If you have been thinking about creating a new business but don't know where to begin or what type of service to offer, maybe you could consider starting a freelance writing career instead. The demand for online writers is growing at an exponential rate. And if you are one of those who can write well and enjoy working from home, then there's never been a better time than now to launch your own professional services business! You may be wondering how exactly you should set yourself apart in order to stand out among other freelancers and become successful. If so, read on!
In today’s article we will discuss some effective ways to promote your new service business. You'll also find helpful tips that will help you attract clients and grow your client base once they discover your unique skillset. So let’s jump right into our discussion!
The first step towards launching any kind of service is deciding on which niche market you would like to specialize in. There are many different types of businesses available and each has its own specific characteristics and requirements. For example, if you plan to develop websites for small companies, you must choose a niche that offers plenty of potential customers (at least 1 million).
Once you've narrowed down your niche choice, you need to decide whether you want to work alone or join forces with another individual. This decision depends greatly on your personality and skill level. It might seem tempting to partner up with someone else, especially since you can split profits 50/50. However, this is not always advisable because every partnership comes with risks. Plus, it doesn't allow you to fully utilize both strengths.
Another important thing to keep in mind when choosing a niche is that you shouldn't forget to choose something people really need. They might think that they already have everything they need, but most likely they don't. That being said, here are several things a person usually lacks:
- A reliable internet connection - A good place to host your website
- Access to financial resources - Money to pay bills, rent, taxes etc.
- Time management skills - People often underestimate just how much time goes into building a successful business.
So before you even open shop, try to figure out what these three things are going to cost you. Then compare them to your current income sources. Is it worth risking everything to earn $1 per hour more? Or are you willing to spend years learning about marketing before making enough money to quit your day job? Only after you answer these questions, you can move forward and focus only on the best option for your particular situation.
Nowadays, most professionals prefer outsourcing their jobs rather than doing them themselves. When it comes to web design & SEO, most people tend to hire agencies to handle all aspects of their project. On top of that, many entrepreneurs use WordPress themes to save time and effort while setting up their sites. These days, a lot of free templates are offered by third party developers and designers.
However, if you still wish to take care of the technical side of your site by yourself, you can either buy premium software such as SiteGround Hosting or use a DIY approach using free tools like Wix. Also, when it comes to designing and developing websites, you can check out various template options online. But remember that a great looking theme isn't necessarily functional.
Before launching your service, ask yourself why you want to provide this service for others. What value does it add to the lives of others? How long have you been offering this service? Are you passionate about it? Do you believe in providing quality over quantity? Once you're sure about your answers, you can proceed further.
Content creation is undoubtedly one of the hardest parts of owning a service business. First off, you need to come up with ideas and concepts that truly resonate with your target audience. As mentioned above, it is crucial to narrow down your niche. While brainstorming, you should avoid coming up with too many ideas. Instead, stick to a handful of topics that interest you. After having gathered a list of possible subjects, you should prioritize them. Choose 3 – 5 key points to cover within your articles. Don't worry if this sounds vague. Just make sure that these few keywords are relevant to your topic and that your readers will actually benefit from reading them.
After selecting your main topics, you can research around these areas and gather information related to them. Read books, blogs, forums and other similar material. Try to familiarize yourself with popular trends and hot issues. Use Google Trends search tool to see how relevant certain words are nowadays. Next, you should pick a subject that resonates with you personally. This way, you won't feel pressured to produce content that interests nobody. If you feel inspired, share it with friends and family members. Ask for feedback. Listen carefully to their opinions and suggestions.
As a rule of thumb, the number of words should ideally range between 2,000 and 4,500. Most bloggers aim for roughly 500 words per post. Some experts advise against longer posts due to low conversions rates.
Also, you should include visuals in your blog posts. Images speak louder than text ever did. Not only that, but they improve user engagement and boost overall traffic. Therefore, whenever you're ready to publish your next piece, make sure to attach images. Here's how to upload pictures to your blog without losing valuable space:
First, click on "Insert" button located below the toolbar. Select "Media Library". Browse to the image file you wish to insert and select it. Click "Open" in order to import it onto your page.
Next, you should optimize your images for maximum exposure. Here are some useful guidelines to follow:
Make sure the picture is original. Avoid copying photos from other websites. Always give credit to the source if needed.
Set a high resolution. Make sure your photo is clear and crisp.
Avoid blurry shots. Your visitor should be able to clearly identify the product or service you're promoting.
Use descriptive captions. Provide detailed descriptions and explanations of the product or service.
Add tags to your caption. Add keywords that describe your item as accurately as possible.
Don't forget to tag your competitors. Doing so helps bring your brand to light and makes yours look less competitive.
Try adding short videos to your blog posts. Videos increase conversion rates because users love watching them more than reading lengthy texts. Moreover, they show visitors how the product works and how beneficial it is.
