freelance web design business plan

• Our Approach
• Search Engine Optimization
• Website Design
• Website Examples
• Paid Ad Management
• Other Amazing Services
• Case Studies
• Hook Company Culture
• Careers / Join Our Team
• Free Contractor Social Media Course
• Free Lead Gen Audiobook
• Free Roofing Lead Gen Course
• Hook Better Leads Podcast
• Free Video Demo

Options and Tips for Creating a Web Design Business Plan

Don’t get too intimidated by writing a web design business plan, a lot of it just means getting down onto paper things you likely have been considering anyway. According to Entrepreneur “Writing…

Estimated Read Time:   40 minutes

Don’t get too intimidated by writing a web design business plan , a lot of it just means getting down onto paper things you likely have been considering anyway. According to Entrepreneur “Writing out your business plan forces you to review everything at once: your value proposition, marketing assumptions, operations plan, financial plan and staffing plan.”

If I can do it – and go from 1 to 10 people in three years, you can too 😉 My wife will tell you… I’m no genius.

Table of Contents

Main Points in a Web Design Business Plan Outline:

1. business concept –.

What is the web design industry like in your immediate area and region? What are the high-level possibilities for the success of your web design business? What are the prime differentiating factors and how you will set yourself apart from the competition?

2. Who is the market for your web design firm?

Who are your customers? Are you serving only mid-sized businesses? Only editorial publications? Churches? Non-profits? Teenie tiny mom and pop shops? Fortune 500 companies? What niche are you looking to serve? What is the demand like for the service? And this leads us into our next question.. What does your pricing need to look like to serve these customers? And it’s not always getting your price down into affordability; maybe you need to price higher so that your company seems more professional and that you can offer above and beyond service. “Price high and justify.”

3. Income and Cash Flow Statement, Balance Sheet etc.

“Start by estimating the revenues generated by an average sale. Then subtract the costs that change with each transaction, like sales commissions and costs of producing the products sold. The result is your “unit contribution.” Next, predict your monthly overhead, or expenses that don’t vary directly with sales volume, such as rent, salaries, utilities, legal fees, and accounting expenses. Finally, divide your monthly overhead by your unit contribution. That number will tell you how many transactions you’ll need per month to break-even.” From this article on Inc. of The Basics of a Business Plan by the Numbers.

Get started with this One Page Web Design Business Plan

General Principles for writing a Web Design Business Plan:

1. Keep your business plan short and simple.

Go for it right now with this One Page Web Design Business Plan .

2. Use visual charts to quickly show key numbers.

3. Do what you do best, and make it look professional.

4. Ask key questions like what will be it’s annual revenue in a year, and in 5 years.

5. What things can I delegate? Sales, Technical or others? How will you attract these people to help, and what will be your key differentiators of process and culture?

6. Is the business plan going to help you raise money? 

7. How much of an initial investment will the business need?

Tools for Creating a Business Plan:

1. LivePlan.com – Visual planning tool, helpful if you really don’t know where to start. It will give you the sections and the template is already there.

2. The Art of The Start 2.0 (Book by Guy Kawasaki) – “It’s most relevant for technology or IT companies, but he has a way of writing that’s very clear, very to the point. There’s not a lot of pedantic info that you’ll find in textbooks.”

3. Score – Business Planning Templates –  Quickly assess your marketing plan, Free business listing list for search engine optimization, Marketing must haves etc.

Thank you for reading! Share the love. 🙂

Keep the content coming, by tweeting this.

Other Links related to Web Design Plans:

• Web Design Sample Business Plan – Executive Summary
• 9 Steps to starting your freelance web design business – Business Tuts
• Plan a Web Development Business Part Two- BPlans
• How to Make a Business Plan for a Website Development Startup – Color Whistle

Getting Your First Web Design Clients

My first web design client was my future mother-in-law, a real doozie. A non-profit, I was paid $500 and an iPad. I’ve also been paid as little as – negative $ for making a website, because I was so eager for real world experience. Do you want a website? I want to give you one.. just let me pay for your hosting and I’ll make the website out of the salt from the sweat of my children.

Don’t sell yourself short. Charge a decent amount.

So the first real website I sold was a couple months later. I was just learning WordPress and I sold a site for 10 monthly payments of $250 dollars. Because it was a fairly simple marketing website and didn’t have a ton of custom features on it, this was actually a pretty solid deal for a starting out web designer.

The first half of selling yourself as a web designer is evidence. Let’s see the goods.

Make sure you have a decent portfolio out there, that you made yourself..

I don’t care if it’s on WordPress, straight HTML, or Ruby on Rails. Get that thing out in the open, give it the best you got and make sure it shows the best of your best work. Code up a non-profit’s website for free if you have to, and show as many real projects as you possibly can. I iterated on my website 3 times, with 2 live at my domain before I ever got my first real set of clients. It doesn’t need to be perfect, it just needs to exist.

Here’s my site I made in 2012 (click here to see it in the Internet Wayback Machine):

Here’s the site in 2013 (click here to see it in the Internet Wayback Machine):

Yes.. I agree my portfolio was a little weak at this point, but guess what? I was getting clients. I wasn’t by any means, raking them in, but people I knew were coming to me and asking if I could help with their website or help them make a new website. I was eager to be of service, and make enough money to stop bussing tables.

Let the world know you’re making websites now.

Change your job on Facebook to ‘Self Employed Web Designer’, change your LinkedIn –  don’t put Aspiring Web Designer in your Twitter profile, put Web Designer. You’re a big boy (or girl) now. I personally took a good hard running jump at web design, and with one client and one month covered in expenses jumped out into the market as a web designer. No more restaurant job (which for me didn’t pay THAT well anyways.) When people hear that’s what you do, and you take a friendly and helpful attitude when they reach out, or you offer your services you can quickly earn some awareness around the new service you offer.

Don’t wait until you have it perfected, just go for it.

I’m not suggesting you make the new 3M website, or try to sell yourself as a ten year veteran of website design. You can, however, say you will go above and beyond for a client as you are starting out fresh and will do everything in your power to make them an excellent website. If you’ve created a couple of examples, then that can help adjust expectations and although you may need to put ungodly amounts of time into your first couple websites you will earn your chops in the struggle. You’ll figure out how to z-index a logo over the top of overlapping nav div.

In defense of the designer-developer.

Yes, I’m suggesting you will have to write code. Can you sell a website for $2,500 dollars and give half of it away to a front-end developer when you’re starting out? Perhaps, perhaps not. I personally couldn’t, and so… I learned to code. Basics at first, how to modify WordPress themes ever so slightly with CSS. Then cutting and splicing bits of PHP, then eventually writing my own themes from scratch. This is why I suggest having a couple of websites under your belt before really having someone pay you for your web design services; you can find the rhythm that works for you. If you are an epic visual designer who can confidently charge $5,000 for your first website you could potentially find the right person to develop it for you and you can pay them adequately to make it good. It’s really to each is own, because I preach design/development, and you have an equally right  person 2 doors down who wouldn’t touch a CMS to save his life. Literally … my old neighbor above me would sell sites for 7-8k and I thought he was an internet god. He would write the HTML, CSS, and Javascript (In Dreamweaver, hello throwback,) and then outsource custom Content Management System development for 2k. I just wanted to learn how to not pay that 2k .

Other ways to promote your new web design business

• Look for ways to trade your services for advertising : I sold my services in an auction by a Minneapolis newspaper  in exchange for adspace in their lifestyle magazine VitaMN.
• Get every viable social media handle/url under the name you’re using to freelance , promote yourself vigorously on TWO of these, and understand you’re not going to do ALL of them well .
• Make a list of all the acquaintances who have small businesses, and that could use a website. Send them a quick note, and always be of the mind that you’re there to be of service – not sell.
• Go old school and create a flyer : I put boots on the ground and peddled my wares (a one page services sheet – without pricing on it) around every business that I could open the door to in my area of Uptown Minnesota. I focused on what I did that was different. Alot of times this is personal service, since you likely have less clients and more time and attention than alot of web design shops in town. – To be perfectly honest, this didn’t get me a client. Maybe what I’m really suggesting here is hustling your ass off and being as present as possible… take every opportunity to share what you do until you gain momentum.
• Put out content on a blog on your website and promote it on social media : Don’t sell dude. Don’t do it. You can still see my oldest posts on this blog that are salesy… it’s not going to kill your blog, but it’s really boring and no-one wants to read those. Just give as much value as you can, share your experiences and focus on the ONE SERVICE you are really trying to sell and things you’re learning in that discipline. Use it as an opportunity to dig deeper into your craft, and to share as you go.

Price High and Justify

After you promote the living shit out of yourself on social media, talk to your long lost friend with a supplement or house painting business, and make a few mistakes it’s time to price high and justify . You have to charge what people will pay, but as soon as you can push that number up as high as it can reasonably go. Why? If you have high prices it means you can make more excellent work! Justify the price with above and beyond service and you’ll feel great about what you do. Your work will mean more profitable businesses that benefit from the excellent websites you make. It feels good to help people feed their families by helping them get the word out about what makes their business special. And in the end, that’s what it boils down to for me.

Make Sure Your Process Differentiates You from Competitors

It’s important to recognize what your business’s competitive advantage is, and unless you want to build a business that depends upon what’s special about YOU as an individual you have to draw out and nurture the special things about your process. To focus on your own unique specialties alone builds a prison fortress around you, and if you ever want to hire or contract out parts of the business you’re stuck with a business that only works with you sweating away at the center of it; the wizard behind the curtain, slowly getting too tired to perform at the same level.

So for me the key pieces of my web design process as I am learning to define them are:

1. responsiveness to changes that clients need..

– Example: Client asks for a lighter color scheme in development, instead of fretting we work hard to satisfy the request and push back when appropriate to keep within a reasonable budget.

Key to fulfilling: Web design services should not be dirt cheap, and if they are they aren’t taking into consideration the time it takes to build something fully customized for the business’s needs. Templated solutions get generic unfulfilling results. (However, I still feel that for some customers templated solutions such as Squarespace.com and WordPress Themes from Themeforest without custom code can occasionally fulfill their needs and suggest that they try those routes if their budget doesn’t allow to really hire someone to do it right.)

2. Examining the overall market for the client and tailoring the content on the site to the scenarios that could be useful to their favorite kinds of clients.

– Example: Your site is serving people who just suffered hail damage to their home, we assess that a key to surprising and delighting these types of customers is serving up content that is about how to buff out hail damage on their car.

Key to fulfilling: It’s crucial we think about the psychology of the people coming into the site. This is the number one question we ask when making a website: “how can we serve your ideal customer with this content, this imagery, the messages we’re sharing and the story we’re telling.”

3. Building out the main service pages of the website in the hope that the content will attract new customers, making key items like ‘contact us’ and ‘buy now’ super easy to access on the main promos, sidebars, and at the end of content.

– Example: Adding bigger content pieces after key visual blocks on service pages so that the service page is indexable by Google and people who want to really dig into what you have that option. Big old juicy buttons that say “Contact us now” or “Request a quote” are super obvious and surrounded by trust factors such as positive testimonials, industry badges, a phone number, or 3 key differentiating features in bullet points.

Keys to fulfilling: It’s important not only to think about how people are going to perceive this site when they get there but how they are going to get there in the first place. By thinking about big content pieces that could provide big value for the client during the design process, the website can be built in a way that emphasizes and makes those big content pieces that are serving a real need available and to the forefront of the site with menu structure, and other pieces of navigation and structure.

4. Imagery is outside the box, and elicits a positive emotional response from key individuals your business is targeting.

– Example: A Death to Stock Photo image that feels less stock photo-esque and more candid than most stock photos.

Even better, you and your storefront, your set of tools. An ACTUAL satisfied client, smiling and holding your product or enjoying your work.

Keys to fulfilling: Often this involves imagining what a positive interaction between your business and your client will look like. Is it you sitting with them, them smiling, and a chart of upward momentum on the computer screen in front of you? Is it freshly cut grass without them lifting a finger, so they get to smile and sip fresh lemonade on their porch? This is the story we want to display. We want the imagery to feel candid, real and maybe even a bit unusual. But a visitor should be able to see it and think to themselves, I want to be there. They should be able to imagine themselves in the place of the person pictured on the site.

5. The copy is written in a way that quickly explains the core benefit/value from your product or service, invites the visitor to participate, and explains why it will be awesome for them.

– Example: A moving company could say “Your back will thank you, call us for a custom quote today.” A remodeling company could say, “You’ll feel as good as your home will look.” with a call to action button that says, “Get a quote for a fresh look.”

Keys to fulfilling: Never be generic! Shake out the cobwebs in your marketing brain right now. Seriously, every single product or service has a unique and special story behind it, and the customers you serve need to know why anyone would choose you . Why have they in the past? I speak to the business owners and people representing businesses in their marketing teams, and I ask: “Tell me the story of positive customer experience, that you’re aware of.” What does that look like. Tell that story on the site. The more you get curious about these stories and the core benefit a product or service is providing, very few things are truly boring. The more you get interested in the story of the product or service, and tell that positive experience story the more you’ll see that almost anything can be interesting.

And the moral of the story is:

As you can see, the key differentiating features of this design process is a personal connection, customizing the solution to the industry and those specific businesses prime differentiating features, and enthusiasm. That enthusiasm through every piece of the puzzle is crucial. It’s important to note at every step of the process that this is for a business composed of REAL PEOPLE, whose food and shelter depends on telling the story to the world, and REAL PEOPLE who benefit from the product or service being served. This is the real end value. So anyone I work with, or for feels that: the enthusiasm and the genuine intent to provide value. This is key to this design process. 

How to Speak About Design to Establish Trust

“I thought you might like the flourishes in the header, it has that bohemian, natural feeling you were talking about when we first met up to discuss the project.” = FIRE ME . “Thought you might like,” “Going for that feeling,” and “I was inspired to take a fun direction,” all scream of whimsical dainty little artist types who could literally die from the harsh realities of designing for real economic pressures. The real economic reality is that families food and shelter depends on the success of a business, and a key component of how a business does is how that business presents itself to the world through design.

I’m not saying you can’t feel a feeling and apply it to your work in design, but design isn’t art. It is meant to solve real world problems. So instead of focusing on your feelings while presenting to the client, focus on design principles, web design best practices, and the persona’s and scenario’s you established during your discovery phase. Focus the conversation around:

• Design Principles
• Web Design best practices
• Persona’s and scenario’s

Why do design principles even matter?

I’ve had a couple situations lately, where someone seems to be questioning why a font choice even matters. They rolled their eyes when I mentioned a study that called Baskerville the most trusted font. It got me thinking. How am I presenting this wrong? Because I know in my heart of hearts that design matters. <- FIRE ME,  but I can’t seem to always make it dead obvious to people I’m presenting work to.

I want to show them two ads side by side, one with high quality fonts that were chosen with serious intention and one with quickly chosen free fonts , and ask them which of them makes the product they represent seem more expensive, or which one makes the product seem more quality. Because good design does indeed represent products and services in a better light, and makes them seem more high quality. You know that, and I know that, but:

But how do we make the value of design dead obvious?

1. Resolve to help them find solutions to pain points. – Your website looks like shit on mobile, let’s fix that. Your logo has gradients and shadows in it to the point it’s hard to use on shirts and in other simple ways. Let’s address those and work from there how design can help solve problems you’re aware of now. Maybe it expands from there; as a designer, you’re a problem solver and the more you can identify and come up with creative and solid solutions for, the more design solutions you get to get paid for.

2. Dive into their world and become aware of what they value. – For web design you might realize the client cares more about looking cool than contact form submissions. You might realize they value their relationship with their family deeply, that a certain type of customer is their favorite . Once we realize what they care about deeply… pause pause pause …we can help them communicate those values through the design.  By diving in, visiting their shop, asking a lot of questions, and being present we can then better let them know how good design will help them do that.

