How to promote a local web design company?

Hey fellow TF'ers. I am starting up a new web design firm (registered and all) and was wondering how I should go about spreading the word in my local community? All advice is really appreciated! Looking at businesses.

I'd say find some local websites in Holland, then contact them via PHONE, EMAIL and ask to place ads on their site. To start a sucessfull buisness you must invest a lot of money. This is the best way to start small and spread the word to a few.

Next you need to find some friends in the area, spread the word in their local buisness places such as (Offices) and maybe people will be interested.

bump for the same question

But there is allways the 'services' part in the newspaper you can advertise your services in. Also the radio..not sure how mush $$ either of them are though.

Put a bulletin on as many free message boards that you can find.

Send out flyers, give out business cards to everyone you meet, network with anyone and everyone, radio ads, car stickers...the list is endless. What you really need to do is find the ones that result in the greatest conversion rate for the least cost. So far I have found business cards and word of mouth are the best.

I run a very succesfull web design company in our area.

To get started we hired a telesales guy who was paid a small salary and comission, he would look for people with bad sites then phone them to see if they were wanting them redesigned.

We also advertised on google, as well as local yellow pages, which is a directory of bussinesses.

At the start you should do work for just as cheap as possible to get any work, as your portfolio grows and people can see they you are credible and can do good work then you can start to increase you prices to start making a living. Every site you do with a link on the bottom of it to your site is another advert for you. You should even do sites for free for higher profile companies if you have nothing else to do, a lot more productive than waiting for work.

Do some cheap stuff first.

First off, if you don't have a portfolio, get a job in the industry. You will not succeed if you have no real work. Even if you do get clients, You'll attract low end clients and they will become your bane in time. Those who choose on price will be the first to leave.

I disagree with nearly every statement made above...

"To start a sucessfull buisness you must invest a lot of money"

Depends on what "a lot" of money is... I bought all my software for 5k and computers are pretty cheap... Compare that to a brick and mortar business and you're laughing.

While I generally agree with Julian, I don't agree with the method as being most effective.
"Send out flyers, give out business cards to everyone you meet, network with anyone and everyone, radio ads, car stickers"

Again, disagree... That's like throwing paint against the wall and hoping that some of it sticks... This method can attract the wrong people who can waste your time. I once asked an interatictive company owner why they didn't advertise in the phone book. Their response was "because we don't want the clients who look in the phone book". Hunt your clients and keep after them... Pick 5 local businesses to start with, learn about them and understand them and offer them solutions that will solve their communication challenges.

"Do some cheap stuff first."

Horrible advice. Instead, find local charities and Non-profits and offer them your services as a donation. Businesses and members of NPO's often have $ and you need to be in their headspace. If you have a common interest supporting a local cause then it gives you an in for potential work.

"You should even do sites for free for higher profile companies if you have nothing else to do, a lot more productive than waiting for work."

ummmm... wrong. If you have nothing else to do, then you should be out ground pounding trying to find paying clients.

Okay, I'm done. Time to go work on some projects.