Finding web design clients can feel like an uphill battle — especially if you’re new, working solo, or trying to build your freelance business without spending a fortune on ads.
But what if you could uncover hundreds of potential clients in under 10 minutes — for free?
In this post, I’ll show you exactly how to do it using a hidden database called ReferenceUSA that gives you access to more than 54 million U.S. businesses — all searchable and downloadable with the click of a button.
No cold calls, no paid ads, no complicated funnels — just a library card and an internet connection.
By the end, you’ll know how to:
- Find hundreds of local business leads fast.
- Filter them by who actually needs a website.
- See how much they spend on tech so you can price smarter.
- Turn your list into a steady stream of web design income.
Why Finding Web Design Clients Feels So Hard
Every web designer hits this wall:
You’ve got the skills, maybe a few portfolio pieces, but… no consistent clients.
You post on social media, you DM small business owners, you try freelancing platforms — and yet most of your leads ghost you or say, “We’ll think about it.”
The truth is, you’re targeting too randomly.
If you want a sustainable business, you need qualified leads — people who already need a website and have the budget to pay for it.
That’s where this strategy shines. It cuts through the noise and gives you a data-driven shortcut to connect directly with business owners who actually need your service.
The Hidden Tool: ReferenceUSA (Now Called Data Axle Reference Solutions)
If you live in the U.S., your public library holds the key to unlimited leads — literally.
Every major library system in America has free access to a database called ReferenceUSA (recently rebranded as Data Axle Reference Solutions).
It contains contact information for over 54 million U.S. businesses — including details like:
- Owner name and phone number
- Company address and neighborhood
- Industry and services offered
- Estimated annual revenue
- Computer and technology spend
- Whether they have a website or not
You can filter by all of these — and the best part?
It’s 100% free with a library card.
💡 Even if your card isn’t free, the one-time cost is usually around $1–$5 — which is practically nothing for the amount of data you’ll access.
Step-by-Step: How to Find Web Design Clients Using ReferenceUSA
Let’s go through the exact steps you can follow to find web design clients in under 10 minutes.
1. Log Into Your Library’s Online Database
Start by visiting your local library’s website (for example, “Kenosha Public Library” if you live in Wisconsin).
Look for a section labeled Online Databases or Digital Resources.
Scroll until you find ReferenceUSA (or Reference Solutions).
When prompted, enter your library card number to log inHow To Find Web design clients ….
✅ Pro tip: If your local library doesn’t offer access, check nearby city or county libraries. Many systems allow non-residents to register online for a small fee.
2. Search for Businesses in Your Target Area
Once you’re inside, you’ll see a dashboard offering multiple database options.
Click on U.S. Businesses.
From there, you can:
- Search by company name (if you’re targeting specific businesses).
- Or, use Advanced Search to filter by location, business size, or industry.
Let’s say you want to find restaurants in Cook County, Illinois (home to Chicago).
Here’s how:
- Choose “Illinois” under State.
- Then select “Cook County.”
- Click “Update Count” to see how many businesses are available.
- Finally, click View Results.
This will pull up every single restaurant in Cook County, complete with addresses, phone numbers, and key dataHow To Find Web design clients ….
3. Narrow Down by Industry or Business Type
Once your list loads, click on the “Charts” tab.
This feature lets you filter businesses by industry — restaurants, attorneys, dentists, gyms, retail shops, etc.
For web designers, great categories to target include:
- Restaurants and cafes (often outdated or missing websites)
- Local service providers (plumbers, electricians, landscapers)
- Law firms and medical offices (need professional branding)
- Real estate agents (always need modern, mobile sites)
Pick one industry to start with.
Once selected, you’ll get a list of thousands of businesses just in that nicheHow To Find Web design clients ….
💡 You can select up to 225 businesses per search, so if you have more results, just repeat the process and combine your lists later.
4. Download the Business List (CSV or Excel)
Now it’s time to export your leads.
Click Download, verify you’re not a robot, and choose “Detailed Record.”
Then select CSV (comma-delimited) — this makes it easy to sort in Google Sheets or Excel.
Your file will include:
- Business name
- Owner or executive
- Address
- Phone number
- Website (if they have one)
- Estimated revenue
- Number of employees
- Hours of operation
- Technology spending (computer and internet expenses)
That’s everything you need to identify who to contact, how to reach them, and how much to charge.How To Find Web design clients …
5. Sort Businesses by Website Status
Here’s where the magic happens.
Open your CSV file and sort the “Website” column.
This instantly separates businesses that:
- ✅ Already have a website (you can pitch redesigns or SEO).
- ❌ Don’t have a website (you can offer to build one from scratch).
If you’re new, start with the “No Website” group — they’re easier to close since they already know they’re missing something vitalHow To Find Web design clients ….
6. Filter by Tech Spending or Revenue
Want to know how much to charge?
Use the “Sales Volume” or “Computer Expenses” columns to gauge a company’s size and budget.
For example:
- Businesses spending under $500 on tech may only afford $500–$800 websites.
