Top 10 Secrets to Boost Your Web Development Business!!

This is for real and not just a “Copy-Pasted” or “Improvised” content. I’m literally going to share some successful business strategies which will help you Boost your Web Development Business. Here I go…

About 9 years back when I started my journey as a Web Developer, I had several questions in my mind such as, if this was a right decision? Which Platform or Technology to pick? Which Technology will have more demand in the future? And more importantly, How to run a successful Web Development Business? (Service and Product Based) A business that at least helps you make $100k a year.

After spending almost a decade in Web Development Industry, learning dozens of programming languages, with a bunch of awards, nominations, successful online products and recognition, I thought I should share some of my Secrets to Run a Successful Web Development Business.

1.???Master One Technology

“I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.”????????? -Bruce Lee

We all know about this famous quote, which a developer or agency should see as: “Prospects will hire you for the proficiency in the language you use often than other tools/technologies you just know about”.

For example, I know many technologies but 60% of my clients hire me to develop/customize WordPress Websites & Plugins and hence the technology covers almost 50% of my portfolio including my personal premium WordPress Plugins on CodeCanyon (Envato).

2.???Keep learning about Latest Technologies and Coding Languages.

I developed my first website on ASP.NET framework when I was at University of Rochester and joined the first company as a ASP.NET developer after bachelors. Things as per me were changing then in 2011 and I saw more potential in PHP Frameworks, which made me take a turn and I joined a digital agency as a Php Developer. Gradually I learned JavaScript based Frameworks such as Angular.js, Node.js, React.js and Express.js. I’ve been now learning about cross platform app development. Any individual or agency offering development services of php frameworks such as Laravel, CodeIgniter, CakePhp, Yii, and Symphony.

Benefit: The more technologies you know, the more projects you can acquire.

3.???Build a Product (A MUST to earn Passive Income and Reputation)

“If you don’t find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die.” — Warren Buffett

Build your own product(s) to generate passive income! The “Product” here could be a Publication, an Open Source Code, a Plugin, a Theme, an Extension, a Blog, a Book, an App or a Website.?

In 2013, I published my very first premium plug-in on CodeCanyon (An Envato Marketplace) and now after 5 year, I have 22 Top Rated WP Plugins there crossing 8500+ product(s) sales. I was very fortunate to have taken this step in the very first place, as now I receive dozens of inquiries on my plugin support portal to customize and build Websites and Plugins. Same Business has helped me expand my Team, Resources and a Potential Web Development Portfolio.

If you want to start a plugin business then here’s my article on How to start a WordPress Plugin Business

4.???Rich Marketing Materials

As they say,

? “The First Impression is the Last Impression”

Your Marketing Materials play an important role and leaves a high impact on prospects during end-end Sales Process and Project Management. Starting with your Portfolio, Flyers, Email templates, Brochures, Social Banners to Sales Documents such as Proposal, Scope of Work, Software Requirement Specifications, Change Request, etc. I usually get compliments and consideration from the prospects I send proposals to develop websites.

5.???Get Recognition

Most of the Web Software Companies or Platforms offer you to be their official partners or Consultants. For ex., Magento offers a Partnership Program and so do companies like Microsoft, Shopify, Google, Facebook etc. offer one too. So let’s say when you get tags like Magento Gold Partner, Microsoft Silver Partner, it is more likely that a prospect will consider you over other developer or agencies

Personally, I’m recognized as one of the top trusted WordPress Plugin Development consultant on EasyDigitalDownload’s official website.

6.???Achievements and Credits

Another point for a prospect to consider you, Show them that you are the BEST!?Send your best entries to the Web Development & Design Competitions such as, Awwwards, CSS Design Awards, The Webby Awards, CSS Awards, One Page Love, CSS Winner etc.

Benefit: There are a lot of underrated talented web developers and agencies around but they don’t get enough exposure sometimes because of lack of marketing knowledge, poor search rankings, part-time or full-time jobs etc. But the websites like awwwards, css design awards, webby, css awards have heavy traffic and best search rankings for hundreds of keywords. Personally, I have been also getting inquiries from my nominated website’s page on Awwwards.

So far, I have achieved below Titles

• Nominee – Awwwards (2014)
• Nominee – CSS Design Awards (2017)
• Outstanding Achievement – Interactive Media Awards (2012)
• Nominee – CFA Technology Awards (2016)

7.???Social Selling

Get on Social Media Networks like LinkedIN, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and promote your services and products there. Lately I have been focusing a lot on this medium and every month I get about 30% of my business from LinkedIN. While Facebook, Instagram help you market your online products more. Here are some tips to promote your business on Social Media

• Build a best and professional looking web developer’s or web agency’s profile
• Create your identity, be transparent, let people know who you are and how you can benefit them.
• Use Relevant Keywords, Professional Picture, and Attractive Banners to attract traffic.
• Reach out to maximum Potential Prospects
• Keep posting Informative Content
• Keep in touch with potential prospects, interact with their posts and follow up with them on?regular basis
• Get Recommendations or Testimonials
• Be Consistent

8.???Build a Strong Network of Web Development and Marketing Professionals

You should also connect with other developers with different skillset and Web Marketing Professionals within the same industry. Let’s say if you’re a PHP Developer, you should also connect with Asp.net developers, JavaScript developers, Web Designers, SEO experts, e-mail marketing experts etc. Get to know about their backgrounds, markets, audience, technologies and trade referrals with them.

I do this a lot and often get referrals and recommendations.

9.???Outsourcing (Onshore/Offshore)

In above point I mentioned to build a strong network of developers with various talents. I mainly focus on website development but sometimes I also get inquiries from my clients/prospects to develop Mobile Apps. I use my connections and their help to deliver them.

Since I’m an immigrant in United States over 9 years now, I have deep roots in the IT industry of India. I own an offshore development center in India with highly experienced developers providing support to my WP Plug-in Users. Being a developer, I can get the best out of any coder and as a Startup; it helps me save a lot to save the development costs.

There are offshore centers out there offering their developers for $1400 a month. Although you have to be very careful while choosing one, there are frauds out there too. :D

10.?SEO

This is something that most of you know but do not follow. SEO plays a very important role. It takes time to lift your rankings on google, but definitely helps a lot. Keep posting informative content and blogs to increase traffic on your website. You’ll find more information online on this, as there are experts who can guide you more on this than me.

Synopsis

These top 10 secrets will help you lead a very stable web development business. If you liked your article then please provide your valuable comments and share with fellow developers and agencies. Let us make this place better for the new professionals joining the industry :)