30 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
30 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

How are you finding small businesses to sell sites to? All small biz i come across have one? :(

by Sonny Am
23 replies
Hi,


Basically, I have some experience in web design and some in ranking sites.

From what I've read a lucrative business model is selling websites to offline businesses that dont have them, the value proposition being them getting more leads and sales from a result of that site, ive also read that the best businesses to provide this service too is businesses that have a high value for sale, that would benefit most.

This issues is that

every small business I come across in my town seems to have a site.

I live in large town of 200,000 people, maybe more

Should I look to other neighbooring towns?

Find a better and more methodical way of digger deeper for leads?

Or should I oncentrate on selling the businesses with current sites, seo or social media services?



Just wanted to get an insight into what other people are doing.....


Id really appreciate some responses


Thanks a lot in advance.


Sonny.
#biz #businesses #finding #sell #sites #small
  • Profile picture of the author Aaron Autrey
    What about re-design? Mobile sites?
    Signature

    The good thing about this business is that "People don't succeed cause they aim too high and miss, no, they aim too low... and hit. Most people don't aim at all." (Les Brown)

    Not us... Not marketers. We live far above mediocrity. Always keep this in mind at all times..

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6529938].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Sonny Am
      Originally Posted by marketforus1 View Post

      What about re-design? Mobile sites?
      There doesnt seem to be that much money in redesign,

      and small businesses would only really invest in a mobile site if the current site they have is creating some leads and sales


      I really want to get into the web design to offline business space, im sure im missing something. People are getting leads in towns where other people are doing the same thing, I just dont know how.


      Thanks for the suggestions though.
      Signature
      ****

      ****
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6529969].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
        Originally Posted by Sonny Am View Post

        There doesnt seem to be that much money in redesign
        WHOA... there is MORE money in redesigning current websites than there is businesses without one. People that HAVE websites are people that already understand the value in one.

        90% of people that have websites, are unhappy with their current website. Maybe it doesn't produce leads(maybe it isn't optimized), maybe they don't know how to update it, maybe they want something newer, etc.

        I will typically go after people that already have a website.
        Signature
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6530229].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Sonny Am
          Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

          WHOA... there is MORE money in redesigning current websites than there is businesses without one. People that HAVE websites are people that already understand the value in one.

          90% of people that have websites, are unhappy with their current website. Maybe it doesn't produce leads(maybe it isn't optimized), maybe they don't know how to update it, maybe they want something newer, etc.

          I will typically go after people that already have a website.
          Really!? Well it seems as though i have much to learn ....

          I would have assumed that trying to sell a redesign would be more work and a harder sell as the person has already invested in a site, and if it is not working for them, it would be an uphill struggle to get them to trust you, and make them believe that your actually going to provide a solution that will be more successful. But i might be wrong?

          What would you typically offer as part of a redesign package, and what you usually charge?

          I know this is largely dependent on what the client wants, and the area....


          And how do offline marketers get around the fact that once your residing town and city has been saturated and you want to draw businesses from other cities. Do you just drive to the meetings wherever they are? or start offering different services to the clients in your current city?

          What im trying to say is, that I could probably get leads and meetings with businesses in cities say 100 miles away, but the travelling would be an issue, ...???/
          Signature
          ****

          ****
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6530298].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author wally247
            Originally Posted by Sonny Am View Post

            Really!? Well it seems as though i have much to learn ....

            I would have assumed that trying to sell a redesign would be more work and a harder sell as the person has already invested in a site, and if it is not working for them, it would be an uphill struggle to get them to trust you, and make them believe that your actually going to provide a solution that will be more successful. But i might be wrong?

            What would you typically offer as part of a redesign package, and what you usually charge?

            I know this is largely dependent on what the client wants, and the area....


            And how do offline marketers get around the fact that once your residing town and city has been saturated and you want to draw businesses from other cities. Do you just drive to the meetings wherever they are? or start offering different services to the clients in your current city?

            What im trying to say is, that I could probably get leads and meetings with businesses in cities say 100 miles away, but the travelling would be an issue, ...???/

            Look around this forum for a bit, and you'll see some guys have some pretty good ideas about this.

            Here's an idea I saw recently that I liked.

            Do you have a domain that you can add a sub-domain on? Something maybe you don't use for anything else.


            Or you can buy a .info or something for a few bucks...

            Here's why.

            Find some businesses with awful looking sites, or sites that don't look like they are optimized to convert the visitors to take an action (call, email etc...)

            You can install a nice theme on a new sub-domain and do a mock-up of for them, and then direct them to take a look at it.

            Nothing fancy, just put a nice theme on, maybe grab their current header/logo and do a really simple 10 minute mock-up so they can have an idea of what you can do.

