5 Ways To Get Webflow Clients (Trying & Failing)

I'm trying my best to generate leads for Macu Studio. And it's going semi-well. Here's are the different approaches we're taking to get Webflow clients:

‍

1) Past clients

2) Partnerships

3) Content

4) Social Media

5) Case Studies

‍

Some context for you:

My role is to try and get leads and also do the sales calls. I have tried to distill all the incredible advice I've got from 80+ Webflowers as well as applying what I learnt from my time working at Edgar Allan.

‍

After a lot of conversations with Arnau Ros (who owns the agency) and the rest of our small team, we agreed we essentially wanted to work with small teams on CMS based, SEO focussed transformative Webflow projects. This means we wanted our marketing efforts to be focussed on attracting clients that:

1. Want to either build their website new in Webflow or migrate their website to Webflow
2. Are trying to add to the world and align with our values (eg. not involved in shadiness)
3. Want to scale their business and are ambitious (these type of companies give us energy).

‍

We wanted to have a big impact with over a short space of time and help get them to the next level.

‍

However, another important audience for Macu are the designers and developers already in the Webflow space. These were vital to help provide resources, content and opportunities which I'll explain more in this article.

‍

I hope this article helps inspire you to try out different marketing tactics that I hope work for you to attract Webflow clients!

‍

Bit of context to Macu Studio

In Macu, we're just starting out. In fact, we haven't even been doing the studio for 2 months.

‍

Arnau Ros is generating leads via his YouTube channel and aims to convert them for the agency. As a small team, I'm tasked with attracting leads and also doing sales calls. While we're navigating the client acquisition process, we're striving to be the no 1 Webflow agency in Spain for CMS Webflow websites. I've learnt a lot of this from Slam Media Lab's course so check that out too if interested in deeper dives on client aquisition and more.

‍

Ok, let's dive in to the 5 methods we're trying to attract clients with:

‍

1) Previous clients

I know that I bang on about this all the time in podcast episodes (like this most recent ep with Tim Janes & Dan Foster) etc but I truly think hitting up previous clients is incredibly powerful. They already know what you're about. If you've worked well together, they like you, know you and trust you.

‍

When you’ve already worked with someone, you've laid down that foundational trust. They know you're not just all talk. You've delivered, and that counts for a lot. This doesn't just make things smoother; it often leads to more open, exciting projects because they trust your process and your vision.

‍

Reaching out to previous clients when you’re starting a Webflow agency (or really, any business) isn't just about getting work. It's about rekindling those professional relationships where trust already exists. It’s the path of least resistance to getting that crucial initial traction. Plus, who knows? They might just need something new, or they could refer you to someone who does.

‍

I massively recommend the course from Slam Media Labs entitled How to Start an Agency [Course & 20+ Templates] where I learnt how to do reach out to contacts effectively,

‍

Actions

• Ask your past clients if they know anyone like them that might be interested in your services
• Make a massive spreadsheet list of everyone you have ever worked with/know
• Make columns for name, last name, personalised line, email
• Use GMass to send out emails and reminder emails
• Get creative with the personalised line!

‍

An email reaching out might look like this:

Hey there [name],

‍

Hope you're doing well! It's been a while since we've worked together, and I just wanted to reach out and see how things are going for you.

‍

I'm excited to let you know that our Webflow agency has been growing steadily, and we have some exciting new projects in the works. I wanted to see if you or anyone you know might be in need of our services.

‍

Of course, no pressure at all - just thought I'd check in and say hello! It would be great to catch up and see how we can support each other's businesses.

‍

Best,

[Your name]

‍

Another great way to reconnect with previous clients is through social media. Follow them on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram and engage with their content. Yes, this may be longer term rather than as direct as emailing directly but by staying in touch is a healthy way of staying top of mind.

‍

Keep in mind that building relationships takes time and effort, so don't expect immediate results. Be patient and consistent in your outreach, and you'll see the benefits of reconnecting with previous clients.

‍

Remember, trust and familiarity are powerful assets in the business world, and by leveraging your existing network, you can open doors to new opportunities. So don't be afraid to reach out and reconnect with old clients – you never know where it may lead!

‍

2) Partnerships

Instead of just trying to get clients on your own, why not consider partnering with others that may have clients of their own and support?

‍

This may be quite an ad-hoc way of getting work if it's with other freelancers in your network or potentially, it could be a more formal agreement with more established agencies.

‍

Let's say you strike up a partnership with a branding studio that needs web development support. You can potentially have some sort of agreement which works well for you both like you will offer them commission for bringing you client work.

