From scratch to success: Building a community for your web agency

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “It takes a village to raise a kid”. It means that a whole bunch of people need to take care of and engage positively with children so they can grow up in a safe and healthy environment.

And get this: Elon Musk, you know, the guy who started SpaceX and Tesla and is a big-time investor and inventor, once said that “Starting a company is almost like having a child” Crazy, right?

Now, through my impeccable logical reasoning (ahem), is it right to conclude that building a business also takes a village or a community? You’ve probably experienced that truth yourself.

If you run a web agency, you already know how important it is to build a community. It’s a place where you can share problems, come up with solutions, and maybe even find new clients and partners.

But it’s not just about getting clients. A community is also a network of people who support each other and can help grow your business. So, if you want to build your web design community, I’ve got some tips to share with you. Let’s do this!

What is community building?

So, what does “community building” mean? It’s all about bringing people together who share the same interests, values, and goals. 

And just to be clear, the community isn’t all about you, even if you’re the one who brought them all together. This isn’t some sort of fan club.

Keep in mind that you’re gathering a group of people who are into web design, development, and marketing. The goal is to create a space where they can share ideas, work together, and learn from each other.

Where and how do you begin to build a community?

Choose target audience

So, how do you start building a community? Well, the first thing you need to do is figure out who you want to reach. Are you targeting other web agency owners, designers, developers, marketers, or potential clients?

Once you have a clear idea of your audience, you can start creating content that they’ll be interested in.

Choose a platform

The next step is choosing the right platform. You could make a Facebook or LinkedIn group, or you could even use Slack. 

Another option would be to create a forum on your website. The important thing is to pick a platform where your target audience is already hanging out.

For example, if you’re trying to reach other web agency owners, LinkedIn might be a better choice than Facebook. Or if you have a mini course, you can engage the community members who signed up through email campaigns.

Create content consistently

Once you’ve got your platform set up, it’s time to create some awesome content that your audience will love. Share your knowledge, ask for their thoughts, and make the space a lively one.

Be yourself, and don’t be afraid to let your personality show through. People like connecting with real humans, not just boring brands.

Consistency is key, too. Don’t post once in a blue moon and expect people to stick around. Keep up the engagement, post regularly, and make an effort to chat with your community. Start conversations and encourage people to share their ideas.

I know it can be tough to balance your client work and your community, especially if you don’t have a reliable design team. You can check out Deer Designer’s pricing if you need some help with that.

Be patient

Building a community is a long-term investment. It’s not something that happens overnight. But, if you’re dedicated and keep putting out amazing content, your community will grow and become a valuable asset to your business.

Build a community to help

You know, clients are smart. They can smell a “networking scheme” disguised as a community from a mile away. That’s why you need to be honest about why you’re creating this space.

A healthy community is a group of people who genuinely want to help each other succeed. And when people trust each other, amazing things can happen.

Once your community is up and running, you can find ways to help everyone reach their goals, both personally and professionally.

Hope this helps!