SiteSwan Website Reseller Interview with Zach Hansen of Surge Web Design 

Recorded on February 23, 2022

Anyone looking to grow their web design business will find this conversation enlightening. SiteSwan Co-Founder Justin Gerena interviews Zach Hansen from Surge Web Design, a SiteSwan Reseller, who took a huge leap of faith into entrepreneurship about three years ago. Zach now runs his own successful business with more than 150 clients selling multiple services and there’s no turning back.

This interview is filled with amazing insight from Zach on how to sell more websites to small businesses, along with some helpful tips from SiteSwan's co-founder.

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The Pros and Cons of Granting Your Client Access to Make Changes to Their Website

Published on April 25, 2022
 

There are advantages and disadvantages of granting your clients access to make changes to their website opposed to managing the site yourself. Deciding which path you choose will likely determine how you market your service and even how much you charge. Before you make a decision it's important to understand the pros and cons.

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9 Web Design Sales Tricks to Turn Prospects into Clients

Published on March 18, 2021. Updated on April 19, 2022.

For a lot of web designers, the process of designing sites comes easy—especially if you’re using a website building platform like SiteSwan, with our stunning Themes and instant site creation. However, it’s the sales side of the job that tends to be difficult for many agencies to hit a stride with. After all, producing quality work and being able to sell that work are two entirely different talents, and in order to grow a successful web design business, you need to be able to feel confident about your abilities to thrive as both a designer and a salesperson. 

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8 Reasons Why a Mobile-Friendly Website is a MUST for Small Businesses 

Published on April 11, 2022

When it comes to making purchases and searching for information, almost 60% of all online searches are now conducted on mobile devices. With a high volume of searches coming through on mobile devices, it's easy to see why it is so important for all businesses to have a mobile-friendly website. In this article, we'll review everything you need to know about mobile-friendly websites, why every small business needs one, and how you can leverage SiteSwan's mobile-friendly themes to your advantage when pitching your next web design client.

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Glossary of Web Design Terms for Beginners

Published on April 5, 2022

If you’re new to web design, or if you just have trouble keeping up with the latest terms and jargon, you’ll find this resource helpful. The Web Design Glossary eBook defines over 150 common web terms so you can understand and speak confidently about industry-related terms and services.

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8 Steps to Building Your Business Brand 

Published on April 4, 2022

When starting your own business, there are many factors you have to consider when it comes to marketing your company. One of the most important elements is establishing your business’s brand. Follow these 8 steps to learn how to build a brand for your business.  

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10 Businesses that Need a Website this Spring (and the Themes You Can Use to Build Them)

Published on March 28, 2022

If you are just starting out your web design business or trying to branch out from the niche market you currently serve, you may not know where to begin. To help identify what businesses need a website right now, you can think seasonally. There are certain companies that are gearing up in the spring so they are ready for their peak season. Here are ten businesses that could benefit from your web design services this spring.

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5 Tips for Selling Websites Over the Phone

Published on March 21, 2022

When selling a service like website design or digital marketing, you need to find small business clients who are willing and able to pay you. Thankfully, there are plenty of businesses out there that need your services and there are multiple ways to connect with these business owners. One way is cold calling. With the right training and strategy, selling websites over the phone can be an effective way to gain new clients. 

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How to Market and Promote Your Web Design Business

Published on March 17, 2022
 

Becoming a web designer is not just about building great looking websites. Marketing your web design business is an extremely important aspect of promoting your brand, finding clients and ultimately scaling your business. So, we’ve compiled a list of 110 smart, effective and even free ways to market your web design business and produced this easy-to-read eBook.

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5 Common Sales Objections Web Designers Face and How to Overcome Them

Published on June 18, 2020. Updated on March 14, 2022.

When prospecting for potential website clients, it’s important to be prepared for any possible reason why a business owner may say that they do not have or need a website. Not only is it important to know what they might say, it’s more important to know how to eliminate these excuses by addressing their real underlying concerns with valuable solutions.

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We've Released a New Spam Filter to Block Unwanted Messages

Published on March 14, 2022
 

SiteSwan is proud to announce that we’ve released a new spam filter to block unwanted messages, while still letting important emails get through. The new spam filter, powered by the latest in machine learning technology, identifies spam based on the user’s past interactions with messages and email addresses and will be continually refined to get better at its job over time. All SiteSwan sites will have their accounts placed under the protection of the new spam filter automatically, and it's free-of-charge for all SiteSwan Resellers. 

