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Building a web design business takes effort, time, and loads of TLC. If you’d like to be successful then you need a good role model. There are many successful web designers and developers out there you can craft your business after.

Find a mentor

I recommend finding a mentor to begin molding your business after. Am I suggesting copying them? No. What I am suggesting is that you take the time to really evaluate what it is you’d like to accomplish and then see who has accomplished things like that already. If you want to take your business into full time freelance, then find a full time freelancer. If your goal is to develop your own web agency, then find someone who’s running one.

What do you do once you’ve found them?

I believe this is the most critical step of all. Once you’ve found someone that fits exactly what you and your business need then it is up to you to contact them. I say this is the most critical step of all, because what I’m telling you to do is to contact them. That can be via phone, email, twitter, or even good old fashion mail. You need to open up the communication between yourself and your targeted mentor. Before you start objecting and giving excuses like, “I don’t want to bother them,” “I’m not good at networking,” or “I don’t know what to say to them” give me a chance to help you out.

It will not be a bother to them, you don’t have to be a master networker, and it’s very easy what you want to say. Let’s work in reverse order and tackle the what to say part. Here are a few things you’d like to include when contacting them:

1. Who you are.
2. Why you are contacting them. Yes be specific and tell them exactly why you’re contacting them.
3. Why you’ve chosen them.
4. Ask for additional contact information and their permission to contact them further. You are looking to develop a relationship with someone and email, instant messenger, skype, twitter, and etc.. are going to be very valuable to you — so ask for it.

The most critical step of contacting them is actually the easiest. If you contact them and get no reply (which is doubtful) then you have lost nothing. You’re out nothing and then you simply go to the next possible mentor on your list. Working through this process will actually improve your networking skills which I’ve already mentioned is key.

Additional reading: 7 tips for power networking & Master the art of business card networking in 4 easy steps

Listen to their advice

Lastly, listen to what they say. Look you’ve gone through the hard work of selecting someone and now contacting them. What they have to say, despite how odd it could sound, is worth it’s weight in gold. I can’t tell you how many odd things people I’ve contacted have said. But what I can tell you is that no matter how odd, they’re usually right. Just like your parents, the ones you thought didn’t know a thing growing up, who mysteriously get smarter once you get into your 20’s.

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Networking is a freelancer’s life blood. It can sometimes make the difference in new work versus no work. Did you know that power networking has the potential to increase your workload, create new friendships, and grow your business at the same time?

Opportunities to network slip by you everyday. Recognizing and capitalizing on them is the first step to power networking. Taking what you do every day and focusing it a bit. All receive quality leads, contacts, clients, and friends. Here are my 7 tips to help you start power networking.

1. Exchange business cards with everyone.

One of the oldest forms of networking is the business card. Get in the habit of exchanging your cards with everyone. Be generous with handing them out. Everyone in your network is valuable. Don’t just wait for the ‘perfect’ potential client. Business cards are an inexpensive way to advertise and network. Use them!

2. Get your family on board.

This should go without saying, but make sure everyone in your family knows what you do. Your family knows you and they can be powerful referrers. So you’ll want to make sure they are on board with you and willing to share your information anytime they feel it’s appropriate.

3. Tell all of your friends.

Many of us are reluctant to share with our friends that we are a freelancer. I am not sure if it is because we think it’ll scare them away or turn us into a sort of red-headed step child. As with family, tell every friend you have what you are doing. Trust me, they will remember when it counts!

4. Strike up conversations everywhere.

Opportunities arise every day to speak about your company. Get in the habit of talking about your business. In the grocery line, at the bus stop, in the restaurant, or anywhere you see others. Learn techniques for guiding daily conversations to your industry. That will give you an appropriate time to plug your business and exchange your business card.

5. Form friendships with your competition.

I know this tip sounds counter productive, however by forging new relationships with your competition it puts you on their level. Since there are enough clients to go to every one in your industry, why not get on friendly terms with your competition. After all, the chances of you competing head to head for any specific client are minimal.

6. Volunteer when appropriate.

Volunteering creates image so when you can I suggest doing it. I am not talking about serving soup at a local shelter (although you could help there too). Volunteer or donate your services to a non-profit, friend, or someone in need. Its lasting value can’t easily be seen, but trust me when done right – it’ll help.

7. Contact past clients.

Continue to foster the relationship you’ve formed with your past clients. I am convinced that over 90% of your work will come from referrals. Remember each of your past clients can network with your name and services, so keep it fresh in their minds.

So you’re a web designer, awesome, but how do you grow your business? I mean, how do you get it from being a one-man operation begging for work to a multiple employee company turning down work? Eventually every business person reaches a point when they ask themselves this very question. Have no fear, below are several steps and ideas to help you grow your web design business.
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I’ve been told that good conversation skills can not be taught. It is either a skill you have or one that you don’t. While there is some validity in that statement, don’t be discouraged. Even though everyone isn’t going to be a linguist, YOU can master the art of good table conversation.

Business networking is vital to the growth of any company, but even more important for an online web design business. An excellent networker can grow their business by leaps and bounds over a poor networker. A good friend of mine recently shared a problem he has, table conversation. Not just any table conversation, but talking about his web design business. I know it sounds odd, but believe me he is not alone. Many people who are good at what they do, stink at networking, even if it is with family and friends. With a little understanding and some practice anyone can make web design good table conversation. You just have to know the responses you’re going to get so you can have the right follow up. You have to have a good elevator pitch, you have to be ready to provide either valuable information or service and you have to be able to have good leader questions. Let’s look at each one individually.
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Would you just hit the road with no idea where you’re going? Is it your standard operating procedure to get in the car without a destination? Of course not! Pilots likewise wouldn’t get in a plan and fly without a flight plan. So why would you start a business, let alone operate a business without a business plan? You wouldn’t, yet most web design professionals start out without a specific plan.

Flight Plans are not only good for pilots, but they are required. They contain basic and specific information about the trip. Included in it are details like: departure point, destination point, flight route, estimated flight time, backup landing points not to mention pilot and aircraft information. You see it contains everything needed for an at-a-glance look. This is exactly the kind of basic and detailed information your business plan should contain. So we are going to answer the following questions:

1. What is a Business Plan Really?
2. What’s The Purpose of a Business Plan?
3. What Types of Business Plans are There and Which One is Appropriate?
4. What Information Should Your Business Plan Contain?

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