15 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
15 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

How do website design firms get customers?

by Gauth1234
12 replies
Hey warriors,

I have an amazing idea on a business model where I design free websites for people! (Hear me out, obviously i will make money through other ways ~ this *design free* website is only to get customers)

How would you go about a say a CPA promotion that goes *We design websites for free*

I prefer not to follow all the others who do ppc advertising etc.. and wait for luck to strike and for someone to contact me.. I was thinking maybe i should specialize in a certain kind of website.. like *personal info. pages* something like a CV page.. and target young adults/ working adults who want a better online presence, OFFLINE instead of online.

Any tips or recommendations?
Thanks in advance ;D
#customers #design #firms #website
  • Profile picture of the author Barry Unruh
    Most web design firms do not create for individuals, they create for businesses.

    Your idea might work, but how many individuals do you know in your circle of friends that have their own website? They spend their time on Facebook, or other social media, not on a personal website.

    Make sure you have a clear idea of how you intend to turn your idea into money before you start promoting.
    Signature
    Brain Drained...Signature Coming Soon!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10141290].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author savidge4
      It is more often than not harder to sell "Free" than it is to put a price on it.
      Signature
      Success is an ACT not an idea
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10141292].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author jameskyle
    Create a content marketing campaign where you produce content people within your demographic would want to read and promote it using social media and web 2.0's
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10141503].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Jack107
    I have a web design business.

    I use mainly facebook and instagram mostly. I have so far found that word of mouth is my best marketing tool.

    Happy clients = more leads.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10141918].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author BigFrank
      Banned
      Whenever someone offers me anything for free, I run in the other direction. First, I assume it's crap. Second, I have been alive long enough to know that nothing in life is free. Sooner or later, I'm going to pay.

      That premise has served me well in life and I seriously doubt that I have ever passed on anything of real value.

      Cheers. - Frank
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10141940].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
        Originally Posted by BigFrank View Post

        Whenever someone offers me anything for free, I run in the other direction. First, I assume it's crap. Second, I have been alive long enough to know that nothing in life is free. Sooner or later, I'm going to pay.

        That premise has served me well in life and I seriously doubt that I have ever passed on anything of real value.

        Cheers. - Frank
        Agreed.

        Your prospect is either always going to be thinking, "What's the catch" OR be a terrible client who wants everything for nothing.

        Birds of a feather flock together. You are not going to referrals to any better clients from a freebie customer.

        Skilled and legit business owners are DESPERATE for someone reliable and skilled to take care of tasks for them. They are happy to pay a premium for that reliability.

        OP: what are you doing to demonstrate you have that skill and reliability level?
        Signature
        >> How To Grow Your Online Business [FREE Training Video, No Opt-In, from 12+ Year Vet]

        >> For Agency Founders: The Fast Shortcut To Selling SEO, Leadgen, Webdesign & Other Services
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10142362].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author AffiliateWaves
    Originally Posted by Gauth1234 View Post

    Hey warriors,

    I have an amazing idea on a business model where I design free websites for people! (Hear me out, obviously i will make money through other ways ~ this *design free* website is only to get customers)

    How would you go about a say a CPA promotion that goes *We design websites for free*

    I prefer not to follow all the others who do ppc advertising etc.. and wait for luck to strike and for someone to contact me.. I was thinking maybe i should specialize in a certain kind of website.. like *personal info. pages* something like a CV page.. and target young adults/ working adults who want a better online presence, OFFLINE instead of online.

    Any tips or recommendations?
    Thanks in advance ;D
    The only problem with your business model is FREE keyword ,most people never click an ad that use FREE keyword .

    People like to pay ,if they get quality work .So instead of wasting time in this type of promotion,do some websites for your friends,local business and get feedback from them.

    If you are really good in it,you will definitely get business

    Thanks
    Signature

    Need high Quality Expired domains click here to see now

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10141938].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author fantrom
    I've never done a design, website or even spec work for free.

    NO!SPEC

    The problem with giving away free websites is that you will soon be branded as the "Free Website Company". This in turn will not garner much respect or future value for your services in many B2B businesses eyes.

    - "Nice website. Where you get it?"
    - "I got it at XYZ Company. And the best part is that it was FREE"
    - "Great. Sign me up... what's their number."

    When you brand your business like this early on, your doomed from the beginning.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10142410].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Brian Boyd
      Banned
      I have a bit of a different take or angle on this...

      "Free" is ok as long as it is part of something else that is paid...For example - buy my web content and marketing package and get a website for free.....And once you finish the content and design part you can begin to recommend additional services - ie: mobile, etc.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10142432].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author StopYourBSMarketing
    Your basic principle is a sound one: add new clients as quickly as possible so that you can sell them other things and make money. This works. The problem (as I see it) is the FREE part. You must charge them something. It doesn't have to be much, but if you charge nothing, you'll be developing a client list of "freebie seekers". This is one of the (major) pitfalls of solo ads. There are a lot of people who will take anything for free, but who will never spend a dime with you.

    Charge something for your services and then you'll have a very responsive customer base that will trust you and listen to you when it's time to introduce them to a new product or service.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10142439].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    They probably do very good "service business marketing". Such as:

    - Newspaper, video, and yellow page ad testimonial ads from past clients
    - Referral marketing
    - Direct mail... very crafty direct mail... something i won't go over right now
    - Advertorials
    - Business cards
    - Free client seminars
    - Social media of course
    - Online marketing of course
    - Freebies when they visit their site, or when prospects make a phone call
    - Endorsement letters
    - Joint ventures
    - A service guarantee
    - etc
    Signature
    ==>> Free book reveals make money with affiliate marketing
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10142793].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Barry Unruh
      Originally Posted by Randall Magwood View Post

      They probably do very good "service business marketing". Such as:

      - Newspaper, video, and yellow page ad testimonial ads from past clients
      - Referral marketing
      - Direct mail... very crafty direct mail... something i won't go over right now
      - Advertorials
      - Business cards
      - Free client seminars
      - Social media of course
      - Online marketing of course
      - Freebies when they visit their site, or when prospects make a phone call
      - Endorsement letters
      - Joint ventures
      - A service guarantee
      - etc
      + make phone calls
      + walk in doors
      Signature
      Brain Drained...Signature Coming Soon!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10142833].message }}

Trending Topics