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Finding Prospective Customers
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Shake A Hand
Finding new, prospective customers in today’s fast-paced world has become easier than ever before. There are now so many different ways to get out there and "shake a hand" that you shouldn't have any problems finding fifty or even one hundred potential customers each and every month. Now when we say "shake a hand", we're describing any activity where you use your exceptional people skills to introduce yourself and your remarkable Web site product to a new prospect. Although you may not realize it, you encounter great opportunities to "shake a hand" and find new prospective customers every single day.

How many times have you walked into a store or office and actually seen the company's URL prominently displayed for customers and visitors? Hardly ever! This is a perfect opportunity to introduce yourself to the business owner and share your knowledge of the Internet and e-commerce to help them understand why they need a Web site.

How about your cousin from Charlotte that just started his own plumbing business? You want him to succeed, don't you? Why not use your expertise in online marketing and advertising to help ensure that his business does well. Just give him a call and let him know that when he gets a site (and he WILL get a Web site at some point in time), you’ve got a multi-million dollar Web site solution you can give him a great deal on.

What about local strip malls and shopping centers? You are almost guaranteed to find dozens of small- and mid-sized businesses that don't have a Web site yet. The best part is that many of these businesses have already looked into buying a site in the past, but just ran into the same problems that most small businesses have-expensive, inflexible Web sites that require way too much money month after month to keep them fresh and up-to-date. Fortunately for them, you have a cost-effective Web site solution that encompasses everything they need to develop a professional, successful online presence, complete with e-commerce functionality.

What about the 22.9 million businesses all across the United States? Just open up a phone book for any city in the country, and you have instant access to thousands of businesses that need your help getting online! If you come across an ad in the Yellow Pages that doesn't have a URL posted in the ad, you've just found a business willing to spend money to promote itself, and in desperate need of a Web site.

Anyone that is serious about the long-term success of their business should be able to see the value in owning a Web site. If you want to get them thinking about buying a site before you approach them, use this little trick to plant a seed and create a need: call the business posing as a customer and ask them for their Web address; when they say they don't have a Web site, say something like "Really?! That's too bad. I am looking for a part for my sprinkler system, and I was just trying to do some quick comparison shopping from home. I'll just try Lawn and Garden Depot's Web site. Thanks, anyway." When you contact them a few days later about your complete Web site solution, you shouldn't have much trouble getting them to agree to a walkthrough presentation.

Still need more ideas on finding prospects? One of the easiest and most effective ways to find new prospects is through networking. Just join a few different business or professional associations in your area, and you will literally find yourself surrounded by local business owners that are very interested in the services you offer. If you can deliver a great Web site at an even better price, your new customers will be more than happy to provide you with an almost endless stream of new business by referring their family, friends, and business associates.

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