website creation business

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   bozzie123posted 15 years ago

   Im working on commission currently for a website building company, but im finding it hard to find clients, what methods are there to use? Is cold calling local companies the best option ?
   
   Also if there are any of you that would like a professional website, let me know

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      Siotoshposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Hi
      Where can an example of your work be seen, how about putting a link on you hubs and on your profile page

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   2. 85

      WriteAngledposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Well, I don't know about other people or about overall success rates of cold-calling. However, when I want a service, I will look for it in my own time and at my own pace. Anyone who wastes my time by cold calling me is guaranteed to be put on my black list and I will never, ever consider giving them any business.
      
      When I do want a service, I search on the web and then go through 20 or more pages of search results to find the right provider for me.

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         WriteAngledposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         With respect to your web site, you give a physical location for the company. That gains points from me.
         
         On the other hand, you give no indication whatever of prices. I would be far happier to see a few example web sites with an indicative price range. When I am faced with a "email us for a quotation" box, I always get the impression that the company is out to screw as much money out of me as possible.

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   3. 61

      Deezineposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Hi there.
      
      First of all, if this a genuine post, then I hold my hands up to you, because cold calling can be a soul destroying job.
      
      However, if your product/services are top quality, then there is no reason why you cant do well.
      
      We employ a sales rep to do exactly what you are doing, and she does extremely well. Her commission rates are good and she also gets an ongoing bonus if the newly acquired client 'stays and pays'.
      
      What is essential though, is excellent training, and some really good sales material to use when you visit prospects.
      
      There is a lot of cynicism regarding website design and promotion, but there is also a huge amount of potential. Many SME's are desperatley in need of sound advice regarding their internet marketing strategy, and providing you can establish a modicum of trust, there is a ton of potential business to be had.
      
      PM me if you want any more personal advice, I'll be happy to help.

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   bozzie123posted 15 years ago

   here <snipped>

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3. 60

   bozzie123posted 15 years ago

   well i have no power in the website design, im only a marketer, working on commission for the amount of sales that i generate, i do i have a questionnaire based upon finding out what people want from their website and stuff, i forward this to the creation  team, i also have a general price range to offer potential clients.

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   WriteAngledposted 15 years ago

   I'm thinking along the lines that if I go to the website of your company I would like to see something like:
   A link to a fictional (or real) website:
   "This is a simple website for a freelance translator (or whatever). It includes a home page, contact page, associated blog, etc, etc. Depending on how much content is provided by the client, such a site will cost in the range $__ to ____. Design of a logo will cost an additional $__ to ____."
   
   A link to another website:
   "This is a website for a seller of running equipment. It includes a home page, contact page, pages with tips for runners, on-line store with shopping cart. Depending on how much content is provided by the client, such a site will cost in the range $__ to ____. Design of a logo will cost an additional $__ to ____."
   
   This would immediately tell me what is possible with the budget I have, whether this is appropriate for my type of business and so on. I can make an informed choice as to whether to contact a representative. Without such information in advance, I feel I am opening myself up to be made a fool: "Ummm, I thought I'd need $200, and you're telling me $2000!!!" or similar conversation. BTW, these figures are just out the top of my head

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5. 60

   bozzie123posted 15 years ago

   i see what you mean, i will pass that on, usually i have been in contact with some potential clients and i provide them will all the information they might need like potential cost etc, but if the website tells them say £200 then they will immediately expect that price for what ever they would like on the site when such things can prove much more expensive ...

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6. 80

   thisisoliposted 15 years ago

   I do freelance writing for several of the local web design companies in my area.  All of these gain significant business, not only by calling around at local businesses, but also offering easy hosting solutions for these companies.

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7. 39

   cojaqmarketingposted 15 years ago

   Well Bozzie...back to your original question about generating leads and cold calling, I actually have a video titled "How To Get Invited: Why Cold Prospecting Methods Are Dead, And What To Do Now..." that I can give you the link to if you let me know how to contact you (can't post links here).
   
   Jeremy
   
   Cojaq Marketing

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8. 59

   Eric Graudinsposted 15 years ago

   Cold Calling for website construction would be very difficult. So many people have been burned before that they are very reluctant.
   Perhaps your company can give their existing customers a reward for referring new clients. After all, a recommendation from an existing satisfied client is the best promotion you'll ever get.
   
   WriteAngled gave you some good advice. Put everything up on the website. Give people an idea of what they will get for their money.
   
   cheers,
   Eric G.

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9. 60

   bozzie123posted 15 years ago

   some good ideas guys thanks, although im a bit concerned that i wont actually make any worthwhile money from commission as like you said the mistrust for internet based companies etc.

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10. 68

    easyspeakposted 15 years ago

    Cold calling works.  I know people don't like it, but it's just a numbers game.  If it didn't work, you wouldn't be getting telemarketing calls all the time.  Companies don't invest in strategies that don't work.
    
    There are ways to cold call and not be obnoxious.  Here's how I would start:
    
    Go to google and search for LOCAL businesses.  Find the ones without websites or ones with bad websites.  And don't just sell them on having a website...also offer SEO services (if you know how to do this).
    
    The things in web development these days for small businesses is cost cutting.  Find a platform like wordpress where you can easily build a nice looking custom site with little time.  The more websites you build with wordpress, the faster you'll get and larger your profit margins will be.

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    philipemurphyposted 15 years ago

    You don't have a choice, you need to get out and tell prospective clients what you can do, believe me, if you wait for them to come to you you'll starve.
    
    When you go out to call on businesses don't go out with the sole intention of selling to them there and then, people don't give money to people they don't know.
    
    Park your car and spend a few hours calling on businesses and shops, first of all you need to make contact with the right person, it's no good telling an employee with no decision making power what you're doing, they can't act, in these cases ask when is a better time to catch the right person and make a not to call back.
    
    When you do meet the right person don't go into sales mode, explain that you are a new service in the area and calling on businesses you think you may be able to help and ask for a more convenient time to call abck for 20 minutes. Cold calling, done professionally, is really about appointment making.
    
    When you get an appointment in this way it tends to be of good quality, after all you wouldn't make yourself a bad appointment, would you?
    
    Don't batter prospects into submission, the harder you fight for the appointment, the harder you'll fight for a sale. Remember, you're looking for people who may buy from you, not people to hard sell to, it's a subtle difference but an important one.
    
    You're in a very competitive market place and you just have to accept that business won't come to you, you have to get out and drive it but with hard work and determination you'll be surprised what you can achieve.
    
    You sound like you would benefit from some intensive sales training, give it some consideration, along the way you'll meet a small number of truly joyless people who object to people calling on them but in the main people are lovely, good luck.

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    websitebuilder12posted 15 years ago

    If you know how to use the most out of Google, you'll realize that this search engine is a powerful tool for finding prospects. Calling may work but many see it as annoying especially if it's unsolicited. Email marketing might work as well. Be creative!
    
    Amy Cameron
    BuildMySiteforFree.com

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