Growing Strong: How to Scale Your Web Design Business
Tags: webdesign, business, growth, career
Published: 2020-04-27 11:41:41

---
title: Growing Strong: How to Scale Your Web Design Business
published: true
description: 
tags: web design, business, growth, career 
---

<p dir="ltr">
    While starting a web design business and making it sustainable is still the
    most precarious stage in your company’s life, the next step can be just as
    difficult – scaling it without jeopardizing what you’ve already built.
</p>
<p dir="ltr">
    The opportunities for making the wrong steps are all too numerous,
    especially if you just jump into it without a plan or method.
</p>
<p dir="ltr">
    The good news is that there are a couple of things you can do to avoid
    these pitfalls and ensure your scaling period results in plenty of new
    business, a bigger but still happy team, and a good foundation to take your
    web design business even further in the future.
</p>
<br/>
<h2 dir="ltr">
    It all starts with people
</h2>
<p dir="ltr">
    It doesn’t matter how much you believe the old adage that people matter
    most in business – the fact remains that your scaling process will revolve
    around people.
</p>
<p dir="ltr">
    For one, taking on more work will mean that either your existing team will
    need to take on much more work (which is often already impossible) or you
    will need to
    <a
        href="https://technofaq.org/posts/2018/09/3-hiring-tips-for-early-stage-tech-start-ups/"
    >
        hire new people
    </a>
    .
</p>
<p dir="ltr">
    Hiring new people is often done haphazardly by small companies, which soon
    enough find out why this is not something that should be rushed. There are
    just so many questions to answer:
</p>
<ul>
    <li dir="ltr">
        <p dir="ltr">
            How many people exactly will my growing business need?
        </p>
    </li>
    <li dir="ltr">
        <p dir="ltr">
            Do I hire juniors or seniors?
        </p>
    </li>
    <li dir="ltr">
        <p dir="ltr">
            How much should I offer them?
        </p>
    </li>
    <li dir="ltr">
        <p dir="ltr">
            Do I have the money to hire the right number of new people?
        </p>
    </li>
    <li dir="ltr">
        <p dir="ltr">
            Do I know what’s the right number of people?
        </p>
    </li>
    <li dir="ltr">
        <p dir="ltr">
            How can I onboard them?
        </p>
    </li>
    <li dir="ltr">
        <p dir="ltr">
            How will my existing team react?
        </p>
    </li>
    <li dir="ltr">
        <p dir="ltr">
            Maybe I need an HR person?
        </p>
    </li>
    <li dir="ltr">
        <p dir="ltr">
            How many HR people exactly will my growing business need?
        </p>
    </li>
</ul>
<p dir="ltr">
    And round and round we go.
</p>
<p dir="ltr">
    Of course, there is always the sensitive matter of perhaps outsourcing some
    of the work, which is a whole other can of worms.
</p>
<p dir="ltr">
    Your current team should also be behind you when you decide to scale. Going
    from three to a dozen people may not seem like a big deal, but long-evolved
    internal culture can be shattered within days.
</p>
<p dir="ltr">
    No matter how you cut it, you will need to have a good, long think before
    you even start moving on the personnel-scaling front.
</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">
    It’s also a bit about money
</h2>
<p dir="ltr">
    The fact that you are considering scaling your web design business means
    that you probably have a steady cash flow and that your financial situation
    is not in mere survival mode anymore. You might even be feeling
    comfortable.
</p>
<p dir="ltr">
    Well, you shouldn’t be.
</p>
<p dir="ltr">
    Scaling a business is an expensive endeavor, even if youʼre being really
    stingy.
</p>
<p dir="ltr">
    We already mentioned hiring new people. Those people will need to be paid.
    Do you know how to weigh the need for new people with the expected growth
    in revenue?
</p>
<p dir="ltr">
    You will need to find the money for the marketing push that will bring you
    new clients.
</p>
<p dir="ltr">
    You might need to find new offices and equipment. And pay for them.