3. Focus on the things they do understand like ‘Trust factors’, ‘color psychology’ and ‘telling the story.’ – ‘We have to tell the story of your business better,’ is going to resonate with some people better than my fascination with the font Baskerville. Even though I deeply care about typography, it’s just not always as accessible of a topic, or as interesting to clients. What they do understand is how adding a Better Business Bureau badge next to the contact form will help increase the likelihood of people contacting them, and how blue is associated with trust and how green get’s associated with natural, fresh, or innovative. This really depends on the particular client, as some clients can go deep without a lot of prep.

Let’s circle back for a bit and make sure you’re working with the right kind of client:

The client defines the value and the designer discovers it. Ask the client what their business or organization does and why is it important to their target audience. If they don’t give you a quick comprehensible answer they are not ready to work with a designer or an agency. If they do answer the question you should next ask them what success looks like and what their goals are. DO NOT lead them toward what you think success might be. Let them define it.

When you get their feedback, dig deeper. A good way to do this is by asking who their target audience is and what their target audience needs are. If they can’t answer this they are not ready for the value a designer or an agency will provide. The client needs to have experience communicating with their target audience in order to set proper goals. If there’s no goal, how will you know whether or not a project is successful? Here are some red flags to look out for in the beginning stages of communicating with a potential client. I asked a fellow designer, Brenna French to share some thoughts on this issue:

“You sit down at a coffee shop excited to talk to a potential client about the project and the first thing they say is, I want to build a website how much would that be? This is a red flag because this means their mindset is already focused on getting a deal and not on the value you can provide for their business or their target audience.

This goes both ways in the relationship by the way, you never want to position the project or conversation around money. If you talk about money right away this shows the client that you are money hungry or desperate for work. Remember you are a professional and you are serious about your work and the value you can provide. Positioning the conversation around value sets the tone for the whole relationship in a positive way.

Say you get past that money conversation and everything is going well so far so you start talking about the project. The client starts to explain that they are wanting a one-page website design and they also want the main colors to be blue and orange because to them those are beautiful colors, oh yeah they also want a picture of themselves in the main header. This is a red flag because they have too many ideas of what they are visually wanting the end product to look like.

As a design professional, I don’t want to execute the client’s wants in mind. I design the best possible solution for the client’s target audience so the client will reach their business goals. From my experience, a client that has a specific visual direction is difficult to work with. Position the conversation around value. By the end of the conversation, you both are excited to get started. You set clear expectations and attracted the client by positioning the conversation around value.”

– Brenna French

Ask these questions of new possible clients: Is the client sure of their target audience?

Is the client aware of their target audience’s needs?

Are they able to answer right away, what is it that you do and why is it important to your target audience?

Do they start talking about their budget right away? (If they do it might be a red flag – try to change the conversation to talk about value that you’ll provide, not an arbitrary number you come with on the fly without fully understanding the project.)

Do they give off the impression that they understand you’re the expert, that they understand that are only responsible for Content – and Business Goals?

Do they have alot of ideas already about how the website should look? – A possible red flag.

That last one is challenging, and occasionally working for small businesses it’s important to kindly educate your clients on what is your responsibility and what is yours. But needless to say, if they come out of the gate giving strong layout suggestions and explaining their specific vision for look and feel you’re being pigeon-holed into the position of technician implementing someone else’s design, not the dynamic problem-solving designer.

Ways to talk and words to use

Talk confidently and make sure to include examples of previous work where you solved a specific goal-oriented problem. Now is the time to ask what their primary objective is, and to set up a metric for the design you’re working on currently. 100 e-mail list subscriptions, 15 contact form submissions by legitimate prospects, 20 sales the first three months of launch. Make specific goals have a date attached to them. Gathering this information after the design should be part of what you’re being paid to do, and part of what you’re selling.

Do user testing on the old site when they come in, if it’s worth testing. Talk about testing critical things. Words and phrases to use: research, effective, goals, trust-worthy, tell your story, appeal to your core demographic. Always do research on their industry before getting into the site design. Their competitors, and brand positioning. By doing this you better understand what they are up against and you position yourself as the expert with a unique understanding of their dilemma. This is another reason to hold off giving a price for the work until you fully understand the problem at hand.

Share research. You don’t always have to have it on hand when you are discussing a particular issue. But you should do your due diligence, if they want a pop-up newsletter subscription box then you should be able to go find the research on which way of doing that is most effective (right away, timed, or exit intent,) or general tips on making a pop-up effective. I find it especially effective to share these bits of research right before you show the design at all. Come up with three pieces of research to support points that might be contentious or that push their comfort level on the design. Share them briefly before going over the design.

When you get into showing the design, avoid the real estate tour; ‘here’s the logo,’ ‘here’s the nav,’ etc. Go straight for the heart of why the design serves their goals. Talk about flow and conversions, and especially focus on how the design presents their story in a unique and compelling way to appeal to their core demographic. Never ask for feedback, ask if they have any questions. In this way, you can further ingrain yourself in their mind as an expert. I think of it as a bit of swagger. Humble swagger, but you have to have some swagger in this industry.

Content Strategy for Web Designers to Attract Ideal Customers

Devising a workable and effective content strategy can be difficult for any company or brand, as the needs and desires of readers, clients, and businesses always vary from individual to individual, and from day to day. With a bit of work and the following content strategy guide to get you started, you should be well on your way to developing a stellar web design content strategy ! The most important part is that you start, and these practical and actionable strategies will help you get your ass in gear.

Begin with an Introspective Evaluation

Before taking that first step down the road of content creation, the best tactic is to initially spend some time to evaluate where your company, your content, and your brand currently stand. Begin this evaluation by honestly answering a few simple questions:

How is our brand currently perceived in the marketplace?

What are good and bad aspects of the brand’s existing content?

What content-related goals would we like to achieve?

How does our brand match up to other web design competitors?

With these basic questions answered about your brand and where your company currently stands, you can move onto an overall content strategy design by answering “The Five Ws”:

Who is the audience of our content?

When should particular content be available?

Where (in which channels) should the content exist?

Why is the content relevant (or) why will the audience care?

What is the message or purpose of the content?

For example, throughout this article I’ll illustrate examples with a fictional up-and-coming web design firm called Green Lemon Design. The Green Lemon team — who are looking to establish themselves in the web design market as a talented, young, and energetic choice for lower to mid-tier web designs — might answer these questions in the following (simplified) form:

Potential clients: Users seeking low- to mid-range website design and consultation services.

Existing clients: Users who have worked with us in the past.

Most content on the website should be available 24/7, while content that is time-sensitive (such as a month-long new client special deal) can be temporary.

Onsite, Blog, Email, Twitter, Facebook

The audience should be seeking professional and affordable web design services that we can offer (for potential customers) or additional customer support and services (for existing clients).

To inform and educate our audience on the skills and capabilities of our brand, to impress with our past successes and portfolio, and to establish good rapport and relationships with both potential and existing clients.

Establishing Brand, Voice, and Tone Guidelines

With the basic questions answered that inform you of a need to change your content strategy , now is a good time to evaluate the brand, voice, and tone guidelines you’ll utilize throughout the content.

Brand guidelines can cover logo design to color pallette and everything in between. For content strategy , the best places to start are:

Fonts and typefaces : What fonts will be used throughout the content? How about sizes for various elements (paragraphs, headers, testimonials, etc)?

Colors and palettes : What colors best suit your brand or company and can be utilized throughout the content? – Example above includes a distinctive color palette that could be applied to other elements.

Images and logos : Which particular static images or logos should be prominent throughout the content? – It’s useful to repeat symbols such as the ‘greenish lemon’ throughout this piece. This may be particular to the content you put out on your site in general, or a particular blog post or content hub.

Videos and animations : As above, are there any video clips that should be frequent or readily available somewhere in the content?

Voice & Tone

Determine early in the process what kind of voice and tone you wish to attach to your content and thus associate with your brand. This can be difficult at first, particularly without much in the way of experienced writers on staff, but finding an appropriate voice can be a huge boon to your content strategy as a whole.

For example, Green Lemon Web Design may elect to take on a very informal, even humorous tone throughout their content. As a young and fresh company, they may feel most comfortable keeping their tone light-hearted and fun, to attract the business and clientele of smaller, younger companies like themselves.

Onsite Content: The Bread of Your Content Strategy Sandwich

Time to get down to the real core of your content strategy by first devising the outline of content that should exist onsite. Remember, anything  that exists on the company or brand website (with the exception of the blog) is considered onsite content and should be under your complete control.

For our fictitious Green Lemon Web Design, the outline for onsite content strategy might include the following sections:

Voice & Tone : Errors/alerts, testimonials, FAQ, portfolio should have a fun and humorous tone, while a more serious, business tone is necessary for transactional and billing-related messages.

Images : In addition to the logo and color palette established previously, we’d like some professional photography to splash through the core onsite pages (about us, contact us, etc), but with a refreshing twist: Each photo should contain a small green lemon strategically placed and tucked somewhere in the graphic, to bring a branded element into the design for brand awareness and maximum impact.

Portfolio : A list of clients we’ve assisted in the past with small testimonials from business partners from each when relevant.

About Us : Details about how Green Lemon came to be, including headshots of all employees with short, fun bios from each. Employees must provide a quote (think high school graduation yearbook quote, or ask a curious question to get your team showing their true colors.) In my experience looking at analytics for a lot of sites, people visit these pages more than you might initially think. It make sense, because we want to know about the people in your business. Tell us more, give us the inside scoop, tell your story.

Contact Us/Get a Quote : Standard form with name, email, and (optional) telephone fields for potential clients to get in touch. Should we include our company promise to establish return correspondence within 4 hours?

FAQ : Answer basic questions, primarily focused at potential customers. What is our typical turnaround time? What post-design support can we offer? Include a handful of fun and humorous questions at the end as well.

Services : Describe all services we offer, broken into categories (consultation, marketing, technology, industries, etc).

Errors & Alerts : 404 error should be squeezed green lemon with one final drop of juice falling out. Logged in clients with unread messages or invoices should see amusing flash message on each screen until dismissed. Little alerts and responses to contact form inquiries can be an opportunity to show a bit of the companies friendly, human character as well as display being adept with technology and attention to detail.

Blog Posts: That’s the Good Stuff

While strong onsite content is of course critical to the success of any strategy, very often the real meat and potatoes of your online presence is contained within the blog. The blog offers an avenue for expressing ideas and sharing content that is timely, relevant, and inspirational for the audience.

A blog is also a more appropriate channel to take risks — even slight ones — with the content your brand produces. Blog content can be anything from industry news and competitor-vs.-self comparisons to tutorials and how-to guides.

A successful blog is a channel for content that relates to the brand or company, but then extends well beyond the purview of the brand to provide relevant and interesting content for the audience to consume.

Don’t get caught in the old-school idea of a blog, where one or a handful of curators post personal stories and anecdotes. While that type of content is certainly acceptable and sometimes appropriate to a modern blog, try to expand the content well outside the bounds of that traditionally small umbrella.

For example, Green Lemon might highlight some potential blog ideas for their new web designer content strategy :

Leveraging Influencers

A post discussing highly influential creatives in the design space and how they have inspired Green Lemon and other designers. We should emphasize the great projects these creatives have worked on over the years to entice our readers by illustrating how Green Lemon understands the industry and that our team (or freelancer) strives to meet the same standards of excellence.

Discuss the importance of social media contact, even amongst these influences, by tagging them on Twitter with a link to the blog post. An ideal tactic is not to directly ask a question of the power user in question, but to ask a question of our general Twitter audience (e.g. “Designers: How has @Influencer inspired you in your own projects? #GreenLemonDreaming”).

Content Hub Posts

Posts that emphasize a highly-curated and relevant series of links and posts found elsewhere that relate to a particular topic, such as web design. Since a popular group of articles gathered in this singular “content hub”-style post will drive a lot of SEO traffic and referral linkbacks to our site, we can be confident that the effort in putting together these posts is worthwhile and will generate a great deal of buzz and traffic for Green Lemon.

Emphasizing Keywords

As a relatively new company, we cannot be afraid to try emphasizing localized keywords to drive interest and traffic to Green Lemon and bring in potential clients.

A great technique is to create a series of blog posts that highlight particular keywords and heavily focus the relevant aspects of the content on those keywords.

To drive localized traffic we can start with “Web Design in Minneapolis” and “Web Design in Minnesota,” which should feature some location-specific content mixed into the standard information. This can be as simple as pictures or mentions of local attractions in the city or state that residents of these areas who read the article will relate to.

Conversely, we’ll need more broad language and images to accompany our post about “WordPress Web Design,” which should shy away from localized content but instead contain information solely about the techniques and technologies (CMS organization, colors/typefaces, content release schedule, etc).

Inactivity is a Death Sentence

While the initial questions and answers when getting started in the content strategy process as seen above might seem at first to provide only a very rudimentary insight the steps to implement a strategy, there is one key lesson to learn when it comes to anything related to content: Don’t get bogged down by the minutiae and thus never take action .

The biggest mistake anyone can make when it comes to content strategy is to be too passive, to over-assess and over-plan to the point of inaction. Particularly in the online space — where content moves at the speed of light (both figuratively and literally) — failing to act at all on a new content strategy is far worse than taking action and modifying or adjusting the content strategy plan as you learn and grow along the way.

That’s not to say planning and strategy are not important, but in many situations for both companies and clients alike, it is far more important to just “get out there” with the content so the audience can begin to interact with the content or brand than it is to delay far too long with nothing to show for it from a public perspective.

Maintaining Your Flexibility

Content strategies come in all shapes and sizes and should not be solely thought of as a brand-wide, all-inclusive methodology for every piece of content the brand creates.

Instead, content strategies can and should be developed in a modular fashion. Similar to a well-crafted website, an interchangeable content strategy allows for flexibility throughout the process over time, as variables change and the success (or failure) of a particular strategy evolves over time.

This technique should most commonly be used to distinguish between the various channels in which your content resides. A strategy module that suits email campaigns is likely not as well suited for handling social media interactions on Twitter, just as the static onsite content used throughout the site will differ significantly from the content posted on a blog.

Embrace these differences and freely develop multiple modules of your content strategy to fit each appropriate channel. You can and should still maintain an overall parent strategy that infuses elements into every child strategy below that (fonts, colors, common logos/images, etc), but much of the content beyond that will shift as the medium changes.

The Necessity of Taking Risks

A very useful tool when first developing a content strategy is to evaluate the various levels of “risk” involved in any given style or example of content. That is, when a reader or user engages with that content, how likely are they to expect it versus how likely are they to be pleasantly surprised? Additionally as the content creator, how likely is a piece of content to feel standard and safe versus something risky that could fail or be taken poorly, but provide benefit if successful?

There are numerous risk strategies out there, but a solid standard for content strategy used by Portent, Inc. is the 70-20-10 rule .

This rule effectively states that 70% of your content should be safe and expected, 20% should be moderately risky and challenges the standard 70% of your content, and the last 10% should be very risky , such that it is entirely unexpected content or may horribly fail in some way (but will offer large benefits if successful).

For the fictitious Green Lemon Web Design, they have elected to disperse their content using the 70-20-10 rule in roughly this manner:

70%: Most onsite stuff, such as About Us, FAQ, Services, Contact Us/Get a Quote, etc.

20%: Most blog posts that relate to the industry; those that provide assistance to clients, potential customers, or casual readers.

10%: A handful of blog posts that go against the normal, such as emphasizing the great work our competitors have been doing in the past few months or a post about a seemingly unrelated topic to drive traffic and user interest (books, gaming, fishing, etc). We’d also like to add a comparison chart of services and pricing between Green Lemon and popular competitors, which may include features we are weaker at than others but may ingratiate readers to us for our honesty.

Whatever the exact risk assessment is that your own brand settles on, it is vital to not be too afraid of taking risks from time to time. Being a little out there or edgy with your content will make a lasting, memorable impression instead of the countless other examples that are boring and forgotten after a short glance.

