Running your own business as a web developer — whether you’ve got a team of developers or are freelancing — you will be faced with the challenge of bringing in a steady stream of revenue. Building profitable business with consistent cash flow takes work, regardless of how talented at web development you or your agency may be. Smoothing out the ebbs and flows of an erratic revenue stream requires building relationships within your own web development circles and beyond. It requires interacting with a greater network of web designers, print designers, marketing firms and creative agencies — anyone who might be able to refer work your way. In the twelve years we’ve been doing web development at Pelago we’ve learned a thing or two about forging profitable business relationships.

1. How Web Developers and Freelancers can Forge
Profitable Business and Client Relationships

2. Running your own business as a web developer — whether you’ve got a
team of developers or are freelancing — you will be faced with the
challenge of bringing in a steady stream of revenue. Building profitable
business with consistent cash flow takes work, regardless of how
talented at web development you or your agency may be. Smoothing
out the ebbs and flows of an erratic revenue stream requires building
relationships within your own web development circles and beyond. It
requires interacting with a greater network of web designers, print
designers, marketing firms and creative agencies — anyone who might
be able to refer work your way. In the twelve years we’ve been doing
web development at Pelago we’ve learned a thing or two about forging
profitable business relationships.

3. Connect with print and web design agencies
Not everyone can code. There are plenty of more traditional print-
oriented designers and agencies who offer web design services, but
don’t have the in-house expertise to develop web sites. And there are
web design agencies who may need help developing web sites when
business picks up. You want to connect with them. Do a few jobs
together so they can experience firsthand how well you work with a
team. Do good work and they will hire you again and again. Fielding web
development jobs from a print or web design agency is a great way to
maintain a steady cash flow. And the more you work with the same
group of people at these web and creative agencies, the more report
you will develop, which just makes working together a no-brainer in the
log run.

4. Develop long-term relationships
Think of your web development code — server side, Javascript, HTML,
CSS — like a one-off resume left at each company, a snapshot in time,
on each server where you have worked. Other developers will be
maintaining your code once you’ve left. They’ll either be updating it
quickly and easily or cursing your name. The client may not be able to
understand your code, but once someone explains it to them it can
make or break your relationship. It’s up to you what kind of impression
you are going to make. Are you going to write solid code that is easily
maintainable? Or are you going to do just enough hit-and-run coding to
get paid?

5. Mingle, network, be a par t of the conversation
Don’t take out an ad in the yellow pages or your local paper. The same
goes for posting your services on freelance job sites where work usually
goes to the lowest bidder. If you do good work it will speak louder then
any advertisement, and will inspire other people to speak for you, too.
Referrals are the best way to bring in new business because the lead is
pre-qualified by someone you and the client both know. Start going to
meetups. Join the local chapter of a web-related professional
organization and attend its meetings. Mingle with professionals and
keep in touch with them. Take friends, colleagues and associates to
lunch and talk shop. Give some business cards to your family and
friends. Just start putting the word out there, then keep putting it out
there. Meanwhile, start referring work out to your network. Be a giver
and a taker. People are going to talk, so you might as well be part of the
conversation.
Photo credit: Tangueros by Roberto Trm

6. Check out the Inter vals blog for more ar ticles…
The Inter vals Blog
A collection of useful tips, tales and opinions based on decades of
collective experience designing and developing web sites and web-
based applications.
www.myinter vals.com/blog