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Why a Business Facebook Page Doesn't Replace the Need for a Website

Published on March 7, 2022
 

With so many people using Facebook regularly, it is no surprise why millions of companies use it to connect with their customers. While it is an important marketing tool for businesses to use, a Facebook page shouldn't replace a professional business website. No matter your product or service, a website is essential for any business. If you are curious to learn why a Facebook business page isn't the same as a professional website, we'll reveal the reasons in this article. 

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7 Bad Work Habits That Entrepreneurs Need To Overcome

Published on February 28, 2022
 

When starting your own business, there's a significant transition from being a wage worker to becoming the boss. A big part of your success as an entrepreneur has to do with your personal habits and your mentality. Let's take a look at some bad habits you should break to give yourself the best chance of achieving success.

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4 Reasons to Choose a Web Design Niche (and How to Find Yours)

Published on February 21, 2022. Updated on October 26, 2022.

When launching your own web design business, a logical question to ask yourself is where should you begin? One of the best ways to gain traction when starting a business is to focus on a particular niche. In this article, we’ll review the benefits of selecting a niche and tips on how to choose the right niche to grow your web design agency. 

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SiteSwan Website Reseller Interview with Bryan Foulk of Gulf Coast Web Pros

Recorded on Dec 29, 2021

In this 1-on-1 interview, Bryan Foulk shares his first-hand experience coming on board as a SiteSwan Website Reseller. With zero web design experience, Bryan has already sold 3 websites in his first 30 days. With many more deals in the works and big plans for 2022, Bryan is on the fast track to success.

Learn what attracted Bryan to the SiteSwan Reseller Program, his experience with the platform thus far, his opinion of SiteSwan's support team and exactly how we landed his first paying clients.

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How to Build a Web Design Portfolio with No Clients

Published on December 30, 2020. Updated on February 14, 2022.

Starting your own web design business can be a fun and financially rewarding career. However, if you're just getting started, chances are you don't have any past work in your portfolio to show off to potential clients; that's okay! Here are four creative ways to quickly build up an impressive web design portfolio when you don't have any existing clients.

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11 Reasons Why a Web Design Business is the Best Side Hustle to Start in 2022 

Published on January 31, 2022
 

Was it one of your New Year’s resolutions to start your own business? Are you looking for a side hustle to supplement your regular income? Or do you simply want to spend your free time on a hobby that lets you earn some extra cash?
 

There are plenty of business opportunities out there but when comparing all the options, a web design business is by far the best side hustle you can start. But what makes web design the best side hustle in 2022? That’s what you’re about to discover here. 

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How Much Should You Charge for a Website? 8 Factors to Consider

Published on February 4, 2022
 

 

When you’re getting your web design business off the ground with SiteSwan, it’s important to have a plan for how much you will charge for a website. You want to keep your rates attractive enough so you can quickly take on new clients with little push back, but you also don't want to price yourself so low that you need to wait months to turn a significant profit.

There is an art and science to finding the right sweet spot where you’re compensated fairly for all your hard work AND clients feel like they’re getting a very good deal.

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4 Tips to Find More Website Design Clients

Published on January 24, 2022

If you've recently made the switch to become a web designer, you're not alone. Just in the United States, thousands of people become web designers each year, with the field expected to grow 13% by 2030.

But a growing field brings with it a higher level of competition. Expertise alone isn't enough to bring in a client base. To grow your web design business, you'll need a more comprehensive strategy. We've created the following guide showing you the best way to grow a web design business.

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What Small Businesses Look for in a Web Designer

Published on January 17, 2022

There are currently more than 31 million small businesses operating in America. So if you are a web designer, then there is plenty of work out there for you. However, there are other web designers out there. This means, for your business to succeed, you need to stand out from the crowd — so where should you start?

Read on to find out exactly what small businesses are looking for when they hire someone for web design.

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10 Businesses That Need a Website this Winter

Published on January 10, 2022

So you’ve decided to take the plunge and start your own web agency with SiteSwan’s powerful website builder. You’ve done a lot of research, compared your options, and even came up with a business plan.

Now it’s time to build your clientele. Maybe you’re unsure how to begin promoting your services to small business owners or you don’t know how to find businesses that need a website in the first place.

