How to find businesses without websites

Not every business prioritizes digital presence. Some are just a small mom-and-pop markets or shops, local service providers, or simply not as tech-savvy as younger generations.

There are still effective ways to attract clients for your web development or web design business (or any similar professional. SEO specialist may fit into this too). Whether you're aiming for a local barber or a specialized service, making the effort is key. If you want to differentiate yourself, here are 6 strategies I’ve used (including one I’m currently using, mentioned at the end) to find companies that may need websites.

Engage with your community

The old-fashioned approach of word of mouth still holds value. Talk to your neighbors, friends, or family to see if they know of any local businesses lacking an online presence. You can also stroll through neighborhoods with local shops and inquire if they need a new website. Using a personal tone is recommended though, as local companies often prefer a more friendly and casual approach rather than a typical nature directed towards larger companies.

Go to business events and connect with your chamber of commerce

Business events and chambers of commerce can be treasure troves for long-term client relationships, especially when you focus on building a strong network. Participate in local business gatherings and foster connections with professionals in your area. While this method may require more time and effort, the insights and relationships you develop will be up to date.

Directories

You may be familiar with directory listings like Yellow Pages (now available online), local newspapers, and city directories. Many businesses still list themselves in those with their contact details, business hours, etc. This can give you a path to offer web design services.

Utilize social media

Many local businesses depend on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram rather than maintaining a dedicated website. They might not have the time or may not even have thought about having one. I’ve had some decent success using Facebook to find leads by searching local community groups (e.g., "Handypersons in London") and checking if their Facebook Page has a "website" field filled out. If not, then just reach them out.

Google Maps

Consider this: if you enter a keyword like 'plumbers near me' into Google Maps, you’ll receive a list of local plumbers. For each business, check for a website by looking for the globe icon. If it’s absent, you’ve found a potential client. The negative side to this is the repetitive clicking, scrolling, and checking involved, which can be time-consuming. However, there’s a more efficient and automated solution (which I am also using it as of right now), which I’ll discuss next.

Webleadr

Webleadr is a platform designed to help you effortlessly get web design clients and leads from anywhere in the world. Let’s consider an example: you want to identify barbers in your local area who may or may not have a website for their business. Webleadr allows you to scan them all at once, enabling you to call them with just the click of a button. It also indicates whether each company has a dedicated website or is relying on third-party platforms like Facebook or Instagram, or even other services such as booking sites. These businesses can also be considered potential web design and development leads. Additionally, there are many other handy features included.

In conclusion, Webleadr saves you the hassle of manually scrolling through endless lists of businesses in search of leads. Instead, it automates the process and provides you with a well-organized dashboard that highlights businesses without websites or those using non-dedicated platforms. Plus, it includes many additional features to make your client search more efficient.

If you’re interested in how it works, there’s a blog post specifically detailing it.