Software company - the best way to get new Clients?

[Odilon]

Hi,

My name is Lucas and I'm co-founder and software developer of software development company offering bespoke solutions.

With over 4 years of commercial experience in developing software I have decided to create my own company with my friend.

All software applications I have created in the last few years was build internally and here my problem arise. I cant really share anything in my portfolio as this will break the law so my portfolio is basically empty.

Is there any other way to get new Clients without portfolio?

Here is my website odilon.co.uk

If adding links is not allowed here just let me know, I will remove it immediately.

 

[AstEver]

Why do you think that not having a portfolio precludes getting new clients?
How else, do you think, can you build credibility, trust, expertise, value delivery etc. in the eyes of the potential client?

Anyway, what you seem to be looking for is Marketing.

 

[Advika Jha]

You may be familiar with some of these at a glance, but read through because I’ve included helpful advice, resources, and tools for each.

1. Ask for referrals, don’t wait for them

2. Partner with agencies

3. Browse job boards

4. Follow up with lost clients

5. Follow up with your network

6. Run an ad campaign

7. Start blogging

8. Generate leads

9. Promote your business on social media networks.

 

[Mark T Jones]

There should be a pop up on here every time ‘getting customers’ is mentioned

‘who is your target customers and why will they want to use you?’

 

[mattk]

Firstly, you need to proof read your web site. There are two errors on your slider thingy.

Secondly, what kind of software are you offering to develop? Your web site is very vague and if I was a prospective customer it wouldn't fill me with confidence that you could meet my requirements.

Thirdly, how do you differ from the millions of other software development companies?

If I was setting up a software development company I would aim to be highly specialised. Find a niche where there is plenty of work (regulatory is always good) and target that. It will also allow you to tailor your marketing, so say for example you focus on payroll, you can attend HR technology conferences as both a speaker and an exhibitor and quickly establish yourself as a knowledgeable member of that community.

 

[Andy Harris]

Echoing the point about typos in the website copy - really important to nail those down if building the trust about accuracy of coding.

I'd also suggest:

1. Include the tech you have experience in (laravel, php, etc. etc.) - people need to see you have experience in the tech they use.

2. Replace the mobile phone number on the site with a landline - even if it's just a virtual number that redirects to mobile. They're cheap to buy and it creates a better impression.

3. Get a virtual office address for the website - small cost, but it'll look more professional (people will sometimes judge you if they feel you're working from home).

Focusing on getting new clients, two scenarios ...

1. You have budget to spend on marketing - find an external company to do what they do best.

2. You have no budget to spend on marketing - offer your services free/very low cost to those who will benefit (perhaps a small initial project), so that you build trust, gain case studies, and those people will potentially use you for bigger projects.

Andy

 

[Instamixes]

Yes, You can do email marketing to get more business and new clients Immediately.

 

[Mark T Jones]

Yes, You can do email marketing to get more business and new clients Immediately.

Wow! All your marketing problems solved!

 

[Darren_Ssc]

Wow! All your marketing problems solved!

Explains why Lucas hasn't returned since he's now snowed under with work.

 

[fisicx]

@Odilon , you may struggle with that business name. A google search has a lot of competition.

But to answer your question, you get out and go look for work. Walking the local area can reveal all sorts of leads that you follow up with emails and phone calls. It’s not easy, in fact you will probably spend more time marketing than you ever do actually coding anything.

 

[Odilon]

Hi all,

Thanks so much for that great response and advice.

You guys mentioned we have to choose the niche to who we want to develop our software, but do we really have to do it? Isn't like designing let say ordering system management for takeaway or car shop same thing? Of course will have to take completely different approach, but still, software is software.

 

[fisicx]

That comes later. Right now you need to start by offering something people want. Businesses don’t want software, they want solutions to a problem. They won’t google for software engineers, they will look for POS systems, security systems, xyz integration and do on. They will never find you because they aren’t looking for you. You need to go to them.

I know a guy who did an application for a church. It integrates prayer requests, sound systems and sermon downloads. Other churches heard about this and that’s all he does now.

