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7 Tips for Hiring a Sales Rep for Your Web Design Firm
Published on May 6, 2024
If you’re just launching your web design business with SiteSwan, chances are you are doing everything yourself. From building sites to contacting prospects, you’ll be wearing multiple hats and juggling different responsibilities. But when your website design firm begins to grow, you may find yourself needing to hire a sales rep to help sell website design services to small businesses. Hiring a sales rep who has a strong background in sales can help you maximize your sales efforts, expand your customer base and increase your earning potential. For those who struggle with sales, a dedicated sales rep can allow you to focus on the parts of the web design business that you truly enjoy and that you’re good at.
If you’re ready to take your web design business to the next level, here are seven tips to help you hire the right sales rep for your website design firm:
1. Look for people with sales experience in the web design industry
The ideal sales rep for a website design firm would be someone who has experience selling web design or related services to small businesses. Look for individuals who have sold websites or digital marketing services before, as they will already have a good understanding of the pitch and what it takes to sell to small businesses.
2. Post an ad on job sites
Write an ad that will resonate with your ideal candidate and generate their interest. Include information about your company, the job description, qualifications, and how to apply. Consider mentioning the perks of the job, such as the ability to work remotely and the compensation plan you will be offering. Post the ad on popular job sites such as Indeed, LinkedIn, Craigslist and Glassdoor.
3. Assess their sales skills
When interviewing potential sales reps, assess their sales skills and ask for examples of their previous sales successes. Ask them about their approach to lead generation, cold calling, and closing deals. You can even ask them to roleplay and recite a pitch as if you were a potential customer. Ensure they have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as well as a strong understanding of the sales process.
4. Offer a competitive compensation plan
Consider your financial situation when deciding on how you will pay your sales rep. You may choose to pay an hourly rate, a salary or commission-only. Commission-only sales reps are only paid when they make a sale, which is a good option for a growing business as it eliminates the risk of having to pay them if they don’t perform well. Commission-only jobs also offer more flexibility and the ability to work remotely.
Here’s a tip: If you decide to use a commission-only model, consider compensating a salesperson part or all of the setup fee that you charge your customers. For example; if you charge $500 for a basic 5-page website, you can give your sales rep $250 - $500 for each new client they bring onboard. That means if they sell just 2 websites per week they can earn $1000 each week. This is an attractive compensation plan that will not only keep a good salesperson motivated, but will also allow you to grow your web design business through recurring revenue in website monthly service fees.
5. Provide training and support
Provide your sales rep with the training and support they need to succeed. This can include sales scripts, brochures, and training on your company’s sales process. Consider providing them with leads to get started and ongoing support as needed.
You might even consider granting your salesperson to the Local Prospecting Tool so they can generate leads on their own. They can search for local businesses in your area to see which would be a good fit for a new website.
6. Look for someone who is self-motivated and independent
A successful sales rep will need to be self-motivated, have strong communication skills and be able to work independently. Look for individuals who are proactive, driven and have a positive attitude.
7. Set clear expectations and goals
Define your expectations and set clear sales goals for your sales rep. This can include targets for lead generation, appointments set, and sales made. Regularly check in with your sales rep to see how they are progressing and provide feedback and support as needed.
How to write a good job listing
The key to attracting the right sales rep is crafting a good job description. To write a good job listing, follow these steps:
• Define the Job Title and Description: Start by giving the position a clear and concise title, followed by a brief description of the role, responsibilities, and qualifications.
• Outline Key Responsibilities: List the main duties and responsibilities of the job, including tasks and projects that the successful candidate will be expected to complete.
• List Essential Skills and Qualifications: Specify the education, experience, and skills that the candidate must have to be considered for the role.
• Include Information About Your Company: Provide a brief overview of your company and its culture, as well as the benefits and perks of working there.
• Highlight the Compensation and Benefits Package: Mention the salary or hourly wage, as well as any benefits such as health insurance, paid time off, or flexible hours.
• Include Application Details: Let applicants know how to apply for the position, including the deadline for submissions and the contact information for the hiring manager.
• Use a Professional Tone: Use language that is professional, clear, and easy to understand. Avoid using abbreviations or jargon that may not be familiar to all readers.
• Proofread Carefully: Make sure to review the job listing for spelling and grammar errors before posting it. A well-written job listing can help attract high-quality candidates to your company.
Below is a sample job listing you can use for inspiration. It's simply designed to serve as a guide for crafting your own job listing. Be sure to customize it for your own company by adding your own company name, compensation structure and contact details.
If you’re just launching your web design business with SiteSwan, chances are you are doing everything yourself. From building sites to contacting prospects, you’ll be wearing multiple hats and juggling different responsibilities. But when your website design firm begins to grow, you may find yourself needing to hire a sales rep to help sell website design services to small businesses. Hiring a sales rep who has a strong background in sales can help you maximize your sales efforts, expand your customer base and increase your earning potential. For those who struggle with sales, a dedicated sales rep can allow you to focus on the parts of the web design business that you truly enjoy and that you’re good at.
If you’re ready to take your web design business to the next level, here are seven tips to help you hire the right sales rep for your website design firm:
1. Look for people with sales experience in the web design industry
The ideal sales rep for a website design firm would be someone who has experience selling web design or related services to small businesses. Look for individuals who have sold websites or digital marketing services before, as they will already have a good understanding of the pitch and what it takes to sell to small businesses.
