Click To Skip To Main Content
June Web Design

Looking for my first client

Jun Cho Jun Cho

Since this is near the holidays I have a full week to work on finding the “perfect client”. I’m going to try to break it down to the smallest task possible. To begin, I’m going to find just ONE client to call. Why just one? I want to focus on getting things right and build a good foundation for how to approach clients to start with.

note: I already have two clients that I’m currently working with but they’re direct connections of mine. I am looking for a new connection.

I created a spreadsheet to keep track of a client call list:

  • Name
  • Website (if they have one or not)
  • Phone number
  • Times I called them
  • Search location/how I found them
  • Business Category
  • If they have a current agency they are working with. Usually in the footer
  • Ranking them on most to least ideal client
  • Notes about why I rank them and additional details

I will mainly search on Google - the map listing not search result listing. I will click through the first 20+ listings, examine the top clients based on my criteria and add him to my spreadsheet.

Determining my potential clients

I have over an HOUR drive to and from my current work in Irving. Crazy, I know and with the mandated RTO it’s not making my life any easier. But I try to find an opportunity everywhere, and I realize there are many service businesses that has their work trucks wrapped with their company information but no website! Surely some of these would be interested in my service. The most common I’ve seen in DFW area are:

  • rennovations
  • pool services
  • painting
  • hvac
  • plumbing
  • personal trainers

I will “pre-qualify” my clients. What this means is I only call people who I think would best fit my services. I do this to avoid wasting my time and their time. Since I’m going to be looking for that perfect ONE client. The business I want to focus on are trainers. I think I can offer an eye catching design that is sure to bring in more clients for them.

Client criteria and research

  • Has a website, but it’s not well built/maintained. This signals to me the interest is there but the owner doesn’t have the time to put into making a polished site.
  • They are not already working with an agency. It’s hard to convince someone to jump ship unless there’s is a clear 10x difference. How will they know I will provide a better service than their current one and not get burned again? It’s not worth the hassle, plus they should already have a contract they won’t want to break.
  • In a competitive market - having a website is pretty must
  • Has high value clients of their own. Landing just one client can be worth my service cost for the whole year.
  • Look at their social media and other platforms if they have it
  • Page ranking on google
  • Check their SEO ranking and ADA
  • See how their website could be improved through improved layout and “click funnels”
  • What additional service such as adding calendar
  • Check their competition and see what they offer, how their websites look and how they rank on google search
  • Is is visually appealing? Has dozens of pages and look professionally built? It’s unlikely they are willing to part way with something they already poured a lot of effort into.
  • If they have no website, check if they have it somewhere else but they forgot to add to their Google business profile.
  • Read their reviews. Does it look like they’re in business. Do they have bad reviews? I don’t want to deal with clients who will be a headache. Do they care about their reputation? If they don’t care about their reputation, they won’t care about their online presence.
  • Site Review. See what their current website is builtwith. Check their page speed, check for contents, anything that gives them a ding in their SEO. See if their website is made with shody page builders.

Then move onto page 2 of Google and so forth. Once I run out of leads there, go to yelp.

My plan is to call the business during the weekday during their most convenient time. If they don’t answer by the 3rd call I will put them in my “do not call” list.

Goals I would be happy with

  • Shows interest and doesn’t immediately hang up
  • Taking my email and at least takes into consideration of my service, even a “not right now”
  • Obviously, happy to sign up and start right away

I will create 3 template specifically for this client in figma. Just the home page since it’s more of a demo.

Jun Cho's avatar

About Jun Cho

Founder of June Web Design LLC, specializing in modern Fullstack development and design.