A Handful of Content Examples

Below you’ll find a list of example content titles that a new web design firm like Green Lemon — or even you — might find useful to pursue, roughly categorized by intended audience and/or creators.

For Web Designers

Web-for-All: Accessibility for Modern Web Design

Why Improved Design Cannot Solve Content Issues

Content Optimization for Mobile Platforms

Why Email Requires a Responsive Design

And Dash of That..: How A/B Testing Dramatically Improves User Experience

A Bridge Too Far: When Additional Feature Requests Should Be Ignored

This Ain’t Your Granddad’s Pixel: How Modern Displays Are Changing Web Design

Creating Beautiful Graphics and Logos in Pure CSS

The Homepage: When Automation Must Take a Back Seat to Human Control

For Web Marketers

Identifying Your Audience and Content to Meet User Demands

Community is Everything: Why Building a Community is Critical to Content Strategy

Risk vs. Reward: Why Safe is Often the Least Safe

Cultivating Client Relationships

I Like You: Spreading Your Content via Third Party Services

Localization, Love, and Liberation: Why i18n is Critical to Content Strategy

For Clients

Miniature Adults: How Children Utilize the Web and Interact with Your Site

Stay Awhile and Listen: How to Genuinely Engage with Readers

Establishing a Content Strategy for Personal Websites

Online Trapdom: Why Free Services Rarely Are

Just You Being You: How Social Media Encourages a False Sense of Self

Look At All My Resources!

While this article should provide a great starting point to establishing your own web marketer content strategy , there are multitudes of resources online with great information to boost your knowledge and get you down the right path toward content nirvana.

Below are a handful of prime resources to chew through at your leisure, so please enjoy!

Creating a Content Compass : Explores the diverging content strategy of a particular web project across the entirety of a brand’s content universe.

The Magic Content Marketing Ratio: Email Conversion Rate

4 Keys to Capturing a New Audience for Your Content Marketing

Being Real Builds Trust : Discusses why trust with users and clients is among the most vital components of strong marketing content strategy .

Help Your Content Go Anywhere With a Mobile Content Strategy

Future-Ready Content : Developing a web design content strategy that is as future-proof as possible, not just technically but in the manner in which content is created.

Contently Comic: Sponsored Insanity : Explores the pitfalls and trouble that can come from unnecessary sponsored content.

The Most Important Audience for Your Content Marketing : Your Own Employees : How brand and businesses should ensure employees fully understand and adhere to the marketing content strategy .

Social Media for Contractors Course + Daily Prompts

Trusted by top industry partners.

Are You a Home Service Business Who Wants to Increase Your Qualified Leads?

 100+ 5-stars.

 Award-Winning

 Industry-Vetted

Get the 'Ideal Marketing Plan' Template

Fill out this brief form and you'll invited to copy the Google Doc template immediately!

• Name * First Last
• Professional Title
• Comments This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

How to Start a Web Design Business: Expert Tips from People Who Did It Themselves

Updated: July 18, 2024

Published: January 02, 2024

Have you heard the expression, "If it were easy, everyone would do it?" That saying certainly applies to starting your own business. However, with the right preparation, you'll discover that learning how to start a web design business isn't as hard as you might think.

I talked to two web design business owners who filled me in on everything you need to know about how to start a web design business. I'll walk you through the steps you'll take, plus some pro tips to help you make your launch a success. 

How to Start a Web Design Business: 15 Steps

• Figure out your working arrangements.
• Identify your website design business niche — if you have one.  
• Pick a name.
• Create a mission statement.
• Determine what you want to offer.
• Establish a business plan.
• Seek legal advice.
• Check off administrative tasks.
• Identify pricing.
• Make your branding.
• Create templates and establish workflows.
• Design your website.
• Start building your social presence.
• Train yourself on anything you're not sure about.
• Network in person and online.

Whether you are figuring out how to start a web design business from home or eventually want to open up your own brick-and-mortar location, there are a lot of items to check off before you're ready to take on clients. Here are 15 steps you can follow when learning how to start a web design business. 

1. Figure out your working arrangements. 

Your first step is to figure out your working arrangements. Will you work from home or rent out an office space? Will you interact with clients virtually or offer a brick-and-mortar location where you can meet? And if you're working from home, do you have a professional, private space where you can conduct business? 

It's possible to learn how to start a web design business from home, but by addressing these questions upfront, you'll know how to better set your business up for success. 

Mindy League, UX Director at Elevated Third, owned a web design agency that one of her clients went on to acquire. She knows her stuff — League has worked in digital marketing with B2B giants, including HP, IBM, Thermofisher, and more. When recounting her experience as a web design business owner, League mentions that she feels it's easier to start a business now in a world where working from home is normalized. 

She recounts, in a pre-pandemic world, needing to have a brick-and-mortar storefront where she could work with her team or meet clients. "Now, we have this really more acceptable work from home," she says. "I think it would be easier to start a business now than it was then. Because [then] it was expected that you had a brick and mortar, which was a high cost, a high expense. It was almost validating that you're in business." 

Once you've figured out your physical working arrangements, consider your hardware and software arrangements too. When learning how to start a web design business from home, keep in mind that you'll need all the bells and whistles you would in an office, such as a comfortable seat, functioning computer, and monitor, if you like using one. 

You may need to purchase a new laptop or monitor for your web design business work. Or, maybe you'll need to sign up for Adobe Creative Suite subscriptions. If you're not launching your business ASAP, you don't need to sign up for the software right away to avoid paying for it when it's not in use. However, you should have your physical hardware ready to go. 

Pro Tip:  I know that bills can quickly add up when you're first starting a business. If you're buying a computer, I recommend considering a lightly used one as they're reasonably priced. Or, purchase a gently used desk from a local thrift store to cut costs. What matters most is that your equipment is reliable. 

2. Identify your website design business niche — if you have one. 

Niche or no niche, that's the question. There are pros and cons to both — if you choose a niche, you can become the best in that industry and establish a reputation. Alternatively, if you don't choose a niche, you can garner a large pool of clients across industries. 

One way isn't better than the other; they're just different. 

Macey Miller , the owner of Be Bold Design Studio , has created websites for "all kinds of businesses," though much of the sites she's made have been for woman-owned companies. Miller initially became interested in website design because she wanted a creative outlet when working in marketing at a hospitality technology company. You should trust her advice because, since starting her business in 2018, she's created more than 120 websites. What started out as a side gig became so successful that Miller was able to quit her full-time salaried role in six months.

"I have a lot of friends who own businesses, and they need websites," she shares. "And so I started my business out of really an outlet for creativity, but then also as friends and family needed websites and logos and designs. I was always like, yeah,  I can hop in. I'll do that.  It was a nice break after all the analytical meetings and just all the things that came with …marketing." 

Pro Tip:  If you're stuck, let your portfolio and professional experience inform your decision about whether you'll pursue a niche subcategory of website design or offer more holistic services. If you only have experience creating websites for consumer packaged goods products (CPG), stick with the CPG industry. Or, if you've created websites for educational institutions, food and beverage, entrepreneurs, and more, you may consider sticking with a no-niche agency. 

3. Pick a name. 

I know — picking a business name is tricky! It should be descriptive but not too long. Reflective of your mission, yet clever. Unique but simple. That's a lot to keep in mind. (Psst: If you need help selecting your business name, check out these 300+ examples of business names we love for inspiration.) 

In some cases, you may want to use your own name as the title of your business. If you believe yourself to be the face of your brand, then maybe, using your name is a good idea. Of course, there's also the search engine optimization (SEO) value if you have an uncommon name. 

I advise you to test out your business names in front of family, colleagues, or friends. You can run a poll on LinkedIn to ask others in the industry which they prefer. Picking a moniker is a serious commitment, so be sure you're willing to stick with it for a while. 

Pro Tip:  I suggest doing some research before you commit to your name. When you Google it, if a lot of other agencies pop up, you might want to pick an alternative. If there are already a ton of other businesses with the name, you'll have a hard time securing social media handles, too.

4. Create a mission statement.

Before you begin ideating your company mission statement, I suggest you check out some examples from businesses you admire. ( May I humbly suggest HubSpot ?) 

I also love Be Bold Design Studio's mission statement . It's straightforward, focused on impact, and I love how Miller clearly displays it on the footer of the studio's homepage. 

Your mission statement doesn't have to be too long or intricate. The best mission statements are straightforward and succinct, and they showcase your company's values. 

Pro Tip:  You can include your mission statement on your homepage, footer, or on its own page, depending on how much emphasis you'd like to place on it. 

5. Determine what you want to offer.

You have your name, mission statement, and niche all picked out. Your next step is determining what you want your business to offer. Ultimately, you can make your business as all-encompassing (or niche) as you want. Do you want to offer complete website design services that include add-ons such as branding and logo design or photography? Or do you want to work mainly on website rebuilds? What about maintenance — do you want to offer it or leave clients to their own devices? 

It is  your  business — so you can decide what you want to offer based on both your skills and experience. However, keep in mind that if you don't have a well-rounded menu of offerings, clients may take their business elsewhere, where they can get their website created, logos created, and branding established all in one place. 

Pro Tip:  If you're building your business with a co-founder, League suggests that you consider picking someone with expertise in the opposite of what you do. "When you're getting started, you don't necessarily think of looking for someone who does the opposite of what you're doing," she says. However, by thinking about this in advance, you can reduce the likelihood that you'll need to outsource help. (Psst: That doesn't only apply to business offerings. For instance, if you have the creative portion under control, consider working with someone more analytical who can tackle the finances.) 

6. Establish a business plan. 

In my opinion, writing up a business plan is arguably the most daunting part of learning how to start a web design business. The good news? You don't have to do it yourself — this robust guide to creating a business plan will offer you a life raft.

Your business plan should provide a clear summarization of your organizational strategy for success. You can use your business plan to acquire funding from investors or help forecast your business demands. Most importantly, when starting out a business, your business plan should highlight your goals and the way you plan to achieve them. This is also where you'll tie in your mission statement and business purpose. 

If you're feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of writing your business plan, use one of our free templates to set you on the right track. For example, I love this one page business plan template.

It's concise, asks the right questions, and makes it easy for you to keep all your crucial information in one handy location. You can download it here . 

Pro Tip:  Taking a look at other business's plans can help you figure out how to build out your own. Here are 24 sample business plans to get your creative juices flowing. 

7. Seek legal advice. 

Congratulations; you're about halfway through the process of learning how to create your web design business from home. Give yourself a pat on the back — and take a deep breath because it can be overwhelming. 

Before you go any further in your business ownership journey, it's time to seek legal advice. Your best option is to find a lawyer who has experience working with small businesses and helping ensure they're compliant with all the laws in your jurisdiction. You may need a license to operate your business, depending on what it is and where you live. Or, you might need help deciding whether you want to be a sole proprietor, open an LLC, or start a corporation.

While no one likes shelling out cash for legal fees, the repercussions of not doing so and accidentally violating a law can be massive. Your lawyer can also help you draft the contracts that you'll share with clients when entering into an agreement with them. Getting liability insurance for your business is also a good idea, and your lawyer can advise more on the steps you should take to do so. 

Pro Tip:  Lawyer fees can be expensive — especially when you're just starting out. If the cost of working with a lawyer is prohibitive, I recommend you try to find one willing to do the work pro bono. I'll admit, it can be tricky to find a lawyer that'll do the work for free. But ask around — you may have a connection willing to help out. 

8. Check off administrative tasks. 

I told you learning how to start a web design business isn't always glamorous, didn't I? I promise it will be well worth it. Your next step is to complete various administrative tasks you need to check off your list before your business can open its doors. 

For example, now that you're starting your own business, you'll need to think about how you're going to get health insurance. Maybe you can still be on your parent's insurance, or you have a partner who can take you under their wing. However, if this isn't the case, you need to think through the ways you'll be able to get healthcare.

I know this doesn't seem directly related to starting your own web design business, but it's an important administrative task you need to check off. When you're just starting out, you'll only need to think about getting healthcare for yourself. But if your business grows and you hire teammates, you'll have to think about their insurance, too. 

The next thing you'll want to think about is your retirement plan. You can consider opening a Roth IRA or a Health Savings Account. (Of course, if you want more guidance about what's best for your financial future, I suggest you speak with a financial advisor who better understands your particular situation.) 

Lastly, think through your holiday and vacation policy. You're your own boss now, which means you'll have to be accountable for getting stuff done. Creating a clear vacation and holiday plan is an excellent way to keep you on the right track. Miller believes that holding herself accountable for getting work delivered in a reasonable amount of time is partially why her business has flourished. "I think it is very important to… be true to your word," she says. 

Miller continues, "If you say you're going to deliver something on Tuesday, you need to deliver something on Tuesday. A lot of times with a website design business, you know, it's creatives, and it's hard to pin us down within the website design business. You can be a creative, but you also have to be very, very careful with that more creative energy and focus on making sure that your clients are being served well and efficiently and on time." 

Pro Tip:  If you're struggling with administrative tasks, I highly recommend talking to other small business owners you know who have taken their business full-time to learn more about how they handled administrative tasks when starting out. 

9. Identify pricing.

Now that you know what you have to offer, it's time to decide how much you're going to charge for it. 

Your first step when identifying pricing is to take a look at your competitors' pricing. How much is your competition charging for a website, logo design, branding, and bespoke photography? What about a site refresh? Find out, and make notes of what your top 5-10 competitors are charging. This will inform your rates. I suggest creating a spreadsheet that clearly identifies competitor pricing.

You'll also have to decide if you want to charge a flat rate for a project or hourly. If you go the project route, consider how many hours it will likely take to complete the project and break that down into hourly wages. Remember: You deserve to pay yourself a livable salary. 

Now that you've done your research, consider your business's overhead. Do you have to pay for your space? Have you thought about how taxes factor in? How about the software you'll need to run your business? Did you include your insurance fees when factoring in how much it costs to run your business?

From there, you can subtract your overhead per project from the rate you're thinking of charging. This leaves you with your profit. 

Pro Tip:  Adding testimonials to your website can help you feel more confident about your rates. These testimonials demonstrate the value of your work, and you can easily point to them when conferring with potential clients about budget. For some inspiration, check out HubSpot's Customer Reviews page . 

10. Make your branding. 

We're finally at a fun part of the web design business creation process. You'll have to make your branding before you begin to share the news of your business online. You're a creative, so you likely already know exactly what to do, but here are a few branding tips in case you need them:

Consistency is key — choose a color palette, style of photography, and a few fonts. Then, stick with them. This will give your business a professional flair. 

Create a logo that's not too detailed. If it is, the details will get lost when you shrink it down. 

Try to avoid already popular color pairings because they'll subliminally remind your visitors of other, more famous brands. For instance, red and yellow may not be the best bet for your company because these colors together conjure up images of Ronald McDonald. 

Pro Tip:  Need a dose of inspiration for your business's color palette? These color pairings are sure to wow.  

11. Create templates and establish workflows.

Yes, you have your branding, pricing, and business plan — but you are not open for business yet. First, it's essential to create templates and establish workflows. That way, when you do get your client (and trust me, it will happen), you already have a handle on how to get them onboarded.

Using a project management tool can help you create workflows that hold you accountable and ensure you deliver results on time. I love Asana, Trello, and Notion, so experiment to find one that works best for you and is within your budget.

This is also the time for you to make sure those contracts you worked with your lawyer to create are ready to go. Plus, create a checklist for client onboarding, the steps you'll follow to launch a client website, and make any necessary supporting documentation or templates. You should also have your invoice template in place. If you do all of this, professional is the name of your game. 

Last but certainly not least, determine how you're going to track your time. It's not enough to set an iPhone timer — you need to keep track of your time and how you spend it. There are plenty of time-tracking apps available, some of which even integrate directly with your project management tools. 

Pro Tip:  By having your onboarding checklist ready to go, you'll be ready the moment your first client comes knocking. Plus, you'll score major points with your client for preparedness and professionalism. 

12. Design your website.

You already know how to do this, so I'll leave this one to you. And if you want some sources of inspiration, you know where to find them — here, where I identified the 25 best creative agency websites . 

