15 Most Effective Ways to Find Clients for Designers and Developers Who Can't.

If you're a web studio owner or a freelance web developer, you may have already encountered the problem of lack of work. Finding web design clients is usually the biggest concern in any freelancer's mind. Even established web design agencies sometimes struggle to find a steady project flow!

As has happened to 70% of those who have ever been in the web design business, don't worry if this seems like you.

Competition in this market is fierce. There are many freelance designers and developers from all over the world. There are also more places where you can find them. Finally, there are many freelancers living in countries with incredibly low costs of living, so competing on price alone is never enough!

You can be a great web designer, but when it comes to selling your services, that requires different skills. If you don't have the skills to sell yourself well, you may not know where to start when looking for more web design clients.

15 Effective Ways to Attract New Web Design Clients

Here are some effective ways to attract new web design clients. Each has proven its workability for freelancers and small businesses around the world. Best of all, they are free or at least mostly free!

1. Keep an eye on job boards and marketplaces in your niche

Every industry has a job board or a series of job boards. Setting the more popular boards as shortcuts and visiting them regularly can help you secure more work.

Freelance marketplaces, by their nature, attract companies and/or clients who are looking for web design and are literally in "buying mode." Given the volume of clients and the fact that they want to hire, you should always try to build your own profile on popular freelance developer marketplaces.

Marketplaces can be competitive by nature, but they're still one of the best and surest ways to find new clients. Still, you need to project a professional image, and these tips will help:

1. Take time to build a fairly detailed profile.
2. Watch the video below discussing the challenges of building a good profile and how to achieve this outcome:
3. Describe all your skills and experiences, include examples of your projects, especially those that can showcase your most marketable skills.
4. Make sure to include the value your projects bring to your clients.

For example, if you've implemented extra functions or specific value-added functions, make sure to list them.

You should mention differentiating factors such as the following:

• Created a complete sales funnel
• Implemented email marketing or drip marketing campaigns
• Implemented a complete conversion and/or CRO exercise
• Complete e-commerce setups including things like Shopping Cart Abandonment, scarcity tactics, and ways to increase total purchase value
• Site structure implemented using SEO-optimized keyword research
• Optimized landing pages for PPC campaigns
• Specializing in specific niches or markets

Given that you're competing with thousands of other profiles, you have to find ways to differentiate yourself from the rest. Building a profile and application that is different and helps you stand out from the crowd is the key to winning the work.

When your profile is ready, you need to be proactive. You need to methodically review submissions and apply to jobs yourself regularly. Take time to find projects that make sense for you, then craft a proposal or application that pushes your strengths that will benefit that specific project.

It's critical to customize the application to the specific project so that your application stands out!

Freelance marketplaces offer many opportunities to take on short-term projects. But you need to take the process seriously and give it adequate attention.

If you're still starting out, there's another way to differentiate yourself. That's by bidding lower than most other freelancers. This isn't a sustainable practice, but during those early days or when you don't have other work that you can use to develop your portfolio. Do a good job, get positive feedback, and other clients should follow.

As your portfolio develops, you can start increasing your rates and use previous projects as examples and positive reviews as reasons why a client should pay more.

The most popular freelance trade sites you should consider joining include:

• Fiverr
• 99 Designs
• FreeeUp
• Freelancer
• Upwork (formerly oDesk)
• Guru
• Bionluk
• Armut
• Jooble - Graphic design career opportunities

If you're highly skilled and ready to pass a series of high tests to be included in the very specific top-tier talent market, you might want to check out Toptal and register as a freelancer.

2. Pay attention to your own website

No one trusts their new website to a company that can't optimize its own online presence. It goes without saying that your website's design and functionality must be 100% on point. Make it as user-friendly and intuitive for the user as possible. But this isn't the most important factor.

For you to be able to get new web design clients through your website, clients need to be able to find it.

Optimize your website to appear in SERPs. If necessary, create a few Pay-Per-Click campaigns on Google Ads. Target your niche and location-based searches around your niche.

Remember that your name needs to be mentioned on the web to influence your position in search engine results.

Here are a few simple steps you can implement right away:

• Use portfolio websites like Dribbble.
• Ask friends, colleagues, and acquaintances who have their own blogs, websites, or accounts on social networks to link to your website.
• Reach out to popular web design bloggers and offer to write guest posts for them.
• Join online communities, groups, and forums related to the web design niche. Be helpful in such groups and gain a reputation for being helpful.

To be aware of how things are right now, Google yourself. It's always interesting to know what others find when they search for you. It will also give you the opportunity to correct all sorts of inaccuracies, fix all errors, and fill obvious gaps in your coverage.

