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How to Sell “Smart Websites” for $3,000+ Upfront and High-Ticket Recurring Revenue

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What if you could sell websites to businesses by charging them between $1,000 to $3,000 upfront, plus a monthly subscription between $97 and $697 per month? If you were building normal, everyday “brochure” sites, you definitely wouldn’t be able to get away with this. Businesses just wouldn’t see the value. But when you’re building businesses a “Smart Website,” they’ll pay these prices all day long.

So, what makes these smart websites so valuable that they command a decent-sized setup fee as well as a consistent monthly subscription? The short answer is because they combine a traditional website with the power of AI and automation. This fusion creates a system that will save businesses time, generate them more leads, rank them higher on Google, and ultimately, grow their business—all while looking great.

This business model is highly effective, and there are still far too many businesses that need this exact offer. The demand is overwhelming.

This comprehensive guide will explore the entire “Smart Website” agency model. We will cover:

But before we dive into the “how-to,” let’s examine a real-life example of a smart website to understand what makes them so helpful and so valuable.

What is a “Smart Website?” The 4-Pillar Framework

A smart website is not just a digital calling card; it’s an active, automated employee for the business. All of these sites can be built using a powerful all-in-one software called GoHighLevel. This platform provides the templates, tools, and automation engine to make this all possible. A true “Smart Website” is built on four key pillars.

Pillar 1: Beautiful, Professional Design

The first component is a beautifully designed website. This is the barrier to entry. We want to ensure our clients’ websites look good, are modern, and are mobile-responsive. The site should match the client’s branding and represent them well on the internet, providing a professional hub they can link to from their social media pages and Google Business Profile.

A lot of this is made easy thanks to platforms like GoHighLevel, which include over a thousand website templates. These templates are often 90% of the way built out, allowing you to simply add a client’s logo, customize the services, update the locations, and swap in their photos. This template-based approach is what makes the model scalable, allowing you to build a high-quality site in hours, not weeks.

Pillar 2: Multi-Channel Lead Capture

This is where we begin to see the “smart” features. A static website just provides information; a smart website actively encourages and captures leads in multiple ways.

Pillar 3: Built-in SEO Optimization

A beautiful website that no one can find is useless. The third pillar is ensuring the site is structured for Search Engine Optimization (SEO) right out of the box. This is done by ensuring the text on the pages is optimized for the business we’re building it for.

If this were a real client, we would integrate their service locations and all their specific services into the site’s text and structure. A key part of this is building out individual pages for each service and location.

This strategy makes Google know exactly where the business is located, what areas they serve, and what services they offer. As a result, the client will start ranking better for those valuable keywords.

Pillar 4: The AI & Automation Engine

This final pillar is the most valuable and is the primary reason businesses will pay a monthly subscription. The website itself is just the “top” of the system; the automation is the engine that runs underneath.

I’ve already mentioned the AI chatbot. But we can also hook up the “Click-to-Call” button to an AI Receptionist. This AI can answer live phone calls, talk to leads and customers, answer their questions, and book them in for appointments—all live over the phone. It sounds almost human and can do the work of a full-time receptionist for a fraction of the cost.

Furthermore, all the other lead captures are tied into automated follow-ups.

This instant follow-up is critical. It lets people know they aren’t being ignored and dramatically increases the chance of converting that lead into a customer. We’re building them a system that actually follows up with and nurtures their leads, helping them convert more customers and make more money.

These four pillars—Design, Lead Capture, SEO, and Automation—are what turn a simple website into a money-making “Smart Website.”

Who to Sell To: The “Power of 3” Niche Strategy

Now that we know what a smart website is, what types of businesses should we offer them to? There are tons of niches you can target, but the offer is primarily focused on service-based businesses. This includes:

Any business that trades money for a provided service is a prime candidate. While this offer could work for product-based businesses (like restaurants or e-com stores), GoHighLevel is truly built for service-based businesses, and it’s much easier to get them results.

At this point, it is highly recommended to choose three related niches within this category. For example, you might decide to go with:

  1. Barbers
  2. Hair Salons
  3. Spas

Or you might choose:

  1. Landscapers
  2. Pool Builders
  3. Pest Control Companies

The reason for targeting three related niches is that you can create a powerful referral system between them. When you land your first landscaping client and do a great job, you can ask them, “Hey, do you know any pool builders or pest control companies in the area that could also use a smart website?”

Because landscapers likely work with these other professions, they will gladly introduce you. But if you only work with one niche (e.g., only landscapers), you can’t ask a landscaper for a referral to another landscaper. They won’t want to help their direct competitors. By picking adjacent, non-competing niches, you create a built-in growth loop. It’s best to stick to just three to avoid becoming overwhelmed.

