Crafting the Perfect Message: A Web Design Example
When I first started as a web design freelancer, I realised the importance of getting the messaging just right.
The typical cold email from web designers often goes something like this:
“Hello sir,
We have lots of designs to choose from and do great web design services.
You can buy one of our website designs for just $200.
Can I call you to talk about how amazing we are?”
Not exactly inspiring, right?
Instead, I sent something like this:
“Hi [Name],
I came across your website and wondered if you had ever considered having it redesigned to be more effective for your business.
Let me know,
David Cross
[Professional Email Signature with Headshot]”
This worked because it was:
- Personal: It spoke directly to the recipient.
- Simple: It asked a straightforward question that got them thinking.
- Non-Salesy: There was no pressure to buy anything.
- Trustworthy: Including my headshot and contact details made me seem more credible.
Moving Beyond Cold Emails: Automated Appointment Booking
Cold emailing can get you started, but it’s not the most fun or sustainable way to grow your business.
That’s where automated appointment booking comes in.
The key is still the same: get people interested, build trust, and then guide them naturally towards booking a meeting.
For instance, if you’re running a roofing company and someone downloads a prospectus from your website, they’ve shown several signs of interest:
- They visited your website.
- They downloaded your prospectus.
- They gave you their contact info.
- They received your prospectus.
At this point, all you need to do is follow up in a few days with a friendly email or call, asking if they’ve had a chance to look through the prospectus.
You can then provide a link to book a chat, making it clear it’s not a sales call—just a conversation to see where they’re at.
Booking Appointments for Personal Service-Based Businesses
If you’re in a personal service-based business, getting appointments booked through your website is a bit different.
People who visit your site are usually ready to book, so your job is to make the process as smooth and appealing as possible:
- Professional Presentation: Your website should look polished and trustworthy.
- Trust Signals: Include testimonials, certifications, and other indicators of reliability.
- Easy Navigation: Make it simple for visitors to find the information they need—services, prices, etc.
- Clear Offer: Your offer should be easy to understand and enticing.
- Simple Booking: Make the booking process quick and hassle-free.
Most websites convert around 3% of their visitors into bookings, but with the right setup, you can hit much higher numbers.
We’ve seen clients getting a 15% booking rate, which translates to a lot of new business each month.
Whether you’re in professional services or personal services, the trick to getting appointments booked is all about creating desire, building trust, and making it easy for people to say yes.
When you guide your prospects through a process that feels natural and comfortable, they’ll be more likely to book that appointment. And when they do, you’re already halfway to securing a new client.
