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Question about making demo sites:

by Ellen C Braun
5 replies
Hi,

I've read a lot about making demo sites to show clients.

Question: Which themes are you using, and how much are you customizing the site for the client?

I made a demo site for a hair salon I frequent, and it took all day! (On the bright side, I matched it to her taste, and she wants it!)
#demo #making #question #sites
  • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
    Ellen selling to that salon that way sounded like a calculated risk. Nothing wrong with taking calculated risks.

    Having demo sites to show how something will work is fine. But I don't think you need a demo site to sell design. That is what a mock up would be for once you find out what they need and have them wanting your services.

    But if you do want to demo design why not just have a binder of mock ups? Don't make whole sites.
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    Aaron Doud - Sales & Success
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  • Profile picture of the author squadron
    Originally Posted by Ellen C Braun View Post

    Hi,

    I've read a lot about making demo sites to show clients.

    Question: Which themes are you using, and how much are you customizing the site for the client?

    I made a demo site for a hair salon I frequent, and it took all day! (On the bright side, I matched it to her taste, and she wants it!)
    What you could do is create a few demo sites of different designs for different fictitious businesses as an example of the sort of work you can do. I use the Wordpress Genesis Framework. Have a look at these simple demo sites: Cheap Web Designer Brisbane and click on the design that you like.
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    • Profile picture of the author Whiteboard Animation
      Well, submitting a demo could be risky or you might fall to a scam. But it's also a sure way to win a genuine client's trust.
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    • Profile picture of the author toddfromboston
      Originally Posted by squadron View Post

      What you could do is create a few demo sites of different designs for different fictitious businesses as an example of the sort of work you can do.
      This is what I've been working on the past few days. You can use Genesis or search the forum here for local business theme WSO's. There are plenty of them. Then just set up each one as a subdomain on your web hosting account (if you have one). So something like salon.yourbusiness.com, plumber.yourbusiness.com etc...
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      Best piece of advice I've ever received... "Listen, just shut the F*#^ up and listen!" (Because there's always going to be people who have been doing what you do/ want to do for much longer. Shut up, listen to them and learn from them)
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  • Profile picture of the author Jon Martin
    It depends for me.

    In some cases, I would do as you did and create a demo site customized completely to the potential client. In other cases, I would simply upload a niche-based template and send a link via e-mail to the client. It all depends on who you're targetting.

    In the laziest of situations, I have in the past simply opened up a template, taken a screenshot, and attached the .JPG in an e-mail. It was such a simple and lazy attempt but it worked a lot of the time.

    The path you choose depends on your niche and the website you're looking to create. If you're just looking to sell some quick websites of a minimal variety, not much customization is required with the demo you send out.

    Also dependant on the manner of which you are displaying the demo. Are you e-mailing it or providing a live demo in person?

    Best of luck!
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    "Be the hero of your own movie."
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