2. Post an ad on job sites
Write an ad that will resonate with your ideal candidate and generate their interest. Include information about your company, the job description, qualifications, and how to apply. Consider mentioning the perks of the job, such as the ability to work remotely and the compensation plan you will be offering. Post the ad on popular job sites such as Indeed, LinkedIn, Craigslist and Glassdoor.
3. Assess their sales skills
When interviewing potential sales reps, assess their sales skills and ask for examples of their previous sales successes. Ask them about their approach to lead generation, cold calling, and closing deals. You can even ask them to roleplay and recite a pitch as if you were a potential customer. Ensure they have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as well as a strong understanding of the sales process.
4. Offer a competitive compensation plan
Consider your financial situation when deciding on how you will pay your sales rep. You may choose to pay an hourly rate, a salary or commission-only. Commission-only sales reps are only paid when they make a sale, which is a good option for a growing business as it eliminates the risk of having to pay them if they don’t perform well. Commission-only jobs also offer more flexibility and the ability to work remotely.
Here’s a tip: If you decide to use a commission-only model, consider compensating a salesperson part or all of the setup fee that you charge your customers. For example; if you charge $500 for a basic 5-page website, you can give your sales rep $250 - $500 for each new client they bring onboard. That means if they sell just 2 websites per week they can earn $1000 each week. This is an attractive compensation plan that will not only keep a good salesperson motivated, but will also allow you to grow your web design business through recurring revenue in website monthly service fees.
5. Provide training and support
Provide your sales rep with the training and support they need to succeed. This can include sales scripts, brochures, and training on your company’s sales process. Consider providing them with leads to get started and ongoing support as needed.
You might even consider granting your salesperson to the Local Prospecting Tool so they can generate leads on their own. They can search for local businesses in your area to see which would be a good fit for a new website.
6. Look for someone who is self-motivated and independent
A successful sales rep will need to be self-motivated, have strong communication skills and be able to work independently. Look for individuals who are proactive, driven and have a positive attitude.
7. Set clear expectations and goals
Define your expectations and set clear sales goals for your sales rep. This can include targets for lead generation, appointments set, and sales made. Regularly check in with your sales rep to see how they are progressing and provide feedback and support as needed.
How to write a good job listing
The key to attracting the right sales rep is crafting a good job description. To write a good job listing, follow these steps:
• Define the Job Title and Description: Start by giving the position a clear and concise title, followed by a brief description of the role, responsibilities, and qualifications.
• Outline Key Responsibilities: List the main duties and responsibilities of the job, including tasks and projects that the successful candidate will be expected to complete.
• List Essential Skills and Qualifications: Specify the education, experience, and skills that the candidate must have to be considered for the role.
• Include Information About Your Company: Provide a brief overview of your company and its culture, as well as the benefits and perks of working there.
• Highlight the Compensation and Benefits Package: Mention the salary or hourly wage, as well as any benefits such as health insurance, paid time off, or flexible hours.
• Include Application Details: Let applicants know how to apply for the position, including the deadline for submissions and the contact information for the hiring manager.
• Use a Professional Tone: Use language that is professional, clear, and easy to understand. Avoid using abbreviations or jargon that may not be familiar to all readers.
• Proofread Carefully: Make sure to review the job listing for spelling and grammar errors before posting it. A well-written job listing can help attract high-quality candidates to your company.
Below is a sample job listing you can use for inspiration. It's simply designed to serve as a guide for crafting your own job listing. Be sure to customize it for your own company by adding your own company name, compensation structure and contact details.
Job Title: Sales Representative
Company: Web Design Co.
Location: Remote / Anywhere
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: Earn $250 - $500 per client
Web Design Co. is seeking a highly motivated and results-driven Sales Representative to join our growing team. As a Sales Representative, you will play a critical role in developing and maintaining relationships with new and existing clients. You will be responsible for generating new business by identifying and pursuing new sales opportunities, as well as nurturing existing relationships to ensure customer satisfaction and retention.
Key Responsibilities:
Please submit your resume and cover letter to [insert email address] to apply.
Web Design Co. is an equal opportunity employer and we welcome all qualified candidates to apply.
Company: Web Design Co.
Location: Remote / Anywhere
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: Earn $250 - $500 per client
Web Design Co. is seeking a highly motivated and results-driven Sales Representative to join our growing team. As a Sales Representative, you will play a critical role in developing and maintaining relationships with new and existing clients. You will be responsible for generating new business by identifying and pursuing new sales opportunities, as well as nurturing existing relationships to ensure customer satisfaction and retention.
Key Responsibilities:
-
Prospect, educate, and sell web design and marketing services to new and existing customers
-
Conduct presentations and product demonstrations to potential clients
-
Meet and exceed sales targets through the development of new business and management of existing accounts
-
Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including clients and internal teams
-
Collaborate with the design and marketing teams to create custom website presentations for
clients
-
Stay up-to-date with industry trends and developments to ensure the company's competitiveness in the market
-
Proven sales experience, with a track record of exceeding targets
-
Strong communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills
-
Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with clients and internal teams
-
Basic knowledge of web design and digital marketing and trends
-
Self-motivated, driven, and able to work independently
-
Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field (preferred)
Please submit your resume and cover letter to [insert email address] to apply.
Web Design Co. is an equal opportunity employer and we welcome all qualified candidates to apply.
Hiring a sales rep can be a big step for your website design firm, but with the right person in place, it can be a valuable investment in the future success of your business. By following these seven tips, you can find the right person who has sales experience in the web design industry, has excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and is self-motivated and independent. Offer them a competitive compensation plan, provide training and support, and set clear expectations and goals to ensure their success. With the right sales rep in place, your website design business will be poised for growth and success.