Finally, don't neglect social media when it comes to increasing visibility and boosting your sales. Social networks play a huge role in spreading awareness about your business. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest are perfect places to showcase your products. Here's how to manage your account effectively:
Create compelling profiles. Set up attractive profile pages and fill them with interesting details about your business.
Connect with followers. Share newsworthy updates regularly and interact with fans and followers.
Promote contests. Create fun promotional events and run them on social platforms.
Keep track of results. Analyze your activity reports regularly to understand how your campaigns are performing.
When you're done, schedule regular publishing times and stick to them. Make sure to always update your blog posts with fresh insights.
Writing is definitely one of the toughest tasks associated with operating a service business. Many people struggle with it and end up giving up halfway through. Fortunately, you can easily overcome writer's block thanks to numerous apps and plugins. One easy solution is to rely on automated systems. They can automatically generate content based on your keyword searches. All you have to do is enter the terms you'd like to appear in your articles and press submit. Check out ContentMachine, for instance, which allows you to automate everything.
On top of that, automation frees you up to concentrate on more critical matters. Like customer support, managing finances, finding leads and driving revenue growth. Automation takes away stress and lets you focus on delivering amazing experiences to your clients. Of course, there's nothing wrong with hiring virtual assistants to assist you with administrative duties. It's perfectly acceptable to delegate part of your workload to external employees.
This is probably one of the most straightforward services to offer. Basically, a copywriter creates content for your website in exchange for payment. Depending on the amount of content you require, prices vary significantly. Generally speaking, the average word count ranges between 250 and 600. Thus, if you intend to charge $10 per 1000 words, expect to receive somewhere between $2,500 and $6,000 depending on the complexity of the project. Keep in mind that you should always negotiate the price beforehand. Never accept the first quote you receive unless it matches your expectations.
There's nothing like opening an online shop or selling products that people can buy right off of your site. You've probably heard about entrepreneurs who use their websites to offer everything from jewelry to electronics to clothing to books. And they're making good money doing so, because anyone looking at their product pages will want to click through to see what else these guys have to offer -- especially if they don't already know them!
But there's another way to run your own business in which you provide more than just physical goods for sale. It involves providing something intangible instead... like expertise, knowledge, advice, mentorship, coaching, guidance, etc. This kind of business model is called "service," and while many businesses still operate under this umbrella (think legal, accounting, financial advising), some companies choose to specialize in one specific type of service rather than offering multiple types of service. If you decide to open a service-based business, a website could be a great way for potential customers to find out more information about your offerings.
In fact, when we talk about creating a website for a service-based business, we mean not only a place where clients can browse your inventory but also a location for marketing yourself and promoting your brand. A service-based website may even include a blog, allowing you to communicate directly with existing and prospective clients. There's no reason why any entrepreneur should miss out on such opportunities simply because he/she doesn't yet have time to devote full attention to building a proper website. Here are seven tips to help you design a service-focused website without breaking the bank:
1. Start small by choosing a niche. If you plan to become a web designer, graphic artist, writer, teacher, accountant, coach, therapist, consultant, personal trainer, wedding planner, interior decorator, photographer, musician, massage therapist, dog walker, makeup artist, hairstylist, nail technician, florist, baker, chef, or other professional service provider, then consider focusing on one area of specialty. Think about whether you'd really enjoy working with a particular clientele. For example, would you prefer to work exclusively with professionals? Or might you feel most comfortable helping others make lifestyle changes? Perhaps you'd love to focus on families with young children. Whatever field you choose, think carefully before diving into a new industry. Make sure that you'll have enough time to dedicate to learning and growing as well as earning income. Also, keep in mind that once you establish yourself in a particular field, competitors may quickly appear, meaning you need to stay current if you hope to maintain your competitive edge.
2. Learn basic HTML & CSS. As mentioned above, a website isn't much good unless visitors can actually view it. Fortunately, you don't need programming skills to set up a simple page on WordPress.com, Google Sites, Wix.com, Squarespace.com, or any number of affordable web hosting platforms. Many of these sites allow you to drag and drop images, text boxes, links, videos, and forms onto prearranged templates. All you need to do is enter the appropriate content and publish the page. Once published, you can edit the page whenever necessary using standard HTML editing tools. Of course, you can always hire someone to develop custom code for you too. But since you won't likely need anything complex, spending $10-$100 per month seems reasonable for access to a reliable system. The same goes for hiring a freelance developer - although you can save money by outsourcing via Fiverr.com.
3. Choose a platform. Once you've chosen a niche, you'll need to select a tool to host your site. As noted above, inexpensive options exist on several web hosts including Bluehost, Hostgator, GoDaddy, and DreamHost. Most of these companies offer easy-to-use interfaces and tutorials to get started. Some may require you to sign up for a paid account first though, so check out each option thoroughly before committing to a contract.