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11 Reasons Why Websites Are Essential for All Businesses in 2022

Published on January 3, 2022

What’s the single most important way to promote a business?

When it comes to business marketing, there are a thousand and one ways to do it. From traditional advertising to search engine optimization, sky’s the limit as to the combination of marketing methods that work best for a business.
 

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10 Personal Branding Tips That'll Elevate Your Business in 2022

Published on December 6, 2021

Are you looking for ways to stand out and get more web design clients? Maybe you’re in a sales position at your agency and feel stuck in your career. Or perhaps you’re an agency owner or lifestyle entrepreneur who wants to stand out as an expert in digital marketing and design.

You may have scoured the web looking for tips for branding and marketing to boost your business. You may have studied the best resources on sales. But at the end of the day, it still feels like something is missing.

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6 Ways to Personalize Your Client’s Homepage

Published on December 1, 2021

Take a moment to think about the last website you visited. What did you like about it? What didn’t you like about it? Would you visit the website again? Within seconds of visiting a business’s homepage, a first impression is already made.
 

In a similar way, when pitching your web design services to a small business owner, your only have a few moments to spark their interest, make a great first impression and move them closer to a sale.

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What Are SSL Certificates & Why Are They Important?

Published on November 9, 2021

Just as there will always be crime no matter what city you live in, there will always be cybercrime and cybersecurity concerns to watch out for no matter where you spend your time on the internet. With so many people getting hacked, it’s no wonder why more and more people are hesitant to visit new sites, share personal information, or make online purchases unless they know for sure that it’s safe.
 

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7 Perks of Running a Home-Based Business in 2021

Published on November 1, 2021

Approximately 50% of Americans worked remotely during the pandemic. However, this luxury is coming to an end for many people as more and more companies demand their employees to head back to the office. The problem with this is that a lot of people have either gotten used to the perks of working from home or just don’t feel comfortable returning back to the workplace as COVID continues to impact our communities. Even new vaccine mandates are causing people to make a choice between getting a shot or being terminated (and some people don’t feel comfortable getting the vaccine).

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How to Overcome Your Fears of Starting a Business

Published on October 29, 2020. Updated on October 27, 2021.

Fear can be an entrepreneur's worst enemy. The fear of failure, fear of inadequacy or even the fear of success can prohibit some people from taking the first step towards starting their own business. If this sounds like you, you’re not alone.

Studies show that nearly 70% of people are unhappy with their current jobs, yet only a tiny fraction of individuals will actually venture off and start their own business. While fear and uncertainty are perfectly normal, don't let it cripple you from achieving your entrepreneurial goals. Utilize these 4 tips to overcome your fears of starting your own business.

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7 Website Sales Pitch Ideas

Published on October 18, 2021

There is much more to being a web designer than just building great-looking websites. Sales and marketing are equally important (if not more important) to running a successful web design business. After all, without sales, you don’t have much of a business at all.

However, effectively engaging prospects and generating interest can be a challenging task. How do you pitch small businesses on a new website? How do you explain the importance of having a strong online presence? How can you stand out from other web designers in your area and make an irresistible offer?

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Promote Your Web Design Business on Facebook: 10 Tips for Success

Published on August 25, 2021. Updated on October 15, 2021.

When you finish designing a client’s website, in some cases they might ask you for help with their social media marketing as well. This can take the form of setting up their profile pages or creating a strategy for posting weekly content.

In addition to helping your clients, why not work on your own social media strategy? Social media can be a great way to promote your web design business and attract new clients. With over 2.8 billion monthly active users, Facebook in particular offers you a tremendous opportunity to build awareness of your agency, connect with local businesses, showcase your work and generate leads.

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How to Land Your Next 10 Web Design Clients on Facebook

Published on February 17, 2021. Updated on October 15, 2021.

Looking for an effective way to sell websites to local businesses? Leverage the power of social media and start promoting your web design business on Facebook.

With billions of active users, social media platforms have significantly changed the landscape of online advertising. Facebook in particular has become one of the most effective tools for networking and promoting a business. A single post can help you reach thousands of potential clients. If you're looking to grow your web design business, here’s how you can land your next 10 clients on Facebook today.

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Why SiteSwan is the Best Website Builder for Agencies Large and Small

Published on October 6, 2021

Which website builder should your agency choose?

When starting or growing a web design agency, you need to make sure you have a reliable website building platform behind the scenes. It will function as the backbone of your operation, and can be a major factor in your company's overall profitability and longevity.

