In today’s world, having a website seems like a non-negotiable for any modern business.
But is it really?
Maybe you’re just starting out and don’t have the skills to build your own site. Or maybe hiring someone is out of your budget.
Now, having a website can definitely help grow your home decor business. But you can still build a strong brand and attract clients without one.
In this blog post, we’ll look at how you can promote your interior design business without a website.
Disclaimer: This blog post may contain affiliate links and we may earn a small commission when you click on the links or purchase paid products at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products and software we truly believe to be helpful for your business.
Do interior designers need a website to get clients?
There are some great reasons to have a website, like:
- A website can serve as your online portfolio, allowing potential clients to see if your style matches what they’re looking for,
- It can help you get client leads if your site is optimized for search engines,
- It builds your credibility and authority in interior design, especially if you regularly publish blog posts.
But what if you don’t have the skills, time, or resources to create a website?
There are still ways to promote your business until you can get one up and running. Many interior designers choose to have just an Instagram presence and still get client prospects. So, if a website isn’t in the cards just yet, focusing on Instagram is a great place to start.
Build your presence on Instagram
While social media trends come and go, Instagram remains one of the best platforms for interior designers. This is due to its visual appeal, community features, and the ability to make sales directly on the platform.
You can easily set up a Business or Creator profile for free and gain access to extra features like analytics, paid advertising, brand partnerships, and more.
There is so much you can do on Instagram to build your presence and grow your audience. We cover all of this on our blog, including how to use Reels, Insta Stories, direct messages (DMs), and more.
For a comprehensive resource, join our Instagram course for interior designers. It includes everything you need to know to build a loyal following and attract clients organically, without spending money on ads.
Be active on Facebook
If Instagram isn’t for you, Facebook can be a great alternative, especially if you’re active in Facebook groups. Both local and industry-specific groups are excellent places to showcase your expertise and connect with potential partners or clients.
In the past, you might have focused on building a following on a Facebook fan page. However, Facebook has been reducing the organic reach of pages over the years. This means you’ll likely need to invest in paid advertising to reach a larger audience.
On the other hand, Facebook groups work differently and can give you free exposure if you’re active and focus on providing value instead of just trying to sell your services.
When potential clients see your posts in a Facebook group, they can visit your profile and send you a private message if they’re interested in your services. A website isn’t necessary; the key is to actively build your brand within relevant communities. How do you do this, you might ask? By being a valuable member and being accessible when someone needs an interior designer.
Establish a YouTube presence
You might think that being on YouTube requires a lot of time and video-making skills that you lack. However, YouTube remains a relatively untapped platform for interior designers, offering organic reach to millions of viewers worldwide.
If creating a website and investing in SEO isn’t feasible for you right now, creating your own YouTube channel might be worth considering. It offers great organic reach and allows you to build your personal brand. Plus, you can earn additional income if you monetize your channel.
As for video content ideas, there is so much you could do. You could host live shows where you answer viewer questions or focus on different design topics each week. Essentially, anything you’d feel comfortable blogging about could make for engaging YouTube content.
Just a heads-up: gaining traction on YouTube does take time. Be patient and don’t be discouraged if you don’t see immediate results. The payoff for the initial effort can be immense. Your videos—and your brand—can continue to attract views long after they’re published. This is particularly true if you concentrate on creating evergreen content.
Try Houzz for local interior design leads
If you’re an interior designer, chances are you’ve heard of Houzz, the leading online platform for home remodeling and design. On Houzz, you can showcase your portfolio and connect with potential clients searching for home decor inspiration and local design professionals.
As an interior designer on Houzz, you can participate in discussions, answer questions in the advice section, and share your expertise in community forums.
However, Houzz comes with its set of challenges. Depending on your location, competition can be significant, making it tough to stand out, especially with the free version.
Also, many users browse Houzz for inspiration rather than actively hiring, so leads may not always convert into high-quality clients.
If you’re in an area where Houzz is saturated with other designers, wanting to focus on other platforms can be understandable. If that’s indeed your case, the next two platforms might be good options to consider.
Set up a Yelp & Google My Business profile to attract local clients
If you’re an interior designer or home stager serving exclusively local clients, Yelp and Google My Business can be invaluable to getting discovered online.
They often serve as the initial point of contact between businesses and potential clients. So, it’s essential that your profiles on them are complete, accurate, and visually appealing.
