LOCAL MARKET GEMS The Web Designer’s Guide To Pro table Niches As web designers, we face the growing challenge of customers who want cheap websites and view our web design services as a commodity. As clients prioritize the lowest price over quality, Lee Blue it's clear that the old way of doing business is no longer sustainable. fi fi This handbook will guide you through the process of de ning your target audience. It includes guiding principles for selecting high-value clients and over 30 examples of great local niches. De ning The Perfect Niche Local businesses that have face-to-face interactions with their customers present a great opportunity for web designers today. Focusing on serving local niches with your own proprietary, outcomedriven solution positions you to generate the business results your clients need while also building a steady stream of revenue for yourself. This is what I call developing your Solution First Agency, and it is at least 3x more pro table than the traditional approach to web design. Today, the value has shifted off of the implementation of technical services and onto the generation of business results. The game changer is that with your Solution First Agency, each client gets both a website and a monthly marketing plan for their business. The monthly recurring revenue makes a massive difference in how pro table your business is. $10,000 Clients For example, we charge $100/month for hosting, maintenance, and up to one hour of support. We also aim to get every client on at least a $500/month marketing plan. That creates a minimum of $600/month of recurring revenue. Over 12 months, that’s $7,200 of additional revenue. That means your Solution First Agency turns what would have been a $3,000 one-time website project into a $10,200 client! That’s literally over 3x more pro table… and that’s just the beginning! fi fi fi fi fi Let’s take a look at how you can nd high-value clients looking for this kind of help. Five Criteria for Ideal Clients To ensure you are targeting the most pro table clients, focus on local businesses that meet these ve criteria: Business to Consumer or Business to Small Business These types of clients have customers that are easy to reach with digital marketing tools making it easier to get your clients in front of their ideal customers. Clients With $1,000 Customers Target clients with customers that have an annual value of at least $1,000. When your client has high-value customers, you can generate signi cant revenue for them without needing a high volume of transactions. Businesses With $100,000 Annual Revenue Potential fi fi fi Work with clients whose businesses can generate over $100,000 per year, even if they're not there yet. This ensures that the value of your solution aligns with their marketing budget. If a business is not capable of generating at least $100,000 per year, it doesn’t make sense for them to spend $10,000 or more on their marketing. Quick Decision Makers Target clients that can make quick decisions, avoiding lengthy board meetings and complex, time-consuming decision-making processes. Businesses With Repeat Clients Focus on businesses whose customers are likely to be repeat buyers. Repeat buyers are more likely to meet the $1,000 annual value requirement. Also, businesses that have repeat clients tend to be more pro table and capable of generating signi cantly more than $100,000 per year. fi fi Dentists and orthodontists often have high-value patients, and their patients require ongoing dental services, making them great clients for web design and digital marketing services. Developing Your Solution The secret to a successful Solution First Agency is developing your solution upfront and then showcasing the business results it can create for your clients. Here's how to make this shift in ve steps. 1. Identify a speci c problem Find a common challenge faced by your ideal clients and develop a solution that addresses it. 2. Create your proprietary solution Build a solution that delivers the outcome your clients need while showcasing your web design and digital marketing expertise. 3. Focus on results Clearly communicate the outcomes your client can expect once they have access to your solution. Emphasize the business results they get, not the technical services you perform. 4. Develop a compelling pitch Craft a persuasive pitch that highlights your client’s problem and shows how your solution creates the outcome that they need. It’s not important for your client to know exactly how your solution works. The key to a successful pitch is making sure the client understands why your solution works. 5. Three pricing tiers fi fi Create a good, better, best pricing tier structure for your solution. The top tier includes everything your client needs to get the best results as fast as possible. The bottom tier only includes the bare minimum, highest priority features. The middle tier is the sweet spot. Be prepared for most clients to start with the middle option. They can always upgrade to the top tier later. High-Ticket Local Niches Dental Practices Dentists and orthodontists often have high-value patients, and their patients require ongoing dental services, making them great clients for web design and digital marketing services. Local Fitness Studios and Gyms These businesses cater to loyal, repeat customers and generally require visually appealing websites to showcase their facilities, class schedules, and membership options. Home Renovation and Improvement Services Residential contractors, such as kitchen and bathroom remodelers often have clients with high lifetime values and are likely to require ongoing marketing and lead generation services. Local Boutique Retail Shops Local boutique retailers often have customers with high lifetime values from repeat purchases. They also require visually appealing, user-friendly websites to showcase their products and potentially could include facilitating online sales. Self-Directed Medical Practices Local dermatologists, chiropractors, and physical therapists typically have high-value clients, and their clients often require ongoing services, making them ideal clients for web design services. Self-directed medical practices are ones where the patients are actively searching for their own doctors. This is in contrast to doctors like surgeons, who receive the majority of their clients through professional referrals. They can also bene t from HIPAA-compliant patient intake forms to streamline their work ow and reduce medical errors. Local Automotive Services Car repair shops and specialized automotive services, such as custom detailing or performance tuning, often have high-value clients and require professional websites to showcase their services. Their clients also tend to be repeat buyers. Pet Care Services fl fi Pet grooming, boarding, and training facilities often have loyal, repeat customers with high lifetime values and require visually appealing websites to showcase their services and facilities. They also need help with their social media presence and local SEO. Everybody loves to see cute pets! That helps generate leads. Local Specialty Food Stores Gourmet food shops, organic markets, and similar businesses serve a dedicated customer base and can bene t from online marketing to reach their target audience. Local Catering and Food Services Local catering companies and specialty food service providers often have high-value, repeat clients and require visually appealing websites to showcase their menus and services. Sharing food pictures on social media is also an effective way to build awareness