3. Ask for referrals

Word of mouth is still an incredible source of motivation when it comes to hiring people. Think of your home, are you more likely to hire a plumber or electrician you've never heard of, or someone recommended by your friends or family? It's likely the latter. You can use the same power for your own business.

When you have a client, don't be afraid to ask for referrals. It's a powerful incentive that attracts new clients.

It's easier to get a referral from a client you have a history with. If you have some clients who come back for more, ask them by email or phone if they would refer you if they hear of someone who needs your skills.

If the client hesitates, offer an incentive. Solve a free product, an hour of free labor, a problem for free, or something else. Avoid paying cash whenever possible to prevent any negative impact.

You can also use 'refer a friend' features on your website. Offer a discount or other incentive for a referral, and you should start seeing more inquiries.

4. Implement one marketing tactic well

Marketing is a vast and varied undertaking that every small business or freelancer needs to master to some degree. If you don't have time to master the entire spectrum, find a niche you're good at and go after it. Two highly effective marketing tactics are social media and content.

Social media

Social media plays an important role in our society's life. There are no two ways about it, you must be visible and active on social networks in your web design niche. It's a critical part of your digital marketing effort.

The number of social networks out there is significant. You'll need to take time to keep them all active. So, do you need to join all of them?

Not really.

Go where your clients are

First, you need to analyze who your clients are and which social networks they use.

• LinkedIn is a must-have for those looking for business connections and potential clients. Here, you can build a professional profile rich with keywords associated with your expertise. LinkedIn allows you to build strong relationships with your colleagues and clients. It also allows you to write great articles with industry-leading insights and thought leadership posts.
• Facebook is perhaps the most popular social network. Unlike LinkedIn, it's better for casual content and casual communication. Remember, don't sell, build an online community that shows how your services bring value. Video and animated content and human-based images are the winners on this platform.
• Pinterest is an ideal choice for a web designer because it provides a great opportunity to showcase your work in visual form. This is also great if you can combine it with any photography skills you may have.
• Twitter will help you keep your clients up to date on the latest news about your company. If you don't already have a strong following, we believe that occasionally showing your profile isn't abandoned is more than enough.
• Instagram is similar to Facebook where clients want to be entertained. Try to keep them engaged and amazed.
• Google My Business is important because if you can build good reviews on your profile, you'll get a better ranking in organic and location-based searches for your services.

Choose the social networks to focus on based on your needs and where your target clients are most likely to be found.

Build a detailed profile (using the same concepts we discussed for marketplaces), stay active, join communities and groups related to the web design niche.

However, remember to use social networks not to make sales, but to build relationships with your target audience!

Using web content

Another way to leverage a single marketing method is web content. The phrase "Content is king" gets a lot of mileage these days. That doesn't make it any less necessary or true.

A well-written article will help build a positive image for your brand and showcase you as a true web design expert. This also increases your chances of ranking higher in search engine results.

If you look at the articles on this website, you can see that we always try to find highly actionable articles that make sense in the context of what the user is searching for. Also, we ensure that each topic is covered from as many angles as humanly possible.

You don't have to limit yourself to text content alone. The more creativity you add, the higher the response will be.

Here are a few ideas you can use:

• Infographics based on original data insights
• Videos with actionable advice
• Checklists or templates for your ideal clients
• Free tools that provide value (think calculators or other online tools that can be easily programmed)
• Podcasts featuring influential or knowledgeable people in the industry
• Interviews
• Newsletters focused on adding value

Done right, your blog can be an excellent source of clients, especially if you target specific keywords close to the search intent. In this case, designing or building websites.

Even if your blog doesn't bring you a lot of new clients, it will help you build credibility and recognition for your brand on the web. It will also complement other initiatives you take, such as posting your site in the freelance marketplaces above.

5. Improve your skills

One thing they probably didn't mention when you first asked about being a web designer or developer is the constant battle to stay current. Technologies and platforms are always changing, and we have to work hard to be one step ahead. Even when you're trying to build your business and attract new clients, you need to develop your skills and learn new ones.

There's no single way to do this. You can go the formal route with college or evening classes, or use online tools and tutorials to learn new skills. Some people learn by doing, so even buying new software or trying new techniques can help.

Look at other web designers to see what their skills are. Look at job postings to see what the required skills are. Read articles and news in the industry to identify skill gaps and learn the demanded skills. It's a lot of work but it will pay off!

6. Niche and become the expert

An extension of developing your skills is finding a niche. Look at any of the freelance marketplaces or job boards we mentioned earlier, and you'll see hundreds, if not thousands, of web design specialists with mainstream skills. You'll have a hard time competing with them on price, so you need to leave them behind.