Just to recap, here are some key things to keep in mind when designing your website. 

Were created with search engine optimization (SEO) in mind. 

Include mindful CTAs, or calls to action . (Psst: You shouldn't only have one place for visitors to go to reach out to you — that CTA should be sprinkled throughout your site so visitors can contact you the moment they feel inclined to.) 

Feature cohesive branding . 

Have testimonials and examples of past work. 

Have a sense of personality so visitors know who you are and why they should trust you with their website. 

Hire a proofreader or ask a family, friend, or mentor to look over your site. Ask them to read through it for clarity and accuracy. 

Consider having a blog on your website and writing posts that target keywords. 

Your goal on your business website is to reduce friction in any way that you can. 

Pro Tip:  About 42.5 million Americans have disabilities . Don't ignore website accessibility best practices when building your website . 

13. Start building your social presence. 

You're almost at launch day, congrats. It's time to start building your social presence. Whether you contribute to collaborative articles on LinkedIn to showcase your web design expertise, create your own X/Twitter posts with a link to your portfolio site, or begin filming trendy TikToks about web design misconceptions, the internet — erm, I mean the world — is your oyster. 

When deciding which social media platforms you want to hone in on, consider this:

Where is my audience?

What platform can I go viral on? (TikTok is great for this because, regardless of whether you have five followers or five million, you can go viral.) 

What platform feels intuitive for me to use? 

How can I best tell my brand story?

Pro Tip:  Ideally, you'll be able to create content for multiple social media platforms. However, focusing on one or two will help reduce stress. Dial in on wherever you're seeing the largest return on investment for your time. 

14. Train yourself on anything you're not sure about. 

Maybe you're a natural-born designer, but sales calls don't come easy for you. Or maybe you've always loved rebuilding websites, but you struggle with offering bespoke logo design services. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses — but your weaknesses don't have to stay weaknesses. You can decide to seek out training to teach yourself more about anything you're unsure about. 

"I think it's easy for people to say like, well, I'm not good at admin, or I'm not good at sales calls, and that's just an excuse," says Miller. "Why don't you go in and learn how to do a sales call? Like I've done two to three sales trainings, which has been very helpful because sales is a part of owning your own business. And if you're not comfortable with selling in a way that is natural and authentic but also just natural and authentic to you, then you won't be able to last." 

Pro Tip: HubSpot Academy has plenty of free courses that can help teach you more about different facets of marketing, sales, and beyond. You can even earn free certifications, which look great when you're trying to build authoritativeness. I've done several courses, and I found them to be both educational and engaging.  

15. Network in person and online.

You did it! You've successfully created your own web design business. I hope you're proud of yourself because I'm proud of you.

Now, it's time to share the incredible news with your family, friends, colleagues, and mentors. Remember to bring business cards with you when you meet with people, and bring along extras so your friends can pass them along to their friends. You never know who may be your first client. 

Online, you can spread the word on your personal and professional social media accounts. You can also reach out to any business owners you know and let them know you're open for business if they wish to enlist your help.

Pro Tip:  Keep your mind open when it comes to finding clients. You never know how your clients will make their way to you — just trust that they will. Be sure to spread the word so everyone you know can have their feelers out in case anyone they know needs a designer. 

What are 5 tips for people starting a web design business?

These five tips from Miller and League — who have actually gone through the process of building a web design business themselves — can help set you up for success. 

Remember that potential clients are everywhere. 

League recounts that when she owned her agency, she was living in Austin, Texas, where she had a large network. "There were a lot of folks that I knew," she says. "And so I would just make new clients at the retail stores, or wherever I was, I would just meet people. Or they knew someone, and then we referred." A valuable lesson to keep business cards with you at all times indeed.

Give back to your clients.

League also suggests the idea of using "swag" to gain momentum for your business. "We gave a lot to our customers," she says. "We had parties and gave them swag. So when we had profit, we really gave them things that we thought they would enjoy. We [were] really appreciative of them. We were constantly giving them mugs, and we made up cute campaigns around it, like a social media campaign. [With the cups, we asked clients to] send us your 'mug shot.'"

Keep in mind that things ebb and flow. 

The reality of owning your own business is that things will ebb and flow; there will be busy seasons and slower ones. However, to keep your business afloat during tougher times, Miller suggests you get creative. "There are a lot of different ways to make money as a website designer," she shares. "One tip is being open to potentially white labeling. There are a lot of agencies that white-label their services and that need freelance graphic designers to kind of come in and help with the workload. 

When you start your own business, a lot of times you think, oh, it's just going to be me, all by myself. I'm going to be getting all these clients, but in those slow seasons, it's nice to lend your services to an agency or even take on some retainer clients and do maintenance work or graphic design work." 

Customer service speaks for itself. 

Another key learning from Miller? That customer service really can set you apart from your competition. "I found that the reality of building a healthy business and a client base requires serving your clients, marketing, networking, and a strong online presence, but really more focusing on serving your clients," she says.

"A lot of people focus more on the design and the creative part, but I truly believe that customer service is almost as equally important as the beauty of creative design. It takes time to build a client base and to establish a reputation." 

Expect to wear a lot of hats. 

Depending on the client, you may have to wear more hats than just the assigned "web designer." For instance, League mentions that entrepreneurs are sometimes more anxious regarding where their money is going than large corporations, as it's their hard-earned cash they're spending. 

"They would get really nervous before the launch because it was the unveiling of their idea," she explains. "And so that, that was something I didn't realize, [that] I had to be so much of a psychologist, making that transition from the bigger agency, you know, to the smaller agency. There was a lot more psychology. Granted, when you work with an agency or with any client, you have to worry, think of, and be empathetic towards them." 

Bring Your Web Design Dream Business to Life 

You officially know how to start a web design business, and it's up to you to decide if you're ready to take that next step toward becoming your own boss. When building your company, keep your why in mind, and commit to customer service. If you do these two things, you can't go wrong. 

Don't forget to share this post!

Related articles.

What Is a Website Mockup? [+ How to Make One in 4 Steps]

Website Footers: Best Design Practices & 24 Top Examples

Website Design Proposal: A Beginner’s Guide [+Template]

How to Strike a Balance Between Website Creativity and SEO

Our 25 Favorite Restaurant Website Templates in 2024

The Best Resume Website Templates: 27 of Our Favorites

Creative Website Templates: 30 of our Favorites

20 Simple Website Templates You Can Try Today

8 Website Design Mistakes to Avoid When Building or Revamping Your Site in 2024

The Basics of Page Layout Design (+25 Page Layout Design Ideas)

77 of blog and website page design examples.

CMS Hub is flexible for marketers, powerful for developers, and gives customers a personalized, secure experience

This post may contain affiliate links. See our affiliate disclosure for more.

How to Start a Web Design Business: A Step-by-Step Guide

Mitchell Stevens

Mitchell Stevens writes articles that, depending on where you've got an opportunity to read them, are always exciting and informative. He's known for writing articles to many known pages about SEO, website design, development, etc. He's always interested in speaking about almost any topic there is, so you should try to reach him through LinkedIn,… Learn more »

Adam Wright

Adam Wright is the Content Manager at Millo, in addition to running his own graphic and web design business, Adam Wright Design. When he's not working on his business, you can find him watching hockey or just about any type of racing. Learn more »

1. Find a niche for your web design business

2. create your business’ brand, 3. decide how much to charge for your web design services, 4. build your business website, 5. get the required licenses and permits, 6. get the right equipment and software, 7. get new clients and grow your business, tips on how to start a web design business.

BIG NEWS! We just released The Freelance Files , a collection of professional done-for-you email scripts, contracts, invoices, and more for smarter freelancing. The first 50 customers, save 50% with this link .

So you’ve mastered the arts in web design . Now you’re looking to grow your own web design business. You clicked on this page because you want to know how to start a web design business, and yes, this is the right place.

A web design business can be started in two ways, mainly as a freelancer or as an agency. A freelancer means that you work individually and directly with your clients.

In contrast, an agency is where several designers are under the same roof, meaning multiple people can work together with a client.

You’ll need to consider a few elements before starting your own website business. In this article, I’ll be giving you seven detailed steps on how to start a web design business and some tips to guide you as you build it.

How to start a web design business in 7 steps

You might think that creating designs for everyone is the right way to go. Unless you have a ton of experience designing for various industries, this is a challenging task.

Before you learn how to start a web design company , you should try choosing a niche first to establish yourself and show that you are different from the rest.

Your business should be something that you’re passionate about and have a high chance of success when doing it. Look at your past experiences, where did you enjoy working? Think about your most vital skills, where do you excel the most?

You can even create a niche based on your location, serving the local business community. Once you have your niche, take some time to research whether it has opportunities and whether you’ll earn money.

After you’ve settled on a niche and know that it will be profitable and last for a while, it’s now time to create a name for your business and create a brand that will effectively communicate what values you bring as simply as possible. This is an essential part of how to start a web design business.

Create a memorable logo

If you’re more than likely a web developer, logo design isn’t your thing.

You can create a logo by hiring a professional graphic designer, and they’ll create whatever logo you want to have. Though if you don’t have a large budget to start your business, you can design your logo for free by using an online logo creator, or other software you’re comfortable with.

Make sure to keep your logo fairly minimal and limit it to two or three colors, no more. A messy design will be hard to remember and will generally look quite unprofessional, especially for a web designer.

Craft a compelling Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

As you want to stand out from the rest, you’ll want to create a unique selling proposition . It will greatly speed up the process of learning how to start a web design business. It’s a summary of what makes your business stand out and valuable to your target market.

To create a compelling USP, you should follow these steps:

• Describe your target audience
• Explain the problem that you’ll solve for them
• List your biggest unique benefits
• Combine them into a paragraph
• Cut it down to just one sentence

As the final result, you’ll end up with a USP that’s specific and simple. Take your time to draft out a few USPs, then compare them all in the end to pick the best one. And remember, a second opinion doesn’t hurt.

Choose a color scheme and design language for your brand

This is another important, often overlooked, aspect of branding. Color schemes matter because people often link them to emotions and emotions are a powerful force that drives people’s decision-making process. As a brand, you’ll want to create a strong emotional connection with your customers.

Here are some examples of what brand color means and the effects it has on people:

• White — relates to cleanliness, virtue, or simplicity
• Light Blue — it evokes trust, tranquility, and innocence
• Red — stands for excitement, passion or importance
• Gray — can be interpreted as neutral, classic, or mysterious
• Black — gives a powerful, modern, and luxurious feeling

There are plenty more meanings to colors, take your time to research thoroughly.

Another thing to keep in mind is the design language of your brand. Creating a design language means building a foundation for how all of your designs should be communicated. Remember that you’re not designing a brand for yourself, but you’re doing it for your customers.

To create a great design language, you must first know your customers and ask how your current design looks. You can also ask questions like, what makes you trust a brand? And so forth.

Not only does your design need to utilize color, but you also need great typography. You should spend some time to find the fonts that suit your style and your brand.

Now comes the tricky part, how much should customers pay for your services. When deciding how to start a web design business, you’ll have three different ways to get paid :

Pricing Option #1: Charge an hourly rate

In this method, you set a price for each hour you put in the project. When the project is done, you ask for payment for the total hours you put in. An average hourly freelance rate is between $15 – $75+, according to Upwork .

A lot of clients expect this kind of payment. It’s incredibly easy to calculate. This is an attractive prospect for freelancers like yourself as you don’t know how long the project will take.

If you’re unsure about what to charge, use our free freelance rate calculator to see exactly what you should be charging in order to hit your income goals.

Pricing Option #2: Charge per project

Here, you set the price based on what project you will do. The rate is flat and will depend on the difficulty of the job and your experience as a designer. Usually, the rate is around $500 to well above $5000 per project, according to Ripe Media .

Here, you can focus more on delivering the best product you can make. Clients who choose this method also know that they are paying for the outcome, not their effort. Therefore, you can charge more as well.

Pricing Option #3: Charge per day

By using this method, you charge based on the number of days you work with your client. The standard rates vary from $90 to $900, according to ExpertMarket . The rate depends on your experience. The more experienced, the higher you can charge.

This is an excellent method if the client wants you to go to their place to monitor and tell you what to do directly.

When you’re creating your own website, there’s plenty to consider.

Before anything, you need to buy your own domain name (ex: webcompany.com), purchase your web hosting (like BlueHost or WP Engine ) then you can get started building.

Next — what platform will you use? This largely is determined on your knowledge as a web designer.

One of the leading platforms for building websites today is WordPress — powering over a third of all websites on the web. WordPress allows you essentially unlimited options and opportunities for website design.

There is a small learning curve with WordPress, but there are literally thousands of pre-made freelancer WordPress themes you can buy to help get your website started. They come with tons of templates, plugins and friendly builders to create your own website with ease.

There’s also DIY website builders like Squarespace and Wix — which are for ultimate beginners. These platforms, however, do not have the flexibility that WordPress offers.

Now that you’ve gotten that straightened out, you should remember that you need to have a few static pages to boost your credibility and image. Those pages are:

• About – this is where you introduce yourself to visitors and list your credentials as well as past experiences.
• Contact – this is where people can get in contact with you. You can promote your social media here too.
• Portfolio page – this is where you showcase your previous and ongoing work for visitors to view.

To make your website more credible, make sure you also emphasize writing. Not only about your work in the past, but people are also interested in reading about the projects and what made them special, and how you overcame design challenges. You can also provide testimonials somewhere on your homepage to build trust with current and future clients.

This is the part where you get your paperwork done as a new business owner. Here, you decide how you’ll structure your business, whether you want to do it alone or not. You should check with your local government to see if you require any license to operate.

Choose a business entity

Here you’ll get to pick your own business structure. The choice you make will affect your legal liability as an owner, your growth potential, and your tax obligations. I would recommend you consult with a lawyer to help you with the necessary paperwork.

I’ll give you some ideas on the types of business entities. Some are:

• Sole proprietorship – your business is not formally registered. Hence the business is not its own entity which has separate legal and tax obligations from you. Everything that the business has is tied with you as the owner.
• LLC (limited liability company) – your business is considered a disregarded entity. Meaning that its tax obligations are directly related to your own tax returns, but your business is a separate entity from you from a legal standpoint.
• Corporation – your business is considered as a separate entity in terms of both tax and legal responsibilities. The income and expenses are tied to the company, not you. Ownership of the business is based on the number of stocks placed.

Doing Business As (DBA)

This is another way of registering your business. This is so you have the right to use your fictitious business name. Every region has different requirements on whether or not you need to register your business name. So be sure to check with your local government first.

Generally speaking, you’ll need to fill out a statement or buy a business certificate and pay certain fees.

When you’re ready to hire people…

If you plan to hire people, then you’ll need to create an EIN (Employer Identification Number). It is a set of numbers that will be used to identify your business for everything.

You’ll also need to provide medical, retirement, or other benefit plans for your employees. You should identify if your employees will need special medical benefits and determine your vacation policy.

Now you probably already know the types of equipment and software you need to design a web. But here, I’ll remind you of the best practices for each, giving you a few recommendations regarding which tool to use.

Image editing and prototyping software

A great image editing software that probably every web designer uses is Photoshop. The endless options for colors and gradients give you the ability to create aesthetically pleasing prints and patterns in your design. This allows you to create authentic websites since you’re creating the digital files based on what you’ve drawn.

If you’re looking for a prototyping software, then I’d recommend you to use InVision Studio. It has an incredible UI tool with various features and applications to help create website interfaces that are responsive, beautiful, user friendly, and collaborative.

One of the features, called rapid prototyping, allows you to create web transitions that are both creative and complex. Giving you the level of animations you want.

Professional web design software

Adobe XD is the standard when it comes to UX/UI design. It allows you to do collaborative designs and customize many elements of your soon-to-be website. You can add and customize voice interfaces and animations, gain the ability to build design systems and responsive web designs that have content-focused layouts, and do much more.

