Alright, so you’ve taken the leap and started your own web design business or digital agency. Congratulations! Now, what’s the next step? Well, just like any other business, you’ve got to get out there and market yourself. That’s how you expand your network and find awesome clients to collaborate with.
In this article, I’m going to spill the beans on how you can market your web design business or digital agency—both in person and online. So, grab a cup of coffee (or your beverage of choice) and let’s dive in!
You’d be amazed at the impact of good old-fashioned physical marketing methods for your new business. Even in this digital age, there are plenty of ways to attract clients through real-world interactions.
In fact, some of the methods I’ll be sharing below are tried-and-true classics that can kickstart your marketing efforts in no time. So, let’s roll up our sleeves and dive into some creative ideas!
Your friends and family can be powerful allies in spreading the word about your business. But don’t stop there—think about acquaintances, former colleagues, and even social media connections. Networking events, both online and offline, can also be invaluable for making new connections and generating leads.
1. Attend Events and Communities:
Industry conferences, meetups, and workshops are not only great opportunities to learn and network but also to showcase your expertise. Consider hosting your own events or workshops to establish yourself as a thought leader in your field.
2. Distribute Business Cards:
While traditional, business cards are still a valuable marketing tool. Make sure your cards are well-designed and include essential contact information and a brief description of your services. Leave them in strategic locations like coffee shops, co-working spaces, or community bulletin boards.
3. Promote Through Local Establishments:
Partnering with local businesses or organizations can help you reach a broader audience. Offer to provide services in exchange for exposure, or sponsor local events to increase brand visibility.
4. Collect Testimonials:
Testimonials and reviews are powerful social proof that can build trust and credibility with potential clients. Encourage satisfied clients to leave reviews on platforms like Google My Business, Yelp, or your website. You can also create case studies showcasing your successful projects.
5. Ask for Referrals:
Referrals are often the most effective way to acquire new clients. Don’t hesitate to ask happy clients to refer you to their network. Consider implementing a referral program to incentivize clients to recommend your services.
6. Build a Portfolio:
Your portfolio is your digital storefront, showcasing your skills and expertise to potential clients. Make sure your portfolio is visually appealing, easy to navigate, and includes a diverse range of projects that highlight your capabilities.
7. Cold Calling and Emailing:
While not the most glamorous approach, cold calling and emailing can still be effective ways to reach potential clients. Personalize your outreach efforts and focus on providing value rather than simply selling your services.
8. Track Leads:
Keeping track of leads and prospects is essential for effective lead management. Use tools like customer relationship management (CRM) software or project management tools to organize your leads, track interactions, and follow up in a timely manner.
9. Utilize Local Resources:
Take advantage of local resources like Chambers of Commerce, business associations, and networking groups to expand your reach and connect with other businesses. Attend networking events, join online forums, and participate in community initiatives to build relationships and establish your presence in the local market.
Digital ways to market your web design business or digital agency
1. Add your location on Google Maps
Setting up your business location online not only adds credibility but also makes it easier for potential clients to find you. Being on Google Maps is like getting free advertising, but getting to the top of the search results isn’t always a piece of cake. You can’t just drop a pin and expect to be the first thing people see.
To stand out, you need to claim your business and fill in all the important details. Adding info like your website and contact details increases your chances of ranking higher in the listings. So, take a leisurely stroll through the process of setting up your online location, and watch as your business gains visibility and legitimacy in the digital world.
2. Create a social profile and post frequently
In today’s connected world, social media platforms are the go-to spots for staying in touch and sharing information effortlessly.
Using the power of social media for marketing your business is not just efficient but also cost-effective. With a little effort in managing your social media presence, you can reach potential clients without breaking the bank.
Just think about it…
The majority of your potential clients are likely scrolling through their social media feeds every day. So why not seize the opportunity to catch their attention for free?
Consistency is key when it comes to social media. Keep your audience engaged by:
- Regularly updating them about your services
- Providing easy-to-find contact information
- Sharing reviews from satisfied clients
- Showcasing your best work samples
- Offering special promos and discounts
- Hosting exciting giveaways
- Directing them to your portfolio for more details
Remember, an active and engaging social media profile is much more likely to attract customers than a neglected one. Plus, staying active keeps you in tune with the latest social media trends.
For instance, using Instagram stories to share client reviews not only attracts new clients but also gives your reviews extra exposure on your profile. It’s a win-win!
3. Get noticed on good review sites
Whenever you wrap up a project with a client, don’t forget to kindly ask for their feedback.
Most clients are more than happy to share their positive experiences with others. However, it’s crucial to strike the right balance and avoid coming across as too pushy, as it might put off potential leads.
For credibility and trust, it’s a smart move to get your business listed on reputable review platforms like SiteJabber and TrustPilot.
These platforms are goldmines for potential clients scouting for services like yours. People tend to trust the reviews they find here, so having a solid presence can work wonders for your business.
Make sure to optimize your profile on these platforms by providing all the necessary details such as pricing, turnaround time, and areas of expertise. These profiles often rank high on search engines, giving your business even more exposure.
Once you’ve gathered some glowing reviews, don’t hesitate to showcase them on your website. Linking to these reviews adds an extra layer of credibility and can be a powerful tool for attracting new clients.
In the end, leveraging review platforms is a tried and tested method to market your agency and build a stellar reputation in your industry.
4. Use Quora
Ever felt stuck with a question and turned to Quora for answers? It’s like the go-to spot for getting advice online.
But did you know it’s not just for solving your everyday dilemmas? Nope, it’s also a sneaky good place to promote your web design biz.
Now, using Quora to market your business isn’t as straightforward as posting on Facebook or LinkedIn. You’ve gotta be a bit more strategic about it.
