How Do I advertise my web design skills?

Question

I've just started my own web design business and with a slight lack of £££ I'm struggling to advertise to anyone that might pay me.

Anyone got a good idea as to how I might be able to advertise on the cheap?

I was thinking of letter box flyering, but I'm sure most people just chuck them in the bin!

I've got a load of designs under my belt - a New York Documentary Producer, a London Artist, 2 actresses, a model/Batman Extra and a couple more (most of these were freebies).

Is there a decent place to advertise my skills, any good promotion ideas, any advice at all?

I already have my own site, I'm optimised and appear at the top of google. I also sell hosting and host most of the site's that I've already made.
I want advertising solutions, not web design solutions.

Answer 1

I started out working freelance / part time for a web hosting company, so they started giving me jobs. They didn't pay much but I got to build up my portfolio.

Then I my ex-boss recomended me to his friends who needed a website. Some of my relatives also needed a website for their company. So that's how I got more web design jobs.

I also signed up with a freelancer website e.g. guru.com, creativemoonlighter.com and I got one client from there.

I also worked part time at a computer center teaching people how to use photoshop. One of my students became my client.

I also advertise in forums. Any online forum you can find you can just sign up and put up something like 'I'm a freelance web designer, please visit my website'. Don't just stick to design forums because you'll be competing with other designers. You can target other fields like business, engineering, science, art forums, expatrait forums, children/women forums. Its free advertising and at least you'll get one or two clients from there.

Also don't forget your existing clients. Always do a good job and charge a reasonable price. Then they will want to work with you again. Web design/ hosting business requires long term partnership. Sooner or later your clients need to update their website. So you can offer your services again. If they like you they will refer you to their friends. You could also get testimonials from them to put in your website. Gives you more credibility.

I also get enquiries from people who find my website through search engines, but its not effective as word of mouth in getting clients to give you the job.

Then if things are going well, clients will come to you and you don't have to advertise anymore.

Answer 2

A few free resources – check out the sources box for links:

1) Create a blog pertaining to your field

2) Use Yahoo! Local & Yahoo! Groups – Be sure to read the TOS for each one!

3) Write articles pertaining to your field and/or expertise.

4) Advertise on Craiglist

Also, consider signing up for an affiliate program. These programs enable you to advertise on other's sites (your affiliates) and once a sale is made to you, your affiliates & the program are paid a commission.

I listed a few handy sites & articles relating to marketing, promotion & advertising. Here are some book titles that are relevant:

* 301 Do-It-Yourself Marketing Ideas: From America's Most Innovative Small Companies by Sam Decker
* Off The Wall Marketing Ideas: Jumpstart Your Sales without Busting Your Budget by Nancy Michaels, Debbi J. Karpowicz
* Guerrilla Marketing for Free: Dozens of No-Cost Tactics to Promote Your Business and Energize Your Profits by Jay Conrad Levinson
* Entrepreneur Magazine's Ultimate Small Business Marketing Guide: Over 1500 Great Marketing Tricks That Will Drive Your Business Through the Roof by James Stephenson

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Answer 3

Build your own website with samples of your work and links to actual sites you've designed. You can get hosting for as little as five bucks a year. When you have more money, delve into SEO (search engine optimization) software. For more ideas on all aspects of web design, graphic design, and the business end of web design, go to my former teacher's site at www.definitivewebmaster.com. Matter of fact, that's the first thing you should do; it has the answers to all questions you have and some that haven't occurred to you yet.

Good luck, it's an extremely tough field.

Answer 4

Many jobs prefer that you have some web design skills in addition to graphic design. The web is really growing, and there is much more of a need for it. I would say any corporate job in the marketing department, or doing graphic design work for any business.

Answer 5

Use your web design skills to create a website - a portfolio to showcase your skills and advertise it using Google.

Answer 6

Hmmm... I want you to understand how this sounds to an outsider like me:
- the purpose of a business web page is to enhance sales
- you're in the business of building business web pages
- and you don't know how to get more sales.

I would recommend a LOT of reading, here are some good resources:
- www.marketingsherpa.com - especially focus on the concepts of "lead generation" and "conversion"
- www.dankennedy.com - especially focus on his comments re: testimonials, niche marketing, magnetic marketing, and positioning/takeaway selling.

Good luck.

Answer 7

Talk to your friends. Ask them to spread the word. They probably know people who need websites made.

A small ad in the local papers might help, too. Aaaaaand..... You could try going to small businesses and dropping off brochures or flyers with them. Bakeries and florists don't really think about having websites, but you could sell to those people.

Answer 8

You could start by setting up a killer 360 page here and open yourself up to contact. How can you get inquiries if you don't allow contact?

Answer 9

www.dankennedy.com
a good site, sign up for free tutorials