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Mobile Websites, my new business

by Joe85
27 replies
So I've just started attempting to sell mobile websites to local businesses. I have cold called And posted ads on craigslist. What are some ways I can get my first sale? I'm worried that if I keep cold calling via the yellow pages I'm bound to run out of numbers. Any tips?
#business #mobile #websites
  • Profile picture of the author Rob Richards
    Building/selling mobile websites is not my bread and bacon. Having said that though, I have sold a couple of hand fulls.

    EVERY time I did, I simply showed the Decision Maker/Purse Strings what their current website looked on my smart phone (YUCK!) and then told them my price.

    Done.

    I'd suggest you get out and start talking with people. Go to them, don't wait for them to come to you. Don't ever give up!

    Hope that helps.

    Rob
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  • Profile picture of the author pplicon
    You can do walk ins, cold calls, e-mails, place ads, place flyers ... it's up to you. When I started out and got my very first deal, I emailed, then called the prospect to see if they recieved my e-mail. From there we talked and did business.

    As for running out of prospects, that unlikely to happen. If you used Google to fish instead of the Yellow pages, you'll see what I'm talking about.

    Pick a niche (I can list over 30)
    Go to google do a search for niche + city
    Contact them.

    If you only contacted 1 businesses per niche, in 3 cities, in all 50 states you'll have over 4,500 businesses to talk to.

    Kudos for taking action. Just keep chuggin at it.

    Hope that helps.
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  • Profile picture of the author Adrian John
    Joe, I just send you an PM. I might be able to help you get things rolling faster.
    Btw, where are you from?
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    • Profile picture of the author Scitknot9
      Hey Banditu,

      Just picked up on this post!! I've started selling mobile websites and would be really interested in what you have that can help me market the mobile sites!!

      Sorry if it's a bit cheeky - worth a try!

      Thanks,
      Scott

      Originally Posted by banditu View Post

      Joe, I just send you an PM. I might be able to help you get things rolling faster.
      I will send you some stuff to help you market the mobile websites.
      Btw, where are you from?
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      • Profile picture of the author Adrian John
        Will help you with pleasure.
        Just sent you some details.

        Originally Posted by Scitknot9 View Post

        Hey Banditu,

        Just picked up on this post!! I've started selling mobile websites and would be really interested in what you have that can help me market the mobile sites!!

        Sorry if it's a bit cheeky - worth a try!

        Thanks,
        Scott
        Also, cshilling22, i send you a contract example too

        Hope it helps.
        Signature
        ARE YOU A CONSULTANT? Do you have clients who could use MORE LEADS?
        Get them a MOBILE WEBSITE PLATFORM built to stay up with their clients habits.
        More than 50% of their customers buys from their mobile devices now!

        CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO
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        • Profile picture of the author thebakergirl
          Hi Banditu,

          I'm with the others that would love to see what you've got that might help.

          If you could pm me as well, I would really appreciate it!

          Thanks!

          Robin
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  • Profile picture of the author Mark_Austin
    Hi, as Rob says above I would get out there and meet business owners. We have sold mobile websites when the initial contact was either email or a phone call but the most effective way has been to approach business owners direct.

    If you create a mock up mobile site with their logo and information etc not only can you show them how their current site looks on a mobile but how it could look with your service. This is very powerful and will help you to close more deals.

    You should also add QR codes into your pitch as it adds to the "wow" factor. When we visit a business we have 2 QR codes prepared, one that goes to their current site and the other to the mobile mock up site we have created.

    Mark
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    • Profile picture of the author tocktik
      Why are getting afraid. Do the work as if you are perfect and complete it.
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  • Profile picture of the author sebyyx
    to succeed you have to fight and work.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sweely99
    I've never tried selling mobile websites to companies before, but I were to do so — I think I would have sent over 2 screenshots.

    One showing how the site looks on a mobile device, and one showing how the site will look on a mobile device once you're finished with your job. Easy as 1, 2, 3!
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  • Profile picture of the author jollydutta
    I am agree with pplicon..
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Solem
    Do you have any favorite restaurants in town? Pick one or two and create a basic mobile site for them and the next time you're there eating lunch, ask to speak with the owner or manager and show them how your mobile site compares to their regular site on a mobile phone.

    Do the first couple really inexpensively to get the ball rolling and start building a portfolio and once people see their competitors with nicer sites than their own, they'll be calling you to work with them!
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    • Profile picture of the author kenmichaels
      Originally Posted by Steve Solem View Post

      Do you have any favorite restaurants in town? Pick one or two and create a basic mobile site for them and the next time you're there eating lunch, ask to speak with the owner or manager and show them how your mobile site compares to their regular site on a mobile phone.

