Bringing in new business for a web designer

[Doctor-Webby]

Hi,

As most of you seem highly experienced in your fields i just wondered in general when you set-up your web design/solution business or similar how did you bring in those first clients, did you run promotions, advertise heavily, cold call companies what worked for you and what is a waste of time

All hints and tips are welcome especially trade secrets!

Thanks

[DuaneJackson]

Hi Doc,

I do development rather than design and I built up my initial client base in 2 ways...

Firstly by partnering with designers like yourself and building a good relationship with them. We now have a number of 'design partners' that provide us with a constant stream of development work.

Secondly, and more importantly in the short-term, I did a lot of networking.

I often look at sites of people I meet online at places like this and the sites can be pretty poor. If it's a small site and you are trying to build a portfolio you might consider offering to re-design it for a ery low price with the agreement that if they don't like it they don't pay (and don't get to use it). I'd be interested to hear what others think of this idea.

[Ozzy]

I agree with Duane, that you need to build up a portfolio of customers in the market you wish to tarket...this quite often can lead to more business by word of mouth.
Networking is also an important tool for growing a client base, but you will find there seems to always be a handful of website design type companies at all networking events (except BNI ;))

Partnerships are also very important, and something that worked well for me in a "past life" was partnerships with network support companies. They would introduce me to their clients for a kickback and my company looking after their website, email, and online marketing. One particular company gave me so much business I ended up subbing a lot of it out and became more of a "project manager" role.