</p>
<p dir="ltr">
    As your business continues to grow, it will need more money, which will, in
    turn, cause new complications which will, in turn, require more money…
</p>
<p dir="ltr">
    You get the gist.
</p>
<p dir="ltr">
    If you’re not really comfortable with the money aspect of running a
    business, talk to someone who is. Consultants and advisors may cost you
    some money (see, more money needed), but they can save you a ton in the
    long run.
</p>
<p dir="ltr">
    Be careful, however. Not all of them are the same. Find someone who
    understands growing businesses,
    <a href="https://www.cubefunder.com/blog/flexible-business-finance/">
        different types of financing options
    </a>
    , and preferably the tech industry too.
</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">
    Promotion, promotion, promotion
</h2>
<p dir="ltr">
    You can have the best team in the world and the soundest business model for
    the future but they won’t do you much good unless you attract new clients
    for your web design business.
</p>
<p dir="ltr">
    To do that, you will need to promote yourself, and do it in more ways than
    one. This is the marketing push weʼve talked about, and more.
</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">
    Build trust
</h3>
<p dir="ltr">
    When selling web design services, the key to attracting clients is trust.
    There are far too many “web design agencies” out there, with the levels of
    expertise and track records below subpar.
</p>
<p dir="ltr">
    Your potential clients need to know you are not one of those.
</p>
<p dir="ltr">
    Your website is the first contact your potential new clients will have with
    your company and it goes without saying it has to show what you can do. Who
    would trust a web design agency whose website is an abomination from 2006?
</p>
<p dir="ltr">
    And yet, you wouldn’t believe how many of those exist out there.
</p>
<p dir="ltr">
    Make sure to make your past clients’ testimonials one of the focal points
    of your website. If you’ve won any awards or have certifications that you
    think would also build trust, feature those prominently too.
</p>
<p dir="ltr">
    Your blog is another way to show your expertise. Cover new, challenging
    topics. Show off your work. You might also consider writing for other
    publications (such as dev.to). Get your name and the name of your company
    out there.
</p>
<p dir="ltr">
    Hosting events, such as
    <a
        href="https://dev.to/cristinaruth/5-minute-guide-to-organizing-your-own-tech-meetup-1lg0"
    >
        meetups
    </a>
    or free classes, can also be a great way to promote your company and the
    expertise of your team.
</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">
    Build networks
</h3>
<p dir="ltr">
    Before scaling, most web design companies get most of their business
    through word of mouth. Mostly, however, this just happens and itʼs not
    something youʼre really active with.
</p>
<p dir="ltr">
    Well, if you want to scale – you have to get active.
</p>
<p dir="ltr">
    Reach out to companies from industries that intersect with yours – graphic
    designers, marketing agencies, IT solutions companies. Believe it or not,
    companies such as accounting firms and the likes can also bring you new
    business. Youʼll probably want to work out some kind of a
    <a href="https://www.workamajig.com/blog/agency-referral-system">
        referral/commission system
    </a>
    for this.
</p>
<p dir="ltr">
    Local small business associations and chambers of commerce are often
    overlooked when, in fact, they can be a great source of new business.
</p>
<h3 dir="ltr">
    Try a bit of paid advertising
</h3>
<p dir="ltr">
    Paid advertising usually doesn’t work best for web design agencies. Sure,
    if you do your targeting perfectly and find the right channels to find just
    the people looking for services such as yours, you might get some results.
</p>
<p dir="ltr">
    In reality, however, you will most likely be doing the same as a dozen
    agencies in your area, you will have trouble differentiating yourself, and
    you’ll end up spending far too much money for lukewarm leads, at best.
</p>
<p dir="ltr">
    Don’t knock it off without trying, but don’t expect too much from it.
</p>
<h2 dir="ltr">
    Final thoughts
</h2>
<p dir="ltr">
    Scaling any business is not an easy task, web design definitely included.
    Be slow and methodical. Be very careful with your money and your team.
    Never stop thinking about ways to make new clients. Last but certainly not
    least, understand that you don’t know everything and that there are people
    who can help you.
</p>
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