Version control system

If you’re working with other people, then this tool is necessary for you. A version control system like Git allows you to have multiple developers working on the same project simultaneously.

How this works is, each developer gets a full copy of the project they’re working on and can merge what they did with others through a master copy on a central server.

A good thing about this is that there is a record of what has been added or edited, so if something goes wrong, you can use an earlier version. Git is a free and open source.

Project management software

To make your work more efficient, project management tools like Trello are a great help. It essentially works like a to-do list where it consists of a single user interface and uses cards and lists as the things we need to do. You can make lists on your own, starting from to-do to completed, and move the cards along the way as you progress.

The last step, and probably the toughest one, is getting your first client. I’ve taken some recommendations on how to do that based on an article made by a colleague and will sum up a few points. You’ll quickly learn that getting new clients can feel like a full-time job in itself, you should check out this article for more detailed information.

Create your business profiles on social media

A necessary thing to create nowadays is a presence on social media platforms. By sharing your expertise, personality, and professionally branding yourself on social media, you can swiftly build an audience through many channels. Perhaps some of the audience will become your clients.

Facebook is a great platform to promote to your circle of family and friends. It also allows you to create a professional company page. Instagram is a great platform for web designers as the platform’s visual aspect allows you to visually promote your previous work while using a hashtag to gain attention.

Create business profiles on job boards and freelance sites

Sites like LinkedIn are a great way to promote yourself and get discovered by potential clients. They have a section called LinkedIn Recruiter, where companies go to find talent for their project. You can advertise yourself there, but make sure to include “Freelance Web Designer” as your heading.

Freelance job sites like SolidGigs is great because it saves you the time hunting for jobs. They scour the web and send you the best freelance gigs to your inbox — easy peasy.

This is an effective way to directly get in touch with your target audience and start promoting yourself to them. An easy way to do this is by going to local meetup events, but make sure that your target audience will be present.

Other ways to get new customers

• Use email marketing
• Create content/blog
• Ask for referrals
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Now that you know the step-by-step process, I’ll give a few tips to get you started.

• Keep up-to-date with the latest web design trends and technologies

Web design is one of the fastest-moving spaces. Therefore the need to keep learning is crucial. You want to be the first to get on the latest technologies or software to gain a competitive advantage over the rest. Here are a few ways on how to keep up with the latest:

• Listen to recent tech podcasts
• Subscribe to tech newsletters
• Network with experts
• Attend conferences
• Show you care about your clients

You want to create a great first impression on clients and also leave them satisfied after the project concludes. This is to entice your clients to do a repeat purchase , meaning they’ll come back to you should they have another project.

Or to create a positive word of mouth as if clients are satisfied with your work, they are likely to tell it to other people. Some of the ways to show that you care can be:

• Go the extra mile
• Make a VIP section
• Show respect

By showing you really care, and doing great work, clients will have no problem sending you referrals in the future.

• Use automation where possible

Business automation is becoming commonplace, even for small businesses. You can incorporate automation into every aspect of your business. Using tools like Zapier , you can automate various tasks such as:

• Email communication
• Marketing funnel management
• Payment processing
• Lead generation
• Sending appointment reminders
• Publishing social media posts
• Get good at negotiating

When you eventually get a project, you’ll come across a contract from your client. Contracts usually lay out what you’ll do, the payment, and many more project-related matters. You’ll need to come up with a strategy to become good at negotiating, so you get the best out of the contract. Here are some tips:

• Have your end goal in mind
• Research the client first before negotiating
• Everything is negotiable
• Be reasonable
• Make sure everything is fully explained
• Be prepared to walk away
• Position yourself as an authority in your space

There are so many choices when people are looking for a web designer. People tend to go to trusted authorities who have proven their expertise. You need to position yourself as an authority to get a higher chance of being selected for a project. A few ways to do that include:

• Focus on a niche
• Be consistent
• Offer what others can’t
• Engage your community
• Share your content for free (blog posts, tutorials, etc.)

So now you’ve learned the step-by-step guide on how to start a web design business. Let’s recap the steps:

• Find a niche for your web design business
• Brand your business appropriately
• Decide how much to charge for your web design services
• Build your business website
• Get the required license and permits
• Purchase the right equipment and software
• Find new clients and grow your business

I’ve also given you a few tips to help you get started. Those tips are:

All that’s left for you now is to start creating your web design business. Remember to focus on your niche and take your time when deciding your brand. Good luck!

Keep the conversation going...

Over 10,000 of us are having daily conversations over in our free Facebook group and we'd love to see you there. Join us!

Freelancing Growth

Written by Mitchell Stevens

Contributor at millo.co.

Mitchell Stevens writes articles that, depending on where you've got an opportunity to read them, are always exciting and informative. He's known for writing articles to many known pages about SEO, website design, development, etc. He's always interested in speaking about almost any topic there is, so you should try to reach him through LinkedIn, where he spends most of his time! He likes riding on his bike, hiking, or getting something delicious to eat in his free time!

Mitchell's Articles

Reviewed & edited by Adam Wright , Editor at Millo.

At Millo, we strive to publish only the best, most trustworthy and reliable content for freelancers. You can learn more by reviewing our editorial policy .

Business Plan Template for Web Designers

• Great for beginners
• Ready-to-use, fully customizable Subcategory
• Get started in seconds

When it comes to running a successful web design business, having a solid business plan is essential. That's where ClickUp's Business Plan Template for Web Designers comes in handy!

With this template, freelance web designers and web design agencies can easily outline their business goals, target market, pricing strategies, marketing and sales plans, operational structure, and financial projections.

By using ClickUp's Business Plan Template, you'll be able to:

• Clearly define your business objectives and strategies
• Identify your target audience and tailor your services to their needs
• Set realistic pricing and revenue goals to ensure profitability
• Create a comprehensive marketing and sales plan to attract clients
• Establish an efficient operational structure to streamline processes
• Develop accurate financial projections to track your business's growth and success

Take your web design business to new heights with ClickUp's Business Plan Template today!

Business Plan Template for Web Designers Benefits

A business plan template for web designers can be a game-changer for freelance web designers or web design agencies. Here are some benefits of using this template:

• Provides a clear roadmap to success by outlining business goals and objectives
• Helps identify and target the right market for web design services
• Sets realistic pricing strategies to ensure profitability and competitiveness
• Guides marketing and sales plans to attract and retain clients
• Defines the operational structure to streamline workflow and deliver high-quality designs
• Includes financial projections for better financial management and growth planning

By using a business plan template, web designers can set themselves up for success and build a thriving web design business.

Main Elements of Web Designers Business Plan Template

ClickUp’s Business Plan Template for Web Designers provides the essential elements to help freelance web designers or web design agencies outline their business strategy and achieve success in the industry.

• Custom Statuses: Use the predefined statuses of Complete, In Progress, Needs Revision, and To Do to track the progress of different sections of your business plan, ensuring that each task is clearly defined and accounted for.
• Custom Fields: Utilize the Reference, Approved, and Section custom fields to provide additional details about each task, such as the source of reference material, approval status, and the specific section of the business plan it relates to.
• Custom Views: Access five different views, including Topics, Status, Timeline, Business Plan, and Getting Started Guide, to organize and visualize your business plan from various perspectives. Whether you prefer a topic-based overview or a timeline view to track progress, ClickUp has you covered.

How To Use Business Plan Template for Web Designers

If you're a web designer looking to create a solid business plan, ClickUp's Business Plan Template can help you get started. Follow these six steps to make the most of this template and set yourself up for success:

1. Define your business goals and mission

First, take the time to clearly define your business goals and mission. What do you want to achieve as a web designer? Are you looking to grow your client base, increase revenue, or expand your services? Understanding your goals and mission will help guide your business plan and shape your strategies.

Use a Doc in ClickUp to brainstorm and outline your business goals and mission.

2. Identify your target market and competition

Next, identify your target market and understand your competition. Who are your ideal clients? What are their needs and pain points? Research your competition to see what services they offer and how you can differentiate yourself. This information will help you tailor your marketing and sales strategies.

Create tasks in ClickUp to research and analyze your target market and competition.

3. Develop your services and pricing

Now, it's time to develop your services and pricing structure. Determine what web design services you offer and how you will package them. Consider your target market's budget and needs when setting your prices. Be sure to also outline any additional services or upsells you may offer, such as SEO optimization or website maintenance.

Use custom fields in ClickUp to track and organize your services and pricing.

4. Create a marketing and sales plan

To attract clients and generate leads, you'll need a solid marketing and sales plan. Outline your strategies for promoting your web design services, such as social media marketing, content creation, or networking events. Determine how you will reach potential clients and convert them into paying customers.

Use the Gantt chart in ClickUp to map out your marketing and sales activities and set deadlines.

5. Outline your financial projections and budget

Financial planning is crucial for any business. Outline your financial projections and budget, including your expected revenue, expenses, and profit margins. Consider factors such as marketing costs, overhead expenses, and any investments or loans you may need. This will help you understand the financial health of your business and make informed decisions.

Use the Table view in ClickUp to create and track your financial projections and budget.

6. Set milestones and review your progress

Lastly, set milestones and regularly review your progress. Break down your business plan into actionable steps and set deadlines for each milestone. Regularly review your progress and make adjustments as needed. Celebrate your achievements and learn from any setbacks to continuously improve and grow your web design business.

Create milestones in ClickUp to track your progress and stay motivated.

By following these steps and using ClickUp's Business Plan Template, you'll have a comprehensive and actionable plan to guide your web design business towards success.

Get Started with ClickUp’s Business Plan Template for Web Designers

Web designers can use the Business Plan Template for Web Designers to create a comprehensive plan for their web design business, including goals, strategies, and financial projections.

First, hit "Add Template" to sign up for ClickUp and add the template to your Workspace. Make sure you designate which Space or location in your Workspace you'd like this template applied.

Next, invite relevant members or guests to your Workspace to start collaborating.

Now you can take advantage of the full potential of this template to create a successful web design business:

• Use the Topics View to outline different sections of your business plan, such as goals, target market, pricing strategies, and marketing plans
• The Status View will help you track the progress of each section, with statuses like Complete, In Progress, Needs Revision, and To Do
• Use the Timeline View to set deadlines for each section and keep track of your progress
• The Business Plan View will give you an overview of your entire business plan, allowing you to see how each section fits together
• The Getting Started Guide View will provide step-by-step instructions on how to use the template and create your business plan
• Customize the template by adding custom fields like Reference, Approved, and Section to provide additional information and categorize your tasks
• Update statuses and custom fields as you work on each section to keep team members informed of progress
• Monitor and analyze tasks to ensure your business plan is on track for success.
• Business Plan Template for Electricians
• Business Plan Template for Culinary Professionals
• Business Plan Template for Contractors
• Business Plan Template for Resume
• Business Plan Template for Under Armour

Template details

Free forever with 100mb storage.

Free training & 24-hours support

Serious about security & privacy

Highest levels of uptime the last 12 months

• Product Roadmap
• Affiliate & Referrals
• On-Demand Demo
• Integrations
• Consultants
• Gantt Chart
• Native Time Tracking
• Automations
• Kanban Board
• vs Airtable
• vs Basecamp
• vs MS Project
• vs Smartsheet
• Software Team Hub
• PM Software Guide

• Website Examples
• Website Builder Comparisons
• Hosting Comparisons
• WooCommerce
• HTTP Errors
• WordPress Errors

How to Start a Web Design Business: Essential Steps for Success

Step 8: Formulating your workflow

Step 6: structuring your payment options, step 2: optimizing for search engines, maintaining customer service and support, exploring expansion opportunities.

Starting a web design business can be both exciting and profitable. This guide outlines essential steps for success, from creating a clear business plan and identifying your niche to handling legal tasks and building an online presence. Focus on offering specialized services, crafting a memorable brand, and utilizing effective marketing strategies to attract clients and grow your business.

How much does it cost to start a web design business?

The cost to start a web design business can vary widely depending on several factors, but here is a general breakdown of potential expenses:

Initial setup costs

• Computer and software: $1,000 – $3,000
• Domain name and hosting: $50 – $200 per year
• Office supplies and furniture: $200 – $1,000
• Business registration and legal fees: $100 – $500
• Website development and marketing: $500 – $2,000

Ongoing costs

• Subscription to design tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Cloud)**: $50 – $80 per month
• Internet and utilities: $50 – $150 per month
• Marketing and advertising: $100 – $500 per month

How profitable is a web design business?

The profitability of a web design business depends on several factors, including the number of clients, pricing structure, and operating costs. Here are some key points:

• Freelance rates: Web designers can charge $25 to $150 per hour.
• Project-based fees: Typical project fees range from $500 to $10,000, depending on complexity and scope.

Profit margins

• A successful web design business can achieve profit margins of 30% to 60%.
• Monthly revenue can range from $2,000 to $10,000+ for freelancers, and much higher for established agencies.

Client retention and growth

• Retaining clients for ongoing maintenance and updates can provide steady income.
• Scaling the business by hiring additional designers and expanding services can significantly increase profitability.

How do I start a home-based web design business?

How do I get started as a web designer?

Looking to sell online?

Create your custom online store in minutes with 10Web AI Ecommerce Website Builder and take your business online.

Stage 1: Web design landscape and business planning

Starting a web design business requires understanding the market’s intricacies, identifying your target niche, analyzing your competition, and staying updated with the latest web design trends.

Step 1: Defining your market

To stand out in the web design industry, define a specific niche. Think about what you’re good at and where there’s demand. Common niches include e-commerce websites, portfolio sites for creatives, and business websites. Specializing helps you market your services more effectively and attract clients looking for your expertise.

Step 2: Analyzing the competition

Researching your competition is crucial. Identify competitors in your chosen niche and study their strengths and weaknesses. Check their portfolios, pricing, and client reviews. This analysis helps you understand the market standard and find ways to differentiate your services. Use tools like Google Trends or SEMrush to gather insights.

Step 3: Keeping up with web design trends

Web design is an ever-evolving field. Keep up with trends to offer modern and efficient designs. Follow design blogs, enroll in online courses, and participate in webinars. Current trends might include mobile-first designs, minimalist layouts, and AI integration. Staying informed ensures your services remain relevant and appealing.

Step 4: Creating a business plan

Planning your web design business is crucial for success. Focus on creating a comprehensive business plan and setting clear goals for your operations and growth.

A well-structured business plan will guide your web design business. Follow these steps to create an effective business plan:

• Mission statement: Define what your business aims to achieve.
• Business structure: Decide if you’ll be a sole proprietor, LLC, or corporation.
• Services offered: List the web design services you plan to provide.
• Market analysis: Research your competition and target audience.
• Marketing strategy: Outline how you will attract and retain clients.
• Financial plan: Include start-up costs, pricing, and financial projections.

A clear business plan helps you stay focused on your goals, manage your resources, and attract potential investors.

Setting your business goals

Setting your business goals gives direction and helps measure success. Here’s how to set effective goals:

• Short-term goals: Identify immediate tasks, such as completing your portfolio or launching your website.
• Long-term goals: Plan for future milestones, like expanding your team or reaching a certain revenue target.
• SMART goals: Make sure your goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
• Evaluation: Regularly review and adjust your goals as your business grows.

Clear and achievable goals will keep you motivated and help track your progress.

Step 5: Choosing a business entity

Setting up your web design business involves choosing the right type of business entity, handling taxes properly, and managing your finances effectively.

Selecting a business entity is a crucial step. The choice impacts your taxes, liabilities, and legal protections.

• Sole Proprietorship : Easy to set up and control, but offers no personal liability protection. Your personal assets are at risk if the business runs into trouble.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC) : Provides personal liability protection without the complex structure of a corporation. It’s a popular choice for small businesses.
• Corporation : Offers strong liability protection and potential tax benefits, but involves more regulations and costs. Suitable for larger companies or those seeking investors.
• Partnership : Good for businesses run by multiple people. Each partner shares responsibility and profit, but personal liability can be a downside.