4. Find a domain name. The URL address for your website is very important. Not surprisingly, it's often referred to as the "crown jewel" of every business' digital presence. After deciding upon a niche, you must pick a memorable domain name. Don't go overboard here, however. While catchy names definitely increase search engine rankings, overusing keywords risks confusing searchers or driving traffic away. Consider the following guidelines if selecting a meaningful domain name:
a) Avoid obvious keyword stuffing. For instance, "lawyer" isn't typically a good choice for a law firm website.
b) Be creative but avoid being ridiculous. A hilarious joke is fine, but try not to insult anyone with a vulgarity.
c) Use words that describe what you do best. You wouldn't expect to read "accountant" on a lawyer's webpage, nor would you ever visit "nail salon" on a dentist's site.
5. Create a landing page. After choosing a domain name, you need to come up with a compelling headline and description. Visitors shouldn't have to dig around for hours to understand exactly what you do - they should immediately recognize what value you bring to the table. Your goal is to convince visitors that they absolutely MUST contact you now. To accomplish this, craft a short sentence that highlights your unique perspective and offers readers a clear call to action.
6. Build trust. In addition to describing your services, you must explain why you stand apart from your competition. What makes you better than everyone else? Why should anyone care? Remember, you're competing against thousands of other service providers, so you need to show that you're different. You can demonstrate your credibility by citing testimonials from satisfied clients, posting articles highlighting your accomplishments, and displaying awards received. Finally, make sure your homepage contains an optin form inviting viewers to subscribe to your newsletter. People love receiving useful updates about things they care about. They'll appreciate knowing what you're currently working on, what's coming next, and maybe even receive helpful hints and shortcuts along the way.
7. Get social media accounts up and running. Social media is arguably the most effective means of connecting with potential clients. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, Tumblr, Snapchat, and other popular networks allow you to share newsworthy events, showcase your expertise, promote upcoming promotions, and engage with fans and followers alike. Most importantly, social media allows you to connect with people interested in your niche. By reaching out to relevant groups or individuals, you can gain valuable feedback in real time. Plus, once you begin interacting with folks regularly, word spreads rapidly thanks to viral sharing. It becomes easier to attract paying customers as well.
So those are our top 7 tips for designing a successful website for your service-based business. Hopefully you found this article helpful. If you want to dive deeper, check out our list of 10 essential questions to ask before launching a startup. And remember, you can always reach us anytime at [email protected] to ask about building a website for a service business or any other subject matter related to entrepreneurship.
If you're thinking about starting an online or offline service business, then one thing is clear: You need a website for that business. A website helps people find out more about you, what you offer, and also gives them ways to contact you. But if you don't know where to begin when creating a website for your new service business, here's everything you need to know.
First things first: What exactly is a "service business"? This term refers to any type of business where the product (or products) sold aren't physical items but rather intangible services. Examples include hair salons, fitness centers, landscaping companies, interior design firms, massage therapists, dog walkers, pet sitters, tutors...the list goes on! There are many different types of service businesses - some are brick-and-mortar while others operate solely in digital form. Whichever way you choose to run yours, having a good website will help both customers and potential employees find you easily.
Whether you want to provide a single service or multiple ones, there are several options available to you. Some work best for solo entrepreneurs who have a lot of time and energy to invest into their projects. Others require more money upfront to cover costs such as web hosting. Still other opportunities may be ideal for small teams looking for collaborative solutions. Whether you're just getting started or already have experience working together remotely, you'll want to consider these factors before deciding which option works best for you.
The most important thing to keep in mind when choosing whether to hire someone else or do it yourself is that you should always put customer satisfaction above anything else. If you end up hiring someone to build your site, they must understand your vision and mission statement so well that it comes across clearly in the finished project. They also must be able to communicate effectively over email and phone calls. It may not sound like much, but those two qualities alone could determine whether you continue using the same person year after year. And if you plan to use social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, you'll definitely want to check out our article on building a successful Facebook page.
Once you've decided between doing it yourself or finding a reliable contractor, the next step is to figure out what kind of website you'd like to have. Here are some ideas to think about:
A blog: A blog allows visitors to follow along with you as you develop your skills and expertise. Blogs can be used to share information about topics related to your field, to showcase your creative side by sharing photos of your latest DIY project, or even to inform your audience about upcoming events. Your blog can serve as a great resource hub for anyone interested in learning more about your industry and the services you offer.
An ecommerce store: An ecommerce store lets buyers purchase your goods directly without ever leaving your website. The advantages of selling through an ecommerce platform include faster checkout processes than traditional sites, lower transaction fees, and greater visibility due to search engine optimization. Plus, if you decide later down the road to add additional products or change prices, you won't have to worry about keeping track of inventory levels. For example, Etsy offers thousands of unique handmade items from artists around the world.
