Business Advertising

PynkGTI_2

Hi there
I posted this in the wrong forum before.... Thanks OldGreyFox!

Basically, I've just started my own Website Design business, and due to only being on Carer's allowance for the time being, I really don't have the funds to be able to pay for advertising.

I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on how I could do it? I ordered some business cards, and posted them through shop doors locally, and put some up in shop windows etc, aswell as advertising through Facebook but I just can't seem to get any definite work in, just alot of timewasters.

I'm OK with the timewasters, as it's increasing my customer-service skills in a way, but I really need to make this work. I have rubbish credit history so can't even get a bank loan (long story) and as my Mum is terminally ill, I really need to be able to do this so that I can work from home, around caring for her.

If anyone has any tips, it'd be much appreciated!

Thank you so much in advance! :beer:

easyhost

Join WHT (http://www.webhostingtalk.com) and list in this part of the forum http://www.webhostingtalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=141

set up a twitter page

do a google search for web design and web hosting forums

also join http://www.ukwda.org/, http://www.awdp.org/, http://www.wdda.org/

kbh4031

How about running a prize draw on your facebook page? Offer a prize of a 1 page website or similar
Join online business forums and offer advice to people....and of course plug ure services.
How about selling them on ebay or ebid?
Free classified sites....gumtree, preloved ect
Good luck

EDIT , dont forget to put your company name or a link if possible in your contact details info on each forum you join

paulwf

Start at the beginning...there is no point in advertising your product and service until you have a compelling reason for people to buy it. As I see it you have two problems to solve:

- the world and their dog have set up a part time web design business, the cost and skills barrier is low so everyone is doing this in their spare bedroom

- most designers can work remotely, some on the other side of the world and with extremely low costs, so you don't even have an advantage that a shop may have of getting customers simply because it is the only one in that location

So what's your USP i.e. unique selling point? Without something special you could raise £10,000 to spend on advertising and you might as well lob it in the bin.

By the way as I have said many times before (sorry for sounding like a scratched record) web design is old hat, most companies that want a website now have one or use some "out of a box" product. Customers are now interacting with businesses a lot more via social networking than traditional websites yet most business owners don't have the first clue about it at a commercial level. Even if they do use traditional websites they'd only want a company that can provide a complete solution including social media. That's all the hints I'm giving

easyhost

advertising on forums, facebook etc cost a grand total of £0.00
you can use classified ads on ebay which again cost £0.00
but offing a cheap option or a competition is a good idea to get a portfolio build up.

By the way as I have said many times before (sorry for sounding like a scratched record) web design is old hat, most companies that want a website now have one or use some "out of a box" product

this is not true, yes their is a lot of sites out their that offer templates, but these still need customised etc, so you could offer a template customisation package.

i myself use a template for my site, but as soon as i have the funds i am going to get a bespoke site design as it will look better and not 1 of thousands out their using the same template.