[kanger]

Hello All,

I was just wondering if anyone has had much luck approaching random companies for web design work?

I've come across a couple of local companies with very out-of-date looking websites and I'm thinking of doing a mock up and a sample home page (online) and then writing to the companies showing them a proposed mock up / online link to sample page and offering them a rate etc.

Just wondering if any one has tried this and if there is anything else worth doing or taking into consideration when approaching potential customers.

Thanks for any thoughts

[pandadoodle]

It does work but 1 tip dont do a mock up EVER unless your being paid for it. The amount of time you spend doing mock ups could be spent marketing and actually getting work.

[roothost]

pandadoodle, on 12 October 2011 - 05:14 PM, said:

It does work but 1 tip dont do a mock up EVER unless your being paid for it. The amount of time you spend doing mock ups could be spent marketing and actually getting work.

Second this. Fine to go ahead and contact them, sell yourself, but never design anything unless you are being paid to do so.

[Gaelen]

I third these guys... you will waste a LOT of time

[kanger]

Thanks all, well luckily I haven't spent too much time doing mock up and it's quite a generic design so it could easily be used for something else.

Have you just approached people by email/letter/phone or in person?

[roothost]

kanger, on 13 October 2011 - 07:38 AM, said:

Thanks all, well luckily I haven't spent too much time doing mock up and it's quite a generic design so it could easily be used for something else.

Have you just approached people by email/letter/phone or in person?

All of them! For local companies I always make the effort to visit in person, so much more professional.

[brightonmike]

Don't actually criticise their website, at all, they may get offended.

Just say what your website would do for them.

Also, if they have someone working in-house as the website guy, do not approach them.

[smoothonline]

You don't need to do a spec design that's what your portfolio website is for, it demonstrates your skills!

[roothost]

smoothonline, on 13 October 2011 - 08:10 AM, said:

You don't need to do a spec design that's what your portfolio website is for, it demonstrates your skills!

And if you dont have a portfolio, create some mockups or fctional companies to showcase your skills.

[pandadoodle]

brightonmike, on 13 October 2011 - 08:09 AM, said:

Don't actually criticise their website, at all, they may get offended.

Just say what your website would do for them.

Also, if they have someone working in-house as the website guy, do not approach them.

Actually if you point out mistakes and suggest improvements or alternatives that goes down even better. Just being negative gets you no where. Its all about sales, turn negatives into positives.

I tend to give out COOL & CRAP questionnaires they fill in all the good and bad points about the site then you have something to work with, how you go about using that is down to you I'm not going to give away all my secrets on a forum lol

[kanger]

brightonmike, on 13 October 2011 - 08:09 AM, said:

Also, if they have someone working in-house as the website guy, do not approach them.

very good point! will try and check that out somehow

Thanks again for all the useful thoughts...good idea about questionnaire about good and bad things on existing site.

I'm going to try a letter or possibly a visit tomorrow, I'll let you know how I get on