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Selling Website Redesigns: 12 Signs a Business Needs a NEW Website

Published on September 28, 2021

As a website designer, you should always be on the hunt for your next client. Most likely, your first instinct is to look for businesses without a website. While there are still millions of businesses currently without a site, don’t be so quick to rule out businesses just because they have an existing site. Many of these sites are in desperate need of a redesign.

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7 Businesses That Need a Website this Fall and the Themes You Can Use to Build Them

Published on September 15, 2021

Depending on where you live, COVID-19 cases might be rising or dropping. Even in the midst of this pandemic, many businesses can still benefit from your website design services. In fact, many businesses are entering their busy season in the coming months and are in desperate need of a new website this Fall.

Remember that web design is an exception to the rule when it comes to mandated shut downs and state and federal restrictions. As the kids go back to school and parents (and business owners) have a renewed focus on their work and/or shopping locally, it's a huge spending season that every small business needs to be ready to benefit from.

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6 Things Entrepreneurs Can Learn From Dogs

Published on August 31, 2021

You can forget about investing thousands of dollars in a business coach. Here’s a fun fact: your dog might be the best business coach around. We have learned a lot from our canine buddies over the years.

Here at SiteSwan, we're all dog lovers, and we believe there are several things everyone can learn from dogs and apply to their day-to-day activities as entrepreneurs in the web design industry. Even if you prefer cats over dogs, there are still a few lessons that man’s/woman’s best friend can teach you about success in business and in life.

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SCAM ALERT: Beware of this Fake Email Claiming Copyright Image Infringement on Your Website

Published on April 14, 2021. Updated on August 11, 2021

Reports are continuing to come in from all across the internet about scammers who are sending malicious messages to website owners via the contact forms on their website. This phishing email scam aggressively accuses the website owner of using copyrighted images, and encourages them to click a link that supposedly leads to a list of the images that are in violation.

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The Biggest Mistakes Web Designers Make (And How to Avoid Them)

Published on August 9, 2021

As a freelance web designer, you can enjoy the excitement of being paid and appreciated for your tech savvy skills. You also have the freedom to set your own hours and work from anywhere that has a reliable Internet connection. There are a lot of perks that come with starting your own web design business, but like any business, it also has its struggles.

Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been doing this for a while, you are bound to run into some issues sooner or later. Many of these issues, however, can be avoided.

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How to Supplement Your Income with the SiteSwan Website Reseller Program

Published on August 5, 2021

There's a good reason why so many individuals are getting into the business of building websites, and it boils down to the simple notion that every business on the planet needs a website.

It doesn’t matter what type of business it is, what industry it’s in, where it’s located, or how small it might be – having a website is no longer an exception, it’s an expectation. If a business doesn't have a website, it puts them at a clear disadvantage from the competition.

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3 Tips for Writing Search-Friendly Website Content

Published on August 3, 2021

Every business wants to be found when their potential clients conduct a local search online. Search Engine Optimization, or SEO, is what allows small business websites to be found at or near the top of search results. And one of the most important aspects of SEO is high quality written content that’s optimized for search.

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9 Reasons Why the SiteSwan Website Reseller Program is a Pandemic-Proof Business

Published on May 4, 2021. Updated on July 20, 2021

There’s no getting around the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected just about every industry and business to some extent or another. Nearly 30% of all small businesses across America have experienced a decrease in sales since the start of the pandemic. Many businesses have closed permanently, while others are still struggling to recover from the fallout of the past year. Entire industries were turned upside down – the restaurant and hospitality industries, for example, have had no choice but to completely revamp their entire business models in order to survive.

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3 Ways to Make Money as SiteSwan Website Reseller

Published on July 8, 2021
 

If you're going to get into an industry, it's best that you choose one where you can bring in revenue in several different ways. Whether it’s part-time or full-time, building and selling websites to small businesses with SiteSwan can be a great business opportunity and can provide a steady stream of income that you can count on for years to come. If you're thinking about starting your own web design business, here are the 3 primary ways you can make money as a SiteSwan Website Reseller...

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SiteSwan Named in the Capterra Shortlist Report for Top Website Builders

Published on July 7, 2021

We’re pleased to announce that SiteSwan Website Builder has been recognized as one of the top website building softwares in 2021 by Capterra, a free online service that helps organizations find the right software.