and generate leads. Local Beauty and Spa Services Local hair salons, day spas, and beauty treatment centers typically have high-value clients, and their clients require ongoing beauty services, making them great prospects for web design and digital marketing services. Landscape Design and Maintenance Companies fi fi These businesses serve local customers with highvalue projects, such as custom garden designs and ongoing maintenance services, requiring a strong online presence to showcase their work. They can also bene t from a strong social media presence. Financial Advisory Services Local nancial planners and advisors offer high-value services to their clients, such as wealth management and retirement planning, and need a professional online presence to build trust with potential clients. They also tend to have long-term relationships with their clients. Tax Planning and Bookkeeping Services Local tax professionals and bookkeepers need an engaging online presence to showcase their expertise, build trust, and attract clients. Local SEO is also an important part of their online success. Portrait Photographers Professional photographers who specialize in weddings, bridal portraits, and special events need an attractive website to showcase their portfolio and attract new clients. They can also bene t from setting up customer portals to help sell prints and other tangible products using the pictures from their photo shoots. Local Day Spas and Wellness Centers fi fi fi These businesses offer premium services to customers in their immediate area, often have repeat clients, and bene t from an attractive online presence to entice new customers. Social media management and local SEO are also important. Nutritional Counseling and Coaching Nutritionists and health coaches offer high-value services to help their clients develop customized meal plans and achieve wellness goals. A professional website is crucial for attracting new clients. They can also bene t from a website that includes a private members area to share premium content with their clients behind a paywall. Holistic Health Practitioners Local acupuncturists, naturopaths, and other holistic health providers need an informative and engaging website to explain their services and attract new clients seeking alternative health solutions. They can also bene t from HIPAA-compliant patient intake forms to streamline their work ow and reduce medical errors. Weight Loss Coaches and Clinics fl fi fi These businesses offer high-value, personalized weight loss programs and ongoing support for their clients. A strong online presence is essential to showcase success stories and attract new clients. Social media management is also important. Pest Control Services Local pest control companies are very likely to have consistent business from repeat customers. A professional website is essential for showcasing their pest control solutions, explaining their methods, and attracting new clients. Google ads are also very effective. HVAC Services Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) companies offer services, such as installation, maintenance, and repair of HVAC systems. While the installation is a one-time event, the maintenance and repair services create loyal repeat customers. Consider helping them create a VIP subscription program that includes special perks for a recurring annual fee. Plumbing Services Local plumbing companies offer services, such as emergency repairs, installations, and maintenance. They often have repeat clients and thrive on word-of-mouth referrals. Create high-quality business cards for them that they can give to their customers to make it easier to refer a friend. A professional website is important for building trust and attracting new clients in need of plumbing solutions. Google ads work very well for local plumbers too. Lawn Care Services Local lawn care companies have long-term relationships with their clients. To make sure their customers feel comfortable and safe having these service providers at their homes, an engaging website is essential for showcasing their work, building trust, and attracting new leads. An active social media presence is also a great way to showcase their work and connect with new customers. Martial Arts Studios Local martial arts studios provide high-value training in various disciplines, such as karate, taekwondo, or Brazilian jiu-jitsu. A professional website is a great way to display class schedules, introduce instructors, and explain their training approach to attract new students. They should also be sharing student achievements and special events on social media. Yoga Studios Yoga studios offering services such as group classes, workshops, and private sessions need a strong website and social media presence for showcasing their classes, promoting events, and providing information on instructors and class styles. Dance Studios Local dance studios provide dance instruction in various styles, such as ballet, jazz, or hip-hop, for all ages and skill levels. They often have multi-year relationships with their students. An attractive website is very helpful for promoting class schedules, highlighting instructors’ expertise, and showcasing performances. Juice Bars Local juice bars offer health-focused products like coldpressed juices, smoothies, and acai bowls. A welldesigned website is necessary for highlighting their menu, showcasing the quality of their ingredients, and promoting any special offers or events. An online ordering system could also be an attractive feature for customers. Farmers Markets Farmers markets provide locally-sourced produce and artisanal products to their communities. A professional and visually appealing website is essential for promoting the market’s schedule, showcasing vendors, and sharing information about special events or promotions. The website can also serve as a platform for telling the stories of local farmers and artisans. Beauty Schools Local beauty schools provide education and training in various areas, such as cosmetology, esthetics, and makeup artistry. A well-designed website is crucial for showcasing the school’s programs, highlighting the quali cations of instructors, and providing information on tuition and nancial aid. The website can also feature success stories of alumni and help prospective students understand the career opportunities available to them after completing the program. Of course, social media management plays a big role in their marketing as well. Residential Cleaning Services fi fi Local residential cleaning businesses offer services such as regular home cleaning, deep cleaning, and move-in/move-out cleaning. A professional and visually appealing website is essential for displaying the range of services offered, promoting special offers or packages, and providing a simple way for potential customers to request a quote or book a cleaning appointment. The website can also highlight the company’s commitment to quality, eco-friendly cleaning practices, and exceptional customer service. Google ads are very effective too. Let’s Do It! Here’s What You Get: • Personalized guidance on how to land high-ticket clients • We’ll review your website and optimize it for lead generation • You’ll discover how to package and price $10,000+ solutions • Exclusive access to and training from our SEO white-label team • Con dence that no matter what comes up, we’ve got your back! The goal is for Blue Theory to be the best mentoring program for web designers who want to make 6- gures working from home with a laptop. I literally guarantee it. fi fi Get Instant Access