WordPress Developers: What to Do When You’re Having Trouble Landing New Clients

Managing the natural ebb and flow of work as a freelance WordPress developer takes some getting used to. Actually, all freelancers are faced with the same challenge; it’s just part of doing business. Eventually you become more comfortable with the process, but never 100% immune to the effects of not knowing where your next client will come from.

When you’re just starting out though, it’s a whole different ball game. It can feel like a new client is never coming your way. You might even find yourself doing funny things, like checking repeatedly to make sure your contact form is working. We’ve all been there.

So how are you supposed to know when you’re doing everything right and it’s just a matter of time until a new client lands in your lap? Or maybe there are a few things you could do differently to speed up the process? Or, maybe your contact form is broken? Kidding.

This article is for new and seasoned freelancers alike. We’re going to run through a few things that should be on your list of items to review any time you feel like the pressure to land a new client is mounting.

Perform an Honest Review of Your Effort

Sometimes we think we’re doing more work than we actually are. This is more of a problem with new developers than those who have some experience. And it’s not to say you’re not doing any work, it’s more that the work you’re doing provides little or no return on investment.

Things like re-designing your website or updating your social profiles are low ROI activities. If you spend some time looking at the sites of other freelancers, you’ll often find that they are out of date. Why is that? It’s because they’re busy doing client work. The freelancers who aren’t quite so busy? Their websites are always sporting a new design.

Now, if you find yourself with some spare time after a busy spell, maybe a website redesign is in order. What we’re talking about though is your feeling that you need to redesign your website instead of doing work that might actually generate some new clients.

The same goes for other areas of your business. Spending countless hours on social media probably won’t land any new clients. Nor will creating a new contract form or designing a business card. Those things may be important, but mostly they represent an excuse for avoiding what you should be doing.

So what should you be doing? Easy – you should be doing anything that increases your odds of landing your next project. Depending on your business that could mean a lot of different things. Maybe it’s going to a local Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting and introducing yourself toten local business owners. Maybe it means knocking on the doors of local businesses for an afternoon or sending out pitches to businesses owners with websites that still aren’t mobile friendly.

Performing an honest review of your effort means taking a close look at how you spend your time. If you’re doing “work” that is unlikely to generate a new client, maybe you’re not being 100% honest with yourself.

Consider keeping a journal to track your new client activity. You’ll know after just a few days whether you’re doing enough to deserve a new client.

Review Your Website Copy

However long your own website has been live, reviewing the copy is something you should do periodically. If you’ve recently launched your website, your copy will deserve more attention than if you’ve already been landing clients for the last 13 months. Regardless of how well written you feel your site is, maybe it’s time to experiment with some A/B testing?

As you’re reading through each page, ask yourself if it speaks to your audience. You know who your audience is, right? If not, as soon as you’re done here, take a read through this article to learn how you might benefit from targeting a specific niche.

Does your website copy offer a clear value proposition? If visitors to your site don’t have a clear vision of what you do within the first 15 seconds, it might be time to work on clarifying your message.

Review Your Pricing

In my experience, cheap pricing rarely equates to more clients. It certainly never equates to better clients. This can be a major issue for new WordPress developers who are determined to land their first few pieces of work.

You advertise inexpensive pricing thinking it will act as an incentive, but it never does. In fact, it’s a turn-off. Imagine a local plastic surgeons is looking for a developer to build their new website. If they are expecting to pay $10,000 for a semi-custom site, what do think will cross their mind when they find your site advertising custom WordPress development for $2,900? You guessed it – they’ll think they’re in the wrong place. Your local Porsche dealer doesn’t place a Hyundai front and center in his showroom.

Check your pricing. Make sure it’s competitive, but also relative to the value you provide. As a side note, if you’re displaying a portfolio on your website, make sure that what you’re displaying is congruent with the price you’re charging.

Connect With Previous Clients

This piece of advice is obviously more applicable to developers with an established clientele, but with that said, the first place you should look for new business when things are getting slow is your previous clients. Since you’ve already established a relationship with them, there is very little leg work to do.

Even if they don’t have any work for you today, something will come up eventually, or someone they associate with will ask for a referral. You want to be the first person they think of.

For new WordPress developers, this isn’t something to pass over just because you don’t yet have many clients. Have you thought about how you’ll keep in touch with clients once their project wraps up? Will you set up a monthly newsletter? What about providing an ongoing maintenance service?

Past clients can be an exceptionally good source of new business, especially if you build strong relationships and treat them well.

Implement a Content Marketing Strategy

Outbound is so 90s (that’s not entirely true – more on that in a few minutes). For now though, let’s talk about inbound marketing. You’re participating in inbound marketing right now – reading this article.

Inbound marketing is quite honestly a better, less irritating way of doing business. Although the results it generates will never be as quick as knocking on doors, you won’t have to face ten rejections before landing a new client either.

Content marketing involves producing great content that is designed to help your target audience. The hope is that over time your audience will get to know you better. The day may come where they need some help and – since they’ve been reading your useful content for the last six months – you’ll be in the running to land their business.

It’s still amazing how many small businesses don’t participate in content marketing. They’d rather run an ad in the local newspaper. If you’re performing any kind of advertising at all, I’d recommend making content marketing part of your strategy.

Implement an Outbound Marketing Strategy

Back to the 90s we go, but don’t worry, outbound isn’t quite dead. Just make sure you’re doing it properly. I realize I mentioned door knocking above, but don’t take that out of context. There’s a reason that ten people will slam the door in your face before you hear a single yes: The simple fact that people hate being sold to when they’re not ready to buy.

Outbound marketing today is focused on networking. Get away from your desk and become involved in the local business community – attend a local WordCamp or meetup, or join your local chamber of commerce. Establish yourself as the WordPress developer in your local community.

Make your outbound marketing the equivalent of face-to-face inbound. Be helpful, share your experience and knowledge without any expectation of receiving something in return. As you become more well known and respected, people will turn to you when they need help.

Be Consistent

If there was only one tip I could provide when it comes to landing new clients it’s this.

I mentioned a natural ebb and flow that seems to be part of freelancing. There will be times when you have more projects on the go than you can handle. Then, a few months later, you might experience a drought. If you’re a new developer who is just getting started, maybe you’re still patiently waiting for your first client to come along. All of this is completely normal.

Whichever situation you find yourself in, the most important thing you can do is remain consistent in your approach. Make changes where warranted – things like pricing, website copy, and sales activity. Just make sure you take action each and every day that is likely to contribute towards the growth of your business. Avoid the ‘make busy’ work.

Conclusion

We’ve covered a few things you should be looking at or doing next time you’re having trouble landing new clients. Chances are though, you’re not actually having any trouble at all. It’s just the natural flow that occurs as you grow your business.

Over time the actions you take today, tomorrow, next week and next year will begin to compound. Before you know it you’ll find yourself with a steady stream of work and maybe even in a position to be turning away new business.

Have you ever found yourself in a dry spell, wondering where your next client will come from? What tactics did you try and were they effective for you? Let us know in the comments!

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