Both Yelp and Google My Business allow you to create detailed profiles, including your contact information, services offered, business hours, and display images of your work. To boost your visibility in local search results and make it easier for potential clients to find you, optimize your profiles with relevant keywords. These will depend on your location and your specialty as an interior designer.
With Google My Business, you can also post updates, share news, and promote special offers directly on your profile, such as introducing new services or seasonal promotions.
Both platforms allow clients to leave reviews, which can bolster your credibility, particularly among those unfamiliar with your work. You can respond to reviews to demonstrate responsiveness and dedication to meeting client needs based on their feedback.
Become a media authority on all things interior design
Reaching out to media and publications might seem intimidating at first, but it’s worth pushing past any discomfort. Here’s why: Media appearances not only help make your brand more memorable, but they also establish trust and credibility. Being featured in the media positions you as an expert, whether in national outlets or local publications.
Local magazines and online publications are always looking for fresh content and expert insights. This makes them ideal platforms to position yourself as a trusted resource and raise awareness of your brand.
Start by identifying local magazines and online publications focused on home improvement, lifestyle, and interior design topics. Reach out to editors and propose contributing regular columns or articles on topics you are an expert on. This will provide your chosen media outlet with a consistent stream of valuable content while helping you establish your presence in the community.
Whatever media you choose, include your contact information and social media handles in your byline, making it easy for readers to connect with you after reading your articles.
Attend local events and trade shows
In an industry like interior design, face-to-face interactions are among the best ways to connect with potential clients and build trust. Unless you exclusively work as a virtual designer serving remote clients, attending local events should be a key part of your marketing strategy. They offer excellent opportunities for these connections, whether it’s at community fairs, home and garden shows, or design expos.
When it comes to design events, don’t think of your participation being just about setting up a booth with your portfolio and waiting for people to approach you.
You could volunteer to speak at local home shows, offer mini seminars, or provide on-the-spot consultations. Activities like these make your presence more engaging and encourage interactions with visitors who could become your future clients.
Host in-person design workshops
Just like attending local events, hosting workshops or seminars on trending design topics or DIY projects can attract attention and help establish you as an interior design expert.
You can cover a range of topics: from current design trends and color theory to practical DIY projects and space planning – anything close to your heart.
In-person workshops and seminars can not only bolster your authority but also provide excellent networking opportunities. Attendees are likely homeowners or design enthusiasts who could potentially be interested in your services. Engaging directly with participants allows you to build personal connections, address specific questions, and offer valuable design advice.
To promote your workshop or seminar, you can use your social media profiles, local community boards, or platforms like Eventbrite or Meetup.com.
During the workshop, encourage participants to share about it on their social media using specific hashtags and tagging you to spread the word about your brand.
To go a step further, think about recording parts of the workshop to share as snippets on social media or in your newsletter. This provides valuable content for your followers or subscribers while generating interest for your future events.
For any in-person event you host, remember to collect contact information from attendees and add them to your email list. This way, you can stay in touch and work on converting them into clients over time.
Partner with related businesses in your area
If you’re focusing on clients in a specific area, partnering with related local businesses can be a great way to promote your business.
There are many businesses to choose from, including local realtors, furniture stores, architects, and others. Whomever you’d like to partner with, make sure to tailor your pitch to each type of business and have marketing materials like brochures or leaflets featuring high-quality images of your work ready to share.
In terms of collaboration, you could offer special deals or bundled services, such as providing a discount on design consultations for customers who make purchases at a local furniture store.
You could also offer a free service through a giveaway sponsored by a local business. If you are a new interior designer, this can be a great way to collect valuable testimonials and potentially gain client referrals. For instance, team up with a local paint or wallpaper brand to offer a free consultation as part of a contest they host.
Business partnership ideas for interior designers
Another idea is to create a model room or vignette in a store or partner with a local furniture store to host design workshops, DIY classes, or seasonal decoration seminars.
For a holiday decorating workshop, you can showcase the store’s products while demonstrating your expertise. Be sure to leave marketing materials like leaflets or brochures detailing your services for attendees who are interested in design consultations or home makeovers.
When collaborating with realtors, consider offering design consultations for new property listings, providing home staging services to help sellers achieve faster sales or higher prices, or co-hosting open houses. You could also organize events such as workshops on effective house-selling strategies, where you share insights from a designer’s perspective.
There are numerous ways to market your design business, both online and offline, even without having a website.
Whether you use social media platforms, online directories like Yelp and Google My Business, or focus on offline activities such as attending events, hosting workshops, or collaborating with local businesses, you can effectively build trust and attract new clients without relying on a website.
