Are you interested in learning how to start a web design business? Unfortunately many people are and are doing so. Barriers to entry are low, but as with all businesses, cream rises to the top.
Just because there’s plenty of competition doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it a try. Starting a web design business is an ideal side project or a moonlighting gig until it generates enough income to be your primary income source.
Like many businesses, it takes time to build up a clientele and a reputation which precedes you and generates business. But if you march forward with a solid website design business plan, you can succeed with a lucrative business.
The operative word is having a solid web design business plan in place. There are many ways to enter into the web design industry. You must articulate precisely your business plan and then execute it as best as you can.
A. Types of Web Design Business Models
The first question you need to answer when trying to figure out how to start a web design business is “what web design business model will you use?”
There are many web design business models to use. The following are several models to consider:
Low-Cost, High Volume
The Low-Cost, High Volume model is a web design business where you use templates and/or themes and charge a low rate to set up a site. Generally fees will be $100 to $1,000.
Web Hosting Model
The Web Hosting Model is where you build sites for clients and also host their sites charging a monthly fee for hosting. As you build up a clientele, more and more of your income derives from hosting fees. This works for any website design business and is something to consider doing because the passive income can be excellent.
For the web-hosting model, you only need a hosting reseller account (coupon code: RESELLERHOSTINGB2WEB gets you $24.95 off a reseller account).
High-End Customized Websites
If you’re skilled with graphic design and web development, you can focus on offering custom websites and charge a premium.
Industry-Specific Model
The Industry-Specific Model is when you focus on building sites in a particular industry. For example you might focus on building websites for spas.
Location-Specific
The Location-Specific web design business model is focusing on getting clients in a particular geographic region. Many business owners like to meet face-to-face with website designers, giving you an advantage in your area.
Platform-Specific
The Platform-Specific Model is building websites using a particular website building platform such as WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, HTML, Flash, etc.
SEO and/or Web Marketing Model
The SEO Model is when you build sites for people and then adding additional services such as SEO, email marketing, social media, etc. You can offer discounted websites in the hopes of getting a long term contract for other lucrative services.
NOTE: you can use more than one model as part of your web design business model. For example, you can be a WordPress-only website designer and focus on building websites for a particular industry.
Regardless which model you go with, I recommend offering and charging for hosting. All you need is Reseller Hosting (coupon code: RESELLERHOSTINGB2WEB gets you $24.95 off a reseller account) and you can provide individual hosting accounts for your clients at a set monthly cost to you. Only a few clients at $10 to $20 per month will earn you a passive monthly profit on the hosting.
B. How Skilful Do You Need to be to Start a Web Design Business?
It really depends on the model you choose. If you’re interested in the low-cost model, you just need to know how to install WordPress (for example) and themes and then add logos and do some basic customization. The skill level for this model is minimal.
You could also use website builders if you aren’t a WordPress fan.
On the other hand, if you charge premium prices, you should be very skilled with website design and graphic design. You want to over deliver and create stunning websites for clients.
The more websites you design, the more skills you’ll gain. It’s like anything else.
C. How to Become a Website Designer?
The web design industry is largely unregulated. However, there are many different credentials and qualifications you can get. That said, you can be a web designer without any credentials and be self-taught. At the end of the day, if you please your clients and provide value, you can succeed.
WordPress Course
If you’re interested in using WordPress as your platform and would like to earn some credentials and learn how to become an adept WordPress website designer, you could sign up for the popular online WordPress WebDesign curriculum.
Web Designer ToolKit
Alternatively, if you’re looking for a full web designer toolkit, which includes dozens of professionally designed WordPress themes, plugins and WordPress courses, you can check out this Web Designer’s ToolKit.
DIY Web Design Learning
Alternatively, you can learn Web design yourself. One way is to buy a premium WordPress theme that offers an outstanding support forum (such as StudioPress, iThemes, or ElegantThemes) and learn from the community.
Other Handy Web Design Resources (I use all listed below)
There’s no shortage of web design tools and resources you can buy. The tools and resources I use are as follows:
- Image Editing: Adobe Design Suite
- Headers: XHeader
- Free image editor: Picnik
- Screenshots: Snagit
- Website Hosting: HostGator (Coupon Code for 25% percent off: 25OFFHOSTGATORB2WEB)
- WordPress Themes: I use several theme frameworks. I also have no problem letting a client choose a theme and I’ll use that. I discuss WordPress theme frameworks for Web designers here.
- Images: iStockphoto
- Ebook cover creator: eCover Creator 3D
- Landing Pages: Premise for WordPress
D. Business Administration & Getting Paid
Contracts: You’ll want to get your terms in writing. Don’t reinvent the wheel; instead check out these Web Design contract precedents. The simpler your contracts, the better; but your terms should be in writing.
It’s also a very good idea to get all the money up front. At the very least get half of the fee up front.
For payment, it helps if you use Paypal which can process credit cards. If you’re going to accept credit card payment over the phone using Paypal, you’ll need a specific Paypal account to do this.
