[sdilley14]

I'm looking for a little input from you guys. I'm starting to get more and more serious about web design and I just completed a really nice, tight website (imo) for the company I work for and I'm really proud of it! I'll post a link when it goes live.

Anyways, I'm looking to start a small business with my brother who is a very talented artist/art teacher/graphics designer with extensive PhotoShop and Illustrator experience. It's really the perfect match. We work together great, and the part of designing I lack in is graphic design/editing/and creativity with site layouts. I'm not trying to get rich off this. More so a supplemental income and a good hobby. I plan on making mostly (if not entirely until I atleast get more knowledge, experience, and confidence) static pages. I'd like to make pages for small to medium sized business, bands, things like that.

What I'm looking for is ideas of potential clients. The area I live in is very underdeveloped as far as any businesses having adequate web representation. Like I said, I'd like to do small businesses and bands. The site I just made is for a mortgage company that I work for. What are some other types of businesses I may be missing? I'm thinking of maybe contacting some apartment complexes and designing websites for their owners, as I live in a college town and most of the apartment companies don't have websites (or half decent websites). I'm also thinking of contacting a small, independant record store, some bars, etc.

What are some other ideas I may not be thinking of? There is a whole slew of potential clients and I'm sure there are some businesses I'm leaving out.

And to even expand on it...how do most of you webdesigners go about getting business? Contacting businesses and offering service? Advertising in papers, etc.? Rely on your company website to generate business? If you can't tell, I'm trying to figure out the best way to generate business without getting in over my head.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
-Shane D.

[SirCastor]

I just do freelance, but I find that most of my work finds me. Word of mouth is a powerful tool. Treat your clients right, casually mention that you do web design/development, and you'll find yourself with work.

I don't do anything more than occasionally slip it into conversation. Marketing isn't really my thing, and a lot of people aren't interested in dealing with site development companies. (More and more I come across folks who say 'companies looking for work need not apply.') Even if it's just the two of you...

[ralph4208w]

Word of mouth is a very effective way to grow a business. When you travel and visit other towns, you could visit small stores and casually ask them for a business card that has their web site on it. Then, visit the site, and if it could use improvement, email or call the store and explain how you recently shopped there and would like to help them improve their online presence. I'm not suggesting that you make cold-calls and call all stores, but you could reach out to stores that you've visited and consider to be a good company.

If possible, start the business on the side and let it grow naturally. If you leave you current job to start the new one, you'll be very stressed to earn enough money to live, and your anxiety over paying the bills will be apparent when you deal with clients. Start small, and it'll grow with time. Once your side business requires so much time and effort that it's hard to hold onto your existing full-time job, you can then consider making the transition to self-employment.

Good luck!

[billy_d_goat]

Agreed. Word of mouth works. You have to be careful about cold calling and emailing though. People get really fed up with spam, as we all know. I do like the idea about visiting a company first and then offering your services. You are less likely to be seen as just grabbing for business. People like to be helped. It's great when you can help them and make money at it too!

[mondayisgreat]

[Hey Ralph, since I couldn't send you a pm, just wanted to let you know that I like your signature. I got to learn of a new site for find movies to watch ] back to topic now....

For marketing your web design services...if you design a site, ask the client if you can put a little link at the bottom of the page that reads something like "Site design by xxxxxxx". Visitors to the site may contact you to build their site.

[himself]

I got started by doing a few free projects for friends (and some discounted projects for a couple of others who happened to find me), and those people spread the word. All of the work I have received since then has been unsolicited (which is a bonus, because it allows you to evaluate and reject certain clients if any red flags come up).

I can see where more aggressive marketing would be necessary, and I'd suggest identifying the markets you want to work with, and attend any of their industry trade shows or other gatherings and events with a handful of business cards. You'd have to be comfortable and somewhat skilled at approaching strangers, though (schmoozing).

[Ratspittle]

same here, Word of Mouth....starting about 5 years ago, I mainly did about one site a year for next to nothing...it has grown and now I have done about 10 this year. And the phone rings at least once a week. All word of mouth. One thing I have found is being prompt about call backs and support is a huge plus. You wouldn't beleive how many folks complain to me that they went with me because I called them back, and that I did not try to sell them too hard. I always tell people how busy I am too, it seems to boost their confidence that I am competent and in demand. Actually right now I am delving into the mysql php thing and let me tell you, I wished I'd have done it long ago....don't put it off too long, eventually your clients are going to need features like mailing lists, and database-driven features...just keep that in mind. Good luck amigo, it sure is fun.......and frustrating.