            If you have some cloning software this could go really fast, but even if you just set up a few of these at a time, then found out if the person was interested then you could scrap it and add the new info for the next prospect.


            I haven't tried this, but I think it's a solid idea to get someone to see what they could have....
            Signature
            Skype
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6530352].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author TheArticlePros
            Originally Posted by Sonny Am View Post

            And how do offline marketers get around the fact that once your residing town and city has been saturated and you want to draw businesses from other cities. Do you just drive to the meetings wherever they are? or start offering different services to the clients in your current city?

            What im trying to say is, that I could probably get leads and meetings with businesses in cities say 100 miles away, but the travelling would be an issue, ...???/
            No one else pointed this out, so I think I will.

            You live in a city of 200K people, right? So it stands to reason that there are several thousand businesses there, right? Let's be conservative and say that there are 5K businesses in and around your city. If you handled 5 websites a month, it would take you 83 1/3 years to go through every single business in your city. During that timeframe, assuming you didn't die or retire before getting to the end, more businesses would come into being and your city would grow.

            In other words...you'll never get all of them. Just go get as many as you can.

            -- j
            Signature

            Posting About Life & Video Games:
            http://www.jarycu.com

            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6540565].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author massiveray
          Second this, I make more from redesign than new design, There is more work available and the owner knows how important a site can be to their business.

          I'm finding a lot of these guys want to hire me after I do mobile sites for them, more often than not when they see their mobile site I get an email a few days later.

          "oh erm.... Hey mr designer man, can you do full websites too? I only have 10 grand to blow but I really want a new site"

          These guys got charged so much for something they are unhappy with that they are willing to really pay for something great.

          Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

          WHOA... there is MORE money in redesigning current websites than there is businesses without one. People that HAVE websites are people that already understand the value in one.

          90% of people that have websites, are unhappy with their current website. Maybe it doesn't produce leads(maybe it isn't optimized), maybe they don't know how to update it, maybe they want something newer, etc.

          I will typically go after people that already have a website.
          Signature

          Join my private strategy group on Facebook or find out how I made £2000 recurring in 2 weeks.

          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6530313].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author badlimey
            All you need is a smart phone, a mode of transportation which could be a car, public transportation, a bicycle, or even just your feet.

            I NEVER cold call to find business, it calls me. Where ever I go, I instantly know what business needs what services, and then I give them one of them for free. 90% of them buy more.

            Starting to sound like a WSO right? Did you ever notice that the longer the sales page the bigger the price ticket at the end? But I digress.

            Bottom line is this, you have to have an arsenal of products and services that are relevant to the Internet Marketing today. Offering a Website is difficult in a saturated market. Did you know that hundreds of thousands of small businesses are abandoning their websites, disillusioned and confused.

            The number 1 reason for this, they have bought into the "Google Myth". I've been doing this since 1993 longer than some of the Warrior "Gurus" here have been alive, never ever made a cold call not even once. You don't have to either.

            Internet Marketing is a fluid, rapidly changing environment; what was relevant last week can be totally irrelevant next week. The entire industry has been built on a foundation of deception and most marketers are fixated on offering some method or other of "dominating" page 1 of Google.

            If it takes being on page 1 of Google and massive amounts of Traffic then the Internet as a commerce platform has failed.

            You can't PM on me here, but I would be happy to offer you "FREE" advice if you contact me through my latest project.

            Best wishes, good luck, and never quit!

            Findingcus
            Signature

            Barrie Featherstone
            US Army Retired
            "Still Serving"

            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6530419].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author massiveray
              Forgive me if I'm mistaken but your business model seems to be....

              Drive, cycle, whatever else around until somebody calls you out of the blue

              Then without any knowledge of the clients business you know what they need and give it to them for free

              Then sit around and hope that they buy more services from you

              Sounds like a joke sir

              Add your knowledge to this forum rather than pointing people to your "latest project"

              Are you saying your clients all come through your seo rankings?

              Originally Posted by badlimey View Post

              All you need is a smart phone, a mode of transportation which could be a car, public transportation, a bicycle, or even just your feet.

              I NEVER cold call to find business, it calls me. Where ever I go, I instantly know what business needs what services, and then I give them one of them for free. 90% of them buy more.

              Starting to sound like a WSO right? Did you ever notice that the longer the sales page the bigger the price ticket at the end? But I digress.

              Bottom line is this, you have to have an arsenal of products and services that are relevant to the Internet Marketing today. Offering a Website is difficult in a saturated market. Did you know that hundreds of thousands of small businesses are abandoning their websites, disillusioned and confused.

              The number 1 reason for this, they have bought into the "Google Myth". I've been doing this since 1993 longer than some of the Warrior "Gurus" here have been alive, never ever made a cold call not even once. You don't have to either.

