I've recently started a web design company lifenetdesign, and we're currently creating our main website. Everything is going to plan and we bank accounts and legal angles are being tackled. However what is the best way to advertise? We are planning on opening on 1/1/04 so we have lots of time.

I've recently started a web design company lifenetdesign, and we're currently creating our main website. Everything is going to plan and we bank accounts and legal angles are being tackled. However what is the best way to advertise? We are planning on opening on 1/1/04 so we have lots of time. Howdy James, Several people have asked a similar question in the last couple of days and there are some posts answering them.  90 percent or more of your business is within 30 miles of where you are located.  You'll starve to death trying to use the Internet to find contracts. In addition to what's I've already covered, one of your more important keys will be being in the Yellow Pages.  Do you have any ISP's in your area?  If so, you want to get associated with them so they send you referrals.  You also need to be an active member in the Chamber of Commerce any any other group that gets you connected with other business people. Thanks, Chris                  http://www.bizynet.com BIZynet Coordinator               This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Moderator of biz.general, biz.marketplace.discussion, biz.healthcare, biz.marketplace.web-design, biz.marketplace.international & others

I've recently started a web design company lifenetdesign, and we're currently creating our main website. Everything is going to plan and we bank accounts and legal angles are being tackled. However what is the best way to advertise? We are planning on opening on 1/1/04 so we have lots of time. Howdy James, Several people have asked a similar question in the last couple of days and there are some posts answering them.  90 percent or more of your business is within 30 miles of where you are located.  You'll starve to death trying to use the Internet to find contracts. Chris, I've noticed you posting this type of advice before, and was wondering what your specific thoughts were on online advertising for web firms. Depending on the original poster's locale, online advertising may be the *only* way to generate contacts, especially if they reside in a small or remote town. Pay-per-click advertising, tied in to your hometown keyword (for example, web site design in Lexington may be an option. Speaking from my own experience, I've seen the opposite trend. 80-90% of the business comes from out-of-town (out-of-state, even) and there are no face to face meetings with distant clients. All communication is done by email and phone. Site traffic analysis also seems to support most visitors are from out-of-state. While your suggestions to acquire local clientele are sound, I would not write off online advertising so quickly. Like anything else, it takes a lot of hard work but can pay off. Regards, Jerry Johnston Internet Advertising Solutions    http://iasweb.com Design Services ~ Web Hosting ~ Site Promotion ~ Consulting

I've noticed you posting this type of advice before, and was wondering what your specific thoughts were on online advertising for web firms. Depending on the original poster's locale, online advertising may be the *only* way to generate contacts, especially if they reside in a small or remote town. Pay-per-click advertising, tied in to your hometown keyword (for example, web site design in Lexington may be an option. Howdy, If you got started three to five years ago, on-line advertising for web design worked fairly easy.  These days it's a massive task to get listed somewhere near the top of the thousands of folks calling themselves web designers.   Small towns with weekly newspapers are terrific for web designers.  You can afford to be in the classifieds every week.  It's much easier to reach potential clients and word of mouth works better.  Both good and bad reputations spread fast. Chris

I've noticed you posting this type of advice before, and was wondering what your specific thoughts were on online advertising for web firms. Depending on the original poster's locale, online advertising may be the *only* way to generate contacts, especially if they reside in a small or remote town. Pay-per-click advertising, tied in to your hometown keyword (for example, web site design in Lexington may be an option. Howdy, If you got started three to five years ago, on-line advertising for web design worked fairly easy.  These days it's a massive task to get listed somewhere near the top of the thousands of folks calling themselves web designers.   Small towns with weekly newspapers are terrific for web designers.  You can afford to be in the classifieds every week.  It's much easier to reach potential clients and word of mouth works better.  Both good and bad reputations spread fast. Chris Yes Chris, IAS was started way back in 1995, and it is now definately harder to get listed in search engines. Depending on how long Bizynet has been around, remember Infoseeks instant listings? Submit, check ranking, refine _meta_ tags, submit again... and Yahoo's priority listing service (free back then).... Sigh... those were the days Along the lines of what you suggested to the orignal poster about local networking, how about BNI, a business referral group with many local chapters. Good souce for leads: http://www.bni.com/ Jerry Johnston Internet Advertising Solutions    http://iasweb.com Design Services ~ Web Hosting ~ Site Promotion ~ Consulting