Started a New Business? Here's How to Get Your First 100 Customers Online

Where will your first customers come from?

You may have created a website, opened social media accounts and told people about your business. But getting people to visit your website is one thing. Convincing them to buy from you is another.

Many new business owners make the mistake of trying too many marketing activities at once. They post on every social media platform, spend money on ads and publish blog articles without knowing whether these activities will bring customers.

You do not need to do everything at the same time.

Start by finding people who need what you sell. Show them how your business can help, answer their questions and make it easy for them to contact you.

In this guide, you will learn how to get your first 100 customers online, even if your business is new and your marketing budget is limited. You will also find practical examples, simple marketing ideas and a 90-day plan that you can follow.

1. Decide Who You Want to Sell To

Before looking for customers, decide who is most likely to buy from you.

For example, if you have started a website development company, you may want to work with small businesses, startups, shops, schools or large companies.

But each of these customers has different needs.

A new business may need its first website. An old company may want to replace its outdated website. An online store may need a website that makes it easier for people to place orders.

If you try to target all these customers with the same message, it may not work well.

How to find the right customers

Start by answering these questions:

• Who needs your product or service?
• What problem are they facing?
• How are they solving this problem today?
• How much are they willing to spend?
• Where do they search for a solution?
• What would make them choose your business?

For example, a company offering digital marketing services could start with small businesses that have a website but receive very few enquiries.

These businesses may need help with Google rankings, website content or online advertising.

You can make a simple table to understand your target customers.

Customer type	Problem	Possible solution
New business	Does not have a website	Website design and development
Local shop	People cannot find it online	Local SEO and Google Business Profile
Small company	Website gets visitors but few enquiries	SEO and website improvements
Online store	Not getting enough orders	SEO, product pages and advertising
Startup	People do not know about its product	Content and digital marketing

You do not need to target every group from the beginning.

Choose one or two customer types and learn about their needs. You can target other groups when you understand what works.

A useful tip: Talk to a few people who may need your service. Ask what problems they face and what they look for before choosing a company. Their answers can help you improve your offer.

2. Make It Clear What Your Business Offers

Imagine that someone visits your website for the first time.

They should not have to guess what your business does.

A common mistake is using general lines such as:

"We provide complete business solutions."

"Your trusted partner for success."

"Quality services at affordable prices."

These lines do not tell customers exactly what they will get.

Instead, explain your service in simple words.

For example:

"We design and develop websites for small businesses that want to present their services online and receive more customer enquiries."

Now a visitor can understand what you do and who you help.

What should your offer include?

Your offer should explain four things:

1. What you provide: Tell people about your product or service.
2. Who it is for: Explain which customers can benefit from it.
3. How it helps: Describe the problem it can solve.
4. What to do next: Give people a clear way to contact you.

For example, if you run a website design company, you could invite visitors to discuss their website requirements or request a price estimate.

If you sell software, you could offer a product demonstration.

If you provide accounting services, you could invite business owners to discuss their registration or tax requirements.

Your first offer should make it easy for a potential customer to start a conversation.

Do not promise guaranteed sales, rankings or results just to attract enquiries. Explain what your business can deliver and what the customer can expect.

3. Create a Website That Helps People Contact You

A website gives customers a place to learn about your business, check your services and contact you.

You may receive visitors through Google, social media, advertisements or personal recommendations. When they reach your website, they should quickly understand why they should consider your business.

What pages should your website have?

Homepage

Explain what your business does, who you serve and which main services or products you offer.

For example, if you provide website development, mention the type of websites you build and the customers you work with.

About Us

Tell visitors how your business started, what your team does and how you work with customers.

Do not fill this page with general claims. Share useful information that helps people understand your company.

Services or Products

Create separate pages for your main services or products.

For example, a digital marketing company offering SEO, social media marketing and PPC should explain each service on its own page.

Contact Us

Add your business email, phone number, enquiry form and other contact details.

Make sure the information is correct and easy to find.

Testimonials or Case Studies

If you have worked with customers, show genuine feedback and examples of completed work.

If your business is new and you do not have customer reviews yet, do not create fake testimonials. You can show sample projects, explain your working process and describe what customers can expect.