Step 6: Handling taxes and accounting

Proper tax management and accounting keep your business compliant and financially healthy.

• Register for an EIN : An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is required for all types of business entities except sole proprietorships without employees.
• Open a business bank account : Keeping your business finances separate from your personal accounts is crucial. It simplifies accounting and shields your personal assets.
• Use accounting software : Tools like QuickBooks or FreshBooks can help you track income, expenses, and prepare for tax season.
• Hire an accountant : If tax laws are overwhelming, consider hiring a professional. They can provide valuable advice and ensure accurate filings.
• Understand your tax obligations : Different entities have different tax requirements. For example, LLCs and sole proprietorships often file taxes on the owner’s tax return, while corporations file separately.

Button up your legal and financial aspects early on to pave the way for a successful web design business.

Step 7: Setting up your operational backbone

Getting your web design business operational involves selecting the right tools and creating an efficient workflow. Both elements are vital for your success and day-to-day operations.

Choosing the right set of tools is crucial for your web design business. The essentials include a robust Content Management System (CMS) like WordPress or Divi. These platforms make designing and managing websites more straightforward.

You’ll also need web design software such as Adobe XD , Sketch , or Figma . These tools help you create mockups and prototypes efficiently. For coding, consider text editors like Sublime Text or Visual Studio Code .

Project management software is also important. Tools like Trello , Asana , and Jira keep your tasks and deadlines organized. They are useful for managing multiple clients and projects simultaneously.

Make sure you have reliable hosting services and domain registrars to manage your clients’ websites. Look into cloud storage solutions like Google Drive or Dropbox for easy access to your files from anywhere.

A well-structured workflow ensures that you handle tasks systematically. Start by defining your project stages: Discovery, Design, Development, Testing, and Launch.

In the Discovery phase, gather all client requirements and set clear expectations. This might involve meetings, questionnaires, or initial mockups.

Next, move to the Design stage. Use your chosen tools to create wireframes and designs based on the client’s needs. Regular client feedback at this stage can prevent costly revisions later.

The Development phase involves turning designs into functional websites. Use a CMS like WordPress to build the site, adding necessary plugins and custom code.

Testing is critical before launching the site. Check for bugs, responsiveness, and compatibility across different browsers and devices.

Lastly, in the Launch phase, ensure a smooth rollout by monitoring the new site closely for any issues and making necessary tweaks.

Establish clear procedures for client communication and project updates throughout these stages. This keeps clients informed and ensures smoother project completion.

Stage 2: Developing your brand

Creating a strong brand is essential to stand out in the crowded web design industry. You’ll want to focus on building a clear brand identity and establishing your online presence to attract clients.

Stage 1: Creating your brand identity

Your brand identity is what sets you apart from other web design businesses. Start by choosing a unique name and logo that reflect your values and style. Think about the emotions and ideas you want to convey with your brand.

Next, decide on your color scheme and typography. These elements should be consistent across all of your materials, including your website, business cards, and social media profiles. Consistency helps build recognition and trust with your audience.

Consider your brand’s voice and messaging. Are you professional, creative, or tech-savvy? Use this voice in your content to create a cohesive experience for your clients. Make sure your brand statement clearly communicates what you offer and why potential clients should choose you.

Step 2: Creating a professional website

Your online presence is crucial for attracting and retaining clients. Start by setting up a professional business website . Choose a domain name that represents your brand and is easy to remember.

Your website should showcase your portfolio, list your services, and provide contact information. Include client testimonials to build credibility. Use high-quality images and clear, concise text to highlight your work and skills.

Optimize your website for search engines by including relevant keywords in your content. This will help potential clients find you more easily. Regularly update your site with new projects and blog posts to keep it active and engaging. Lastly, maintain a presence on social media platforms relevant to your audience. Share updates, interact with followers, and use hashtags to reach a broader audience. Consistent online activity can drive traffic to your site and expand your client base.

Creating a professional website with 10Web

10Web offers comprehensive WordPress website creation services, featuring Automated Managed WordPress Hosting automated updates, security, and backups. The 10Web AI Website Builder includes a drag-and-drop editor and a variety of customizable, responsive templates. The AI-powered builder assists in creating sites based on user preferences, automating content and design.

10Web ensures performance optimization with tools like the Page Speed Booster for faster loading and image compression.

To create your site on 10Web:

• Fill in the name of your business and a short description. You can enhance the description using AI.
• Choose Yes to get a domain or click No if you have one already then enter your domain name if you have chosen No (optional).

• Set the 3 main features, benefits, services offered by your business

Step 3: Building a portfolio

Creating a strong portfolio is essential for showcasing your skills and drawing attention from potential clients. A well-crafted portfolio highlights your expertise and successful projects, making it easier for clients to trust your abilities.

Start by focusing on your specific skills as a web designer. This might include HTML/CSS , JavaScript , graphic design , or UX/UI design . Use a clear list to display these skills prominently.

Create sections that detail your proficiency and any certifications or notable achievements. Including testimonials from satisfied clients can add credibility and show potential customers that you can deliver quality work.

Provide examples of how you have applied these skills in real projects. This concrete evidence of your capabilities will help build trust and demonstrate your knowledge.

Step 4: Showcasing successful projects

Showcasing successful projects is a critical part of your portfolio. Choose a variety of projects that reflect different aspects of your skills. Include a brief description of each project, the client’s requirements, and how you met those needs.

Highlight notable outcomes, such as increased web traffic, improved user experience, or higher conversion rates. Visual elements like screenshots, design mockups, and live links to finished websites will make this section stand out.

Consider adding a case study for one or two key projects. Explain the project goals, your approach, the solutions you implemented, and the results. This detailed focus can demonstrate your problem-solving skills and thorough approach.

Setting the right price for your web design services is crucial for your business success. It’s important to determine competitive rates and choose a payment structure that aligns with your clients’ needs and your business goals.

Step 5: Determining your rates

To determine your rates, start by researching the market rates for web design services in your area. Look at what other designers with similar skills and experience are charging. Take into account your level of expertise—new designers may start with lower rates to attract clients, while experienced designers can charge premium rates.

Consider using a tiered pricing model. For example, offer basic, standard, and premium packages. This allows you to cater to clients with different budgets and project scope needs. You can also set hourly rates for smaller tasks or use project-based pricing for larger projects.

Remember to factor in your expenses, such as software, equipment, and marketing costs, to ensure your rates cover your business needs and provide a profit.

When structuring your payment options, flexibility is key. Offering various payment models can help attract a wider range of clients.

Hourly rate: Charge based on the number of hours worked. This is suitable for smaller projects or ongoing maintenance.

Flat fee: Set a fixed price for a project, regardless of the time it takes. This can be appealing to clients who prefer knowing their total cost upfront.

Monthly fee: For ongoing projects or services like website maintenance, consider charging a monthly retainer. This provides a steady income and ensures long-term client relationships.

Use clear and concise contracts to outline your payment terms. Include details like deposit requirements, payment schedules, and policies for late payments. This clarity helps avoid misunderstandings and ensures you get paid on time.

Stage 3: Marketing and sales strategies

Marketing and sales are essential for growing your web design business. Effective use of social media and search engine optimization (SEO) can attract new clients and increase visibility.

Step 1: Using social media

Social media platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram are powerful tools for promoting your web design business. Start by creating professional profiles and regularly posting engaging content related to web design.

Use LinkedIn to connect with potential clients and share industry insights. Join relevant groups and participate in discussions to showcase your expertise. Post case studies of past projects to demonstrate your skills.

On Instagram , share visually appealing designs and behind-the-scenes shots of your work process. Use popular hashtags in the web design niche to increase your posts’ reach. Collaborate with influencers or other businesses to expand your audience.

Interact with followers by responding to comments and messages. Running social media ads can also drive traffic to your website, increasing the chances of converting visitors into clients.

SEO is crucial for ensuring potential clients can find your web design business when they search online. Start by conducting keyword research to identify terms potential clients might use to find web design services.

Incorporate these keywords naturally into your website’s content, including headings, meta descriptions, and image alt text. Create high-quality blog posts that address common questions or issues in web design. This not only helps with SEO but also establishes you as an authority in your field.

Make sure your website loads quickly and is mobile-friendly, as these factors affect search engine rankings. Building backlinks from reputable websites can also improve your SEO. Reach out to industry blogs for guest posting opportunities or collaborate on joint content to achieve this.

Regularly monitor your website’s performance using tools like Google Analytics. Adjust your strategy based on the data to continuously improve your search engine rankings.

Engaging with clients

Building strong relationships with clients is key to your web design business’s success. Effective communication and excellent customer service are essential.

Establishing effective communication

Effective communication with clients ensures clear project goals and expectations. Start by listening actively to their needs and vision for the website. Use clear and simple language to avoid misunderstandings.

Utilize tools like email , video calls , and project management software to stay connected. Regular updates and check-ins keep clients informed and involved, fostering a sense of collaboration.

Additionally, create detailed proposals and agreements outlining the project’s scope, timeline, and cost. This prevents confusion and helps manage expectations.

Good customer service sets you apart. Respond promptly to client inquiries and provide solutions to problems that arise during the design process.

Offer ongoing support after the project is completed. This could include maintenance services and troubleshooting . Show your clients that you are reliable and there for them, which builds trust and encourages positive referrals.

Stay professional in all interactions and handle feedback constructively. Satisfied clients are more likely to become repeat customers and refer you to others.

Growing Your Business

To grow your web design business, focus on networking and community engagement and explore various expansion opportunities. Building strong relationships and seeking out new growth avenues can take your business to the next level.

Networking and community engagement

Networking is key to building your brand and gaining new clients. Attend local business events, workshops, and seminars. Meetups and online forums are excellent places to connect with other professionals. Engage with your community by offering free workshops or webinars to showcase your expertise.

Social media can be a powerful tool for networking. Join relevant groups on platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Reddit. Share tips, engage in discussions, and offer solutions to problems. This not only builds your reputation but can also lead to referrals.

Consider forming partnerships with other small businesses or freelancers . Collaborations can lead to new projects and clients. Don’t hesitate to seek out a mentor who can provide guidance and advice based on their own experiences.

Identifying expansion opportunities is crucial for growth. Evaluate your current services and consider adding complementary ones, such as SEO , content creation , or graphic design . This can attract a broader client base and meet more of your clients’ needs.

Expanding geographically is another growth strategy. If your business is thriving locally, think about offering your services in other cities or even countries. Remote work has made this more feasible than ever.

Invest in technology and tools that increase efficiency. Automation software, project management tools, and advanced design software can save time and improve the quality of your work. Set clear goals for growth and monitor your progress regularly to ensure you are on track.

This guide has covered essential steps to help you start and grow a successful web design business. We’ve emphasized the importance of creating a solid business plan, which will serve as your roadmap. Effective marketing strategies, like utilizing social media and SEO, will help you attract clients and grow your brand.

Clear communication with clients is crucial for building strong relationships and ensuring project success. Establishing a professional online presence and showcasing your portfolio will demonstrate your skills and attract potential clients. Offering flexible payment options can cater to different client needs and help secure more business.

These steps will not only help you establish a strong foundation but also pave the way for your web design business to thrive in a competitive market.

Create your online store in minutes

Create your online store in minutes with 10Web AI Ecommerce Website Builder.

How to Start a Delivery Business: 11 Steps to Success

Starting a delivery business can be a smart move. The demand for delivery services is growing fast due to the rise of online shopping and the need for convenience. Here’s a brief look at why you might consider this opportunity and the key steps involved. Reasons to start a delivery business: High demand: With more people shopping online, delivery services…

A Guide on How to Start an Event Planning Business

Starting an event planning business can be an exciting and rewarding venture. This complete guide on how to start an event planning business will walk you through every step, from initial planning and market research to marketing strategies and client management. Learn the essential skills, tools, and insights needed to build a successful event planning business. FAQ Stage 1: Laying…

How to Start an Affiliate Marketing Business

Starting an affiliate marketing business offers a lucrative opportunity to earn income with minimal investment. This guide explains the basics of affiliate marketing, including how to sign up for programs, promote products, and earn commissions. You’ll also learn about choosing the right niche, evaluating affiliate programs, and building a solid online presence to maximize your success. FAQ Understanding how to…

How to Start a Virtual Assistant Business

Starting a virtual assistant (VA) business offers a pathway to entrepreneurial success. This guide will walk you through essential steps, from evaluating your skills and defining your target market to creating a business plan and setting up the legal framework. You’ll also learn about building an online presence, pricing your services, managing finances, and effective client communication. FAQ How to…

How to Start a Photography Business: A Beginner’s Guide

Do you want to turn your passion for photography into a successful business? Starting a photography business involves more than taking stunning photos; it requires strategic planning and strong business understanding (if you want to go a long way with the business). This guide covers the essentials, from defining your unique photography brand and identifying your target market to creating…

How to Start a Boutique Business: Tips for Success

Starting a boutique business can be exciting and rewarding, but it requires careful planning and strategic execution to ensure success. This guide covers the essential steps, from defining your boutique’s vision and mission to identifying your target market and conducting thorough market research. By following these friendly tips and strategies, you can build a successful boutique business that stands out…

How to Sell Music Online: Your Own and as a Reseller

Top 71 shopify websites: discover ecommerce inspiration for 2024, 32 innovative ecommerce websites in 2024 for inspiration, 25 easy steps to start an online retail business in 2024, 28 easy and practical steps to sell jewelry online in 2024, leave a comment cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Your email address will never be published or shared. Required fields are marked *

Email address *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Get a head start on website creation with AI

Create a custom website tailored to your business needs 10X faster with 10Web AI Website Builder!

How to Start a Small Web Design Firm

Callum Mundine

8 min. read

Updated May 10, 2024

For web designers, transitioning from working full-time for someone else to freelancing has some perks, like being your own boss and having a more flexible work schedule. But you’ll also be in charge of every aspect of running your business and making hard decisions which can impact the success and growth of your company.

Once you’ve decided that you’re ready to start a small web design firm, you’ll need to develop a host of skills to help you run a successful business, including time management, sales and promotional strategies, and client acquisition.

• 1. Create a one-page business plan

The first step to running your own business is creating a solid plan. This is where you get your idea out of your head and onto paper to put it to the test, but it doesn’t have to be a 50-page long document that you’ll work through once and file away, never to be seen again.

Instead, you can create an alternative to a traditional business plan—a one-page plan which is easier to adapt throughout the life of your business. The goal here is to write a plan that’s going to lend itself to regular reviews and frequent updates, based on goals and performance that might change quickly over time—it should be a tool, not a static document.  

Your one-page plan should include an overview of your strategy and tactics (problem-solving and possible solutions), your business model (including your target market and competition), and a schedule of what you’re doing and when. You should also include some core financials such as a sales forecast, expense budget, and cash flow forecast. Don’t forget to outline your milestones , so you’ll have a clear sense early on of whether your strategies are working.

Most importantly, you should set up a timeline to keep revisiting your plan and adjust it on a regular basis to ensure you’re on track to meeting your goals.

• 2. Calculate startup costs

While you may envision running an agency full of designers in the future, you’ll probably begin your journey as an independent (solo) freelancer.

The good news is that startup costs are relatively low, but you will need a few things, so make sure you spend some time thinking through your startup costs .

• The basics . In addition to basic equipment such as a computer, phone, and desk, you’ll need to consider the cost of registering a domain name and building your own website. You’ll also need business cards, stationery supplies, and software that’s specific to your design work. When you’re just starting out, you can make use of 30-day free software trials until you find the right fit. But ensure your business cards and other promotional materials showcase your best design work to make a good first impression.
• Insurance, taxes, and software . Be sure to consider the costs of health insurance, personal liability insurance, and taxes, and software tools that you’ll need. When it comes to accounting software, many services are aimed at small businesses and handling your own bookkeeping can work out cheaper. QuickBooks , Xero , and FreshBooks are all popular choices. However, finding a good accountant early on can save you a lot of heartache in the future, and will help ensure you know exactly where you stand in terms of your tax position and other liabilities.
• 3. Build your brand

How you brand yourself is an important decision which can impact the way your clients see you. Many freelance web designers choose to use their name as their brand, which on the positive side lends a personal attachment to your business.