With nearly a perfect 5-star rating and dozens of glowing reviews from real, verified users, SiteSwan has ranked in the top 20 website builders from all over the globe. This is the second year in a row that SiteSwan has received this honor. Capterra's Shortlist identifies the top software companies based on a proprietary blend of user ratings and popularity.

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Understanding the Basics of Local SEO

Published on July 1, 2021

With nearly 2 billion websites on the internet, it’s always been a challenge for small businesses to stand out online. There is competition everywhere, from other local mom and pop shops in your area to big box stores to online-only retailers. On top of that, tens of thousands of new websites are launched every single day, adding to this ever-growing list.

Oftentimes it can feel impossible for a small, local business to compete online. However, thanks to changes in search algorithms, small businesses now have a better chance of coming up in local search results by implementing some basic SEO techniques.

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8 Reasons Why Websites are Essential to All Small Businesses

Published on June 21, 2021

Last year COVID drastically changed the way we do business. Lockdowns hurt the profitability of many struggling small businesses, and, to survive, many of them took to the internet to see if they could reach their customers online.

Businesses have been transitioning to digital to reach new markets and boost sales for years, but the lockdowns of 2020 and the challenges of the past year increased this focus significantly. Now that more businesses are looking to establish themselves online due to the pandemic, it makes sense that the old way of doing business just isn't coming back.

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SiteSwan Website Builder Celebrates its 10 Year Anniversary

Published on June 16, 2021

This month SiteSwan is celebrating 10 years of success as a white label website builder and web design business-in-a-box. This is a milestone that very few software companies can brag about. SiteSwan was launched in 2011 as a way for web designers to easily create and sell websites to their small business clients without any code. Over the past decade, SiteSwan has grown rapidly, establishing one of the most successful website reseller programs in the country, powering over 15,000 small business websites and used by thousands of agencies, designers and entrepreneurs all over the globe.

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Looking for a Franchise Opportunity? SiteSwan's Website Builder Reseller Program Could Be a Better Option

Published in June 7, 2021

If you’ve been thinking about starting your own business, you’ve probably considered investing in a franchise. Do a quick search on Google, and you’ll find plenty of franchise opportunities, with hundreds of companies touting how their product is special, their concept is unique and how you can build your own successful business around their brand. But like anything, there is no guarantee you will be successful even with a franchise, nor is it the best option to starting a business.

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5 Myths about Becoming a Web Designer

Published on March 3, 2021. Updated on June 2, 2021.

Web design can be an exciting and rewarding career. It offers the freedom and flexibility to work from home, set your own hours, and generate passive income. But for some entrepreneurs, especially those who might be less tech savvy, the thought of starting your own web design business can be intimidating.

Here are 5 myths about becoming a web designer and why they shouldn’t scare you away!

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Webinar: How to Design Websites for Small Businesses in 4 Easy Steps

Published on May 26, 2021

RECORDED WEBINAR

First impressions matter. That's why it's so important to design websites that look great. Our simple 4-step approach will show you how to create beautiful small business websites that will WOW your clients and sell fast.

In this webinar, we show you exactly how it's done and offer some tips to help you create great looking sites every time.

 

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How to Design Websites for Small Businesses in 4 Easy Steps

Published on May 13, 2021

It’s estimated that the majority of new site visitors will spend less than 15 seconds on a website unless you’re able to capture their attention and make them want to stay longer. This is just one of the many reasons why website design is so important. You only have a short period of time to make a good first impression, engage visitors and keep them on your site. As a web designer, your small business clients are depending on you to create a site that looks great and appeals to their customers.

 

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How to Land Your First Reputation Management Client on Facebook

Published on April 26, 2021

In today’s highly competitive market, online customer reviews are more important than ever for businesses large and small. What customers are saying about a business has a direct impact on sales. In fact, the majority of consumers will read online reviews before making a purchase decision and most customers will only choose a business that has 4 or more stars. Maintaining a positive online reputation on sites like Google, Yelp and Facebook is something businesses can’t afford to ignore. 

 

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Webinar: 12 Ways to Get Web Design Clients with SiteSwan

Published on April 21, 2021

RECORDED WEBINAR

Getting clients is key to any business. Without clients, you don't have much of a business at all. Whether you’ve been building websites for years, or just starting out with the SiteSwan Website Reseller Program, finding new customers is the key to growing a successful web design business and generating a steady stream of passive income.

 

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