What can you give away for FREE?

I've always liked the idea of a free analysis of their current web presence. Perhaps brief competitive keyword, social media, and local reports? It should open up some opportunities to explain how you would be able help them in these various areas.

ARe you trying to offer something free to reel people in for a $650 website and are willing to spend up to $45 to do so.

Kinda confusing as to what you want to accomplish.

The Analysis of their existing site is powerful stuff and it positions you as an authority which equals higher price point at the time of sale.

For those of you who do the analysis, what format does it take? I personally use a powerpoint

Compete.com reports for their competitors? Analysis of the keywords and phrases that rank in their industry?

Here's something to consider.

Why would I want your $45 package? What value is it to me?

The first part about the 'free website in hopes of of a $50 hosting contract' is missing the point of the free website 'valued at $650'.

Two things you have to work with.

1. If you are giving something away, you have to make sure the value is worth the ' potential client's time (notice potential client).

2. The sales of a website become a 'one off' sale, where as the hosting becomes a 'recurring monthly income' (nice to see month after month).

The thing to look at is what you said about being able to set up a site in about 30 minutes. How many of your clients could do that and yet what is the value of a nice website? Most people here are getting a lot more for them.

But, the 'free' anything is to get your foot in the door.

It's not enough that they get the website, they have to host it somewhere. Might as well be you.

Then, once the website is up, they need to develop a web presence (think Google Places, review sites, etc.).

Now, since mobile marketing is become a crucial component in being online (Google placing a heavy emphasis on having a mobile site for rankings/user relevance), they need to have something for mobile.

The statistics show that people are searching the social media sites like Facebook for
reviews and feedback before buying a product or service, this needs to be considered.

The list goes on and on. SMS and email marketing are very viable and definitely a means for recurring income.

I would look at using the 'free website/package' as a way to get your foot in the door. To set the site up, you are going to need info about the business, so use a questionnaire to get a feel for what they are doing/not doing, and that will get you started on what they really need.

Then from there, you want to establish yourself as the go to guy for whatever, even if you don't actually provide the service (think outsourcing or strategic partnerships).

Then from there, provide a referral 'rewards' system for existing clients to send you new business (think affiliate program). If you do a good job for them, they will be happy to anyway.

If it helps, this is the process I am looking at using. So far (test driving it) it's working out well.

A slight twist on the 'free' website (picked this up from another warrior) is run a contest to 'win a free ($1500 value) website' and after you pick a winner, offer the other contestants a sharply discounted website as consolation prize.

Whatever to get your foot in the door.

Thanks,

John

Try free hosting for a number of months.

I think giving away free websites can be profitable in itself. Give them the website for free, either you or they absorb the cost of the domain and charge a monthly hosting, maintenance and update fee. 1 small free update per month.

All for $29.95

Realistically, most businesses won't have things to update every month. Or barely ever. Typically I don't change anything on my sites once it is settled.

So for $29.95 they're getting hosting included, with someone monitoring their website to ensure it is online & accessible 24/7, and also a free update to the content every month. Sounds like a good deal to me, without any big up front or long term commitment.

That being said, I would have them agree to host with me for 12 months to ensure I do recover costs. While it may appear to be free to them (which it is), I do want to recoup costs on the websites over time. As long as all content is provided to me, the time taken per site should be around 30 minutes using one of the many free Wordpress templates.

You could even have multiple packages, such as a simple 5 page site for $29.95 a month.

Then for $39.95 a month you can have a bigger site, perhaps with a blog and social media integration. It sounds do-able, I think.