However, you’ve got tough competition out there, especially if you’re a fresh new name in the industry. You need to roll up your sleeves and work twice as hard as your competitors so that your talent will be given a chance. So where do you start? We’ve rounded up our combined know-how in the business to give you some tips to help you start getting clients for your website design business.

• Utilize Social Media Communities

Social media communities are the hangout places for different groups with different needs and interests. Find out where your target clients are hanging out and join. You might want to consider groups of bloggers and digital marketers who most probably need your web design services. Be careful not to pounce on them with your business pitch right away though.

Spend time listening first. Observe the behavior of your target clients and learn about their pain points before you jump in the water. Provide help and input when you can, so group members will soon regard you as an expert, and eventually recommend your services and product to their own clients pointing out from your dialogue what pain points you can solve for them.

• Join Trade Shows and Business Expos

Eighty-five percent of business key players say that participating in trade shows save time and cost because the event brings businesses together in one place. Joining a business expo allows you to collaborate with other vendors and learn about your competition.

The key to a great ROI from the event is to prepare yourself thoroughly prior to the trade show. This doesn’t just mean you need to know your subject matter well, it means that you should come well-stocked. Make your business cards, portfolio, and presentations remarkable for you to stand out among other suppliers.

• Ask Previous Clients for a Referral

You’ve had clients in the past, or maybe you’ve even worked for another company. Leverage your network by asking them for a referral or testimonial. This will only be effective if you have impressed them with your talent so make sure to polish your product well. A great service should be your first marketing strategy as it will leave your clients with a positive impression and memory of their experience collaborating with you. Referrals will get you a long way!

So, keep records of all your previous and current clients, make the small efforts to keep in contact with them whether it’s on a monthly or annual basis (cards or postcards can go a long way!) and leverage that relationship to attract other perspective customers.

• Create a Blog and Generate Leads with Content Marketing

Sixty percent of companies who use blogs gain more clients, according to a Hubspot survey. Creating a blog allows you to generate and nurture your leads until they are ready to avail you of your services. Content marketing through blogs is a cost effective marketing strategy because it has the potential for global reach and extends for several years. A single well-written blog post can fuel your business for a very long time.

• Track your Website Visitors with Data Analytics

This is a must in marketing, and will help you get to know your leads. Look at their digital footprint and determine what content they’re looking at. It can also lead you to a new source of leads and prospects that you can pay extra attention to in order to nurture that relationship.

• Retarget and Remarket

The biggest remarketing platforms are Facebook and Google. Because you know that you are getting website traffic, you can invest a minimal amount to remarketing ads. Basically, your ads will only be shown to people who have already visited your website, so that you know they’re really interested. This can help you hit the bull’s eye.

• Check out your Competitors

Follow your competitors. What are they doing right? Take time to consider what they aren’t providing for their customers and make sure to hone in on that service. You can learn from the bigger agencies by benchmarking.

If your service isn’t selling enough, it can be because your competitor has cheaper rates, or that they do it better than you. Try to call or email your competitors as if you’re a regular customer that needs a website built. Get their prices and re-set your price accordingly.

• Testimonials

Place a testimonials section on your website, so that your visitors can see that other have tried your service and liked it! Rule of thumb, though, don’t make fake testimonials. Ask your clients for one, and publish exactly what they say to maintain authenticity.

• Optimize your Website Design and Interface

This is your online calling card, and your website should be your very own work of art. It needs to show your talent and skills. If your own website isn’t that awesome, why should clients trust you? Astound your viewers with your website design so they can trust you with your services.

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Customers don’t need hundreds of pages of website content. Keep your website simple and easy on the eyes and your server. A video can be simple, but it won’t be so light-weight. Remember that web users are not very patient when it comes to waiting for web pages to load (same goes for search engine crawlers). So, try to not use any heavy images or videos.

• Market Yourself

You are your brand. Market the hell outta you! Don’t be shy to sell yourself. You’re a web designer, but you’re also a marketer now.

Bottom Line

The internet has opened the gates to the world so your business potential is limitless. Though so is the potential for millions of your competitors. Starting up is the hardest part in building your business since no one knows what you can do yet. Start by polishing your skills and crafting a remarkable product.  Optimize your website the best you can.

Then, reach out to potential clients through social media groups and trade shows. Establish your authority and gain the trust of your consumers by generating useful content through your blog. Once you have gained clients, extend your potential revenue by asking for a referral. An outstanding product combined with effective marketing will surely let you get and keep your clients.