See what web design trends are emerging and how to use them. Look at lists of demanded skills and see if any of them appeal to you. Check out this Reddit for web developers since it has a list of essential skills for 2020.

Once you have a niche, you can refine all your products and services around that niche. Instead of offering a wider range of generic services, refine your offer based on only a few highly skilled niche services. This will narrow your target market but should deliver more targeted queries.

7. Have a strong lead magnet and anchor client

A lead magnet is an opt-in that captures customer data for later use. It can be a free download, a PDF document, a free Java application, or something else. Make sure it's relevant to your industry and niche, and ideally, also showcases some of your skills.

Create a popup or sign-up form on your website and provide this freebie in exchange for an email address. Remember to comply with GDPR and local data collection rules and use the email address selectively in targeted marketing campaigns.

Anchor clients

The term "anchor store" is typical for retail commerce. An anchor store in a shopping center serves as an attraction that draws customers to smaller stores. The smaller stores, not the main store itself, generate the main profit for the owner.

This principle can also be applied to the web design niche. An anchor client in your portfolio is enough to attract dozens of smaller profitable clients.

How can you catch such a big fish? First, you need to identify a well-known company in your industry. Now, you need to engage them in any way and any form. It might be a good idea to meet them face to face and offer to redesign their website by providing valid reasons for each suggestion you make.

This will showcase you as an expert in your area.

Or you can offer to build them a brand new website at a deep discount. You can even do it for free if you think it makes sense for your long-term business and future referrals. While we don't love working for free, in some cases, it more than makes up for the initial loss in referrals you generate.

When other potential clients see such a big brand in your portfolio, they'll be more willing to pay high prices for their websites to be built by your company.

8. Speak at events

To some, the idea of speaking at an event is a fate worse than death. To others, it's just another day at the office. Whichever side of the fence you're on, there's no doubt that giving a keynote speech is a great way to get your name out and build authority.

There are a number of web development conferences and events around every corner of the world. Shopify Unite in Canada is one example, and Shoptalk is another. There are conferences and events for every aspect of the web, and the more specialized you are, the more in demand you'll be as a guest speaker.

 

9. Be a guest on podcasts and webinars

When your public speaking comes to zero, consider appearing as a guest on podcasts or webinars. Both are incredibly important marketing tools and increasingly popular environments for marketing and listening. Qualified guests are usually welcome on podcasts, and you can even host your own.

Prepare a script in advance so you have a good idea of what to say. You can improvise of course, but notes are always good to make sure you cover everything.

Offer to solve problems or answer questions. Provide commentary on new products, technologies, new laws, or industry trends. Make sure what you say is true, double-checked for accuracy, and provides value to the listener.

It goes without saying that using humor is incredibly powerful, if you can pull it off, but make sure you don't say or do anything that would cause offense!

If you see a request for guests, don't respond until you've heard a few of that host's podcasts. Get an idea of their style and the content of the podcasts, the format, the level of expertise they expect, and whether they have any habits of trapping or pranking guests.

Preparation is key when being a guest, and the more you put in, the more you'll get out.

10. Know your good/bad client types

In a perfect world, you would have done extensive market research when you first set up your business. To help you compete in a crowded market, you would look at the competition, local markets, customers, create customer personas, and evaluate your USP.

Part of that research should have been ideal client types. To be honest, if you're like us, what your ideal client actually is may not be after a few years in business!

Customer personas are ideal for modeling what your perfect client is. You can outline aspects that suit you, your services, your scale, and your skills. For example, create different customer personas for small business clients, entrepreneurs, startups, mid-sized businesses, IT or Marketing Managers, or anything else.

You can create as many personas as you want, as long as you record those pain points, how you address those pain points, the positives, the negatives, age, demographics, and other relevant data. Add the places you can find them online, forums, LinkedIn, web design bulletin boards, etc. You'll need this information later.

You may not be in a position to turn clients away in the beginning, but having these personas tells you whether a client is worth fighting for or whether you should just let them pass. Sometimes it's better to go without money than to lose money, time, and effort on a bad client fit.

11. Understand your client's buyer journey

Understand that your client's buyer journey is exactly the same as understanding the buyer's journey on a website you design and build. If you understand how certain clients arrive at a purchase decision, you can adjust your sales pitch and approach accordingly.

For example, an enterprise client will probably have a long journey of many steps. You can become more valuable to them by having more formal processes, regular progress reporting, regular feedback reviews, and a more corporate approach.

On the other hand, a startup may need a website in a hurry and may tell you what they want and leave you to build it. In this case, you can adjust your approach to be a hands-on process where you send regular updates and questions but otherwise complete the work quickly and professionally without too much interaction.