Make your website easy to use

Check these points before sharing your website:

• Does it work properly on mobile phones?
• Can visitors understand your services easily?
• Do the contact buttons work?
• Is the enquiry form simple?
• Can visitors find your phone number and email?
• Do the pages load properly?
• Are there any broken links or missing images?

Try opening your website on your own phone. Ask someone who has never seen it to find a service and send an enquiry.

If they struggle to understand your website, make the necessary changes.

A good website should help people take the next step without making them search for basic information.

4. Find Customers Through Google Search

Think about how you search for a service when you need one.

You may type something like "website development company" or "accountant near me" into Google.

Your potential customers do the same thing.

SEO, or search engine optimisation, helps your website appear in search results when people look for services or information related to your business.

Start with the services you sell

Make a list of the main services your business offers.

For example, a website development company may target searches such as:

• Website development company.
• Website design for small businesses.
• Custom website development.
• Business website design.
• Website redesign services.

These are examples of searches that may help you understand what customers are looking for. Use keyword research tools and your own customer conversations to decide which terms are relevant.

Create useful service pages

If you offer different services, explain them on separate pages.

For example, a digital marketing company may have:

• SEO Services.
• Local SEO Services.
• Website Design Services.
• Website Development Services.
• Social Media Marketing.
• PPC Advertising.

Each page should explain what the service includes, who may need it and how to get started.

Do not create several pages that say almost the same thing just to target slightly different keywords. One useful page is often better than many similar pages.

Write articles that answer customer questions

People often search Google before deciding which company to contact.

A person looking for website development may want to know:

• How much does a business website cost?
• What pages should a business website have?
• How long does it take to build a website?
• Should I choose a custom website or a ready-made template?

You can write helpful articles around these questions.

Give readers a clear answer. Explain the choices available and mention what they should consider before making a decision.

Check how your website is performing

Google Search Console is a free tool that helps you see how your website performs in Google Search.

You can use it to check:

• Which search terms bring visitors to your website.
• How many times your pages appear in search results.
• How many people click on your pages.
• Which pages are indexed by Google.
• Whether Google has found any indexing problems.

SEO usually takes time. A new website may not get many visitors immediately. Keep improving your website and use other ways to reach customers while your search visibility grows.

5. Help Local Customers Find Your Business

If you serve customers in a particular area, local search can help people find your business.

For example, someone may search for a dentist, restaurant, repair service or website designer in their city.

A Google Business Profile can help eligible businesses show their information on Google Search and Maps.

How to set up your Google Business Profile

Add correct business information, including:

• Business name.
• Main business category.
• Address or service area, where applicable.
• Phone number.
• Website.
• Working hours.
• Services or products.
• Genuine business photographs.

Choose the category that best describes your main business activity.

Keep your details updated. If your phone number, opening hours or address changes, update your profile.

Ask customers to share honest reviews

After completing a project or selling a product, you can ask the customer to share their experience.

For example:

"Thank you for choosing our business. We hope you were happy with our service. If you have a moment, please share an honest review of your experience."

Reply to reviews politely. If a customer raises a problem, try to understand the issue and provide a helpful response.

Never buy reviews or create fake business locations to appear in more areas. Follow Google's rules for business profiles.

Please note that Google Business Profile is not available to every type of online business. Check its eligibility rules before creating a profile.

6. Use Social Media to Reach More People

You do not need to use every social media platform to find customers.

Choose the platforms where your potential customers are most likely to spend time.

For example, a company selling services to other businesses may find LinkedIn useful. A clothing brand may get more value from Instagram. A local shop may use Facebook and Instagram to reach people nearby.

LinkedIn for business customers

If you provide services to other companies, LinkedIn can help you connect with business owners, founders, managers and professionals.

You can use it to:

• Share useful business advice.
• Explain common problems in your industry.
• Show examples of your work.
• Share customer feedback with permission.
• Connect with people in your target industry.
• Answer questions related to your services.

For example, if you provide SEO services, you could share a post explaining why a business website may receive visitors but very few enquiries.

This gives readers useful information and helps them understand the work your company does.

Instagram and Facebook for products and local services

These platforms can be useful for businesses that sell products or services that people can understand through photos and videos.