      Do the first couple really inexpensively to get the ball rolling and start building a portfolio and once people see their competitors with nicer sites than their own, they'll be calling you to work with them!
      that's good advice, except for the lunch part. they are 2 busy, don't go in at breakfast, lunch or dinner ...

      pick a time when the place is not to busy. every eatery has its own 'lull" times.

      -- edit.
      btw i am not saying its good advice because it sounds good. i am saying its good advice because
      I Do it
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    • Profile picture of the author DavidMarsigne
      This is what has worked for me. I think it's part of that reciprocity law.
      I go when it's not too busy and chat with the people there. I show off my mobile sites and curiosity gets them. I show what I have done for others and they like it and want one too. Especially if it was their competitor. I'm building a portfolio with a few of the businesses closest to me. I haven't tried cold calling or emailing yet, but may start that soon and may also start doing some newspaper ads. I don't think you'll run out of leads, there's just so many places like google, yahoo, and thousands of online papers and classified sites. I simply like to show up in person and they see the difference between an actual live mobile site compared to the non-mobile. And 99% of the people I come across whether it was just talk ask me for business cards so they can share with their friends. So I think including a business card with your presentation brings you up a notch with some business people. In addition, someone may not be ready for your service today but may need it in the near future so a follow up will probably let them know you're still around and buy your service. It's happened to me. Glad to hear you're taking action. It pays.
      David

      Originally Posted by Steve Solem View Post

      Do you have any favorite restaurants in town? Pick one or two and create a basic mobile site for them and the next time you're there eating lunch, ask to speak with the owner or manager and show them how your mobile site compares to their regular site on a mobile phone.

      Do the first couple really inexpensively to get the ball rolling and start building a portfolio and once people see their competitors with nicer sites than their own, they'll be calling you to work with them!
      Signature

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      • Profile picture of the author MdJones
        QRlicious could probably help, they offer custom branded QR codes, mobile sites and scan analytics and dynamic URL's with a Reseller program.
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        Custom Branded Handcrafted QR Codes, mobile site builder, loyalty rewards, mobile coupons ad SMSQRlicious
        Increase mobile conversion rates.

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  • Profile picture of the author theresaDuda
    Mobile websites are becoming a necessity for small businesses. You are defiantly on the right track. If you would like some tips please email me at theresa(at)dudamobile(dot)com. I can put you in contact with our VP of Sales who plans on giving seminars about how to effectively sell mobile websites to small businesses. Looking forward to hearing from you!
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  • Profile picture of the author fitz10
    Here's just a few other tactics you may want to consider to get more clients:
    -A cold walk-in (just basically show them how crappy their site looks on a mobile device now and how pretty it could look if you gave them a mobile site)
    -Networking through groups like the Chamber of Commerce, BNI, etc.
    -Set up a referral or affiliate program where you pay people a commission to find clients for you.
    -Host a seminar on mobile marketing for local business owners
    -Put advertisements in places where your target market is most likely to read them. For example, if all the business owners in your town read your local paper's business section put an ad in that section.
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  • Profile picture of the author Scitknot9
    At least you are cold calling, that's great!! I hate it but you have to give it a try really!

    I would concur with what some of the others are saying - showing clients what their standard site looks like on a phone and then showing them a mobile mock up will blow their socks off!!

    Scott

    Originally Posted by Joe85 View Post

    So I've just started attempting to sell mobile websites to local businesses. I have cold called And posted ads on craigslist. What are some ways I can get my first sale? I'm worried that if I keep cold calling via the yellow pages I'm bound to run out of numbers. Any tips?
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  • Profile picture of the author MercadeoEspañol
    Originally Posted by Joe85 View Post

    So I've just started attempting to sell mobile websites to local businesses. I have cold called And posted ads on craigslist. What are some ways I can get my first sale? I'm worried that if I keep cold calling via the yellow pages I'm bound to run out of numbers. Any tips?
    From my experience, the mobile website is not where the money is.

    You could just walk in, email or whatever is the way you approach and just give it away for free.

    The real money is in the hosting and better yet... The SMS service. When conducted right, is money in the bank for months and months to come.
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  • Profile picture of the author WillR
    Comparisons are definitely one of the fastest and most effective ways to get your message across. You can do this using images or a video via email, or you can walk in and show the business owner on your phone.

    One of the hard parts of cold calling is the inability to show them anything as you are talking to them. From my experience, a visual representation is always going to work much better. Show them what they have and what they are missing out on. That's not to say you can't setup an appointment over the phone.

