Find your first clients and grow your freelance web design business on Fiverr

A few years back, I was transitioning from copywriting work to web design – and my first “official” Wordpress clients came from Upwork. Back then, it was really easy to get clients – all you had to do was to write a customized cover letter and you’d immediately stand out from a crowd of freelancers who send copied and pasted responses totally irrelevant to the job posted. It took me about half an hour a day to get myself a consistent stream of projects.

Fast forward to 2022 – freelance platforms are still by far the best way to get your first Squarespace clients quickly. If you’re just starting out as a freelance Squarespace designer – look no further, get yourself a profile and get to work. Although it takes some leg work initially, you will build your portfolio, get more experience and meet some amazing people there.

The following post was written by a Fiverr freelancer we hired for our studio earlier this year. We were her first Fiverr contractor, and we were amazed at how quickly she grew from having zero experience to several dozen stellar reviews on her profile.

So we asked Julieta to share some of her wisdom – here are her recommendations on how to start and grow as a Squarespace designer on Fiver.

Create an outstanding Fiverr profile, find your dream clients, and start paving your way towards a thriving business.

Creating and optimizing your gigs

Fiverr is based on a gig structure. You can sign up for free and set up gigs offering different services and packages.

The key to getting your first clients is optimizing your gigs to make them stand out from the rest in the search results section of the platform – that is, where potential buyers go looking for services.

Here are some tips to set up highly converting gigs.

1.First things first: check out your competition

It’s essential to do a little bit of market research before launching into any business endeavor — regardless of whether it’s on Fiverr or not.

So, before you get started, log into your account and search for Squarespace designers. Look at their gigs, visuals, descriptions, pricing, delivery time, and how they introduce themselves to customers. Also, check out their buyer reviews to see if you can identify any client pain points you might be able to solve.

Write it all down and use those insights to plan how you’ll structure your gig to set yourself apart from the competition.

2. Spice up your profile with visuals

The first thing your potential customers will see when they come across your gig is your main image, and therefore, you have to make it count. Use captivating colors and graphic elements to draw customers in and state the services you offer briefly in the image.

If you browse the search results page on Fiverr, you’ll see most sellers add a picture of themselves in their main gig image. Some even add a short video introducing themselves and going into detail about their services. These are great ways to make customers trust you and can significantly impact your conversion rate.

3. Add relevant keywords

Fiverr is essentially a services search engine, so it’s crucial to keep SEO practices in mind and add relevant keywords to your gig description and title. For example, you’ll want to make sure they include the words “design Squarespace website” or “Squarespace designer.”

The platform allows you to add tags to each gig, too. So, if you couldn’t fit a given keyword naturally into the title or the description, add it as a tag. This way, your gig will also rank for the term.

If your gig is properly set up and the Fiverr algorithm picks up on your keywords, you’ll have a greater chance of appearing on the first page of the search results, which is essential to boost conversions.

Apart from adding keywords, you need to pay close attention to how you phrase your gig description. Follow SEO practices and try to be as thorough and accurate as possible when describing your services to avoid misunderstandings with clients.

4. Make the most of the FAQ and portfolio sections

Leverage the FAQ section of your gigs to get one step ahead of any questions your potential buyers may have (for instance, “What do you need to get started?” or “Can I transfer my existing domain to Squarespace?”). That way, you’ll streamline the whole process and show customers you’re a pro.

Also, it’s crucial to add a couple of your own designs to your gig, especially if you’re just starting out and don’t have any positive reviews yet. Displaying a piece or two is a great way to show buyers your skills and build trust. You can add them either as a gig image or in the dedicated portfolio section.

5. Set an irresistible price

Now, here’s where things get a little bit controversial. Many believe that freelancing platforms are a “race to the bottom” in terms of pricing. In fact, Fiverr gets its name from its initial mission to connect buyers with sellers willing to charge only $5 for their work.

But the platform has moved past that and is now trying to become a space for professionals offering high-end services. So, there’s really no reason to charge low rates to succeed on Fiverr anymore.

Pricing is really up to you. However, most people suggest starting out with a rate that’s a little bit below the industry standard. This approach can help you land a couple of clients and get the much-needed social proof you need to make it on the platform — that is, 5-star reviews. Then, once you get enough traction, you can raise your prices to meet the standard.

Another great option is charging your regular fees but including key differentials into your deliverables to stand out from competitors who are better positioned on the platform. For instance, you can offer to add plugins, post-launch support, or more revisions, and state that those services are already included in your rate.

6. Upsell your way to success

Apart from your standard Squarespace designing service, you can offer extra services on each gig for an additional fee. Gig extras are shown to buyers right before they finalize their purchase, so they are a powerful upselling tool. Also, they convey a professional feel and make for a more rounded and complete purchasing experience.

As a Squarespace designer, you can offer post-launch training and support, branding, newsletter set-up, and so on.

Getting your first clients on Fiverr

So, your gigs are all set up and equipped with eye-catching visuals, an optimized description to rank first, and everything else you need to succeed on the platform.

Now it’s time to get to the nitty-gritty of it. How do you land your first clients on Fiverr as a Squarespace designer? Well, it all comes down to this:

1.Buyer Requests

The “Buyer Requests” section is a gold mine for people who are just starting out on the platform. It’s a great place to get your first 5-star reviews and gain some momentum.

Buyers who have a hard time finding what they need on the search engine can send a request to the Fiverr community. So, if your profile is suitable to complete that request, you can reach out to the buyer with an offer. If the buyer accepts it, voilá! You’ve landed your first client on Fiverr.

2. Be online constantly

Rumor has it the Fiverr algorithm favors sellers who are online constantly. So, try to be active on the platform whenever you have some free time; and when you’re busy, keep a tab open on your computer or the app open on your phone.

In addition, most buyers prefer to chat with sellers who are online because they need a quick answer. So, being online and active will increase your chances of getting new clients.

3. Respond quick and like a pro

Be quick to respond to potential customers when they reach out to you asking questions about your services. This allows you to engage with them while they are online and streamline the process.

Also, the platform takes response time as a ranking factor, so it’s essential to keep it within the 1 to 3-hour range. Fiverr allows you to create and save custom responses, so they’re always handy to answer as fast as possible.

It’s also important to be mindful about the way you address customers: show them you’re a pro by answering their inquiries in an accurate and respectful manner.

4. Provide stellar services

Regardless of all these tips and tricks, the key to success as a freelance Squarespace designer lies in the quality of your service. You shouldn’t underestimate the ripple effect of a satisfied customer.

Once your first client leaves you a lovely review to thank you for your services, other buyers will take that as a sign that you’re a trustworthy professional and will reach out to you to work together.

Also, here’s a pro tip: after an order is complete, buyers fill out a “secret” review, which is not visible to the seller or other customers. This review can significantly impact your ranking — and, therefore, your workflow. So, you always have to go above and beyond to provide top-notch services and keep your customers happy.

Last but not least: be patient

Fiverr offers freelancers a lot of potential for growth. Once you get the gist of it and get a more consistent workflow, it’s all upwards from there. You’ll start to rise through the ranks and experience a massive increase in gig impressions, clicks, and conversions.

But it takes time and effort to make it on Fiverr, so patience is key. By following these tips and making sure you understand the ins and outs of the platform, you’re already one step closer to success.