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Your first users for a website builder are people with a business and a bad website, or no website at all. They are easy to find, and a short, specific message gets replies. Each template below is ready to copy. Fill in the brackets, then send it to one real person at a time.

All guidesFor founders of a website builder

1. Local business with no website

Subject: Quick question about [Business Name]'s website Body: Hi [Name], I found [Business Name] on Google Maps and saw you have great reviews but no website. I'm building [Product], a website builder for [type of business, e.g. salons]. I'd like to set up a free one-page site for you this week in exchange for honest feedback. Want me to send a draft? [Your Name] Use this when a Google Maps search like "[trade] near [city]" shows a listing with no website link.

2. Business with an outdated site

Subject: Your site on mobile Body: Hi [Name], I opened [their URL] on my phone and [specific issue, e.g. the menu is cut off and the phone number isn't clickable]. I'm building [Product] and I'm rebuilding a few sites for free to test it. I could have a mobile version of your homepage ready in [2 days]. Interested? [Your Name] Use this when you have actually checked their site and can name one concrete problem.

3. Freelancer on LinkedIn

Message: Hi [Name], saw you're a [job title, e.g. freelance photographer / independent bookkeeper] in [city]. Your LinkedIn is solid, but I couldn't find a portfolio site. I'm building [Product], a website builder for solo professionals, and looking for 10 early users. I'll set yours up free and you tell me what's confusing. Worth 15 minutes this week? Use this when you search LinkedIn for titles like "freelance designer", "independent consultant" or "wedding photographer" and find profiles with no website.

4. Reply on Reddit

Comment: I'm building a website builder for exactly this, [one line on what it does, e.g. one-page sites for tradespeople that take 10 minutes]. Happy to set yours up free if you want to try it and tell me what breaks. No pressure, and [quick useful tip that answers their question] either way. Use this under posts in r/smallbusiness, r/Entrepreneur, r/freelance or r/sidehustle where someone asks "what's the easiest way to make a website?", and check each subreddit's self-promotion rules first.

5. Post in a Facebook group

Post: I'm building [Product], a website builder for [audience, e.g. home bakers and cake makers]. I'm looking for 5 people in this group who need a simple site with [key feature, e.g. an order form and photo gallery]. I'll build it with you for free on a 20 minute call. In return I want blunt feedback. Comment or DM me if that's you. Use this in niche groups like local business owner groups, "[city] small business network" or trade-specific groups, after asking an admin if it's allowed.

6. Indie Hackers or X build-in-public post

Post: I'm building [Product], a website builder for [audience]. Most builders make you pick from 200 templates. Mine asks [3 questions] and gives you a finished site. I'm onboarding the first 10 users by hand this week. If you or someone you know needs a site for [use case], reply and I'll set it up free. Use this on Indie Hackers, X or a relevant Slack or Discord when you want tag-a-friend referrals, not only direct users.

7. Follow-up after no reply

Subject: Re: [original subject] Body: Hi [Name], following up once. I put together a rough draft of what [Business Name]'s homepage could look like: [link or screenshot]. If it's not useful, no worries and I won't message again. [Your Name] Use this 4 to 5 days after the first message, only once, and ideally with a real draft attached.

8. Turn a free user into a paying one

Body: Hi [Name], your site has been live for [2 weeks] and [specific result if real, e.g. you mentioned getting two booking requests through it]. I'm starting paid plans at [price]/month, which covers [hosting, domain, edits]. As one of the first users you'd keep [early discount] for life. Want me to switch you over? If it's not worth it to you, tell me why. That helps too. Use this once a free user has used the site and told you it helped. Hulby, an AI cofounder, can find these leads and draft these messages for you daily.

Mistakes to skip

  • Sending the same generic message to 100 businesses instead of naming one real detail about each.
  • Pitching features like drag-and-drop or SEO tools instead of offering to build their site for them.
  • Posting links in Reddit or Facebook groups without reading the rules or asking an admin.
  • Following up more than once or never asking a happy free user to pay.

Want this done for your website builder, every day?

Hulby finds the people asking for what you built, writes every reply and email, and keeps you on it until they pay. Free to start.

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Questions

How many DMs should I send per day?

Start with 20 personalized messages a day. That's enough to get replies without the quality dropping.

Should I offer the website builder for free?

Yes, for your first 5 to 10 users, in exchange for feedback. Set a clear date to talk about paid plans.

Where do I find businesses without a website?

Search Google Maps for a trade and city, like "plumber Leeds", and look for listings with no website link.

What if nobody replies?

Make the message shorter and more specific, and attach a quick draft of their site. A real draft gets more replies than a pitch.