How to Find Prospects for Your Smart Website Offer

So, we know what to sell and who to sell it to. How do we find them and reach out?

Method 1: The Google Maps Goldmine

A quick Google Maps search for, say, “tree trimming near me” will reveal a goldmine of leads. You will find a long list of businesses, and many of them are ideal candidates. You’ll see:

You can click on these profiles, find their phone number, and reach out using the Value First Method. You would cold call them and say:

“Hey, Mr. Business Owner, I saw your Google profile and noticed you didn’t have a website, so I went ahead and built you a new ‘Smart Website.’ I’d love to show it to you.”

This is a powerful approach because you’ve already done something for them. They feel obligated to at least look at what you’ve done. The secret? We’re not *actually* building every tree trimmer a custom website. We’re just using a pre-built template (like our arborist example) and using that same demo to show every tree trimmer. They don’t know that. If they already have a website, the pitch is slightly different:

“Hey, Mr. Business Owner, I saw your website, noticed it was a little outdated, and so I built you a new and improved ‘Smart Website.’ I’d love to show it to you.”

This method alone can fill your pipeline.

Method 2: Hyper-Targeted Lead Scraping

The problem with Google Maps is that you often get a receptionist, not the owner. To bypass this, you can use a lead generation tool like Whitelabeled Suite. This software allows you to do “People Searches” to get more exact data.

You can go into the software and set advanced filters:

The tool will spit out a list of landscaping business owners, complete with their personal cell phone numbers and emails. Now you have the direct contact information for the decision-makers. You can get hyper-specific, filtering by revenue (e.g., “$10 million a year or more”) or employee count. This tool can also integrate directly with GoHighLevel, importing those leads right into your contact list for easy outreach.

How to Build a Smart Website in a Few Hours

We know how to find leads. Now we need to know how to build the product quickly so our offer is repeatable and scalable. This is all done inside the GoHighLevel platform, under the “Sites” tab.

1. Start with a Template:
Inside the “Websites” section, you’ll create a new website “From Templates.” This pulls up GoHighLevel’s library of over a thousand templates. You can search for your niche (e.g., “Landscaping”) and pick one that looks good. This makes the build so much faster and easier.

2. Customize in the Builder:

Once you open a template, you’re in the website builder. It’s a simple click-to-edit system. You can click on any element (logo, text, button) and the styling panel appears on the right.

This “cheat code” is what allows you to build a custom-looking site in hours.

3. Add the Lead Capture Elements:
Once the design looks good, you’ll add the “smart” features.

4. Deploy the Elements on the Site:
Go back to your website builder.

5. Train and Activate the AI Bot:
This is the magic. Go to the “Conversation AI” section. Create a new bot. In “Bot Training,” create a “Knowledge Base.” Here, you can select “Add Source” -> “Web Crawler.” Paste the URL of the website you just built. The AI will read the entire site in minutes and be fully trained. Now, any question asked in the chat widget will be answered based on the site’s content.

6. Build the Automations:
Go to the “Automations” tab. You can even use the “Build using AI” feature. Just tell it what you want: “When the contact form is submitted, send a text message to the contact saying ‘Thanks for your inquiry!'” It will build the follow-up automations for you.

7. The Client’s View: The Mobile App
Once a client is set up, you can invite them to download the LeadConnector mobile app. This is a white-labeled app where your clients can see all their leads, manage conversations, view their appointments, and see their Google reviews, all from their phone. They don’t need to log into the complex desktop software. This app is a massive selling point, as it makes the “software” part of your offer tangible and easy to use.

You can even add ongoing SEO services using a tool like Search Atlas, which has an AI SEO pixel you can install on the site to provide even more monthly value.

The 3-Phase Sales Framework to Close 40% of Your Calls

You know how to build the sites, but how do you pitch them on a sales call? This simple, 3-phase conversational framework is incredibly effective.

Phase 1: Discovery (Permission to Diagnose)

Before you start, you ask one question: “Hey, is there anyone else from your business that should be on this call to hear about this?” This ensures all decision-makers are present.

Then, you start Phase 1 by asking for permission: “Is it cool if I ask you some questions about your business to see if we can even help you out?” They will always say yes. This prevents them from feeling interrogated.

Now, you ask your discovery questions:

As they answer, take notes. The goal of this phase is to have them realize the gaps in their business. You’re not selling; you’re helping them self-diagnose.