‍

On the flip side, if you get a development project but need brand identity work done, you can also receive that same commission rate.

‍

The way I look at this whole thing is that if you can help other creatives thrive, the more they will try and help you thrive.

‍

Massively underrated tip - joining a co-working space has hugely helped me make partnerships.

In fact, when I was working at Crafted Studios, I worked in a co-working space called Common Fiction. What's crazy is that I actually got the chance to bring this website project to Crafted Studios as a result of that relationship and trust that I had built with the owners of the co-working space, Mark and Jade.

The other advantage of this is your work will just be better -> happy clients -> more referrals -> better work -> happy clients -> more referrals -> better work  etc.

‍

It's important to note that it's not reasonable to try and partner with a massive studio if you're not particularly established yourself but if you're a freelancer, you can potentially just partner or make an agreement with other freelancers.

‍

Since Macu studio has just started and we're yet to prove ourselves, we are not in a position to reach out to huge partners.

‍

However, establishing important relationships with people we would love to work with one day has been a great way to start off getting clients.

‍

Obviously, the podcast helps with this but there are actions that you can take.

‍

There are some incredible people in the Webflow space who are particularly skilled at one particular part of the client process.

‍

Here are some examples of people you could aspire to partner with (eventually...)

‍

Goodside Studio

These guys are renowned for making the most gorgeous brand identities.

‍

Matt Evans & Ailin Tobin

Technical Webflowers and Visual Div podcast hosts

‍

Black Pepper Studio

Ridiculously beautiful visual websites

‍

Finsweet

Technically advanced websites and capable of building anything in and on top of Webflow

‍

Refokus

These guys are known for websites which have 3D coming out their ears.

‍

Join Communities

Wrote an article about this here but the power joining communities is massive for formin partnerships and collaborations!

‍

Actions

• Make a list of people you would LOVE to work with
• Connect with them on socials
• Sign up to their newsletters and reply to them
• Join communities
• Be a curious interested human and crazy stuff will happen

Check out this part of my interview with Kayleigh Flaherty that explains this best:

‍

3) Affiliate Scheme

We haven't had so much success from this (yet) but I think this is a vastly under-utilised tactic to get client work.

‍

People trust recommendations from their friends way more than any ad or cold call. After working with clients, potentially this affiliate scheme could be introduced to them, or influential people in your network.

‍

Imagine meeting someone who can help bring leads to the agency eg. someone is in the world of startup companies

‍

You become friends and you explain that you give commission to people that bring work to the agency.

‍

Now I'm not saying that this will be a consistent lead source but as a previous mentor of mine constantly said, "always plant seeds," You never know what might happen!

‍

Actions

• Decide on a fair affiliate scheme and process eg. 10% of project if project comes through
• Can say affiliate scheme for passing clients on or how you would love to collaborate on future projects together
• Research potential partners and reach out to them through social media or mutual connections
• Attend networking events and conferences to meet potential partners in person
• Offer value first by providing free resources or advice to potential partners before pitching a partnership
• Clearly outline the benefits of the partnership for both parties involved, emphasizing the added value it can bring to clients.
• Keep communication lines open and maintain a good relationship with partners to ensure a successful partnership.
• Continuously assess the effectiveness of partnerships and make necessary adjustments to improve results.
• Be open to collaborating with different types of businesses, not just those in the same industry. This can bring fresh perspectives and widen your network.
• Foster a culture of collaboration within your agency by encouraging team members

‍

3) Content Creation

Articles

What do I mean by content creation?

‍

Making whatever form of content you feel comfortable making, making a plan and doing it consistently.

‍

Blogs, videos, podcasts - whatever!

‍

As long as it provides value to others, it's valuable and worth doing.

‍

Why I believe content creation is worth doing.

1. SEO benefits - creating articles or videos and targeting key words, people will find you through organic search. We use Clicks.So for keyword research and I must say it's banging
2. Clarification of ideas - by sharing value by teaching what you do, you will be forced to nail down your systems and processes
3. Cements thought leadership - by openly talkig about design and development, you will be seen as someone with expertise and worth hiring
4. Relationships and trust - The more people see you on their social media feeds, get to know you, how you work etc, they will be more likely to work with you
5. Social Media content - all this content provides high value social media content. No more wondering about what to post
6. Social benefits - you get opportunities like being invited on other people's podcasts!

‍

Document what you do and why you do it and you attract opportunities.

‍

Wild story - we actually closed a client directly from sending an article to them after a sales call. The article outlined our process and showed we cared deeply about systems and processes which is what the client was looking for!

