A bog-standard strategy for bootstrapping a new business is to take on your FIRST client for FREE (or nearly so). Pick a business nearby that you like - perhaps

A bog-standard strategy for bootstrapping a new business is to take on your FIRST client for FREE (or nearly so). Pick a business nearby that you like - perhaps your OWN local vet? - and talk to them in person to see if they'd be willing to allow you to make them a website. Make it clear that you're doing this for two reasons: (1) to better learn the business - you expect the experience of building their site will help you learn how to meet market needs. (2) To build a portfolio - you want to have some real sites done and in-use to help sell to other customers later. Do both of those things. Focus on making ONE key customer happy, learn whatever you can about their needs, and only THEN do you try to sell the same service to other customers.