- Companies spending $1,000+ on IT are likely open to $1,000–$3,000+ sites.
This insight lets you tailor your pitch — offering starter packages to smaller shops and premium builds to established businessesHow To Find Web design clients ….
7. Find Extra Income Streams (Social Media & Add-Ons)
Scroll further in your spreadsheet and you’ll see if each business has:
- A Facebook page
- A Twitter handle
- A LinkedIn presence
If a business has Facebook but no website, that’s a perfect opening.
Reach out and say something like:
“I saw your business on Facebook — your posts are great!
Have you thought about having a website that helps customers find you on Google too?”
You can also sell add-on services like:
- Social media setup
- Google Business Profile optimization
- Local SEO packages
- Website maintenance retainers
Every missing element is a sales opportunity for youHow To Find Web design clients ….
💡 Want to Skip the Manual Work?
💡 Pro Shortcut:
Want to automate this entire process — from data gathering to outreach — and start landing clients while you sleep?
👉 Join the Platform-Proof Profits Membership
You’ll get my full client acquisition system with templates, AI scripts, and automation workflows to turn contacts into contracts.
Why This Method Works Better Than Paid Ads or Cold Outreach
Let’s be clear — this isn’t a “hack.” It’s leveraging public business data intelligently.
Here’s why it works so well:
- You’re contacting decision-makers directly.
ReferenceUSA gives you owner or executive names — not generic support emails. - You know exactly who needs help.
You can see who lacks a website or has outdated tech before reaching out. - You save money.
No ad spend, no lead platform fees — just free public data. - You control your targeting.
Choose any city, niche, or business size. Want to target Chicago restaurants or Dallas dentists? You can. - You get immediate results.
In my test, I pulled 150 qualified leads in under six minutes.
This beats any cold outreach list or ad campaign because you’re working with verified, localized, and relevant data.
How to Turn the List into Paying Clients
Finding leads is only half the battle — converting them is where you get paid.
Here’s a simple system for turning your ReferenceUSA list into real money:
1. Create a Simple Email Script
Keep it short and personal. For example:
Subject: Quick question about your website
Hi [Name],
I noticed your [business type] in [city] doesn’t have a website yet.
I help local businesses create affordable, mobile-friendly websites that attract more customers from Google.
Would you like me to send you a quick demo?— [Your Name]
You can also follow up via phone if numbers are available. A 20-second call like this works wonders:
“Hi [Name], this is [Your Name]. I’m a local web designer — just saw your business on ReferenceUSA and noticed you don’t have a site yet. I can show you what it could look like for free. Interested?”
2. Use the Data to Segment Your Outreach
Split your list into:
- No website → cold leads for new builds.
- Old website → warm leads for redesigns.
- High revenue → premium offers.
- Social-only → cross-sell opportunities.
The more segmented your outreach, the higher your response rates.
3. Build a Sample Site Before You Pitch
Pick one business and build a quick mock homepage demo in under an hour using a page builder like:
- WordPress + Elementor
- Wix
- Framer
- Webflow
When you reach out, say:
“I created a sample homepage to show how your business could stand out online — want to see it?”
This small gesture instantly separates you from spammy freelancers.
4. Offer Value, Not Just a Sale
You’re not just selling a website — you’re solving a business problem:
- “You’ll show up when people Google restaurants near me.”
- “Your customers can order online.”
- “You’ll look more professional than competitors.”
Frame your outreach around benefits, not features.
Bonus: Multiply Your Reach Beyond Local Clients
Once you master this system locally, scale it nationally.
You can use ReferenceUSA to pull businesses from any U.S. region:
- LA
- New York
- Miami
- Houston
- Phoenix
Export new CSVs each week, filter by industry, and outsource outreach through automation tools like:
- Mailshake or Instantly.ai (cold email)
- Apollo.io (CRM)
- Google Sheets + Zapier (data cleanup)
Soon, you’ll have a client pipeline feeding you consistent projects every month.
How This Can Help You Make Money Online Long-Term
This method doesn’t just help you get one-off web design gigs — it can build a full digital income system.
Once you’ve built a few sites, you can:
- Add maintenance retainers ($100–$300/month).
- Offer SEO or Google Ads management.
- Sell digital products like templates or website starter kits.
- Build your own agency brand over time.
Every client you land is a potential long-term income stream.
Even five recurring clients at $200/month = $1,000 passive income.
Final Thoughts: The Easiest Way to Find Clients Without Ads
In less than ten minutes, you can find, filter, and contact hundreds of businesses that actually need your services — all using a free public tool most freelancers overlook.
The steps are simple:
- Log into your local library database.
- Access ReferenceUSA (Reference Solutions).
- Filter by location and industry.
- Download the leads.
- Sort by who doesn’t have a website.
- Reach out with value-first offers.
If you’re serious about growing your web design business without wasting money on ads or directories, this is the fastest and most effective method you can use today.
💡 Want to see how I automate this entire process — from lead scraping to client onboarding?
👉 Join the Platform-Proof Profits Membership and get the full client acquisition system, templates, and scripts.