Hi

I am looking for some general tips, suggestions, warnings, success stories, personal secrets, etc…anything that might help a brand new designer help land a few clients. No limits, absolutely anything you may have that may help one boost their web design business.

If you care to elaborate on subjects such as the following I would be very grateful.

* How/Where to promote you and your work?
* Places I can find clients
* Best way to approach a would be client?
* Some price negotiation tips.
* What does a client look for in a designer?
* Things to steer clear from.
* Pro’s and Cons selling excusive and non-excusive templates.

Thanks in advance.

I would highly recommend

http://www.sitepoint.com/books/freelance1

hey, thanks for the link! :D

Originally posted by Abvex
hey, thanks for the link! :D

No problems at all. The sample chapters alone provide great insight into how REAL business web design/development works.

Best of luck

I would give some advice to this but with only three years of industry experience.

My big break:
I made a partnership with a growing sales/marketing firm who refers all of their web design/development prospects to my company. We take our usual costs and add 15% to the top forthe marketing firm. On highly competitive jobs (usually $15k+), we negotiate special terms with a lower mark-up since those jobs are usually the highest competitive and therefore cost-prohibitive.

Tips:
1. When meeting with a client, don't outright criticize their current website (if they have one)... even if they bring it up first. I usually mention that it was a standard website created years ago (which is true) and needs to step it up to be truly competitive in today's market. Everything needs a facelift once in a while.

2. Always over-deliver. If you think you can get something out by 2 p.m., give a 5 p.m. deadline. That way, if you do get it out at 2 p.m., you look like a hero for being early. If something comes up (which often happens), you're not the villan for being a few hours late and delivering at 5 p.m.

3. I think another breaking point was to offer discounts for non-profits. Originally, to grow the client base, I charged non-profits cp10 (cost plus 10%). They were happy and often referred many others. Our name/link is on their website and usually a few people involved with each non-profit want a website for personal or their other business purposes. Plus, if you throw in free months of hosting or something like that for each customer they refer, they seem to love it. Non-profits need to save money wherever they can.

4. Business Cards - They will become the blood of your business. Leave them wherever you can. If there's a box at Panera or Chili's for a free lunch, toss one in. Make sure it's a striking card and facing outward.. I'd say I have 10% of my business from this. It's strange but people can be curious.

5. Price-wise, I usually ask a few initial questions before discussing cost: What do you estimate your budget range will be for this project? How much does your company currently spend on marketing each year? Those usually help determine what your services are worth. In reality, you are offering marketing services. You need to compare what they currently spend on marketing to your costs and see if you can compete and at what price. If they spend $1k on marketing a year, chances are they won't be able to afford a project over $500. If they spend $50k on advertising a year, you should be good.

6. Regarding templates, that was my first idea as well. I figured, for $50 we can purchase a template, customize it, host it for a year, throw in a domain name and charge $500-$1,000. Most people don't like templates... especially for a grounded business with a firm client base. They almost always want custom to set themselves apart.

7. Try offering package deals to targetted audiences. For example, approach someone in an industry that you know where there are many individual associates. (i.e. think of realtors, doctors, financial consultants, etc.) Work out a set pricing for each field. For us, I put together a custom 3-page website (they often don't need/want much), hosting for a year and domain name for $1,000. Often, if it works with your business model (and usually make sure that you recoup all of YOUR costs within the first month), try doing something for $400 upfront and $75/mo. for a year or something... then renews at hosting for $25/mo. Play around with numbers and always make sure you're making a profit... you are spending your time on it and your time isn't work $2/hr.

I hope this helps. Of course, I don't know your products or services and how much capital you have to invest so everything is subjective. Good luck!

Hi jml3188, thank you for taking the time to write all that. I love all those tips. I have posted this on other forums and most of them sound pretty familiar, which is a good thing. It mean they work!

I think I have got plenty of good respond to set me on the right directing.

Thank you

No prob. Glad I could help and that it's on target. If you hav any other questions or need advice, feel free to PM.

I think jml3188, has given good tips here, I just add it is most important time to identify your mainstream and next generation customers. You should synthesize, and prioritize across consumer’s needs and their objectives and eventually you should balance them with your own capability. The customer satisfaction is the key business; you can be able to improve your own competitiveness by including customers to your equation.