‍

I find it strange that people will put months in to creating a website for a client and share 1 tweet with a link to the new website that they have proudly published for their client.

‍

What about all the research? Design thinking? Pain points with the client and how that was worked through? Brand identity design? Wireframing? SEO strategy?

‍

There's so much that is being done to do the client work and I find it's far easier to get work when you not only show the finished website but the process to get there but also clear metrics of success after the project is finished.

‍

So, document and share what you do - whether it's content to help other creatives to develop trust and potentially create collaboration opportunities or snippets about the pain points that the client faced, share it!

‍

I try and tweet and post on LinkedIn every day - it's not always super in depth but I firmly believe consistently being seen doing intentional work leads to opportunities.

‍

Designer Insights

Moving on to designer insights, we are repurposing Arnau's recent videos into informative blog posts. The interesting part is that we are already gaining traction for specific keywords, gradually building our online presence.

‍

Of course, Arnau is bringing traffic to the site from his hundreds of videos anyway.

‍

By the way, Arnau did this epic video sharing some thoughts on agency approach here:

‍

While this may seem like a small step, creating content helps by attracting visitors to our page can potentially convert them into leads, offering them valuable insights into design and potentially sparking interest in collaborating with us.

It's a long-term strategy, but leveraging Arnau's extensive content library gives me confidence it will work in the long term.

‍

Guest Posting

As you know, backlinks are powerful for SEO. Doing guest posts with reputable online publications are huge for credibility and helping your domain authority.

‍

Pitching to different publications, writing articles and then linking back to your website can be a great way of getting a network effect of traffic to your website.

‍

Now, I'm not saying this is the answer to all your prayers to get clients but it's certainly helpful to for social proof.

‍

Actions

• Become a documentarian - share what you're learning as you're learning
• You don't have to have all the answers but start sharing helps create advocacy
• Hit record if your doing anything useful or your notepad open - often, the most relatable content comes from real-life scenarios or those "aha" moments that hit you out of nowhere. It's about showing your process, the good, the bad, and the absolutely bonkers, because it's all part of the creative journey.
• Tap into your network for guest content - collaboration isn't just for big projects. Get a buddy to do a "day in the life" swap or share insights on a challenge you both face. It's about mixing up your content with fresh perspectives and maybe a laugh or two along the way.

If you're writing articles:

• Keyword research - low competition and high value keywords
• Research top articles for those keywords for inspiration, structure and content format
• Create content that is unique and original
• Upload content regularly - consistency is key
• Key updating articles to make sure content is fresh
• If you write about or reference other people, let them know! They may well share it
• Use social media platforms to share and promote content
• Engage with audience through comments and discussions
• Collaborate with other websites or influencers for cross-promotion opportunities.

‍

‍

4) Social Media

Ok, this may be too obvious to say but all this sexy content your making provides insanely powerful social media posts.

‍

If you are genuinely trying to help people get from A to B with your content, a lot of opportunities will come.

‍

Check out Ayush Soni talk about the power of frequently posting visual content on socials here!

‍

We post daily on Twitter and LinkedIn. We're posting design and development related content mainly on Twitter and more content focussed on attracting decision makers in SME's.

‍

The real magic happens when we're able to dish out so much value online that folks can't help but think of us first whenever they need some digital wizardry.

‍

It's all about keeping Macu Studio top of mind for potential clients by loading up our social feeds with killer content. Think of it like keeping a constant stream of goodies flowing—tips, tricks, insights — if it's gonna make someone's digital life easier with Webflow, we're all over it.

‍

This way, when they're ready to pull the trigger on a new project or revamp something old, who do you think they'll remember first? Yep, us. It's like we're creating our own digital breadcrumb trail, leading right back to our doorstep, ready to welcome them in.

‍

You know what's wild? Posting on personal social media accounts often packs a bigger punch than using a company account. It's like when you hear a recommendation from a buddy versus a billboard—it just hits different. People vibe with the human element; they relate to stories and faces more than logos and taglines. So we try and post on our company accounts AND our personal accounts to amplify marketing efforts.

‍

Extra tip - if you're part of an agency, make sure everyone's in on the action. Encourage your colleagues to share and post too. When folks see your team geeking out over the latest project or sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses, it doesn't just showcase your work—it builds a community around your brand.

‍

Plus, it's a cool way to make sure your agency's vibe and values are echoing through every post, shared by the very people who live and breathe it every day.

