Here are 14 simple ways to find website design clients easily
Here are some easy, simple and bold ways to “find new web design clients“. As a website designer agency i run in Phoenix, AZ, I’ve been using these ways to get new customers that are interested to have a website designed for their business, office, or persoanl use.
- Redesign and Pitch – Find a local business with an outdated site, redesign it, then offer it for sale. This works best for simple service businesses (barbers, cafes, plumbers) where the site is a brochure, not a complex system.
- Personal Network Outreach – Write down 100 people you know and let them know you’re building a design business. It’s not about selling to them but about making sure you’re top of mind when they hear, “My cousin is starting a business and needs a website.”
- Personalised Video Audit – Pick a business with a bad site, record a short Loom video pointing out improvements, and end by saying you’d be happy to help if they ever want to update it. The key is to be helpful, not condescending.
- Spec Work Portfolio – If you don’t have clients yet, choose a niche you want to serve (such as restaurants, yoga studios, or coaches). Create three fake businesses in that niche and design full sites for them. This provides you with a portfolio tailored to the type of clients you want to attract.
- Social Media Engagement – Follow businesses on Instagram, LinkedIn, or wherever they’re active. Comment on posts, share encouragement, and eventually introduce yourself as a designer who can help improve their online presence. It’s more natural than cold pitching.
- Freelance Marketplaces – Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or Toptal can work, but competition is tough. The people who succeed usually respond very fast to job posts (within minutes), and they write proposals that speak directly to the client’s pain points instead of copying and pasting a generic pitch.
- Job Boards – Check sites like We Work Remotely, Remote OK, Angel List, Dribbble, Behance, or even Reddit job boards. These aren’t always goldmines, but sometimes a single posting can lead to a long-term client.
- AI Research and Pitching – You can actually ask ChatGPT to suggest businesses in your niche that might need a redesign, then draft a pitch for them. It’s not perfect, but it can save time on research and give you ideas for whom to approach.
- Local Networking – Old-school but still effective. Walk around town, join your chamber of commerce, or host a free workshop on “what makes a good website”. You’d be surprised how many small businesses still rely on word of mouth and will trust someone local.
- Partnerships and Referrals – Connect with people in adjacent fields (photographers, copywriters, marketers) or even other designers. If they get a project that’s not their fit, they might pass it on to you. I’m starting here because I already know a few people in related industries.
- Direct Outreach with a Gift – Pick a few businesses you’d love to work with, research them, and send something thoughtful in the post. It could be a book on their industry with a note, or something small that shows you understand their work. It’s a long shot, but it can make you stand out.
- Educational Content Marketing – Share simple, useful advice like “5 things every homepage needs” or “3 mistakes to avoid when launching a site.” You don’t need to be an influencer, just consistent. People trust designers who teach rather than only sell.
- Join Online Communities – Hang out in communities where business owners and entrepreneurs spend time (Facebook groups, Reddit subs, Slack communities). Answer questions, share resources, and help people. Over time, some will reach out to you.
- Combine Multiple Methods – Most people don’t stick with just one. Try a mix, figure out which ones feel natural to you, and drop the ones that don’t.