Your clients will feel they’re working with an individual rather than a fully fledged agency, which usually translates to more flexibility, a personal approach, and cheaper rates.

However, if your high-level goals include growing your business, maybe turning it into a studio and hiring a few more people, then you may want to start out with a more formal name.  

When you’re creating your business plan, take the time to think about how you’d like potential customers to perceive you and how this fits in with your view as a freelancer and your future goals. Would you rather be seen as a young startup company, or work on creating your own personal brand?

Brought to you by

Create a professional business plan

Using ai and step-by-step instructions.

Secure funding

Validate ideas

Build a strategy

• 4. Establish your freelance rates

If you don’t have a framework for establishing your rates from the beginning, it’s very easy to end up working for very little money. It’s much harder to raise your rates later on and can affect the timeframe for getting your new venture off the ground.

Calculating your rates:

• It’s difficult to know where to begin, so start by calculating your monthly costs. Include everything such as your rent, utility bills, travel costs, insurance, and tax liability.
• Multiply this sum by twelve and add your ideal annual salary.
• Divide this figure by 48 to figure out what your costs are per week (allowing for four weeks holiday).
• Finally, divide your weekly cost by the number of hours you plan on working in a week —many freelancers start with 20 hours—to establish your hourly rate.

Make sure you get paid

Managing cash-flow as a freelancer can be very stressful, so once you’ve established your rates, you’ll need to do everything you can to ensure you’re paid on time. Make sure you always have a contract which stipulates the scope of the project and terms of payment and request a deposit before you begin work.

For longer projects, it’s also standard to ask for milestone payments so that you’re guaranteed compensation over time.  

Some freelancers prefer to be paid up front, but in order to do this, you’ll need to be able to estimate the typical number of hours a project will take and then add a percentage for overage.

• 5. Showcase your work

Your portfolio website is undoubtedly one of your most important assets when it comes to promoting your services. At a minimum, your website should state your services and offer a clear way to contact you, but to really show off your expertise, you should use it showcase your previous work.

This can be hard when you’re just starting out and your portfolio can seem light, but there are ways around this. Consider reaching out to local charities, schools, church groups, and so on, and offer your services for free or at a low cost.

This is a good way of expanding your portfolio, practicing your skills, and helping out in your local community. You don’t need to include all the work you’ve ever done—three or four high-quality pieces should be enough to show people what you can do.

• 6. Promote your services

However good your web design skills are, they’ll mean nothing if you don’t know how to promote and sell your services.

You should develop a sales process that covers the following:

• Finding new prospects
• Cultivating relationships
• Informing potential clients about your services
• Offering your services to the right people
• Fulfilling expectations
• Developing relationships with clients

To identify your ideal client (or your target market ), think about who they are, what they do, and where they spend their time (both online and in person). Choose some of the same places to hang out and try to engage them in conversation.

This is the perfect time to impress people with your elevator pitch , which is what you use to show potential clients how you can help their business and the reasons they should hire you.

Online freelancing platforms such as Upwork and Freelancer are also good places to find prospective clients. However, competition among freelancers from all over the world is fierce, and many employers opt for the lowest possible rates. You’ll need to be selective about the jobs you bid on and try to identify serious clients who are happy to pay for quality work.

Show your target market how you tackle their specific concerns and provide concrete examples of how you’ve solved those problems successfully in the past. This approach makes it much easier to find new clients.

• 7. Start networking

Connect online . Communities where other professionals in the industry hang out are great places to find support from people who are in a similar situation. Follow other designers and developers on Twitter, and reach out to people on LinkedIn, Facebook, or other social media channels.

Be part of your local community . Joining groups for freelancing professionals and immersing yourself in communities provides great opportunities for networking, asking and answering questions, establishing your expertise, and helping people who may be looking for your services in the future.

Keep your ear to the ground . You could start by following blogs which have a high number of comments and regular contributors, as well as signing up to RSS updates on web development boards. It’s all about interacting with other web designers, connecting with potential clients, and gaining referrals.

• 8. Master time management

As a freelancer, being organized and productive means you can get the most out of your day without being glued to your desk for hours on end, so you can start to scale your business. By implementing a little structure, you can schedule your tasks around the times you’re most likely to get things done.

Develop a routine . It can help to group similar tasks together and consistently carry them out at a certain time of day. For instance, answering emails in the morning as you’re still waking up, taking care of phone calls after your second cup of coffee, and coding/designing whenever you have the most energy.

Take advantage of tools . There is lots of software available to help simplify and automate many of your daily tasks, so make use of the tools available for time tracking, project management, managing finances, etc.

• The bottom line

Successful freelancers are excellent multitaskers. To deal with the uncertainties of running your own business and the stress of an irregular income—at least when you’re starting out—you need a plan. The more structure you have from the outset, the easier it will be to develop a successful business and grow your company in the right direction.

Callum is the head of marketing at Warble Media. They are a boutique website design and digital marketing agency based in Dubbo, NSW, Australia.

Table of Contents

Related Articles

8 Min. Read

How and Why to Develop a Mobile Healthcare App

5 Min. Read

9 Real Estate Marketing Strategies to Expand Your Business

How to Start a Food Pantry in Your Community

9 Min. Read

How to Start a Digital Marketing Agency

The Bplans Newsletter

The Bplans Weekly

Subscribe now for weekly advice and free downloadable resources to help start and grow your business.

We care about your privacy. See our privacy policy .

The quickest way to turn a business idea into a business plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

No thanks, I prefer writing 40-page documents.

Discover the world’s #1 plan building software

How to Start a Web Design Business

As a web design business owner, your company’s primary responsibility is to ensure the client’s website is visually pleasing. Depending upon the customer’s needs, the designer will either use a site template or create the design and develop the site.

You may also be interested in additional online business ideas .

Learn how to start your own Web Design Business and whether it is the right fit for you.

Ready to form your LLC? Check out the Top LLC Formation Services .

Start a web design business by following these 10 steps:

• Plan your Web Design Business
• Form your Web Design Business into a Legal Entity
• Register your Web Design Business for Taxes
• Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
• Set up Accounting for your Web Design Business
• Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Web Design Business
• Get Web Design Business Insurance
• Define your Web Design Business Brand
• Create your Web Design Business Website
• Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your web design business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas .

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

What will you name your business?

• What are the startup and ongoing costs?
• Who is your target market?

How much can you charge customers?

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Web Design Business Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship , you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name , we recommend researching your business name by checking:

• Your state's business records
• Federal and state trademark records
• Social media platforms
• Web domain availability .

It's very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

Want some help naming your web design business?

Business name generator, what are the costs involved in opening a web design business.

Many web design entrepreneurs choose to start out operating from a home office. Without the startup and operating costs associated with renting or purchasing office space, you’ll save a significant amount of money. With this portion of your budget freed up, you can re-invest in your business through education, web design tools, and marketing.

Below is a list of basics you’ll need to get started:

• Computer/laptop
• Marketing materials - website, brochures, and business cards
• Attorney and/or CPA to help ensure you have a solid business plan and that it’s carried out smoothly

What are the ongoing expenses for a web design business?

As a web design business owner, your overhead expenses will be fairly minimal. Below are a few items you’ll want to budget for in your monthly expenses:

• Rent/mortgage on office space
• Travel and fees associated with continuing education and conferences
• Computer maintenance and repair
• Payroll expenses - you could combat this expense by keeping your core team small and hiring independent contractors to help out with larger jobs.

Who is the target market?

You’ll most likely have numerous clients whom you never hear from again, once their website is built. While there is nothing wrong here, it does cause a bit of instability and requires constant marketing to maintain a profitable workload. Therefore, your most valuable clients will be the ones that realize the benefit of having a website that is continuously maintained and upgraded. With each customer retained, work diligently to build a strong and trusted relationship. With this foundation built, they’ll consider you an extension of their workforce, looking to you for guidance for many years to come.

How does a web design business make money?

Your web design business will generate revenue through each website designed and/or service provided. Most designers require new clients to pay a retainer, with the balance due once services are complete.

Your fees depend upon the specifics of the project and your client’s individual needs. Projects can range anywhere from $3,500 to over $40,000.

How much profit can a web design business make?

The average profit of a freelance web designer is almost $75,000 annually. Imagine the possibilities if you had a team of talent and were able to offer a diverse set of services.

How can you make your business more profitable?

The following are a few strategies other web design business owners have implemented to ensure a more profitable business:

• Web designers are responsible for the visual layout of a page or site, whereas web developers are more responsible for the coding and building of a site. By offering both services to potential clients, you make yourself a more desirable candidate for a project.
• In addition to web design and development, offer additional services such as: graphic design, content writing, content marketing, inbound marketing, and web hosting.
• Consider joining affiliate programs for tools you use to complete projects. This is a great way to earn extra money for referrals.
• Design ecards.
• Design and sell templates.
• Offer holiday specials such as redesign services. For example, Google changes their logo every day. You could design unique holiday logos and landing pages for existing clients. This is a great way to increase your profits and remind clients of all you have to offer.
• Host webinars and create tutorials - the number of topics to choose from is endless.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC's free Small Business Startup Guide - a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

The most common business structure types are the sole proprietorship , partnership , limited liability company (LLC) , and corporation .

Establishing a legal business entity such as an LLC or corporation protects you from being held personally liable if your web design business is sued.

Form Your LLC

Read our Guide to Form Your Own LLC

Have a Professional Service Form your LLC for You

Two such reliable services:

You can form an LLC yourself and pay only the minimal state LLC costs or hire one of the Best LLC Services for a small, additional fee.

Recommended: You will need to elect a registered agent for your LLC. LLC formation packages usually include a free year of registered agent services . You can choose to hire a registered agent or act as your own.

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It's really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website . If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil .

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

• Separates your personal assets from your company's assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
• Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

• Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business' expenses all in one place.
• Build your company's credit history , which can be useful to raise money later on.

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a web design business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses .

Services Contract

Web design businesses should require clients to sign a services agreement before starting a new project. This agreement should clarify client expectations and minimize risk of legal disputes by setting out payment terms and conditions, service level expectations, and intellectual property ownership (who will ultimately own the site’s design). Here is an example of one such services agreement.

Recommended: Rocket Lawyer makes it easy to create a professional service agreement for your web design business when you sign up for their premium membership. For $39.95 per month, members receive access to hundreds of legal agreements and on call attorneys to get complimentary legal advice.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance . This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance . If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers' Compensation Coverage.

FInd out what types of insurance your Web Design Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Web Design Business.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you aren't feeling confident about designing your small business logo, then check out our Design Guides for Beginners , we'll give you helpful tips and advice for creating the best unique logo for your business.

Recommended : Get a logo using Truic's free logo Generator no email or sign up required, or use a Premium Logo Maker .

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator . Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a web design business

The marketing strategy for a web design company is about networking, branding, and offering examples of how your enterprise’s talent surpasses the competition.

If you start out as a one-man, freelance operation, consider promoting yourself on freelance websites such as Upwork , Fiverr , and the Shopify Experts Portal .

As you start to build a brand for your business, consider implementing these marketing strategies:

• Have a booth set up at an industry trade show.
• Offer to speak at industry events.
• Network with others in the industry every opportunity you get. Consider hosting a workshop for local entrepreneurs.
• Cold-call local businesses, preferably in-person.
• Take a look at existing websites and re-do one for free. Contact the owner of the business and send him/her the design. Explain why you made the changes you made and how you believe this could help them better serve their customers and attract new business.
• Have a strong online presence and content marketing strategy.
• Maintain a professional portfolio that represents your organization’s mission and highlights each individual’s strengths.
• Publish case studies, highlighting client’s successes.

How to keep customers coming back

Once you’ve gotten a prospective customer in the door, it’s important that your team offer the very best in service. For a long-standing relationship, this means getting to know your customers’ likes and dislikes, as well as their business’ short and long-term goals. Trust is critical in retaining a strong customer base. Be present and work to establish a strong reputation as a thought leader within the community.

While it might seem obvious, we would be remiss not to mention the importance of a visually pleasing and user-friendly company website. If making a strong first impression was ever important, this is the moment!

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business .

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

• All legitimate businesses have websites - full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
• Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
• Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended : Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders .

Other popular website builders are: WordPress , WIX , Weebly , Squarespace , and Shopify .

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2023 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it's fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

In our current business environment, websites are a major component to an enterprise’s success. As a web design business owner, it’s critical to possess determination, meticulousness, and creativity. If you’re a technological innovator, who’s ready to begin building towards success, web design is a tremendous industry.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at a web design business?

As a web designer, your day will be split between interacting with colleagues and clients and crafting quality sites for your customers. While the specifics of each day vary, most days you will:

• Read and answer emails
• Host meetings with prospective clients to discuss their needs
• Meet with current clients to provide updates on projects, collaborate, and get a feel for their feelings on pitched ideas
• Manage your own projects, as well as oversee your team’s projects
• Map out websites
• Source images
• Put out fires within the company (e.g. identify and fix issues when a site goes down)

As with every business, there will also be administrative duties to attend to. While your business grows, you’ll probably want to take a more active role in these tasks. However, as you start to realize success, entrusting a responsible team member with these duties can be both cost-effective and managerially responsible. With your schedule freed up, you’re allowed more time to focus on building your business.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful web design business?

While it’s possible to build a web design business without being a web designer, it would prove beneficial to have experience in the field. It’s recommended that you start out working for an organization that’s established. This will offer you key insight into the inner workings of the industry. It would also prove beneficial to join associations such as AIGA and International Web Association . Membership benefits include educational and certification opportunities, as well as networking and collaboration with some of the best in the industry.

Additionally, a successful web design business owner must be creative, hard-working, and have the ability to work swiftly, without sacrificing quality of work. You’ll need to possess great communication and listening skills, as much of your design successes will be drawn from information that is subtly expressed to you by the client. If you plan on offering a wide variety of services to your clients, you’ll want to hire an experienced and talented team, making strong prowess as a delegator paramount.

What is the growth potential for a web design business?

No matter how much business strategy evolves in the future, a well-designed website will always be critical to an organization’s success. This is great for your business, as it adds a certain level of stability that most industries never achieve. The growth and success of your company is contingent on your vision and the talent your team possesses. With the right support, the opportunity is there to build an organization that serves customers on a global scale.

Not sure if a web design business is right for you? Try our free Business Idea Generator and find your perfect idea.

TRUiC's YouTube Channel

For fun informative videos about starting a business visit the TRUiC YouTube Channel or subscribe to view later.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor.

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a web design business?

The following are some insider tips from entrepreneurs who have found success in this ever-growing industry:

• Start out working for an agency to grow industry experience and gain an understanding of what makes clients tick and what their expectations are for various projects.
• Know the strengths and weaknesses of each member of your team and play on those strengths.
• Always remember - it’s ok to refuse work. Listen to your gut feeling when considering taking on new projects.
• Take time each day to work on projects that are personal and that you’re passionate about.
• Know your worth. Clients are always going to try to get more work for less money. Don’t settle.
• Keep in mind that you can’t, and shouldn’t, try to do everything yourself. Surround yourself with talented and hard-working individuals who you can trust with important projects.
• Maintain a healthy work-life balance. There will always be one more detail to check on or email to answer. Take care of you so that you’re always able to provide the very best service.
• Maintain bookkeeping and billing information to ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

How and when to build a team

As previously mentioned, a large majority of web design company owners start out as freelancers. This affords the opportunity to enjoy lower overhead costs and establish a solid foundation for your business’ long-term success.

