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.

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?

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....

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.

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

Hugh

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