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How to sell this site to a local business?

by Intermission
15 replies
I need some quick cash and decided to build a website that I could sell to a local business. It's a hair salon website that can be easily customized with their name, logo, colors and info. It's done and now I need to tell all the hair salons in town that don't have a website, that this is for sale.

I put together a list of over 50 salons to contact. I got their names from Google Places. The GP listings remain unclaimed as well.

I started at the top of the list and began calling asking for an email address I could send an email to. They were immediately suspicious and the first three all hung up on me! Even after I explained I built them a website and wanted to send them a link to it.

So I need to go about this another way. I can do snail mail, but that won't be quick like I was hoping for.

Do you have any suggestions about how I could sell this site fast locally? (Not Flippa, obviously). I have already posted it on my website's Facebook page, tweeted it out and let my own list of clients know that this is available if they know anyone needing a salon website.

I could use suggestions for a letter to send snail mail too. Obviously I want to highlight why they should have a website, and I need to give the benefits to them, rather than the features of the site or the services I can offer. Does anyone know of any examples?

Thanks
#business #local #sell #site
  • Profile picture of the author maestropanda
    You can always walk into the salons and ask them if they're interested.
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    • Profile picture of the author Pierre!
      I purchased the WSO that is a WP Theme that creates the WP Local Site, the WP Mobile Site, and The Fanpage all in one.

      I will be using this when talking to prospective clients.

      May even mock up a couple sites and hand them over in exchange for 3 to 5 referrals...

      It seems to be pretty powerful to show them the Moblie site, and then let them see the full site...

      HTH

      Patrick
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  • Profile picture of the author Intermission
    @maestropanda I have a feeling I will get the same reaction in person that I have gotten over the phone. Maybe the hair salon business was a bad one to target. Although the customers may use technology, not many hair stylists do (or so I'm finding out).

    @Pierre! I wondered briefly if I should include other things like a Facebook Page with the site, but at this point I'm getting no interest at all, never mind interest if there was more things added.

    Doesn't anyone else successfully sell sites to local businesses? I'd love some helpful tips to get this site sold.

    Thanks
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    • Profile picture of the author rlhurst
      Get an affiliate account with Hostgator, pick one of the salons you've targeted and put their header/info on the site you've prepared. If you can't create a header, go to Fiverr. Once the site is up, walk in with a laptop and show them the site, offer to give it to them for FREE. They'll just need to open a hosting account..........with Hostgator. You can even set it up for them. Tell the salon owner that you're only giving away a few sites to get known in the community, and if they know of any other business owners that could benefit from a free site. Word will get around about your service. Now, your "service" needs to be top notch. Now, get after it!
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      • Profile picture of the author TryBPO
        Originally Posted by rlhurst View Post

        Get an affiliate account with Hostgator, pick one of the salons you've targeted and put their header/info on the site you've prepared. If you can't create a header, go to Fiverr. Once the site is up, walk in with a laptop and show them the site, offer to give it to them for FREE. They'll just need to open a hosting account..........with Hostgator. You can even set it up for them. Tell the salon owner that you're only giving away a few sites to get known in the community, and if they know of any other business owners that could benefit from a free site. Word will get around about your service. Now, your "service" needs to be top notch. Now, get after it!
        Absolutely LOVE this idea. You're taking away almost all barriers to getting started with you. I think your BIGGEST hurdle with this will be whether they believe you...they'll be wondering, "what's the catch?" If you can get around that you'll be golden here.

        You'll be DIRECTLY making relationships and building evangelists for your service. You're giving it to them FREE but setting yourself up with some (limited) residual with the hosting.

        This seems like a good mix between Chris Anderson's ideas in his book "Free" and Charlie Hoehn's TED talk about "A New Way To Work"...excellent advice, IMO.
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  • Profile picture of the author Intermission
    @rlhurst That's an idea I might be able to use. It would take quite a bit more work customizing the site name for each salon, and then visiting them one at a time, but it is possible.

    Do you think showing them the site on my cell phone would be ok? The laptop would be a bit clumsy and I don't have a tablet.
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    • Profile picture of the author SiteSmarty
      Hard to sell sites. Get your foot in the door another way and upsell the site.
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    • Profile picture of the author rlhurst
      Originally Posted by Intermission View Post

      @rlhurst That's an idea I might be able to use. It would take quite a bit more work customizing the site name for each salon, and then visiting them one at a time, but it is possible.

