How to Generate leads for web development services?

shahajay6434

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Feb 8, 2022
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I am providing web development services like WordPress development, woo-commerce development, responsive web designing, Shopify development, etc. I am facing problems finding the right customers. can anybody help me and guide me on how can I generate leads and find new clients. I have 7+ years in web development but do not have any experience in lead generation.
 

Solve My Problem

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Jul 16, 2021
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I am in a similar market, we get a lot of work from web designers who are more template based designers and less technical.

When they hit something they cannot do or fix they refer to us. We offer white label services so work under their brand.

The first question is what type of customers are you trying to attract? Small budget WordPress sites or more complex projects? This will decide where you should be focusing your efforts. Start at the end and work backwards.

Darren
 
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shahajay6434

Free Member
Feb 8, 2022
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I am in a similar market, we get a lot of work from web designers who are more template based designers and less technical.

When they hit something they cannot do or fix they refer to us. We offer white label services so work under their brand.

The first question is what type of customers are you trying to attract? Small budget WordPress sites or more complex projects? This will decide where you should be focusing your efforts. Start at the end and work backwards.

Darren
Hello Darren,

Thanks for your reply.

How did you find the designer contacts who give the projects to you? Is there any platform where I can register and get this type of white-labeled project?

In starting I want to focus on small projects (1-3 months project duration)
 
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Solve My Problem

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Jul 16, 2021
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How did you find the designer contacts who give the projects to you? Is there any platform where I can register and get this type of white-labeled project?

In starting I want to focus on small projects (1-3 months project duration)
I have been doing this a long time so have a lot of connections.

Find local web developers and approach them.

Cold call local businesses and see about re-designing their sites, or upgrading them.

It's a hard area to break into so you have to work hard

Darren
 
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fisicx

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Talk to people. Pick up the phone, send an email, write a letter.

That being said, had someone contact me this morning offering the same sort of service and their portfolio was utter tripe. So you need a top class set of examples to show a potential partner.
 
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shahajay6434

Free Member
Feb 8, 2022
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I have been doing this a long time so have a lot of connections.

Find local web developers and approach them.

Cold call local businesses and see about re-designing their sites, or upgrading them.

It's a hard area to break into so you have to work hard

Darren
I have left the job and started my own business. so in my connect most of the people are doing job.

I am not willing to target local audience. due to the pricing issue. I want to target UK, US, UAE and Canada country clients.

I can work hard but finding the right path.
 
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shahajay6434

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Feb 8, 2022
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Talk to people. Pick up the phone, send an email, write a letter.

That being said, had someone contact me this morning offering the same sort of service and their portfolio was utter tripe. So you need a top class set of examples to show a potential partner.
I do not have connection, I have a very good portfolio to show the customers. but my customer does not know me. what can I do so the customer starting to know me and my services.
 
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fisicx

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There are thousands of overseas developers targeting companies in the uk. I get dozens of emails everyday. They all get junked. If you want to target UK businesses you need to either be in the UK or a be a brilliant salesman. You are going to be spending most of your time marketing your services and a tiny part writing code.

Forget being a developer and start learning how to be a salesman.
 
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shahajay6434

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Feb 8, 2022
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Much of the above.

Before 'putting yourself out there' though, think very hard about these 2 questions:

1. Who is your ideal target customer (99.9% fit)?
2. Why will they choose you over the hundered already out there?
Hello Mark,

Yes, I have both questions answer.

1) My target customer is any business owner and CEO who is running businesses like any eCommerce store, doctor, musician, actor, service provider, etc based in the UK, USA, UAE, Australia, Netherlands, Canada client.

2) I provide premium quality and prompt response.
 
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fisicx

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In other words, you are the same as every other developer.

Your target is far too big. Narrow it down to just a handful of potential clients and sell yourself. If you can’t sell yourself you won’t get any work. Learn how to be a salesman.
 
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shahajay6434

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Feb 8, 2022
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There are thousands of overseas developers targeting companies in the UK. I get dozens of emails everyday. They all get junked. If you want to target UK businesses you need to either be in the UK or a be a brilliant salesman. You are going to be spending most of your time marketing your services and a tiny part writing code.

Forget being a developer and start learning how to be a salesman.
Thanks for your advice. Yes, I am learning digital marketing to sell my services.

I have also discovered I provide good services. but I have to find ways to sell it consistently.

I really appreciate your advice!!!
 
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fisicx

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Everyone provides good service. There are thousand of developers just like you. If I need something doing I can use any of the many freelancers sites.
 
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As @Mark T Jones said, who is your ideal target customer?

The other thing is, what is your specialism? Why are you different? (USP)

People need a reason to come with you versus the other 5,000 suppliers. What is your own website like? Does it sell your expertise? If not, it's unlikely you will convert much business.

When growing a business you want to keep things nice and simple.

