I have recently recieved my practice license from ICB and have the relevant PI insurance. I have just launched a website, kept it quite basic for now. www.gp-bookkeeping.co.uk Has anyone any ideas on how I should go about finding business, I know a lot of people with links in the construction industry and am trying to get work completing peoples tax returns through word of mouth etc.
Anyone with experience in launching a new bookkeeping business got any tips, and anyone got any suggestions on how I can improve my website.
On your services page you've spelt prepartion incorrectly the second time you used it.
Whilst having a website is a useful place to point prospective clients it's not really the best way to attract business. People like to do business with people they know, or people they know recommend to them. Networking is the key to getting yourself known.
They are a variety of cheapish ways to market yourself locally - leaflet small businesses either by sticking them through letterboxes yourself or mailing them. Put adverts in local post office and/or other locations.
Kris has a lot of tips for mailings and ways of following up if you look for past topics.
You are several months ahead of me Gav, I'll have the same hurdles to overcome once I'm through exams. Be interested to hear how you do. Very best of luck.
I've also had a look at the getting started guide on your website Quentin, found it really encouraging, providing some much needed confidence. Thank you.
Tony is right,you have to put your practice licence number under the ICB crest, in fact they have to approve your website before you can put ICB on it. Simply send an email to them with a link to your site. You only can complete SA returns if you passed the relevant exam with ICB. I suppose you completed level 3 to be certified bookkeeper. Ok these were the formalities. About website. If you are registered with Google Webmaster tools make sure you utilise it well. Did a quick search there seem to be a bit of a competition in your area so you must make sure you come up on the top of google search for the right keywords. If you have not done it yet register with Google places. Helps a fair bit if you submit your site to the Open Directory Project (dmoz.org) and submit it to all major search engines,too. Register with thomson local,yell.com,etc but do only the free listing, i am yet to hear from someone who paid for yellow pages and it was worth the money. Get some leaflets,cards,etc printed, make sure they are quality but do not pay too much for them. I would recommend vistaprint,with a little tweaking you can get something good out of them for cheap. Make sure all look professional. Follow Sheila's advice on networking and getting the leaflets out. If you trying to target construction industry you should put it on the first page of your website (my opinion,others might disagree) and make sure your website is calibrated for searches relating to construction ind. Hope this helps.
attilabenko wrote:... Register with thomson local,yell.com,etc but do only the free listing, i am yet to hear from someone who paid for yellow pages and it was worth the money. ...
Good advise Attila, I paid for a corporate insert in two yellow pages for this area (plus they did a free basic SEO website) and to date no responses at all. Just shredded the renewal reminder.
You are also correct about having any document that has the ICB logo on it approved, even if once approved, you make changes. It not a bad thing, as they tend to proof read it for you too, and one of the ladies there has an exceptionally sharp eye for good grammar (licence/ license, missing comma's etc)
Most of my work has come from a basic website, that I put up, as it is a relatively cheap form of advertising.
By far the best way to get local work is the postcard in the shop window.
Thanks, for the tips everyone. Im going to remove the ICB logo and get it approved by them first.
I agree that a website isnt going to attract much business on its own, but Im going to include my web address on my business cards so people can check it out.
1) Google Maps. Get yourself a Google account and setup you business via Google Maps.
2) Use Google to monitor your website traffice using the webmaster tool. You have to insert some code on the home page but its easy to do if you feel comfortable doing it youself. Usually copy and paste.
3) Find a local networking group that will accept you.
4) Get registered on a few free business directory site. www.freeindex.co.uk is a good one, but there are loads out there with free listing. ok you might not get much work from them, but its free and the business directories do rank in google searches.
5) www.thebestof.co.uk if a good site. they have local sites as well as the national one, but it can be a bit pricey to join but they do offer a very good marketing package for what you pay for.
6) Perhaps place adverts in local magazines. most villages or towns have a local magazine which do reach a considerable amount of people each month.
7) Consider approaching local accountants to see if they can offer you some overflow work.
8) Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook Business pages, all good places to get your business on the web. I use HootSuite to post info on my twitter, facebook, and linked all at the same time. and its free for up to 5 social media streams.
Most of my business has come through letters to small businesses. Although it costs a bit more than leaflets I've found the personal touch is worth it. The other thing, which has been suggested is networking, which works well.
The views expressed in this post are my own personal (HRA protected) views, and are not representative of any organisation I have any involvement with.
