

I plan on using a combination of cold-calling and internet...maybe even some paid classifieds.

Robert Domino · 04-28-2012, 09:23 AM

I hate being that guy that says look it up, but just read 4-5 pages of the offline marketing forum and you'll have your answer. That's what most of the posts are about..

Best thing to start out would probably be telemarketing, direct mail or email specific companies you find when looking for businesses that would benefit from your services and don't have a website.

Bredfan · 04-28-2012, 10:05 AM

Robert is right....

Still - if you can get a bit more specific in your question, maybe you can get some decent feedback. "How to set up...." could mean a ton of different things:

- How to outsource the work
- How to set up the company
- Using VA help
- How to get clients
- How to organize task managers
- Productizing your offerings

And on and on and on....

What, exactly are you looking for help with?

Josh Rossdale · 04-28-2012, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bredfan

Robert is right....

Still - if you can get a bit more specific in your question, maybe you can get some decent feedback. "How to set up...." could mean a ton of different things:

- How to outsource the work
- How to set up the company
- Using VA help
- How to get clients
- How to organize task managers
- Productizing your offerings

And on and on and on....

What, exactly are you looking for help with?

How to get clients is the area that I would need help with.

Bredfan · 04-28-2012, 01:33 PM

Well, there is a TON of posts about that here, so do use the search function and start browsing.

The quickest way to get new clients is probably either cold calling or joining a networking group. The latter is how I got my start, but there is not much about networking here (comparatively) and even some hostility toward it.

I'd read up on cold calling and commit to doing an hour or two each day for a week or two to see how it goes.

One good way to do that (out of MANY ways) is to grab a local newspaper. Any business advertising is spending money on growing their business. Call every advertiser.

Before you call, work out at least the framework of what you'll say. I'll leave the cold calling strategy and scripting to those who do it well...this is just a little starter pointer.

Another thing you could do is to walk into a few of the businesses in your neighborhood. Have some business cards handy. Talk to the owners about networking or any events they might have. For example, every 6 or 8 weeks my wife (also a small business owner) goes up to the local Running Shoe Store, where they have vendor nights. 8-10 local businesses set up tables to talk to the store patrons about their offerings (in my wife's case, health care stuff).

My point is...when you become part of the local business community, you'll start getting referrals and finding all kinds of business opportunities.

But....if you're looking for quick hits...you'll have to cold call, direct mail, email, or some combination....

zelgly2 · 04-28-2012, 01:33 PM

start with small projects and work from home. Word of mouth will bring in more business. so try to get the network of people and get projects. There was a post by Chris related to the same, search and read it. It would be very useful for you.

Hugh · 04-28-2012, 02:52 PM

Search for the thread "Cool quick method to find businesses that need their site redone."

Hugh

iAmNameLess · 04-28-2012, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh Rossdale

How to get clients is the area that I would need help with.

TALK to them... it REALLY is that SIMPLE.

Charles Harper · 04-28-2012, 03:33 PM

I would start by talking to some of the people at your local Chamber of Commerce as well as joining one of the networking groups (BNI or LeTip). You can also set up your own Meetup at Meetup.com, if you can find someplace to have a physical meeting.

Everybody is different. I am not a cold caller so that worked for me.

CT

04-28-2012, 02:46 AM	#1
Josh Rossdale Expert Internet Marketer War Room Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: New York City Posts: 270 Thanks: 79 Thanked 30 Times in 24 Posts	What do you think the best way to setup a local web design business is? What do you think the best way to setup a local web design / web development business is? I have all of the technical skills. I know IM well, but I am confused when it comes to getting local traffic that would be interested in web design and related services. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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04-28-2012, 09:01 AM	#2
Stranger Danger HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 322 Thanks: 150 Thanked 51 Times in 46 Posts	Re: What do you think the best way to setup a local web design business is? Local newspaper/classified add (or Craigslist), SEO (search engine traffic), direct mail campaigns, fliers/pamphlets/posters, tv/radio ads, B2B cold-calling, door-to-door sales, Linkedin and other social networks and forums. I plan on using a combination of cold-calling and internet...maybe even some paid classifieds.

04-28-2012, 09:23 AM	#3
Robert Domino HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Canada and USA Posts: 196 Thanks: 10 Thanked 46 Times in 39 Posts	Re: What do you think the best way to setup a local web design business is? I hate being that guy that says look it up, but just read 4-5 pages of the offline marketing forum and you'll have your answer. That's what most of the posts are about.. Best thing to start out would probably be telemarketing, direct mail or email specific companies you find when looking for businesses that would benefit from your services and don't have a website.

04-28-2012, 10:05 AM	#4
Bredfan HyperActive Warrior Join Date: May 2011 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 154 Thanks: 1 Thanked 54 Times in 30 Posts Social Networking	Re: What do you think the best way to setup a local web design business is? Robert is right.... Still - if you can get a bit more specific in your question, maybe you can get some decent feedback. "How to set up...." could mean a ton of different things: - How to outsource the work - How to set up the company - Using VA help - How to get clients - How to organize task managers - Productizing your offerings And on and on and on.... What, exactly are you looking for help with?

04-28-2012, 01:33 PM	#6
Bredfan HyperActive Warrior Join Date: May 2011 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 154 Thanks: 1 Thanked 54 Times in 30 Posts Social Networking	Re: What do you think the best way to setup a local web design business is? Well, there is a TON of posts about that here, so do use the search function and start browsing. The quickest way to get new clients is probably either cold calling or joining a networking group. The latter is how I got my start, but there is not much about networking here (comparatively) and even some hostility toward it. I'd read up on cold calling and commit to doing an hour or two each day for a week or two to see how it goes. One good way to do that (out of MANY ways) is to grab a local newspaper. Any business advertising is spending money on growing their business. Call every advertiser. Before you call, work out at least the framework of what you'll say. I'll leave the cold calling strategy and scripting to those who do it well...this is just a little starter pointer. Another thing you could do is to walk into a few of the businesses in your neighborhood. Have some business cards handy. Talk to the owners about networking or any events they might have. For example, every 6 or 8 weeks my wife (also a small business owner) goes up to the local Running Shoe Store, where they have vendor nights. 8-10 local businesses set up tables to talk to the store patrons about their offerings (in my wife's case, health care stuff). My point is...when you become part of the local business community, you'll start getting referrals and finding all kinds of business opportunities. But....if you're looking for quick hits...you'll have to cold call, direct mail, email, or some combination....

04-28-2012, 01:33 PM	#7
zelgly2 HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 142 Thanks: 7 Thanked 15 Times in 15 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: What do you think the best way to setup a local web design business is? start with small projects and work from home. Word of mouth will bring in more business. so try to get the network of people and get projects. There was a post by Chris related to the same, search and read it. It would be very useful for you.
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04-28-2012, 02:52 PM	#8
Hugh Advanced Warrior Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: , Florida , USA. Posts: 637 Thanks: 225 Thanked 51 Times in 45 Posts	Re: What do you think the best way to setup a local web design business is? Search for the thread "Cool quick method to find businesses that need their site redone." Hugh
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04-28-2012, 03:33 PM	#10
Charles Harper The Real Charlie Harper War Room Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Harrisburg, Pa Posts: 1,309 Blog Entries: 25 Thanks: 384 Thanked 222 Times in 160 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: What do you think the best way to setup a local web design business is? I would start by talking to some of the people at your local Chamber of Commerce as well as joining one of the networking groups (BNI or LeTip). You can also set up your own Meetup at Meetup.com, if you can find someplace to have a physical meeting. Everybody is different. I am not a cold caller so that worked for me. CT
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