              Internet Marketing is a fluid, rapidly changing environment; what was relevant last week can be totally irrelevant next week. The entire industry has been built on a foundation of deception and most marketers are fixated on offering some method or other of "dominating" page 1 of Google.

              If it takes being on page 1 of Google and massive amounts of Traffic then the Internet as a commerce platform has failed.

              You can't PM on me here, but I would be happy to offer you "FREE" advice if you contact me through my latest project.

              Best wishes, good luck, and never quit!

              Findingcus
              Signature

              Join my private strategy group on Facebook or find out how I made £2000 recurring in 2 weeks.

              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6530552].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Ant Marshall
    Try looking at the "slower" towns. By that I mean max population of 10000 -15000.

    These are the ones that are really not up to date, media-wise.
    Signature

    If you haven't made money online yet then just send me a PM and let's see what we can do together.

    Did my post help? Click thanks! ->

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6538205].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Matt121
    You can try purchasing a business list. You can ask list providers if they have a database of businesses in a specific area that have or does not have websites.
    Signature

    Professional B2B Lead Generation and Appointment Setting through expert telemarketing. Need to know more? Click Here

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6538488].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author EnzoBlaque
    Originally Posted by Sonny Am View Post

    Hi,


    Basically, I have some experience in web design and some in ranking sites.

    From what I've read a lucrative business model is selling websites to offline businesses that dont have them, the value proposition being them getting more leads and sales from a result of that site, ive also read that the best businesses to provide this service too is businesses that have a high value for sale, that would benefit most.

    This issues is that

    every small business I come across in my town seems to have a site.

    I live in large town of 200,000 people, maybe more

    Should I look to other neighbooring towns?

    Find a better and more methodical way of digger deeper for leads?

    Or should I oncentrate on selling the businesses with current sites, seo or social media services?



    Just wanted to get an insight into what other people are doing.....


    Id really appreciate some responses


    Thanks a lot in advance.


    Sonny.
    There are millions of websites out there that could benefit from a re-design. Then you upsell and add seo, then a mobile website, then social media.. etc etc..

    As for finding people who actually don't have a website, have you advertised your services anywhere? People need to know that you're in business or they just wont come.. Think of as many ways you can to make yourself more visible to your market. Look into Direct mail, leaflet distribution, social media campaigns.. You really need to put yourself out there if you want a steady stream of customers.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6540133].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author wakey7
    Hey man. I'm doing mobile sites at the moment but a lot of my clients have actually wanted full website redesigns too. Try team up with a company in the same space that you're in, that don't provide websites. For example, I've teamed up with a company that does SEO. As they are in that industry, they get tons of people asking for website re-designs. They then pass these on to me for a cut of the sale.

    Think about ways to get leads without having to chase them down yourself.
    Signature
    Web hosting for £1.99 per month, with no upfront fees! Use your own domain name or buy one with your hosting!

    Choose the £4.99 per month option and
    use promotion code 'WARRIOR'
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8129014].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author mikec513
    I have had success with the businesses in high dollar industries with terrible websites. They always say they know they need to do something. They are always quoted 5-10K by the big agencies. Find an awesome designer and sell them one for $3500
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8129559].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author DaniMc
    Just from the tone of your post I have a feeling I know why you are struggling. I can tell you for sure it has nothing to do with your town. There is plenty of money to make in a 200k city.

    Please tell a few numbers and I'll see if we can nail down the problem. Just the numbers - no stories. The numbers will tell the stories themselves.

    1. How many weeks have you been contacting businesses for your services?
    2. In that time, how many businesses have you contacted?
    3. From those, how many business owners have you spoken with?
    4. How many of the owners you spoke with actually let you pitch your offer?
    5. How many of the owners you pitched seemed somewhat interested?
    6. From those interested, how many sales have you made?
    Signature
    Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8129606].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author NewParadigm
    Boy if prospects already having something was the litmus test, car dealers would nearly all be dead in trying to sell a new car to someone who already has one!!


    There isn't a business in the world who wants to buy a website. They want to buy results. Don't sell a builder a hammer, sell him on what he can do with your hammer.
    Signature

    In a moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing. ~ Theodore Roosevelt

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8190598].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author pingsters
    Banned
    What if you try sites redesign?That's what i am thinking of right now.
    Also you can try beyond your town,look out to other areas,I am sure you will find good fortunes out there.
    Good luck!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8191151].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author AndrewCavanagh
    Your focusing too much on yourself and your service.

    If you get out of your head a little and look at things
    through a business owners eyes it becomes really
    obvious what they're going to be willing to pay for.

