Website service for local businesses

by Ryan C
16 replies
I've recently just started a premium website service for local businesses, and I've tried 2 models of pricing so far. I've just started, so no sales so far but I think the problem is my age, and what they think of me. Here are my pricing models:

Model 1

£197 Setup
£30 per Month, Hosting etc

Model 2

FREE Setup
£30 per Month, Hosting etc

I started off firstly by using model 2, but I thought that wasn't a great idea, as they started to think my websites weren't good quality and not worth the money.

So I've recently proceeded to model 1, to convey a bit more value in the service that I'm offering. What do you think? I'm open to any criticism, or questions.
#businesses #local #service #website
  • Profile picture of the author somacorellc
    Originally Posted by RyanCassidy View Post

    premium website service

    £197 Setup
    £30 per Month, Hosting etc

    FREE Setup
    £30 per Month, Hosting etc
    You need a website sales funnel and business model. The funnel can be very simple like mine:

    Cold Calling > Fish for pain > questionnaire > Invoice

    If you are really doing premium websites and not just shoving a free Wordpress theme down their throats, your prices do not reflect this. The websites I do start at $2,000. I have them fill out a big questionnaire so I know their needs and what they can spend.

    Once you've established a need, and they've filled out the questionnaire, you're going to know about their budget and what they can afford. Come back with a quote and they'll either say I'm sorry or let's get started!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5819690].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Ryan C
      Originally Posted by somacorellc View Post

      You need a website sales funnel and business model. The funnel can be very simple like mine:

      Cold Calling > Fish for pain > questionnaire > Invoice

      If you are really doing premium websites and not just shoving a free Wordpress theme down their throats, your prices do not reflect this. The websites I do start at $2,000. I have them fill out a big questionnaire so I know their needs and what they can spend.

      Once you've established a need, and they've filled out the questionnaire, you're going to know about their budget and what they can afford. Come back with a quote and they'll either say I'm sorry or let's get started!
      Thanks for the advice!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5819728].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author BostonTweetUp
    Ryan,

    Without seeing the sites, it's really hard to make any detailed suggestions. Clients care about results, not age or looks.

    Your not selling websites, your providing a way for your clients to streamline their business.

    If you get into the website selling "business" you have a lot of competition if you provide a solution that includes your expertise then you have no competition.

    What are you passionate about, what is your expertise, what do you bring to the table that is unique?

    What is the market rate for your websites? How is your the same and/or different?

    Will you be providing each client with SEO, Social Media, Newsletter, Ecommerce guidance in addition to the website?

    These are just some starter questions you need to ask yourself.

    I hope this helps.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5819721].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Ryan C
      Originally Posted by BostonTweetUp View Post

      Ryan,

      Without seeing the sites, it's really hard to make any detailed suggestions. Clients care about results, not age or looks.

      Your not selling websites, your providing a way for your clients to streamline their business.

      If you get into the website selling "business" you have a lot of competition if you provide a solution that includes your expertise then you have no competition.

      What are you passionate about, what is your expertise, what do you bring to the table that is unique?

      What is the market rate for your websites? How is your the same and/or different?

      Will you be providing each client with SEO, Social Media, Newsletter, Ecommerce guidance in addition to the website?

      These are just some starter questions you need to ask yourself.

      I hope this helps.
      My design skills are brilliant, however I just see many businesses around my area dismiss the fact that they are and that they can get better valued websites elsewhere; they aren't exposed to the internet that much, and I think that is part of the reason I am not making any sales.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5819749].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author BostonTweetUp
        Actually you answered the question as to why your not making any sales.

        they can get better valued websites elsewhere
        You need to demonstrate the value of what you are offering.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5819780].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Ryan C
          Originally Posted by BostonTweetUp View Post

          Actually you answered the question as to why your not making any sales.

          You need to demonstrate the value of what you are offering.
          The thing is they can't.. I meant to mention that they THINK they can.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5819798].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author KeepItSimpleSilly
    Hey Ryan, another good idea if you haven't done so is create an online portfolio with existing designs you've created on it. This way you can give potential clients a link to your online porfolio and they can see what you are capable of and have done or designed.

    This also gives you credibility as it looks like thats what you are worried about. Hope this helps you mate. Cheers!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5820286].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author RentItNow
    One trick you can use is this...sometimes it works, not always...

    "Have a look at their site and call them telling them you noticed a simple change they can make on their website that <xyz big corporation> recently used to increase their sales 50%...and if they wanted to you would go ahead and fix it for them for nothing."

    It gets you an intro with the owner showing you know THEIR business. Very important.

    The change is simple...99% of sites have no distinct call to action. "Call 555-5555 for a free quote" or "Sign up for our weekly specials"....they will know their call to action that works.

    Btw, I have did the same test you did with results always being "$1000 setup and $25/mn hosting" and negotiating down to whatever setup. I do not like the zero down, x per month because it attracts too many "opportunity shoppers" that will take advantage of your time over and over.
    Signature
    I have no agenda but to help those in the same situation. This I feel will pay the bills.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5820467].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Kung Fu Backlinks
    Ryan, if your design skills are that good, you should consider starting a service here on the WF. You'll get business here much more easily than approaching business owners first. You'll make some cash, build your portfolio and possibly get some loyal repeat business if your customer service and turnaround time is good.

    There's always a need for good designers.
    Signature
    G+ LOCAL SETUP ___and____ Custom WordPress - Genesis Child Themes (see portfolio here)

    SCHEMA.ORG + GEOTAGGING + KML + PUBLISHERSHIP + so much more...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5820824].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author carlochoa
    Any link for those two sites model 1 & 2 ?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5821158].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author goldie22
      I would suggest starting off with a lower priced serviced such as a Fanpage , lead generation page, or maybe SMS, and then once you establish a relationship with them, it will be easier to sell them your other higher priced services.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5821234].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Ryan C
    Thanks for the advice, I see what you all mean now.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5824977].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
    You aren't getting in front of potential clients enough. If I can charge for $1,000 websites every day you can do the same, you just need to get in front of them, either on the phone, in person, advertisements, etc.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5825433].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Michael Bucker
      Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

      You aren't getting in front of potential clients enough. If I can charge for $1,000 websites every day you can do the same, you just need to get in front of them, either on the phone, in person, advertisements, etc.

      Agreed, this as in all sales is a numbers game. If your product is sellable the numbers come into play.


      I remember when I started selling at 21 I looked so young, but what I commonly heard from my boss was, "Michael I don't see how you sell, you look so young. I wish you could grow a beard or something, but people like you and they keep buying from you."


      Age is only a factor if you make it one. If you honestly think it is a factor overcome it with both quality and get in front of a lot more people. Every person approached is a wealth of learning for you to develop your craft.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5825552].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author emrom
    are you offering mobile website designs?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5825599].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Ryan C
      Originally Posted by emrom View Post

      are you offering mobile website designs?
      I offer this too, yes. I've been cold calling businesses a lot more, became really confident with it and even though I'm not making sales, it's pretty enjoyable. I need to be a bit more approaching though, otherwise they're going to take no notice of what I'm offering.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5832629].message }}

Trending Topics