For example:

• A clothing store can share new products and styling ideas.
• A restaurant can share its menu and food photographs.
• An interior designer can show completed projects.
• A fitness studio can share class details and exercise demonstrations.

Use real photographs and videos wherever possible.

YouTube for detailed information

If your product or service needs more explanation, YouTube can help.

You can create videos showing how a product works, explaining a common problem or answering questions customers ask before buying.

For example, a software company could publish a short video showing how to use one of its main features.

What should you post?

You can start with these types of posts:

• Answers to common customer questions.
• Tips related to your industry.
• Product demonstrations.
• Photos of completed work.
• Customer feedback.
• Behind-the-scenes videos.
• Explanations of your services.

Avoid posting only advertisements. Give people information they can use, even if they are not ready to buy today.

7. Contact Potential Customers Directly

You do not always have to wait for customers to find you.

You can also contact people and businesses that may need your product or service.

This is especially useful if you sell services to other businesses.

Start with people you already know

Tell your friends, former colleagues, business contacts and professional connections about your new business.

Explain what you offer and which type of customer you want to reach.

For example:

"Hi, I have started a website design and development business. We help small businesses create professional websites and improve their online presence. If you know anyone planning a new website or redesign, I would appreciate an introduction."

This is a simple way to let people know about your business without putting pressure on them to buy.

Find businesses that may need your service

If you provide website development, look for companies that:

• Do not have a website.
• Have an old website.
• Have a website that does not work well on mobile phones.
• Have unclear service information.
• Are launching a new business or product.

If you provide digital marketing services, look for businesses that may need help with search visibility, content or online advertising.

Do not contact people randomly. First understand whether your service is relevant to their business.

Write a personal message

Avoid sending the same message to hundreds of businesses.

A better message explains why you are contacting that particular company.

For example:

"Hi, I came across your business website while looking at companies in your industry. I noticed that your service information could be easier for visitors to find. We help businesses improve their websites and online presence. Would you be open to a short discussion?"

Only mention things you have actually checked. Keep your message polite and do not continue contacting people who ask you to stop.

8. Get Customers Through Business Connections and Referrals

Other businesses may already have customers who need your services.

Building the right business relationships can help you reach those people.

For example:

• A website development company can work with branding agencies.
• A graphic designer can work with marketing companies.
• An accountant can build relationships with business consultants.
• A wedding photographer can connect with event planners.
• A digital marketing agency can work with website development companies.

These relationships can lead to referrals or project partnerships.

How to find the right partners

Look for businesses that serve the same type of customer but do not offer the same service.

Explain what your business does and how you may be able to work together.

Be clear about how projects, customer communication, payments and referrals will be handled.

You can also join business groups, industry associations and local business communities.

Take part in discussions and answer questions when you can help. Do not use every discussion to promote your business.

People are more likely to contact a company when they have seen that it understands their problems and communicates well.

9. Write Helpful Blog Articles for Your Customers

A blog can help your business reach people who are looking for information before buying a product or service.

But you do not need to write an article on every keyword you find.

Start with questions that your customers actually ask.

For example, if you run a website development company, useful topics could include:

• How Much Does It Cost to Build a Business Website?
• What Should a Small Business Website Include?
• How Long Does It Take to Build a Website?
• Should I Redesign My Existing Website?
• What Should I Check Before Hiring a Website Developer?

These articles can help people understand their options before contacting a company.

What makes a blog article useful?

A good article should:

• Answer the main question clearly.
• Use simple language.
• Explain difficult terms when needed.
• Include examples that readers can understand.
• Give practical steps.
• Explain common mistakes.
• Use correct and updated information.
• Avoid repeating the same points.

For example, if you are writing about website development costs, do not simply say that prices depend on requirements.

Explain what affects the cost, such as the number of pages, design, special features, payment systems, integrations and content.

This gives readers a much better idea of what they need to discuss with a developer.

Use AI tools carefully

AI tools can help with research, outlines and the first draft of an article. But you should check the information before publishing it.

Make sure the article answers the question properly, uses correct facts and includes examples that make sense.

Do not publish several articles that repeat the same information with different headings. Give each article a clear purpose.

Your readers should find the answer they need without having to visit several other websites.