Actions

• Create a content marketing calendar
• Share snippets of what you're working on as you're working
• Read This Is Marketing by Seth Godin
• Videos work better for engagement than photos but include too
• Toss in some fun facts or tips related to your field
• Remember to engage back with your followers. Like, comment, and share their content when they mention you. A little love goes a long way in building a strong, engaged community

‍

5) Case Studies

Lastly, we have our case studies. These are crucial because they go beyond just showcasing visually appealing work to clients.

‍

While aesthetics matter, what truly stands out are the results achieved. For instance, one of our clients secured over 340,000 British pounds in investments by presenting their MVP site to investors. This tangible success story adds real value to our portfolio and demonstrates our capabilities effectively.

‍

At Macu Studio, we're not just about making things look good; we're all about showing off the hard evidence that we've made things better for our clients.

‍

That's why, for every project we touch, we focus on juicy stats from analytics—think current conversion rates, how long people are hanging out on their site, and the tidal wave (or gentle stream) of traffic coming your way.

‍

It's like our own little before-and-after showcase, but with numbers and graphs that make both us and our clients do a happy dance.

‍

But hey, it's not all about the numbers. We also get down with our clients in video interviews to snag those powerful, heartfelt testimonials. Picture this: real-life clients sharing their journeys, the highs, the lows, and that sweet, sweet victory lap around the internet thanks to our efforts. It's the human touch that lets others peek into what it's like working with us—proving that behind every pixel, there's a team of folks sincerely rooting for your success.

‍

Actions

• Reach out to select clients who you have worked with who have stand out stories. These stories are like digital gold for our case studies.
• Organise interviews with past clients and try and arrange client calls - these will provide great video testimonials for website and social media
• Sit down with the data team to pull out those eye-popping before-and-after stats. We're talking major uplifts in user engagement or those sweet spikes in sales figures.
• Dig into the archives or the Wayback Machine for those dramatic visual changes. A picture speaks a thousand words, especially when it's showing off your Webflow wizardry.
• Schedule a brainstorming session for the most creative way to present these case studies. Maybe an interactive web page or a series of engaging social media posts? Let's get those creative juices flowing.
• Don't forget to highlight any technical challenges you overcame. These stories of triumph are super relatable and amp up the wow factor.
• Plan for a follow-up with clients post-case study release. It's a nice touch to keep them in the loop and maintain that warm relationship.

‍

What are we trying to do next?

1) Create downloadable resources to create emails

Alright, so why the big fuss about creating downloadables to grab those precious emails from startup clients, especially those on the lookout for website design and Webflow development support? Well, it's kinda like fishing with the right bait. These goodies not only lure startups in by offering value upfront but also give us a golden ticket into their inbox. It's here we can nurture our relationship, showcasing our expertise and eventually turning them into loyal clients.

Think of it as a win-win. Startups get to dip their toes in the water, tasting the quality of our services without the full commitment. And for us? We get to show off what we're made of, building trust and credibility right from the get-go.

Now, talking about which downloadables to dish out, you wanna strike a chord with what startup folks need the most. Templates for website design, a beginner's guide to Webflow, or even a checklist for launching their site can be real gems. These resources not only save them time but also give them a glimpse of our expertise and how much easier their life could be with our full support.

‍

2) Do a lot more guest posts

More eyes on our content mean more potential clicks back to our site.

Then there’s the networking part. By collaborating with startup websites and Webflow, we’re rubbing elbows with the movers and shakers in our industry. This isn’t just good for brand visibility; it’s great for building meaningful connections that can lead to all sorts of opportunities.

SEO perks. Dropping our knowledge bombs on other sites, especially with a little backlink action, is a thumbs up from search engines, signalling that we’re a credible source worth looking into.

‍

3) Adjust and track accordingly

We're being tight on what's working and not working. We're pivoting and iterating as we go which is vital.

‍

4) Double Down on Lead Sources, But Play the Long Game, Too

Once we've got a handle on where our leads are trickling in from, it's like finding a map to treasure. You wanna double down on those spots. Whether it's webinars, social media hustle, or those sweet, sweet downloadables, putting more oomph there is a no-brainer. But hey, don't forget about planting seeds for the future, too.

‍

Stuff like SEO and brand building? They're the slow cookers of marketing strategies. You won't see the fruits overnight, and that's chill. It's all about nurturing those long-term plays, a little water here, some sunshine there, and before you know it, you'll have a garden full of leads.

‍

Conclusion

As you can see, we're trying out various different approaches to get clients. What I've found is as much as you might make a plan, clients can come from anywhere so it's worth testing out different approaches and seeing what works for you!

‍

What approaches are you taking to get clients? Would be fascinated to know! Email me info@jackredley.design