12. Solve your client's problems

Providing any product or service is all about solving problems. We usually buy things because we need to solve a problem. We hire people to solve specific problems we can't solve ourselves. Knowing how to solve your client's problems not only helps you deliver a quality project but can also help with referrals.

When designing your service packages, you should appreciate general client problems and your way of solving them.

For example, you might be building an e-Commerce website, but your client may actually want an online store so they can achieve financial independence. Both are the same thing but viewed in completely different ways by you and your client. Knowing the difference can help you empathize with the client and also solve their problems.

Solve a problem, make a friend. Or in this case, fulfill your client's hopes and dreams while fulfilling your own expectations.

13. Offer free stuff

Offer special deals, promotions, and discounts. If possible, offer free images, PSD files, templates, themes, and even entire plugins. Depending on your personal strengths and weaknesses, you can also offer free advice, problem-solving, or consultation. It doesn't matter so much whether they're complex or fairly simple, targeting a very specific need.

You can add free things to your website as it can help drive links and traffic. For example, if you're in the niche of website or WordPress templates, make sure you have a series of free offerings. Make sure the freebie is a showcase of your abilities and a job you're proud of.

Giving away something too good for nothing can hurt, but it should pay off the return on investment. If the user likes the free product, they may want to buy the premium version with extended functionality and customization options.

The main advantage of offering free resources on your website is traffic. It's an easy way to get people through the door. Plus these resources allow you to demonstrate your skills and expertise. They are as much sales pitch as a service.

Things like business cards or brochures, mockups, or designs for SWAG, anything that doesn't take you a lot of time to create but will be very appreciated by the client. A satisfied client is more likely to recommend you to others.

You don't have to limit your efforts to your website only.

Offer free advice where your audience is

When we discussed marketing, we touched on customer personas. As part of that research, you'll have tried to analyze where a particular persona might hang out. Visit those places and read as many questions, answers, forum posts, social media comments, and research as possible.

Try to identify where you can add real value. Whether that's answering a specific question or commenting on or correcting other online content. Show that you're willing to help for free, and slowly you'll build a reputation for positivity and professionalism. Two things that will help you attract new clients.

14. Underpromise and Overdeliver

One of the first lessons we learned when we first joined the working world was to underpromise and overdeliver. It's all about expectation management and the psychology of expectation. If you tell a client their website will be ready in 8 weeks and it takes 9, they'll be disappointed. If you tell them it'll take 10 weeks and deliver in nine, they'll be delighted.

Expectation management is an important part of running any business and something you'll need to handle better as a freelancer or web development studio. Carefully balance these expectations so you have enough time to deliver excellence without keeping the client waiting too long.

As experience grows, you'll know how long it takes to set up a Magento store or develop a Java application for a web page. Use this knowledge to set a realistic deadline that you can comfortably exceed. That's how you delight a client!

15. Be responsive and follow up

A wasted lead is wasted revenue. Remember that 80% of freelancers' work comes from 20% of their clients. Failing to follow up on a lead or being slow in responses can cause you to lose a significant amount of your work.

Follow up quickly and efficiently in the following situations:

• You receive an email, web form, or phone inquiry.
• When you meet a potential client at an event or conference.
• When you receive a referral, respond to both the referred person and the person making the referral.
• When you see a comment or inquiry on your social media channels.

Have you heard the term 'You snooze, you lose'? It might have been invented for small businesses and freelancers. We have the flexibility to be responsive and agile. Prove it.

If you don't always have time, use automation to help. Set up an email auto-responder for your info@ web address. Have a partner answer the phone or run an agency to manage your social media. Other freelancers will be happy to handle your marketing and PR, and follow-up can be part of that.

Use calendars to manage contacts and appointments, meetings, and events. Share the calendar with employees and across devices so you don't miss anything.

Conclusion: Work harder but wiser

Throughout this whole process, you'll have learned a lot about yourself, your business, the wider business community, and your ideal client. Now is the time to use all this knowledge for your benefit. You should have the knowledge to target a niche, the skills within that niche, and the knowledge to introduce yourself to the wider world.

You'll work harder than ever before, but smarter. Rather than the usual scattergun approach of trying to attract every client for every type of project, you can target qualified clients you know you'll work well with. You'll have a quality web presence, be active on social media, comment on forums and other places where your clients hang out online.

You'll speak as a guest, appear on podcasts, blog on your own site, do guest blogs on other websites, and provide valuable information wherever you go.

After all this, hopefully you'll have the time and energy to complete a web design project or two for your new clients!