1. Target the right customer
This doesn't mean using a 'spray and pray' approach targeting anyone who needs a bloody website. Too broad. This means you should create a proposition that delivers solutions to problems that specific type of customer faces.

For example, you could build websites with a booking system for pizza restaurants, showcase / gallery websites for B&Bs or dog walkers.

Create a specific style or type of site that you can deliver on a 'cookie cutter' approach. Don't try to build a different complex site every time because you will end up making no money. The simpler, the better.

2. You USP (Unique Selling Point)
What is this? You can build websites, so what. So can I. So can @fisicx.

What is it that make's you different and worth jumping on board with?

COST IS NOT THE ANSWER!

You need to create an angle for your business that makes people stand up and take notice. This could be the fact that you have experience in a particular niche, you could offer 6-months free support, or you guarantee some SEO included with your package.

Think about your target customer. What do they want? How have they been let down in the past? What can you offer which they will make them desire your service?

You also need to put yourself out there and become a valuable resource, sometimes for free. People gravitate to others who are helpful and don't try to sell to them. Call it the 'law of attraction' or whatever, but it's true. If you talk to lots of people, help them and become the go-to resource, you will generate business. All the time you try to sell, it will be an up-hill battle.

My advice is to join as many networking groups as possible, just to get yourself in front of people. You will eventually find your sweet spot. It won't be overnight but it will also give you great experience so you can refine your offering.

If you still wanted to go down the direct route then why not choose an industry niche, Google businesses in that area, find the ones with abysmal sites and then offer a free audit or something.

Hope that helps.

Matt

P.S Like the new profile pic Mark. :)
 
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Hello Mark,

Yes, I have both questions answer.

1) My target customer is any business owner and CEO who is running businesses like any eCommerce store, doctor, musician, actor, service provider, etc based in the UK, USA, UAE, Australia, Netherlands, Canada client.

2) I provide premium quality and prompt response.
1. Not a target- just the widest possible net you can spread.

2. Precisely what every one else claims to offer.

However fussy you think this is, those 2 questions will define your success
 
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shahajay6434

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Feb 8, 2022
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Everyone provides good service. There are thousand of developers just like you. If I need something doing I can use any of the many freelancers sites.
Yes, I am finding the unique things which the other developer are not doing. do you have any suggestions?

what I can do differently which stands out to me from the other freelancers?
 
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fisicx

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Yes, I am finding the unique things which the other developer are not doing. do you have any suggestions?
Nobody cares how you do something. All they want a the website that is better than the competition.
what I can do differently which stands out to me from the other freelancers?
Be a better salesman. That’s the trick to getting more work.
 
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antropy

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    I am providing web development services like WordPress development, woo-commerce development, responsive web designing, Shopify development, etc.
    I expect you'll get more business if you choose a platform and become a specialist in it.

    No one is looking for someone who can do a bit of everything, they're looking for an expert in a particular platform.

    Paul.
     
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    Solve My Problem

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    I expect you'll get more business if you choose a platform and become a specialist in it.

    No one is looking for someone who can do a bit of everything, they're looking for an expert in a particular platform.

    Paul.
    You would think except that's exactly our business model.

    I do migrations between platforms, plugins/apps linking WordPress/Shopify/Ebay/Amazon/ShipStation etc..

    The last job was a large Laravel project linking multiple API systems to a single WordPress install. So bespoke plugin, + software + theme build and development.

    We also do a lot of data scraping and processing of the data into various platforms.

    Our day to day support clients are on multiple platforms. Few weeks ago a business client we support with general IT had an access database that was old that needed support and connecting into MailChimp. So we converted the DB to an online platform which then could connect to MC directly rather than exporting CSV files and spending ages updating unsubscribes etc..

    As a result having a wide skill set results in work as opposed to not being able to do what clients want.

    Darren
     
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    antropy

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    November we had two Shopify new builds + 2 WordPress rebuilds. I have a Shopify new build booked in for next month. Working on a WordPress new build next week
    Well you can specialise in 2 platforms, e.g. we're very good at OpenCart and Concrete CMS (formerly Concrete 5). You don't have to choose just 1.

    I can only speak from my experience but we found new business increased dramatically after specialising.

    Paul.
     
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    Solve My Problem

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    Well you can specialise in 2 platforms, e.g. we're very good at OpenCart and Concrete CMS (formerly Concrete 5). You don't have to choose just 1.

    I can only speak from my experience but we found new business increased dramatically after specialising.

    Paul.
    We just found various projects required more elements of focus.

    This afternoon a client called in a panic with a 1200 line excel sheet that needed manipulating for a print project. A few macros and a lot of copy and paste to get them on their feet but this has not lead to plans for a more automated project which will save a day or so man/woman hours every month.

    One of my agency customers spends all their time pitching and building WordPress sites using templates. They make a decent living with a growing number of clients. Cold calling is an art for sure.

    Darren
     
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