      Do you think showing them the site on my cell phone would be ok? The laptop would be a bit clumsy and I don't have a tablet.
      Showing them on your phone is better than nothing. You could then tell them the "regular" site is free too! Don't forget the hosting, though...... that's your money right there. May not be a lot, but it's better than nothing, and you're laying the foundation for your reputation..... how much is that worth to you?
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  • Profile picture of the author Intermission
    I think this is what I will do ... Visit as many of the salons as I can one at a time and show them the site on my phone and then leave them with some printed information. A small informational sheet about the site, the benefits to them to have a site, a snapshot of the site and some promo deal; maybe the site free, maybe a free Facebook page or something similar.

    Unfortunately I now have to wait until Tuesday because of the long weekend.

    I really appreciate these suggestions though. Thanks.
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  • Profile picture of the author MoMetro
    Hi rlhurst

    That is great idea. We setup Mobile website for our potential client in the same way and walk in to the business. That converts lot better than going with no proper materials

    Also It is very important to talk to the decision maker like owners. If you just talk to the front desk it wont help.
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    • Profile picture of the author rlhurst
      Originally Posted by MoMetro View Post

      Also It is very important to talk to the decision maker like owners. If you just talk to the front desk it wont help.
      Of course, getting face to face with the decision maker is the best scenario, but don't discount showing the "front desk". I've had them go get the owner to show them this "cool new thing".!
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      • Profile picture of the author midasman09
        Banned
        I learned Looong ago that....most "Beauty Salons" are a waste of time. Their "Ticket" is $40 for a perm.

        I'm "good" at direct sales and...whenever I've tried to sell a "promotion" program....even those in the $150 area....I get "think about it" or..."I rent out chairs to the other girls and they ALL won't be in until Tues Morn"!

        Bah....humbug!

        Do the same "Mock-Up" sites for biz that sell products or services in the $400 and up range....so that ONE new customer pays for your thing.

        Try "Trade" biz....Roofers, Plumbers, Electricians, Pest Control, Drain Cleaning

        Don Alm
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  • Profile picture of the author bmsmarketing
    Great ideas here
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  • Profile picture of the author RussellRead
    Originally Posted by Intermission View Post

    I need some quick cash and decided to build a website that I could sell to a local business. It's a hair salon website that can be easily customized with their name, logo, colors and info. It's done and now I need to tell all the hair salons in town that don't have a website, that this is for sale.

    I put together a list of over 50 salons to contact. I got their names from Google Places. The GP listings remain unclaimed as well.

    I started at the top of the list and began calling asking for an email address I could send an email to. They were immediately suspicious and the first three all hung up on me! Even after I explained I built them a website and wanted to send them a link to it.

    So I need to go about this another way. I can do snail mail, but that won't be quick like I was hoping for.

    Do you have any suggestions about how I could sell this site fast locally? (Not Flippa, obviously). I have already posted it on my website's Facebook page, tweeted it out and let my own list of clients know that this is available if they know anyone needing a salon website.

    I could use suggestions for a letter to send snail mail too. Obviously I want to highlight why they should have a website, and I need to give the benefits to them, rather than the features of the site or the services I can offer. Does anyone know of any examples?

    Thanks
    Instead of calling and asking them for an email address that they get spammed any way.

    Tell them that there is something wrong with their website and who do you need to speak to about it.

    Then once you get to that person a lot of times the owner then you could tell them that you are a new web design company in town trying to get a portfolio going and get testimonials (make sure its a video testimonial very powerful) and one of your designers had some extra time and set up a website for them. (because their website sucks) is outdated. You normally charge $1000-$2000 to set up a site but for them its going to be free as long as they host it with you. Hosting starts at $47/month. $97/month with a couple updates etc.

    There is nothing wrong with giving away free websites its just that what you are saying to the people is not working. Work on that.
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    Do Good!

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  • Profile picture of the author danielkanuck
    If you want it really fast, you might have to walk in and give the presentation. But if there are 50 hair salons that you're targeting, with a direct mail campaign, it should reach their offices within the next 24 hours. Is that not fast enough for you? Plus you can show them the site and let your direct mail package do the selling for you, in attempts to get them to give you a call. But if you want it FAST, walk in there and see what you can do.
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