A landing page: Landing pages are simple websites designed specifically to capture leads and convert them into paying clients. These sites usually only contain limited amounts of content, making them easy to set up and manage. When you have a compelling call-to-action message at the top followed by relevant links, it's likely that prospects will click through and become your customers.
To see more examples of each type of website mentioned above, check out this post listing 10+ Home Service Business Websites That Can Help You Get Started.
Now that we've talked about the various types of websites you might want to create for your business, let's talk about how you actually get one. Most service businesses will look similar regardless of whether you're operating a local salon, an online retail shop, or a virtual team based out of another country. Regardless of how big or small your operation is, you still need to establish a presence on the internet. So before you get too far ahead, read our articles on setting up Google My Business accounts and getting listed on Yelp. Both of these tools will allow people to discover your business online.
Next, pick a name for your brand. Make sure it's memorable enough to attract attention yet short enough that people can remember it easily. Also avoid names that are confusingly similar to existing brands. Once you've picked a name, register it as a domain name. Then sign up for a web host to securely house your files. Finally, install WordPress or another blogging software onto your server to give your website its base structure.
After you finish installing WordPress, you'll need to buy a theme that matches your branding style. Depending on the size of your budget, you should expect to pay anywhere from $20-$100 per month for hosting and premium themes. After you've purchased your theme, customize it according to your specifications. Add images and text to highlight your offerings and connect with prospective customers. Next, write a few posts on popular websites to spread awareness of your business.
Finally, promote your site by publishing guest posts on blogs in your niche. Guest posting isn't necessary, but it provides valuable exposure for your work. To maximize your efforts, try writing original pieces instead of reposting something you found elsewhere. Doing so shows that you took the extra effort to research and craft your material.
While you can technically open almost any type of business under the umbrella of "services," certain industries tend to dominate the market. Below are four categories that commonly involve providing services: beauty & wellness, education, entertainment, and food/drinks.
Beauty & Wellness
Many women opt to turn their homes into spas to offer facials, massages, manicures, pedicures, waxes, makeup application lessons, etc. Other popular sectors include health clubs, yoga studios, tanning beds, nail salons, and aromatherapy practitioners. Whatever profession you pursue, you'll probably encounter people who would benefit from receiving regular treatments. As part of your marketing strategy, consider offering discounts for memberships or packages.
Education
From teaching English abroad to preparing students for standardized tests, teachers play an integral role in helping children reach higher educational milestones. Many schools now provide online courses to supplement classroom instruction. Parents often prefer distance learning because it saves them money and allows their child to study whenever he or she wants. Consider offering classes geared toward parents and families to expand your audience.
Entertainment
Any type of performance artist falls within the realm of entertainment services. From musicians to actors, dancers to comedians, singers to speakers, everyone has stories to tell and talents to show off. While it may seem strange to classify performers as professionals, many of them earn salaries comparable to engineers and lawyers. To stand apart from competitors, consider offering special VIP experiences. For instance, if you're a magician specializing in card tricks, perhaps you could book private parties for birthday celebrations or corporate events.
Food & Drinks
As far back as ancient Egypt, chefs were known for serving delicious meals to guests. Today, culinary experts prepare dishes ranging from Chinese cuisine to French cuisine to Italian cuisine. Pastry chefs bake desserts for weddings and anniversaries. Bartenders mix drinks for happy hours and cocktail parties. Waitstaff serves patrons at restaurants and bars. Even personal trainers and hairstylists can provide services that fall under the category of food & drink.
Depending on the type of business you want to launch, the process usually takes less than six months to complete. However, if you decide to employ contractors to carry out specific tasks, you'll likely spend longer periods of time waiting for progress updates. It depends on how fast your chosen freelancers work, but typically speaking, it shouldn't take more than three weeks to create a basic website.
In addition to creating a functional website, you'll need to perform keyword analysis to ensure that your site ranks high in searches. Although SEO (search engine optimisation) doesn't guarantee instant success, it certainly makes a difference. With proper planning, you'll quickly increase your chances of being discovered by potential customers. If you're hoping to grow your business exponentially, however, investing in paid advertising campaigns is recommended.
Once you've built your website, it's time to start promoting it. One of the quickest ways to drive traffic to your site is via social networking channels such as Pinterest, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Reddit, and Tumblr. Each network differs slightly, but generally speaking, you'll need to devote considerable time to crafting engaging posts that draw readers' interest. Post frequently so your followers never lose interest. Another effective method involves guest posting on authoritative news sources. By submitting quality posts, you'll demonstrate your knowledge and gain credibility in the eyes of your target audience.
Just follow our battle-tested guidelines and rake in the profits.