Looking for ways to expand our business - any ideas?

[Gatt Design]

As you can probably tell from our signature/profile we offer web design services to SMEs in the West Midlands. A lot of our business has been through word of mouth referrals, we've been trading for just over a year now and we are looking to expand the business really.

We've recently become an authorised supplier for Business Link West Midlands, but I was wondering what other ways we could get the word out, so to speak. We've toyed with the idea of offering a paid referral scheme to our clients but we've not had good feedback about that so we've dropped it, I'm trying to get us a story in the local rags, and we've started flyer distribution to local businesses, but can anyone recommend other ways of 'offline advertising' or some kind of partnership schemes?

One thing I thought of, is perhaps business advisors that put people in touch with a select group of 'trusted' businesses depending on what service they need (i.e. we could become a 'trusted' web design service provider) - not sure if such a thing is possible or whether everyone just goes to Business Link only?

Any advice would be gratefully accepted.

Sam

[AboveParr]

Hi Sam

If a lot of your business has come through word of mouth then I would say keep doing what you're doing, as the referrals you are getting would suggest you're doing a good job!

If you particularly want to target BL users, then get yourself along to as many BL networking events as possible - lots of them are free (and don't forget any "breakfast briefing" type events which your potential customers might attend).

In terms of stories, I'm sure there are plenty of people on here far more PR savvy than me who will advise...

[Gatt Design]

Thanks Sara. Well our target audience is start-ups and SMEs, so really I think wherever they go, we need to be there too.

[AboveParr]

Hi

Then BL is a good start, also see if there are any local "partnerships" run by the councils - we have one here that puts on loads of really good events and provides support for about £40 a year for startups! If there's not one directly in your borough then try the neighbouring ones too, especially if one of themis, has been a regeneration area. It's worth getting on the mailing list for the local chamber of commerce too - whether you join or not is up to you but they also hold some free events, which non members attend.

Hope this helps, if I can do anything to help just PM me!

[bsfweb]

"Tips to expand your Business"
Once your business is up and running, you’ll want to know what to do to be successful. There are a few tips to follow.

Benchmarking: Find three or four other businesses like your own and see how they are deploying their labour, sourcing materials and supplies and looking for new markets to grow . You can begin seeing what your strengths compared with your competitors and analysing their strengths over your own. You can assess their efficiency, use of technology and staff improvements to see what you need to be doing next.

Doing the right thing: Most managers think they are doing things right, but are they doing the right thing? It’s important to know what to do before deciding how to do it.

Strategic thinking is a manager’s responsibility. Getting things done is often the work of those reporting to the manager.

Listen, rather than talk. Critics are often a company’s best customers. They point out what could be done better. Companies that succeed listen to their customers’ complaints and respond, rather than try to explain why things have gone wrong. Put a customer response form ion with the bill. It shows you care about their reaction.

Be realistic: Start-up businesses often try to accomplish too much too quickly. They tire out their staff, fail to meet deadlines and produce inferior workmanship. Set realistic goals. Make sure they are meeting your customers’ needs first. Customers make payday possible.

[fundingportal]

In my experience, yours is one sector where word of mouth is paramount.

With this in mind, I would recommend that you commit yourself (and your waistline) to some serious networking.

BNI, BRE, Chamber of Commerce. Your local business press (and Google) should provide information on events in your area.

On a separate note, my repeated experience of web designers is that many concentrate too much on the technical and noit enough on the human ellement; If you can truly communicate this will certainly help you

[bsfweb]

Good subject - how to grow and expand.

Web design stuggles with competition. Networking is OK but since competition is so fierce, much more needs to be done.

I suggest PARTNERSHIPS.

What do I mean?

Target sectors....not just 'all start-ups'.

Partner with businesses in sectors, jointly sell to an industry sector.

Develop products.....standardised.....at a fixed price say £499 or whatever. add SEO support...offer to get the customer onto 1st page of Goodle UK for certain (easy terms) e.g. Fashion Jewellery Solihull or whatever.

Revenue £499
plus say £100 a month SEO for 6 months.

BUSINESS MODEL
Quick and easy method to acquire new customers, initiate relationships for the upsell in 12-18 months time for the £5,000-£10,000 proper eCommerce site.

Why not find a business adviser(s) or consultant(s) to jointly target sectors e.g. an sizeable accountancy firm, or eCommerce specialist, with the deal of JOINT BUSINESS REFERRALS -BOTH FIND CLIENTS FOR EACH OTHER.

How does this sound?

[Paul Simister]

Great that you are already getting recommendations from happy customers. That is the best source.

I assume that you have links back to your company on the websites you design. Most website designers do but I have seen some who don't which always seemed to me to be strange.

Second, after you have designed a website for someone do you offer any follow up services, perhaps a quarterly or six monthly review to make sure that things are up to date. It is very easy to still promote an event that happened four months ago but it gives a bad impression to visitors.

SEO advice is another ongoing service that you could provide. I still see so many websites that commit some of the most basic SEO errors. It is not difficult to get good positions for local searches if you tick the boxes and most small companies only trade locally.

Incentives for referrals are an interesting situation. Some people like it but others hate it so it depends on the person. It may also depend on your incentive. A £50 thank you and reduction off your future fees is likely to be seen differently to a £50 cheque.

You do say thank you when you get a referrals don't you. It is essential to acknowledge and if possible have some kind of reward, even it it is an after the fact box of chocolates or other small item. In reinforcement theory you get more of what you reward.

I thought I had contributed to this post before but perhaps I forgot to press submit. I won't make that mistake this time.