“Everyone needs a website!”
“Your business simply must have an online presence!”
Those sentiments are part and parcel of basic business advice these days, and that is great news for people who want to go into the business of website building. While every mom and pop store may need a website, most of the owners do the work of running their business themselves. They have neither the time nor the inclination to learn the ins and outs of web design and content creation. That leaves them looking for professionals who understand how websites work and can design them.
Getting Samples of Your Websites
The first step to starting your own website building business is to be able to show samples of websites you have designed. Some website building businesses focus only on the graphic design, using open-source coding to bring the site together. Others focus on just the programming, but some build entire websites, including content, from the ground up. Whatever the focus of your business venture, it is vital to have three to four websites you can show as solid examples of your work.
Finding Blurbs about Your Skills
Begin your website building business by putting together a marketing proposal for potential customers. In this proposal, you should include a few high-quality screenshots of the most compelling work you have done. Also, include the links to sites you have completed and letters of recommendation or blurbs from people with whom you have worked before.
These blurbs should be approved by the clients, and they should speak to specifics about your work as much as possible. Highlight your penchant for delivering work on time or for coming in on budget. You may be soliciting clients who know little about how to design a website, but all business owners understand the basic economics of any business transaction. Speak to this understanding.
Compiling Your Resume
Also include a brief version of your resume. This version should highlight your basic achievements, education, and experience. Don’t spend time on unimportant details. Give information in a format to allow others to glance over it and see that you are qualified. If you are self-taught in website building, then you should focus this sheet on your experiences.
Once you have your portfolio together, connect with other professionals in your area. Contact freelance writers and design professionals who can help provide on-going help to your clients. Though you do not need to work with these people, you should develop a network of other website building professionals to whom you can turn or refer clients when needed.
Creating a Marketing Plan
Finally plan your marketing strategy. Determine local places to run ads and find out how you can pitch your services to local companies in need of a good website. Have business cards printed up and begin to search out your first clients. Seek out opportunities to provide interviews to local media for additional – free – exposure. Be creative in getting the word out about your business. As you grow your website building business, word of mouth should begin to put you in touch with a good base of work.