    Every day a brick and mortar business owner wakes up
    and has to deal with huge overheads, staff hassles,
    taxes, trouble customers and a pile of other stuff you'd
    find hard to believe unless you lived through it yourself.

    And with all that money going out they need some serious
    money coming in.

    So their primary concern is getting more customers and making
    more profits.

    There are plenty of businesses that have websites.

    There are very few businesses making any real sales from their
    websites.

    If you're looking for ways that a business can use the internet
    to bring in more sales and especially sales that have a higher
    net profit...then you're going to have business owners willing
    to pay you good money for your service.

    What you need to do is stop thinking of providing web design
    and think of ways you can use the skills you have to bring in
    more sales for a business.

    Kindest regards,
    Andrew Cavanagh
    Signature
    Old School Copy Like This Is BACK & Converting Like Crazy!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8196705].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author PanteraIM
    Originally Posted by Sonny Am View Post

    Hi,


    Basically, I have some experience in web design and some in ranking sites.

    From what I've read a lucrative business model is selling websites to offline businesses that dont have them, the value proposition being them getting more leads and sales from a result of that site, ive also read that the best businesses to provide this service too is businesses that have a high value for sale, that would benefit most.

    This issues is that

    every small business I come across in my town seems to have a site.

    I live in large town of 200,000 people, maybe more

    Should I look to other neighbooring towns?

    Find a better and more methodical way of digger deeper for leads?

    Or should I oncentrate on selling the businesses with current sites, seo or social media services?



    Just wanted to get an insight into what other people are doing.....


    Id really appreciate some responses


    Thanks a lot in advance.


    Sonny.
    The thing is that when you do find the people that don't have websites they are likely talking to 10+ companies about getting it done.

    But when you come across a website that looks OK but not amazing there is almost NOBODY offering the same service. This is called selling to the WANT as opposed to the NEED. You go in and make them WANT your redesign as opposed to looking for existing problems which are easily exploited by your infinite competition. I talk a lot about this on my forums.
    Signature

    you cant hold no groove if you ain't got no pocket.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8196718].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
      Originally Posted by PanteraIM View Post

      The thing is that when you do find the people that don't have websites they are likely talking to 10+ companies about getting it done.

      But when you come across a website that looks OK but not amazing there is almost NOBODY offering the same service. This is called selling to the WANT as opposed to the NEED. You go in and make them WANT your redesign as opposed to looking for existing problems which are easily exploited by your infinite competition. I talk a lot about this on my forums.
      And I don't get it honestly. Unless the company is brand new if it doesn't have a site yet in 2013 there is a serious issue. Those are not clients I would want.

      Who I want is the guy when I check wayback machine seems to get his site redesigned every few years.
      Signature
      Aaron Doud - Sales & Success
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8197354].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author payoman
        Tips for finding small businesses to sell to :

        1. Local classifieds in the newspaper. These guys are paying for classifieds so if they don't have a website, they will be more open to the idea than businesses that don't pay for advertising at all.

        2. Yellow Pages advertisers. These guys can sometimes be stuck in their ways, but alot of them are looking for a 'way out' of Yellow Pages prison too. Give them a call if you see they use generic email providers such as Gmail (for example, johnsplumbing@gmail.com).

        3. Look around town for vans that have phone numbers on the side but no website. They paid for the car stickers, they take their businesses seriously enough to take that step, why not a website?

        Other misc tips :

        - Look for cell phone numbers, these will get you in touch with the business owner directly and save hassles with gatekeepers. Tradesman are much more likely to list cell phone numbers, but you'd be surprised, even white collar businesses sometimes list them.

        - If there's an email listed somewhere on the ad, double your chances, send the email AND call. No harm in touching base both ways.

        - Finally, always follow up. At least 2-3 times if they are somewhat interested. Sometimes they are really busy and cant talk during the day often, try to schedule phone appoints outside of business hours if they are open to the idea.

        That should get you started.
        Signature
        Learn How To Sell Websites To Local Businesses for $600+ Today
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8238771].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Stomer
    Why you limit your money making ideas just to web design. Try to offer your prospects:
    - Marketing consulting
    - SEO services
    - Social Networking services
    - Reputation management

    Use your brain and follow the right needs of your clients. Help them and build trust. Then you can enlarge your business activities really fast.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8196849].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author dgerryd
    Hey guys this is something I am pretty interested in myself can I ask what you think of this quick slap up site I put together for a business now just keep in mind that they did not want to spend money so I did this for €200 hosting included should I have charged more less is it bad any opinion is welcome. While there is not a hole pile of work here for websites as there are many locals there is a market for social media and the likes honesty is the best policy here so I won't cry if you criticize my efforts cheers.
    http://gnineboutique.com/
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8238915].message }}

Trending Topics