[Seth]

I just recently started my Web design firm in the States. Up until now I've been quite successful from word of mouth advertising and have a few deals on my plate. But now that they are finishing up, I want to generate more deals. Do any of you have any ideas on how I can promote my company effectively that is also affordable? Thanks so much.

[BlueDreamer]

A bit of local networking can work for any business -are there any local trade/commerce groups local to you - getting involved will get you known - "it's not what you know but who you know".

[Andysweb]

Have you tried targeted flyering, going to business and flyering them?

Also, along similar lines as blue dreamer, what about sponsoring a local band or event by creating a website for them in exchange for some good old fashioned plugs It is a amazing what you get if you give a little

[Expat629]

Along the same lines as networking, doing charity work never hurt either. I did a website for a non-profit project last year, received the requisite footer credit, a few mentions in press releases, and just last week it turned into a potential client.

Obviously, there needs to be a cost/benefit analysis. Minimal charity work for maximum exposure is always the best. But if you pick causes you actually like anyway, it's hard to go wrong.

[Tristan Perry]

Various online forums (i.e. web design and internet commerce-oriented ones) will nearly always have advertising boards, which could be useful to pick up some extra customers.

Although Expat's suggestion sounds really great, and is a fairly rare suggestion - I have never thought of that

[wizely]

Some advice before you go rushing off to spam the world!!!!

Before you really push your site I'd consider the following:

Really nailing down a specific offering that you might be able to differentiate from the millions of web design companies out there!
I'd reckon your best chance is to strengthen your image as a designer that works closely with small business - it's what your copy is saying.
In that case you might want to focus on your local region whether that be city, county, state or seaboard (don't ask me about US geography!)!
I'd really beef-up your copy for some impact.

It's better to really think about what you offer, why you're different and to who will care about that difference and then align your site accordingly with a strong message and target them.

At the moment, for me, your copy claims your service and personal and aimed at small business but your copy is distant and your site too 'corporate' and generic to pull that claim off.

If you do go for the local small business angle then there must be hundreds of forums/associations for each local town and region, each business type... In marketing it's far easier to start really specific and then broaden-out later. Silly example -go for plumbers in your local town if they don't bite don't try them nationally! If your town's undertakers like your offering then try the county's then the state then the country then the world!!!!
You might find yourself a speciality you never considered - web design for US small-town business or whatever!

[Seth]

Thanks guys for all your help

[icecube_media]

You have already few clients and you should try referral marketing. It is really a good way to get new clients. You can ask for few referrals from each client and keep asking about referrals to whom you met.

Another way, You can promote your services via Facebook. It also works especially for local businesses.