Phase 2: Presentation (The 4-Pillar Demo)

This is not a slideshow. This is where you deliver on the promise from your outreach. You’ll share your screen and show them the demo site you “put together for them.”

You’ll say, “This is just an example we put together. If you hate it, we can build something completely different. I just wanted to give you an idea of how our smart websites work.”

Then, you walk them through the four pillars we discussed, using the demo site as your visual aid:

  1. “First, it looks beautiful. We want to make sure you look better than your competitors.” (Scroll through the homepage).
  2. “Second, it’s SEO optimized. We build out all your service and location pages so Google knows exactly what you do.” (Show them the service page dropdown).
  3. “Third, it captures leads. We have the AI chat widget, the forms, and a calendar booking system.” (Point to each one).
  4. “Fourth, it’s automated. When a lead comes in, the system follows up automatically… and you can manage all of it from this simple app on your phone.” (This is a killer closing line).

Phase 3: The Close (Pricing & Path Forward)

Finally, you stop sharing the demo and pull up your agency’s pricing page. This should ideally have three packages.

You explain the setup fees, the monthly fees, and what they get. Then, you make a direct, honest recommendation:

“Based on what we talked about at the beginning—when you said you needed [Goal from Phase 1]—I’m thinking this middle ‘Growth Plan’ is the best one for you. You probably don’t need the ‘Elite’ plan yet, but the ‘Starter’ plan might be too basic.”

This shows you were listening and builds massive trust. You set expectations (“This setup process usually takes about two weeks…”), and then you ask for the sale. You can grab their card info, charge half the setup fee today and the rest on completion, and set the first monthly fee to start 30 days from then.

Inbound Magic: 2 Ways to Get Clients Coming to You

Cold outreach works, but isn’t there an easier way? Yes. Here are two super-effective methods for getting prospects to raise their hands and ask you for a smart site.

Method 1: The Free Facebook Group Funnel

This method is brilliant and requires no ad spend.

  1. Join Local Groups: Using your *personal* Facebook account, join active, local Facebook groups in your area (e.g., “Life in Idaho Falls,” “Your Town’s Community Page”).
  2. Make “The Post”: Create a post that says: “For my [Your City] business owners… Do you or anyone you know need a FREE website? No strings attached. All I ask is to feature your business in a portfolio to show the process of how we help (or just ask for a positive testimonial). Comment below or PM me if you could benefit from this!”
  3. The Funnel: This post will get dozens of comments.
    • Step 1: You’re going to message *all* of them. “Hey, I saw you commented on my post! What type of business do you own? I’m trying to pick the free website winner…”
    • Step 2: You have conversations with all of them. You learn about their business.
    • Step 3: You *actually pick one winner* and give them a free website, as promised.
    • Step 4: You go back to the 20+ other people you’re in conversations with and say: “Hey, I’m sorry, but we already picked the free website winner. But I really loved your business, so I’d be happy to build your website for a discounted setup fee.”

From one of these posts, you can easily book 10+ Zoom calls and close 2-3 paying clients, all while only giving away one free site. You’re getting paid to build your portfolio.

Method 2: The Local Landmark Facebook Ad

This is a paid method, but it’s incredibly smart.

  1. The Ad: You film a 30-60 second clip of yourself in front of a recognizable local landmark—the courthouse, a specific water tower, the local mall, etc.
  2. The Script: You call out the businesses in that area. “Hey [City Name] business owners! Standing here in front of [The Landmark], and I wanted to talk about…”
  3. Why it Works: It creates an *instant* connection. Businesses immediately recognize the landmark and trust you more because you are clearly local, not some faceless agency.

This strategy works. You can expect leads to come in for about $30, and you can close about one out of every 10. This means you’ll spend around $300 for a paying client. If you charge a $1,000 setup fee and just $97/month, you’ll get a 7x return on your ad spend in the first year alone. It’s insanely profitable.

Conclusion: From Web Designer to Marketing Partner

The “Smart Website” model is a fundamental shift in how to sell digital services. You are no longer just a web designer, a commodity trading time for a one-off project fee. You are becoming a true marketing partner.

By bundling a professional website with the undeniable power of lead capture, SEO, and AI-driven automation, you are creating an offer that is too valuable for a business to refuse. The all-in-one platform of GoHighLevel makes it scalable, the sales framework makes it repeatable, and the inbound marketing strategies make it sustainable.

This system not only provides immense value to local businesses—saving them time and making them money—but it also provides immense value to you. It creates a scalable agency built on the holy grail of business: high-ticket, recurring monthly revenue.

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