E. Marketing Your Web Design Business
Build a fantastic website for your web design business
If you have a lousy-looking site, then you’ll have a hard time persuading people to hire you to build their site. First order of business, once you know which web design buisness model to implement, is to create a fantastic website.
If you’re going to use WordPress, a good starting point is getting some WordPress themes for website designers and developers. You can tweak and customize until your heart’s content; however, getting started with a solid theme saves you time.
Start Building a Website Portfolio Now
Once you figure out which platform you’ll use to build websites, why not build a few proto-types or build some free sites for businesses so that you have a portfolio to show off. It makes it much easier to sell your web design services if you have examples for prospective customers to view.
When you have spare time, which you might have plenty of in the beginning, build sites. It’s better to build fewer quality sites than dozens of mediocre sites.
That said, if you’re going the low-cost model, then don’t misrepresent what you’re offering. You don’t want clients to expect customized websites when what you’re offering are basic theme and template installations.
Get Testimonials and publish them on your website
Once you have some happy clients, ask them for testimonials. Chances are, most of your web design clients will be running a business and will therefore know the value of testimonials. They’ll provide testimonials if you ask.
Then, put your testimonials on your web design business site. You can put snippets on your sidebar so they show up on every page. Testimonials sell; it’s important to get them.
Get targeted traffic to your web design business website
Once you have a site, you need customers. You’ll have to market your website. I wrote 57 Ways to Increase Website Traffic and 65 Small Business Web Marketing Ideas to Boost Your Web Presence that should give you some ideas about how to market your web design business.
Blogging
I discuss blogging in-depth in both articles I direct you to in the previous section, but I can’t emphasize how effective a great blog can be for getting business. Take this blog, for example. I get inquiries regularly about doing work for people even when I state on my services pages that I’m not presently taking new clients. Blogging works, but you have to be patient.
If you’re targeting a local client-base, then grab my free LOCAL Business Keyword Research and SEO Techniques Guide and my Free 6 Google Places Mistakes to Avoid. Don’t underestimate the power of Google Places for getting local business.
In fact, by working on promoting your own website, you’ll learn enough to offer Web Marketing services to your clients (see Leverage Your Web Design Business below).
Cold Calling
Many people get their website design business off the ground by good old cold calling. You can call local businesses WHO DON’T HAVE A WEBSITE. Go through the Yellow Pages and see who doesn’t have a website, and then give them a call. Check the laws in your jurisdiction about cold calling. You don’t want to violate any laws. You should get a copy of a no-call list for your area and ensure you don’t call any businesses registered on the no-call list.
You might find writing a snail mail letter more to your liking and more effective. Test various cold-contacting methods to see what works for you.
F. Leverage Your Web Design Business
Once you have a few clients, consider leverage your relationship with them by offering additional services. You could consider the following:
- Website Hosting: Charge $10 to $20 (or more) per month. All you need is reseller hosting. I already mentioned this above. However, it’s a no-brainer so I repeat it here.
- Website Maintenance: You can charge a monthly fee for maintenance.
- Content Generation: articles, blog posts, video.
- SEO
- Mobile Site Set Up
- Web Marketing
- Social Media
- Logo Creation
Hyper-Profitable Web Design Business Plan:
I discuss how to start and build a hyper-profitable web design business here. This model is awesome and I know a website designer that are making 6 figures PER MONTH with it. This model is all about leveraging not only your clients, but their sites as well. It’s brilliant.
Even if you’re not skilled at any of the add-on services, you could enter into a joint venture with people who are. They could refer work to you and you to them. Your list of clients is valuable, much more valuable than the initial service for which they hire you. Just be careful not to alienate them by over-selling.
Have Fun!
Seriously, don’t start a web design business if you don’t like building websites AND working for clients. A big part of building websites is working closely with clients. There’s a lot of back and forth. It’s time consuming, but if you love building sites and like working with clients, then starting a web design business is for you.
My other web design business articles:
- Web Design Business Plan Models: 7 Web Design Business Plans
- My Most Used Web Design, SEO, and Web Marketing Tools and Services
- How to Become a Web Designer
- Hyper-Profitable Web Design Business Plan – 9 Steps
- HostGator Web Hosting Coupon Codes and Discounts
- Stunning WordPress Themes for Web Site Designers and Developers
- The Best Free Blog and Website Headers Generator Available
- 12 WordPress Plugins I use for Small Business Websites
- Launching a Website? Read this Pre-Launch Website Checklist
- All About WordPress Theme Design – 13 Criteria
- 7 Elements to Small Business Web Site Design and Development
- Lost and Confused? Website Layout and Navigation Tips
- Website Template Buying Guide
Website Template Comparison Charts
- WordPress Theme Merchant Comparison Chart
- Online Website Builder Comparison Chart
- Joomla Template Merchant Comparison Chart
- HTML Template Merchant Comparison Chart
- Flash Template Merchant Comparison Chart
- Compare Templates – Pros and Cons of Different Types of Website Templates
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