    Always focus the message on bringing them more customers and more money. The features of a mobile site are great but they don't mean anything to a business owner unless you also tie in the benefit and tell them why and how that feature will improve their business.

    Remember, running a business is all about expenses vs profit. If you can show them the amount of money a mobile site will bring them is far greater than the price you are charging for it, the decision then becomes a no-brainer.
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve1776
    Originally Posted by Joe85 View Post

    So I've just started attempting to sell mobile websites to local businesses. I have cold called And posted ads on craigslist. What are some ways I can get my first sale? I'm worried that if I keep cold calling via the yellow pages I'm bound to run out of numbers. Any tips?
    Go to Google and type in Business + city (health club dallas tx). Take the results and enter their website into your mobile phone. You will be surprised how many that are on page one don't have a mobile site. Make up a generic site for your market (health clubs using the above example). Place the generic site on any sub domain of a site you own. Then go to a QR code generator and make QR codes (save as a pdf) and print the code for your generic website and the prospects website on a 3x5 card or piece of paper. Visit the prospect and say here is what your website looks like on a mobile phone (scan the QR code in front of him, this introduces him to QR codes if he doesn't know about them). Show him the site. Then say this is what I can do for you and scan the QR code for the demo site. When he says "How much?" say "If you order today I'll take $ off and give you a mobile version of your web site and show you how to use the QR code in your advertisements for only $. We will set up your mobile site so if visitors are on a PC they get your website. If thy are on a phone they get your mobile site." Or say "The mobile site is free with a one year hosting agreement for $ a month."
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    Losers fail and quit. Winners fail until they succeed.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jay Moreno
      Originally Posted by Steve1776 View Post

      Go to Google and type in Business + city (health club dallas tx). Take the results and enter their website into your mobile phone. You will be surprised how many that are on page one don't have a mobile site. Make up a generic site for your market (health clubs using the above example). Place the generic site on any sub domain of a site you own. Then go to a QR code generator and make QR codes (save as a pdf) and print the code for your generic website and the prospects website on a 3x5 card or piece of paper. Visit the prospect and say here is what your website looks like on a mobile phone (scan the QR code in front of him, this introduces him to QR codes if he doesn't know about them). Show him the site. Then say this is what I can do for you and scan the QR code for the demo site. When he says "How much?" say "If you order today I'll take $ off and give you a mobile version of your web site and show you how to use the QR code in your advertisements for only $. We will set up your mobile site so if visitors are on a PC they get your website. If thy are on a phone they get your mobile site." Or say "The mobile site is free with a one year hosting agreement for $ a month."
      use at a minimum qr code tracking too - depending on the service you use you can at least see if your QR codes are being scanned, some services you can see the time and location of where the QR code was scanned

      with any type of marketing campaign you do you really need to have some kind of metric to see if its converting

      hope that helps

      jay
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  • Profile picture of the author Tande
    Check on websites that are offering free advertising google adsense then leave your link there.
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    • Profile picture of the author Tande
      Check on websites that are offering free advertising google adsense then leave your link there.
      you may also consider advertising your site by the help of mass media.
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  • Profile picture of the author zoro
    I've bought a couple of WSO's on how to make and market Mobile sites. To be honest I just want to get out there and sell them to local business. I don't mind walking into a business cold. There's nothing beats "Show and Tell".

    But there's a big problem, in that, the amount of time it takes to put these sites together. I'm not a coder but I can fumble my way through if need be. Then there's the problem of where to host the site, on mine or there's hosting account. Then there's the pain in the butt work required to keep the site updated with any alteration or new additions etc.

    As I said, I just want to sell these things and move on to the next prospect.

    So I guess my answer to your question is to just walk into your local businesses and then "Show and Tell" with your own SmartPhone.
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  • Profile picture of the author Warrior Ben
    Good choice on entering the mobile marketing niche!

    The best way that I have found to get clients is to look at any and all print advertising and then contact those companies. I use a QR Code as the hook to lure them in. What I mean by this is that if I see they are running a print ad, I will call up the business, ask for the owner or the person who handles marketing, and then tell them that I can turn their static print ad into an interactive piece of media by adding a 2D Barcode to it. (I don't use the term QR Code at first because I don't want them to Google it and see that they can make one for free!)

    I don't try to sell these owners over the phone, the whole point of me calling is to set up an appointment to meet with them. Then when I meet with them in person I do a demo in front of them by scanning the code and showing a mobile website. I've found that doing the demo is the best way to get them excited.

    I hope this helps and best of luck moving forward!
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