10. Try Online Advertising When You Are Ready

If you have a clear offer and a working website, online advertising can help you reach potential customers.

But spending money on advertisements does not automatically mean you will get sales.

First, make sure you know what you are advertising, who you want to reach and where people will go after clicking the advertisement.

Google Ads

Google Ads can help you reach people who are searching for products or services like yours.

For example, a person searching for "website development company" may be looking for a service provider.

Choose search terms that match your services. Avoid broad terms that may attract people who are looking for jobs, free information or unrelated services.

Facebook and Instagram Ads

These platforms can help you show your products or services to selected audiences.

They may work well for:

• Clothing and fashion businesses.
• Restaurants and food brands.
• Local services.
• Beauty and lifestyle products.
• Online stores.
• Businesses that use photos and videos to explain their products.

LinkedIn Ads

LinkedIn Ads may be useful for companies that sell to other businesses.

You can use its targeting options to reach relevant professional audiences. However, advertising costs can be high, so check whether the expected value of a customer makes the campaign worthwhile.

Start with a small test

Before increasing your advertising budget:

1. Choose one product or service.
2. Decide who you want to reach.
3. Create a clear advertisement.
4. Send visitors to a relevant page.
5. Make sure your enquiry form works.
6. Track calls, form submissions and purchases.
7. Check whether the enquiries are from suitable customers.

For example, suppose you spend ₹10,000 on advertising and receive 25 enquiries. If only two people become customers, you need to understand why the other enquiries did not turn into sales.

Were the enquiries relevant? Was the price too high? Did people stop responding? Was the service not what they expected?

The answers will help you decide whether to change your advertisement, landing page, offer or sales process.

11. Turn Enquiries into Paying Customers

Getting an enquiry is not the same as getting a customer.

Someone may visit your website, fill in a form or send a WhatsApp message but still not be ready to buy.

How you handle that enquiry can make a difference.

Reply to enquiries on time

Check your emails, contact forms, phone calls and business messages regularly.

If you cannot give a full answer immediately, let the person know that you have received the enquiry and will get back to them.

Understand what the customer needs

Before sending a quotation, ask a few questions.

For example, if someone contacts your website development company, you may need to know:

• Is this a new website or a redesign?
• What type of business do they run?
• How many pages do they need?
• Do they need special features?
• When do they want to launch?
• Do they have a budget in mind?

You do not need to ask every question at once. Start with the details needed to understand the project.

Explain your price and work clearly

Do not send only a price without explaining what is included.

Tell the customer what they will receive, what is not included, how long the work may take and what you need from them.

Clear information helps customers compare offers and understand what they are paying for.

Follow up politely

Some people need time to make a decision.

If someone has received your quotation but has not replied, send a short follow-up asking whether they have any questions.

Do not send repeated messages if the person is not interested.

Keep a record of enquiries

You can use a simple spreadsheet to manage your leads.

Customer	Enquiry source	Requirement	Status
ABC Company	Google	Website development	Proposal sent
XYZ Store	Instagram	Online store	Discussion started
John	Referral	SEO services	New enquiry

Update the sheet whenever someone contacts you.

This will help you remember whom to contact, which proposals are pending and where your customers are coming from.

12. Check Which Marketing Activities Bring Customers

After trying different ways to reach customers, check what is working.

You do not need to spend hours checking every marketing number. Start with a few important details.

Website visitors: How many people visit your website?

Enquiries: How many people contact you?

Suitable enquiries: How many enquiries come from people who actually need your service?

New customers: How many people make a purchase or sign an agreement?

Marketing expenses: How much are you spending to get those customers?

For example, imagine you receive 40 enquiries in a month. Ten are suitable for your service, and three become paying customers.

This tells you more than simply saying that your website received 1,000 visitors.

You can also calculate the cost of getting a customer.

Suppose you spend ₹20,000 on marketing and get five new customers.

Your marketing cost per customer is:

₹20,000 ÷ 5 = ₹4,000.

This is a simple example. To understand whether the marketing is profitable, you also need to consider how much each customer pays and how much it costs your business to deliver the product or service.

A customer who pays once may have a different value from someone who continues buying from you every month.

13. Follow This 90-Day Plan to Find Your First Customers

If you are not sure where to begin, use this plan to organise your work.

