How to Find New Web Design Clients in 2024
Building a freelance business or starting a side venture as a Squarespace web designer can be a powerful path to financial freedom. However, growing any business requires a consistent flow of clients. This guide provides 11 actionable strategies to help attract new clients and elevate your web design business in 2024.
1. Establish and communicate your professional identity
As you begin your journey in web design (or improve your current one), it’s essential to claim and communicate your professional identity. Every interaction, whether with new acquaintances or existing contacts, should reflect a commitment to this new career path.
When introducing yourself, consider using a clear and concise statement, such as, “Hello, I’m [Your Name], a Squarespace web designer specializing in creating websites for [enter your chosen niche, such as small businesses like fitness coaches, therapists, and artists].” This approach defines what you do and clearly markets your services.
By consistently presenting yourself professionally, people will begin to associate you with web design, increasing the chance they’ll think of you when they or someone they know needs web design services.
2. Engage friends and family by sharing your vision
Your personal network can be a powerful asset in the early stages of your web design business. Consider writing a “dream” letter or email to friends and family, explaining the decision to pursue Squarespace web design. Share your goals, the reasons behind this career move, and what it means to you.
This heartfelt communication can inspire your network to support your efforts, whether by soliciting your services, referring potential clients, or offering encouragement. Keep the message concise—two or three paragraphs are enough—and send it individually or to a small group.
Read more tips for finding and attracting web design clients.
3. Proactively seek referrals and testimonials
Referrals can be a significant source of new clients. Squarespace Circle’s 2024 industry report found that 78% of client projects come from referrals.
Don’t hesitate to ask current colleagues or your network for referrals. You can adapt your dream letter as a script to encourage word-of-mouth business. Consider saying, “Do you know anyone who could benefit from my Squarespace web design services? If so, I’d appreciate an introduction.”
If you feel uncomfortable asking without offering something in return, consider establishing a referral or an ambassador program that rewards referrals with a fee or discounted services. Request testimonials as part of your offboarding process, which you can then showcase on your website.
While the referral path is powerful, there are many other client acquisition strategies that can support your client pipeline.
4. Use freelance platforms to gain initial clients
Freelancer job platforms can be an effective way to secure some of your first clients quickly. Many successful web designers have used these to transition from side ventures to full-time businesses.
Look for platforms that cater to your niche and invest time in building a strong profile. Consistency is key—regularly applying for jobs and refining your approach as you go can make a significant difference. While results may vary, these job platforms have the potential to generate substantial income when approached with dedication.
5. Join and contribute to communities
Whether online or in-person, communities offer valuable networking opportunities. By joining relevant groups and actively participating, you can build relationships that lead to new client opportunities.
Introduce yourself with your professional identity and contribute meaningfully to discussions to establish yourself as knowledgeable and reliable. Over time, others in the community may refer clients to you, creating a steady stream of new business opportunities.
The Circle community is a great place to engage with industry veterans and newcomers alike. Join today.
6. Engage in conversations with potential clients
Secure five to 10 consultation calls with potential clients each month. This may feel daunting, but the practice will help refine your sales pitch and increase your conversion rate.
A well-structured consultation call is crucial. If calls aren’t resulting in new clients, it may be time to reassess your approach. Consider using a detailed 30-minute consultation call script to guide these conversations effectively, ensuring that potential clients feel confident in their decision to work with you. Honing your consultation skills can help you field common questions from clients while communicating and setting boundaries, which is also vital for a successful working relationship.
7. Build a strong online portfolio
An online portfolio is a high-value asset that you can build over time to attract the kind of projects and clients you love working with. Your portfolio is a visual demonstration of your skills and expertise that proves far more powerful than any written word describing your work.
If you’re new to web design, showcase as many websites as you can. The number of projects you’ve done can have as much weight as the quality of your work for many potential clients. Eventually, narrow your portfolio to feature your best work or sites that best represent your preferred projects.
Have this portfolio accessible on your website. You can also show relevant pieces of work during client consultation calls. Additionally, share case studies in blog content and on social media platforms.
One common question from web designers is, “How do I showcase my work if I have not had any clients or only done projects in a niche I don’t want to follow?” My answer is to create mock websites.
Pro tip: As a Circle Member, free trials last six months. Create mock websites for made-up businesses to let your creativity and passion for design show. Duplicate the projects after six months if mock sites are still necessary.
8. Leverage content marketing
Another important tool to add to your client-attraction toolbox is content marketing. While creating valuable content adds to your workload, having a body of work establishes you as a credible authority in the Squarespace web design space. It can also drive organic traffic to your website and secure more business.
Create a simplified, one-page content marketing plan, which articulates who you serve, what problems you solve, and which platform you publish on and with what frequency you publish.
Once you have identified these core tenets, it’s time to develop the content. Unless you want to create an overview guide or a step-by-step action plan, aim to solve one problem or question in each piece of content.
When you create actionable tips and practical suggestions around one problem, you can make a real difference for the client well before they spend a dollar with your business. This creates a virtuous cycle, which begins long before someone becomes your client. It eventually turns this trust factor into a booked-out calendar and growing business.
9. Search engine optimization (SEO)
As you learn more about your clients, you can include keywords in page descriptions and blog content. Avoid overusing these terms by making them flow naturally throughout your site. Even basic SEO tips, such as including H1 and H2 tags, can go a long way in maintaining a search-engine-friendly website.
Learn more SEO tips for web designers.
10. Offer content upgrades
As your site’s organic traffic grows, set up a way to convert that traffic into email subscribers. Use lead magnets or content upgrades, such as a checklist, guide, or free training, to move site visitors further along the customer journey to join your email list. Then, nurture your leads with an email sequence that keeps them engaged. Your email marketing strategy should continue your efforts to show how you solve problems and achieve goals for clients.
Pro tip: Keep content value-first. Continue to build on the trust established by the content that first brought clients to your site.
11. Confidentially and strategically price your services
Another strategy for booking web design clients is by offering clear and confident pricing. Without it, all your efforts for greater visibility won’t translate into a calendar that’s booked out with clients. The key is to get creative.
When your prices are right, they strike a balance between profitability and client satisfaction. Your pricing structure should properly capture the value of your hard work, unique skills, and expertise without putting off clients by making the relationship feel purely transactional.
A creative pricing strategy can also help you stand out as a web designer. Prices—high or low—clarify your position in the market, signaling to clients that you’re offering luxury services or unmissable deals. Thoughtful web design packages demonstrate a willingness to meet diverse client needs. By pairing your aims and interests with your clients’ needs and constraints, you can craft irresistible web design packages that keep everyone happy.
Finding new web design clients
Navigating the uncertainties of starting a freelance web design business can be challenging, but with persistence and strategy, success is within reach. Focus on one or two tactics at a time to avoid getting overwhelmed and move on to another when you find no traction after six months of effort. By committing to your Squarespace web design business and implementing these strategies, you’ll likely find it to be one of the most rewarding decisions ever made.
As you set out to find more clients, stay focused and continue to learn as you go. Eventually, your efforts will bear fruit, benefiting you, your business, and everyone influenced by your life and work.
Check out Sophia’s free consultation call script, which shares how to conduct a 30-minute consult call, present your web design packages, and close the deal.
Want more?
Check out Squarespace Circle, Squarespace’s program for professional designers. Along with exclusive content, discounts, and other perks, Circle brings professionals together from across the globe to exchange advice while connecting with new clients and collaborators.