Someone else did a schools document website thing. He has now got hundreds of schools using his application.

Both of these began with an offer of help.

 

[mattk]

Hi all,

Thanks so much for that great response and advice.

You guys mentioned we have to choose the niche to who we want to develop our software, but do we really have to do it? Isn't like designing let say ordering system management for takeaway or car shop same thing? Of course will have to take completely different approach, but still, software is software.

You don't have to choose a niche, but it is much easier to market yourself if you have a specialisation and therefore know who your target customers are.

Take your example above, you need to approach both takeaway restaurants and car shops, two very different markets. That's a lot of leg work. Two different prototypes/demos you have to build and maintain. Different emails and sales pitches you have to write and so on.

As I said, there are millions of people offering software development services, you need to come up with a way to make your company stand out from the crowd.

 

[Odilon]

I can see now what do you guys meant.

Is there an any way or website I can find in which specific industry businesses need help right now? I know due to Cironavirus hospitals are in the top, but I'm not sure what's the requirements to actually get into that type of business.

 

[fisicx]

You need to do the research. Think small and local. Is there a local business with an awful website that could be fixed? Maybe a butcher could offer click and collect or a window cleaner set up a booking system.

Or how about developing a Wordpress plugin for hair salons or a quote of the day randomiser.

Just do something!

This was something I did that them led to a much bigger contract: https://dontworry.quick-plugins.com/

 

[mattk]

I can see now what do you guys meant.

Is there an any way or website I can find in which specific industry businesses need help right now? I know due to Cironavirus hospitals are in the top, but I'm not sure what's the requirements to actually get into that type of business.

There are countless threads on here of people who have "ideas" but no skills.

Here is a good example:

https://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/threads/feedback-on-my-restaurant-ordering-app-idea.405121/

How much could you build an MVP of this for?

 

[Odilon]

Hi mattk,

Thanks for your message.

I would say £3-5k. It really depends how much of the different data this app will have to collect, if any automation processes need to be involved etc.

 

[billybob99]

There are countless threads on here of people who have "ideas" but no skills.

They're also skint.

 

[Peter Cooper]

If you have enough downtime, consider using your skills to build a SaaS business of your own. It'll help diversify your income, act as a portfolio piece, and depending on what it did, might even be a source of leads for custom development.

Alternatively, you could create some free online tools. I know a Mr + Mrs developer couple who created a visually stunning but technically simple timezone tool on the Web that's now heavily used and it acts as a huge source of leads for their time management app.

 

[Nick Walsh Studios]

I know a guy who spent £100,000 on developing software for Accountants it took him a year and when he tried to sell it "the Accountants would not buy it they were stuck in their ways and did not want to change".

He had to get a job after that experience.

Best to see if there is demand for software first:

1. Observe search trends related to your product. Google Keyword Tool. ...
2. Perform a test Google Adwords campaign. ...
3. Analyze your competition. ...
4. Set up a Kickstarter project. ...
5. Take pre-orders.

 

[fisicx]

Best to see if there is demand for software first...

I must be doing something wrong. I didn't do any of those but still managed to launch a successful product.

@Nick Walsh Studios - If you are going to plagarise a list at least make sure it's relevant

 

[garyk]

As others have said pick a niche and/or create a product that fits that niche.

I used to have a business doing bespoke software. It's hard because its intangible and the problem is that because you can create anything there is saying 'if your customer is everyone your customer is no-one'.

Prospects need to understand how what you will do will solve *their* problems *specific* to the industry they are in. If you target a specific industry it gives you something you can then build a targeted marketing campaign around.

An example; Some years ago I wrote add-ons for Sage products. Some were free, some paid for. But the important thing is they were tangible things that could be described and marketed. Add to that they also acted as 'door-openers', I got a fair amount of bespoke work off the back of these add-ons. Thing is they were pretty easy to develop, taking days not weeks.

Good luck!


P.S. What is up with this bloody site, on Safari everytime I move around I get a pop-up. 'Are you sure you wish to leave this page?'. Havent been on in here in ages and its gone down the tubes.