You can change the activities according to your business and available time.

Days 1–30: Get Your Business Ready

During the first month, focus on preparing your business for customers.

• Decide who you want to sell to.
• Find out what problems those customers face.
• Finalise your products or services.
• Write a clear business introduction.
• Create or improve your website.
• Add your main service or product pages.
• Set up your social media accounts.
• Create a Google Business Profile if your business is eligible.
• Set up Google Search Console.
• Make a list of people and businesses you may contact.

By the end of this month: Your business should have a clear offer and an online presence where people can learn about your products or services.

Days 31–60: Start Reaching Potential Customers

Now begin telling people about your business.

• Contact relevant people in your network.
• Find businesses that may need your services.
• Send personal messages to suitable prospects.
• Publish useful social media posts.
• Write articles around customer questions.
• Join relevant business communities.
• Ask satisfied customers for honest feedback.
• Check your website enquiries.
• Try a small advertising campaign if you are ready.

By the end of this month: You should have started conversations with potential customers and have a better idea of which marketing activities are bringing enquiries.

Days 61–90: Improve Your Results

Use what you have learned during the first two months.

• Check which customer groups respond most often.
• Improve your website pages.
• Review your search performance.
• Follow up on pending enquiries.
• Improve your sales messages.
• Check whether your advertising is bringing suitable leads.
• Build relationships with other businesses.
• Ask customers for referrals.
• Spend more time on activities that bring real business.

By the end of this month: You should have a clearer way to find prospects, manage enquiries and turn suitable leads into customers.

Getting 100 customers within 90 days is not guaranteed. It depends on your product, price, market, competition and sales process. Use this plan to build a steady way of finding customers rather than treating 100 customers as a fixed promise.

14. Why Is Your Business Getting Website Visitors but No Customers?

Some businesses receive website traffic but very few enquiries. If this happens to you, do not immediately increase your advertising budget.

First, find out where people are leaving and why.

People are visiting the wrong pages

Your website may be attracting visitors who are looking for information rather than buying a service.

Check the search terms and pages bringing visitors to your website. Make sure they match the services you actually offer.

People cannot understand your service

Your homepage or service pages may not explain what you do clearly.

Use simple words. Explain what is included, who needs the service and how to contact you.

People do not trust your business yet

A new business may not have many reviews or completed projects.

Share genuine examples of your work, introduce your team and explain your process. Give people enough information to understand who they are dealing with.

People cannot find your contact details

Check whether your phone number, email address and enquiry form are easy to find.

Test your forms to make sure enquiries are reaching the correct email address.

You are not following up

Some people need more information before they make a decision.

Reply to their questions and follow up politely when needed. Keep a record so that you do not forget pending enquiries.

Finding the reason for low sales is more useful than simply trying to bring more visitors to your website.

15. How Much Should You Spend on Marketing?

There is no fixed marketing budget for every new business.

A company selling low-priced products may need a different budget from a company selling expensive business services.

If you have limited money, begin with the activities you can manage yourself:

• Speak to potential customers.
• Improve your website.
• Create useful social media posts.
• Contact relevant businesses.
• Ask for referrals.
• Write articles that answer customer questions.
• Track your enquiries.

You can start paid advertising when you have a clear offer, a working website and a way to handle enquiries.

Do not spend money only because another company is running advertisements. First check whether the channel is suitable for your customers and whether you can afford to test it.

The aim is not to spend the most money. It is to understand which activities bring customers at a cost your business can manage.

Conclusion

Getting your first 100 customers takes time, effort and a clear plan.

You do not need to be present on every social media platform or spend a large amount on advertising from the beginning.

Start by understanding who needs your product or service. Explain your offer clearly, create a useful website and reach potential customers through the channels they already use.

Talk to people, answer their questions, follow up on enquiries and learn from every sale you make.

As your business grows, pay attention to where your customers come from and why they choose you. This will help you spend your time and money on the activities that bring real results.

Need Help Growing Your Business Online?

If you have a good product or service but are finding it difficult to reach customers online, the right website and marketing plan can help.

SEOspade provides SEO, website design and development, social media marketing and PPC services to help businesses improve their online presence.

Visit SEOspade to learn about our services and discuss what your business needs.