[CreativeShelf]

I've been doing web design now for around 5 years and am becoming extremely bored of having no work whatsoever. I rely on a word of mouth reputation for my business as everything else seems to fail. I target tradesmen in lincolnshire.

ANy help would be appreciated.

[nfc212]

There's not a lot about as the number of businesses decline, especially here in the UK. Most businesses that have a site won't spend on it for upgrades or overhauls. There are few new businesses and of those most go to 1&1 or one of these other DIY site hosts. The others either see it as a waste of precious money or get mugged into a BT or Yell page when they have their business line installed.

The future is bleak.

If you are the correct social class then you may get some work from wealthy, middle classers who will pay for a personal .me site, however if you are not in the right social cliques you won't get much work in that line. Unfortunately those at the top of the wealth ladder around here are smack, crack and puff dealers and don't really want to put up a site advertising their wares along with their phone number and email address.

Personally I'm moving more towards designing leaflets and flyers that businesses can have printed and then pay illegals to bundle through doors, or chuck in a bin, for £5 a thousand.

[Jason Dexter]

nfc212, on 30 January 2012 - 08:39 PM, said:

There's not a lot about as the number of businesses decline, especially here in the UK. Most businesses that have a site won't spend on it for upgrades or overhauls. There are few new businesses and of those most go to 1&1 or one of these other DIY site hosts. The others either see it as a waste of precious money or get mugged into a BT or Yell page when they have their business line installed.

The future is bleak.

If you are the correct social class then you may get some work from wealthy, middle classers who will pay for a personal .me site, however if you are not in the right social cliques you won't get much work in that line. Unfortunately those at the top of the wealth ladder around here are smack, crack and puff dealers and don't really want to put up a site advertising their wares along with their phone number and email address.

Personally I'm moving more towards designing leaflets and flyers that businesses can have printed and then pay illegals to bundle through doors, or chuck in a bin, for £5 a thousand.

And here I am increasing revenue month on month?

What types of marketing do you do? Or do you simply just sit around waiting for a phone call? People won't find you if they don't know you're there. Target small to medium businesses that are looking to get a web presence, ensure your prices are competitive and you're not pricing out your target market. Maybe it's your sales pitch? Selling your services to different sectors require different sales pitch.

Is it *just* design that you do? Or do you do design and development as well? whats your SEO skills like? Send letters out, business cards, get some leaflets printed off and posted out.

I have a feeling that you just rely on word of mouth and not actually getting yourself out there

[mattds]

Wow i feel a little depressed now!

You could try cold calling local businesses that already have a website, my friend does this and is quite successful. He has a half a dozen clients that he takes care of on a regular basis, site maintenance, expansion etc.

Do a good job for a already established business and often they will stick with you in the future!

[CreativeShelf]

Hello all,

Many thanks for helping me with this.

I provide web design and development, SEO and print services.

I have recently tried cold calling but to no avail (maybe it's down to what I say) and with regards to all the other advertising methods I just don't have the money to splash out on all that advertising.

Cheers,
Jake

[oakleaves]

CreativeShelf, on 31 January 2012 - 02:30 PM, said:

I have recently tried cold calling but to no avail (maybe it's down to what I say)

Jake

Hi Jake,

I hope you looked into the do's and dont's before getting involved in call calling otherwise you could be setting yourself up for a hefty fine.

Call calling is rarely effective in our field, however I use what is known as 'warm-calling' for some of my services and this is proving very effective for me although it doesn't come cheap. Think ROI.

With warm calling you buy the data and target specific types of business which you would need to think carefully about. As you would know the name of the decision maker you get better results but the key is not to be too pushy.

Also, think carefully about the type of service you would offer, the budget-cheapo website end of the market is well catered for. You could target someone who wants to take their site from a basic website to a CMS?

To be honest, there are more opportunities out there than I have time to pursue. There are lots of avenues for generating business. Keep positive. Then, when you land some clients be sure to be prompt with the work, meet deadlines, and communicate well - look after your clients as they will be likely to refer you and referrals are the best type of clients to have in my experience.

[CreativeShelf]

Thanks for all your comments.

So, all in all, what would be the best methods of attracting new customers? Either for free or very cheaply?

Jake.

[Midbrain]

CreativeShelf, on 31 January 2012 - 06:38 PM, said:

Thanks for all your comments.

So, all in all, what would be the best methods of attracting new customers? Either for free or very cheaply?

Jake.

How about building the website in advance for eg "Lincoln roofing contractor" (This is a random word off the top of my head, obviously do some keyword research to find out words that people are searching for.)

Once you build the site, get it ranking on page one for that keyword term.

It is a LOT easier to sell a site when it is already on page one, rather than selling a promise.

Just an idea, hope that helps.

If you are struggling to get your site ranking once it is built, feel free to ask me more questions.

Cheers

Alan

[nfc212]

CreativeShelf, on 31 January 2012 - 06:38 PM, said:

Thanks for all your comments.

So, all in all, what would be the best methods of attracting new customers? Either for free or very cheaply?

Jake.

Offering to do it for free would be a good attractor.

Seriously though offer to build or makeover sites for local churches, sports clubs, youth groups and charities. They are always on the look out for something for nothing, particularly the churches.

It will help to get your name about and some of the wealthier members of these organisations may be encouraged to put a bit of paying work your way.

Try bundling leaflets through the letterboxes of local shops and businesses, some may have a few spare quid they are willing to part with. Try putting some up in places businesses are likely to frequent, like builders merchants, plumbing supplies, etc.

Advertising to the general public is not in my opinion really worth it. Someone is not going to pick up your leaflet and over breakfast say, "Oooh, look Doris. This bloke is doing a five page site for 200 quid! What do you think?",
"That sounds like a bargain Stan. I know, lets have two!",
"I think you're right Doris, the other one will be a nice present for the grand kids.".

The best way though is to join the Rotary Club, the golf club, and any other haunt of the wealthy middle classes and do some brown nosing. Even better get yourself into the Masons and kiss the backside of the Grand Wazoo at every available opportunity.

The old adage, "It's not what you know, it's who you know" has always been true and is even truer now than ever before.

[oakleaves]

oakleaves, on 31 January 2012 - 02:41 PM, said:

..call calling..

Call calling is..

What the hell is 'call calling'!

I'm losing it

[Ste Hughes]

Not read the thread....

but I get the impression rather than go and look for work you sit around and hope it lands on your lap?

You're doing it wrong.