Web designers, developers and freelancers are all constantly looking at how to make the next innovative thing. Sometimes we forget that it’s the simple things that makes a world of difference, i.e., that functionality your site needs or the icon that hasn’t been created for about two weeks. These are little nuances that we need to examine when we’re all figuring out how to sell a web design to a small business owner.
I come across tons of issues with my website, and I’m always looking for ways to fix them or improve on them (I’m sure this is very much what you do as well). Sometimes I run into issues I just can’t replicate. It might mean digging into that plugin or creating a plugin that will seem to fit better.
Many of you are still wondering how you can sell your services to small business. Fortunately today, it has become easier to get our products (plugins) and services out there because of online marketplaces (e.g., CreativeMarket, iThemes).
Adding your products to these marketplaces can help you with getting exposure to thousands of users. The negative to selling your design on these marketplace sites is that, most often, they set the price and take a percentage of your sales. Also, if you’re the fortunate few that sell large numbers, you’ll need to stay on top of updating bugs that get reported by the users that purchase your plugin. Another negative that others forget or regret to mention to you is that when you do sell to a certain marketplace, you have to remain exclusive to that particular marketplace. Meaning you’re not allowed to sell the same product on your own website or on a different marketplace. If you’ve browsed or purchased plugins before, you’ll notice that the author’s website is typically setup to demonstrate the plugin, or further document the product, but when you decide to purchase the plugin, you’re redirected to the marketplace for the actual sale transaction.
As designers and developers, we should always deliver the best product possible. It might sound obvious from the negatives I’ve pointed out so far that the best option is to sell your services directly on your own website.
Your client’s first impression of your work is typically done on your own website.
But going from an unknown to an established brand takes a lot of patience, careful planning and tons of hard work. It’s important that you put together a website that even you’re proud of.
Create a portfolio that reflects your skills and past projects and make sure to get testimonials from past clients as it’s important to show potential customers why they should choose you.
Regardless of whether it’s a plugin or web design service, there are plenty of ways for you to raise your brand awareness. I’d recommend that before anything, you should have your own website first, so you can at least advertise your portfolio.
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