First things first, set up your profile. But here’s the catch—you can’t use your business name. Quora’s all about personal profiles, so you gotta use your own name. Sneaky, right? But don’t worry, you can still squeeze in a little promo in your bio.
Next, keep an eye out for questions that are relevant to what you do. The key here is to be helpful and informative, not spammy. Nobody likes a spammer.
When you answer questions, go all out. Add in some pics, maybe a graph or two—anything to make your answer stand out. Show ’em you know your stuff.
And don’t forget about Quora blogs. They’re a hidden gem for promoting your biz. Write up some killer content, toss in a few links to your website, and you’re golden.
So there you have it—Quora’s not just for answering questions. It’s also a pretty slick way to get your web design business out there for the world to see.
5. Join forums or facebook groups
So, here’s the lowdown on another savvy marketing move for your web design agency: dive into forums and Facebook groups that revolve around your niche.
Why? Well, it’s all about connecting with potential clients through shared interests and conversations.
Let’s say you’re the go-to guru for e-commerce web design. In that case, you’ll want to cozy up in Facebook groups like “Shopify, Ecommerce Dropshipping” or “Shopify eCommerce Entrepreneurs.”
And don’t forget about forums where folks dish about all things e-commerce, from product updates to industry news. If someone’s got a burning question, swoop in with your expertise and drop some knowledge.
But here’s the deal: tread carefully, especially in Facebook groups. Some of these places have strict rules against self-promotion. If you start spamming links to your business, you’ll get branded as, well, a spammer. And that’s no good for your rep—or your biz.
So, play it cool. Get involved in the discussions, offer up your insights, and only slide in a mention of your business when it feels natural—or when folks specifically ask for it. Trust me, it’ll pay off in the long run.
6. Run facebook ads
Let’s talk about Facebook ads—a powerful tool to get your digital agency in front of the right eyes.
Here’s the scoop:
Facebook ads let you target specific audiences in cities worldwide, making it a breeze to connect with folks who are most likely to be interested in what you have to offer.
Here’s the kicker:
Facebook advertising isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Nope, it takes a bit of tinkering to get it just right. Take retargeting, for example. This nifty trick lets you reach out to folks who’ve already checked out your website or portfolio but haven’t quite pulled the trigger yet—whether that means hitting “submit” on a contact form or making a purchase.
Here’s the game plan:
Experiment with different types of ads to see what sticks. Maybe banner ads don’t do it for you, but direct links to your website hit the sweet spot. Test, tweak, and fine-tune until you find your winning formula.
Here’s a pro tip:
Keep those ads running all week long. People have different schedules, so some might only be scrolling through Facebook during certain hours of the day. By keeping your ads live, you can catch ’em when they’re online and ready to take action.
7. Make high-quality blog posts
In addition to Facebook ads, consider weaving blogging into your long-term marketing strategy.
Blogs offer a goldmine of opportunities for businesses. Why? Because clients appreciate expertise. By consistently delivering valuable and insightful blog posts, you can easily attract your target audience.
But hold up, it’s not just about churning out any old articles. Nope, to make a real impact, you need to focus on quality.
Here’s the lowdown:
Length matters: Aim for at least 1,000 words per post, but don’t shy away from going up to 10,000 when the topic calls for it. Longer articles tend to pack a bigger punch.
Structure is key: A well-organized “Table of Contents” makes your post easy to navigate, keeping readers engaged from start to finish.
Keyword savvy: Don’t go overboard with keywords—aim for around 4% density. This strikes the perfect balance between visibility and readability.
Headline hierarchy: Use proper heading formats throughout your article, making it easy for readers to follow along.
Grab attention: Kick off with a snappy introduction, around 200 words, that hooks your audience from the get-go.
Stick to the point: Stay laser-focused on your chosen topic, delivering value without veering off course.
Connect the dots: Sprinkle in internal links to other relevant articles, and don’t forget to link out to credible sources for added credibility.
And hey, if the writing process feels like climbing Mount Everest, consider outsourcing to professionals. Platforms like iwriter.com can help you source custom articles tailored to your needs, saving you time and ensuring top-notch content.
8. Hire an SEO agency
Just whipping up blog posts won’t cut it when it comes to successful online marketing.
Let’s face it, you need eyeballs on your content to make waves. The more people checking out your blogs, the better your chances of reeling in clients.
Enter SEO (Search Engine Optimization) – the secret sauce behind getting your posts to the top of Google searches.
But how does it work its magic?
SEO relies on three main tools to boost your content’s quality and relevance:
Keyword magic: Strategic use of keywords helps Google understand what your content is all about, nudging it towards the top of search results.
Backlink bonanza: By getting other reputable websites to link back to your content, you boost your site’s credibility and climb the search engine ranks.
Quality content reigns supreme: Google loves content that’s informative, engaging, and well-crafted. Serve up the good stuff, and you’ll be rewarded with prime real estate on search result pages.
If you’ve got the budget, hiring an SEO company can turbocharge your efforts, catapulting your posts to the top and driving traffic to your blog.
Because let’s be real, even the most stellar content won’t get you far without the right audience tuning in.
Conclusion
In wrapping things up, marketing your los angeles web design agency requires a mix of strategies and tools. From being active on social media to making sure your website ranks high on Google, it’s about covering all the bases.
Consistency is key. Keep sharing valuable content, engage with folks on platforms like Quora and Facebook, and consider running ads on Facebook to reach more people.
Don’t forget about SEO—it’s like the secret sauce that helps your content shine on Google. And don’t overlook other avenues like business listings and directories to boost your visibility.
In the end, by staying committed and getting creative with your marketing efforts, you’ll see your web design agency grow steadily over time.