Hopefully, at some point the number of projects coming in will exceed what you can handle. When it’s time to build a team, it can be done in a couple of ways. First, you could bring team members on as freelancers. Since they’ll be contracted, rather than employees, you’ll eliminate the extra expenses of payroll taxes, Worker’s Comp, and benefits. Your other option is to build a team of employees. While you’ll face increased costs, the tradeoff is that you’ll have a team of loyal employees, dedicated to building a successful business. Whichever method you decide to deploy, just make sure each individual has the talent to truly make a difference for the team. A diverse team will equal greater success in the long run.

Useful Links

Industry opportunities.

• The Professional Association for Design
• World Organization of Webmasters
• Franchise opportunity with Stark Logic

Real World Examples

• One Design Company, a Chicago-based web design company
• Basso Design Group, a Detroit-based web design company

Further Reading

• How-to guide detailing the process of starting a web design business
• 10 Best Free Online Courses for Web Designers
• Learn about more Online Business Ideas

Entrepreneur Interviews

Read Interview

Have a Question? Leave a Comment!

How To Start A Web Design Business?

• Matan Naveh
• on Business
• Updated on: 06.07.21

Starting a web design business is an ideal opportunity. The industry is growing at a rapid rate and now’s the time to invest in creating a successful brand. However, it is a competitive industry so it’s important to carefully lay the foundation for your business so you can avoid those “Wait, what???” scenarios that too many first-time business owners face.

So, in the following guide, we’re going to look at everything you need to do to become a successful web designer and business owner. You’ll learn:

• How to choose your design niche
• How to set your rates
• How to attract new clients

But first, let’s look at your current situation and make sure you’re in the best position to start a business.

How to Start a Successful Web Design Business​

• 1. Pick a Web Design Niche​

2. Decide Which Design Services You’ll Offer

3. set your company goals, 4. set your rates, 5. choose a name for your design business, 6. set up the legal stuff, 7. create your digital branding, 8. build your design business website, 9. get your business software in place, 10. start building your online profile, 11. find new web design clients, 12. make time for education, 1. pick a web design niche.

Unless you have a ton of experience in a specific industry or building websites for certain kinds of folks, this might seem like an impossible task. Plus, why bother committing yourself to only one niche if you could design websites for everyone ? 

There’s actually a lot of value in choosing a niche as a web designer or web developer. 

For starters, it’s so much easier to sell yourself to potential clients when you can say: 

“I create beautiful online stores and shopper-friendly experiences for companies across the UK.”

“I’m a web designer .”

Having a well-defined niche also helps you more quickly identify leads that are a good fit for your business. You might not think that’s a big deal now, but opening yourself up to any and every job will only lead you down a time-consuming rabbit hole looking for new clients. 

Instead, take some time right now to choose a niche for your business. It’s okay if it evolves over time. But, for right now, you need to lay down a clear path for yourself and the niche is the first step in doing that. 

How to Choose the Perfect Web Design Niche

Ideally, you’ll operate within this niche for a long time to come, so it should be something that you’re passionate about and have the ability to succeed in . If either is lacking, it’ll be hard to stay committed to the work.

First things first, look at your past experiences. Were there any industries you enjoyed working in or you found particularly rewarding? This goes for your experiences as a web designer as well as in other roles. 

Then, think about what it is you excel at and where your strongest skills lie. Are you more of a designer or a coder, or something in between the two? Do you have a specialty, for instance UX design or frontend development? You should also settle on one CMS , too. (If you’re here, that’s most likely means it’s WordPress.)

You might also want to narrow down your niche by location . That doesn’t necessarily mean opening an agency and buying office space downtown, but it does mean that you’ll focus on serving the local business community from wherever you operate. 

Once you’ve settled on a niche, do some research to make sure: 

• There are opportunities within this target niche. 
• They can afford to pay for the kinds of websites you build. 

When you’re happy with what you’ve come up with, move onto the next step.

Look around at the existing web design solutions being offered to your target niche. What do they consist of? 

Are they solely offering to build a website for a flat fee or are there other services baked in? How about web design-adjacent offerings, like website maintenance, managed hosting or consulting? 

These days, it’s a good idea to consider ways to bring extra value to your client relationships. And the reason why is simple: 

Website builder technologies like Wix and Weebly have made it easy for consumers to: 

• Build their own websites. 
• Pay a small monthly fee for them. 
• Get their businesses online in a matter of days instead of weeks or months. 
• Not have to worry about buying web hosting, themes and plugins or maintenance services. 

In the minds of business owners, this is a huge win. All those annoying things they don’t want to worry about or pay for seem to be taken care of for them. 

Unfortunately, WordPress doesn’t inherently make any of this easy for business owners. Which is why when you’re setting up your business, you need to figure out a way to make both your web design services and the WordPress CMS the most attractive option. It also doesn’t hurt that it’ll put more money in your pocket at the end of the day. 

So, what can you reasonably offer to clients that they’d find valuable? 

Finn & Gray , for example, offers a multi-pronged approach:

This agency provides clients with the following services: 

• Logo and brand design
• Photography and videography

For businesses that are just getting off the ground, this would be immensely helpful as they could use the same agency to take care of everything for them. 

Then you have a company like Four Trees Media that offers digital, print and social media services: 

For companies that intend on doing more than just sitting behind a website — like networking, advertising, growing an online community, etc. — offering a well-rounded service like this would make your business an attractive option.

Or you could start simple. This is how Proxy handles it: 

There’s one package for branded web design and it includes the essentials a business would need to get a WordPress website off the ground: 

• Development
• Search engine optimization
• Managed hosting

This kind of solution is great for those business owners who don’t want to worry about the technical side of a website and would prefer to offload it to someone else.

But you need to consider what your niche and audience will find the most valuable. You should also only offer services you know you can deliver on. 

That said, don’t feel like because you don’t know the first thing about something like WordPress security that you can’t add monthly maintenance services to your plans. There are plenty of tools and third-party companies who can handle that work for you while you still make a profit on it. 

Before you start building everything out, I want you to take a moment to look ahead to the future. Without a roadmap for your business, it’ll be hard to steer yourself in the right direction. 

Answer these questions to put yourself on the right track: 

What is your company’s mission?

Sum up what you do, who you serve and why you do it in one or two lines. Then, come back to it whenever you need a reminder of why you started this business in the first place.

How do you want clients to look at you?

As a freelance designer? An agency they contracted for help? A business and marketing partner? A digital specialist? Give yourself a name, one that strongly resonates with the role you play in your clients’ lives.

When do you want to sign your first client by? 

Be realistic. If you have an existing list of clients to pull from or ask for referrals from, landing your first client in a week or two is a reasonable expectation. But if you’re starting from scratch, give yourself at least a month or so to work out the kinks in your pitch and presentation and not feel incredibly pressured to close any client that passes your way. 

How many clients do you want to work with each month?

Notice how I said “want” instead of “can”. There’s a difference between maxing yourself and your resources out to the point of burnout… and taking on a reasonable amount of clients so you can always give your best. Be kind to yourself and your clients. Set a limit on how many clients you can reasonably serve each month.  

Where do you want to be 1 year from now? How about 5? 

This could pertain to how much money your business is generating or how many clients you’re capable of taking on. It could also pertain to what kinds of services you offer. Perhaps your goal is to move from solopreneurship to running a full-blown agency by Year 5. Or maybe you want to sell your agency by then. 

Give each of these questions some serious thought and record your vision for the business. This’ll help keep you motivated even on your hardest days.

This isn’t always the easiest thing to think about, especially if it’s early in your career as a web designer or developer and you’re feeling a touch of impostor syndrome. 

But here’s the thing: 

If you don’t charge a competitive rate on Day 1 and are willing to let prospects low-ball you or, worse, ask that you work for free, it’s going to be a long while before you can start demanding the kinds of rates you deserve. 

So, here’s what I’d recommend you do to come up with pricing for your business:

• Find out what the competition is charging for the same services. 

(e.g. $7,500 for an optimized website)

• Use the average competitor’s rate (or your own, if you have one) to figure out your monthly revenue based on the number of clients you expect to have. 

(e.g. $7,500 x 2 = $15,000/month)

• Personal branding, web hosting and other things needed to maintain your site
• Marketing and advertising costs
• Software fees
• WordPress themes and plugins
• Office rent (even if you work from home) plus utilities
• Insurance fees
• Tax payments (you should put aside estimated taxes every month so you’re not scrambling at the end of the year to pay them)
• Employee-related costs

(e.g. $2,500/month)

• Subtract your estimated monthly expenses from monthly revenue. 

(e.g. $15,000 – $2,500 = $12,500)

If you want your business to be successful and you want to feel good about the work you do, you have to make a profit. It’s okay if you don’t have an exact number just yet. 

That said, don’t just look at your profit margin and call it a day. You should also consider the value aspect of what you do. 

For example, if you work with software companies that sell licenses to enterprises at $1,000 a pop, a well-built website could realistically make them tens of thousands of dollars in their first month alone. A website that costs $7,500 would be a steal for them and I’m not sure you’d want to send that kind of message. 

So, again, this is why we’re going through this one step at a time. Look again at your niche and figure out what kind of value they’ll get from the website you build for them. While it’s important that you cover all your expenses, it’s just as important that you price your services based on their value to clients as well. 

A common question I see in my freelance and entrepreneur Facebook groups is this: 

“Should I name my business after myself?”

Let’s say you start as a solo web designer, so you figure using your own name to brand everything is fine. This is what clients as well as the WordPress community have come to know you by. 

But what if you decide you want to add a team to the mix? Your name could become problematic. For starters, clients might still ask for you or fill up your inbox with requests when it’s no longer even you designing websites.

For some web designers and web developers, the ultimate goal is to pull back from the design or coding end of the business and to run the show. So, you’d want your business to have a name that’s different from your own. 

You also have to think about how your business name sounds to your target audience. For instance: 

• Is it easy enough to remember? 
• Is it too difficult to pronounce? 
• Does it sound too much like another company? 
• Does it sound like you work in another industry or with another niche?
• Will prospects be turned off because it’s location-specific even though your services aren’t?

Start spitballing ideas and run them by people you know. Friends. Family. Former colleagues. Get a gauge for how they feel about it. 

And when you’re happy with what you’ve come up with, buy your domain name as soon as you can!

This is a tricky one to cover because it all really depends on what kind of company you decide to create and where you are doing business from. In the United States, for instance, we have to deal with things like: 

• Paying for business licenses and associated fees.
• Registering with and filing local and state taxes.
• Securing various business insurances.
• Developing an iron-clad business contract .

And if you decide to create a WordPress agency on Day 1, you also have to concern yourself with employee- or contractor-related matters, like salaries, taxes, benefits setup, etc. 

So, here’s what I’m going to tell you for this one: 

Do your research.

Go to your local government’s website and make sure you’re in full legal compliance when setting up your business. Then take a look at the things you need to do to protect your business. Hiring an attorney probably isn’t necessary, but buying something like liability insurance might be in order depending on the kinds of clients you work with and how much your services cost.

As a web designer, I’m sure you’re familiar with what this involves. Even if you don’t do brand design , you know to ask for these elements before a project starts. You also know how much easier it makes your life as well as marketers’ lives when clear and consistent branding is used from the get-go. 

So, make sure you spend time building out this visual identity for your business before you start worrying about it for other people. 

At the very least, you’ll want to create: 

• A logo (with variations for purpose, background and channel)
• Font pairings
• A color palette
• Image style
• Voice/personality

It wouldn’t be a bad idea to put everything into your very own style guide either. 

This way, you’ll have a resource you can turn to if and when you decide to revamp your branding or your website. It would also be useful if you have freelancers or employees working for you. Something like updating your website or content can and should easily be outsourced to others when you’re focused on building a successful brand and business. 

One of the nice things about being a web designer or developer is that you don’t have to worry about this part of the startup process. That’s why I’m not going to tell you how to build your business website with WordPress. 

What I want to do, instead, is to give you some quick pointers on things you should do to make your life easier:

Make your own website one your clients would pay for 

Your portfolio is going to do a lot of the heavy-lifting in terms of demonstrating your prowess as a web designer or developer. However, your website itself is something you can use to impress potential clients. 

By building a site they’d be willing to buy (at the highest price point you’re asking for), it’ll be so much easier to gain their trust. “See what I did here? We can do the same for you!”

Make sure it’s free of errors

You can’t give clients any reason to call into doubt your abilities as a designer. The second you do, they’re going to question every decision you’ve made and it’s going to make your life a living hell when it comes time to ask for their feedback. 

By ensuring your website is free of errors, you can ensure that their first impression is solid. 

Include testimonials

As soon as you start wrapping up jobs with satisfied clients, remember to ask them for a testimonial. It might feel awkward at first, but think about how hard it is for you to trust a service provider you don’t know when you have little proof that they’re qualified to do what they claim. 

With testimonials clearly displayed on your website, you can clear up doubts they have about taking that next step and filling out your form or giving you a call. 

Optimize it for search

From this day on, you’re no longer just a web designer or web developer . You’re a business owner. And business owners have other responsibilities than building websites.

One of the most time-consuming responsibilities (if you let it be) is the hunt for new clients. However, if you set your website up to rank for the right search terms (e.g. “WordPress designers near me”, “UX designers ecommerce”, “digital agencies Austin”), it can do some of that work for you. 

Don’t worry. You don’t have to be an SEO pro to do this. Start with one of these SEO plugins to get the ball rolling.

Automate prospecting

Once your website starts appearing in organic searches and you have prospects interested in working with you, don’t just send them to an open-ended contact form . Your website can automate the prospecting process, too. 

What I’d recommend is creating a form similar to the one ecommerce design agency SAU/CAL uses: 

It has a small footprint, asking for basic contact details. However, it also allows prospects to fill in extra details about their store, what they need, timeline and so on. Not only does this help the agency vet leads and make sure they’re actually a good fit, but it helps make the discovery call go much more smoothly. 

You could also take this a step further and embed an online scheduler like Calendly into your site and ask prospects to schedule a time to chat so you don’t have to do the back-and-forth dance over email with them. 

Up to this point, you probably haven’t spent much money on your business. That’s going to change in this stage. While you can certainly get a number of business tools for free to start, you’ll eventually have to spend money on them. It’s the only way to ensure your company maximizes its productivity and profitability every second of the day.

Here are the ones you should have in place by the time of launch: 

Project Management Software

Even if you work on your own, there are just too many moving pieces as well as projects and clients to keep track of. Project management software helps keep teams big and small organized and projects delivered on time. 

It’s also a dedicated space for you to develop and document your processes — both for your projects as well as internally. 

You can use this tool to develop a series of templates as well. So, any time you identify something you do over and over again (like a specific email you send to clients or a new project folder you set up at the start of every job), simply templatize it and save it here.

Plus, by saving your processes and templates to the cloud with one of these platforms, you can empower your team (if you have one) to update and improve them as they see fit.

Recommendations: 

• Asana (best for solo)
• Trello (best for small teams)
• Monday (best for agencies)

Contract/Proposal Software

Have you ever heard of scope creep ? How about late payments? Or, even scarier, clients that ghost you? It can be nerve-wracking entering into any new relationship, but when money, reputation and your sanity are on the line, you can’t afford to enter one too casually. 

That’s why you put a website proposal and web design contract in place to ensure that all parties are officially in agreement on the scope of work and the terms of the relationship. It’s the best way to assure your clients that you’re legit and it’s the safest way for you to do business. 

Accounting Software

You’re going to need help managing your money and an accountant might be a little too pricey at the start. That’s fine because there are plenty of accounting tools that help with things like invoicing, payment processing, as well as general bookkeeping. 

Time-tracking Tool

Really, you should be billing clients a flat hourly-rate for the work you do, be it a one-time payment for a website or a monthly fee for an ongoing service. It’s still a good idea to track your time. 

If you work on your own, time tracking allows you to see how long it takes to complete individual tasks and entire projects. This data will help improve your scheduling and may also give you a valid reason to increase your rates. 

If you work with a team, you should enable time tracking to get insights into how long it’s taking everyone to complete different tasks and phases of your projects. You don’t want your team to feel like they’re being monitored or rushed through their work. You just want to make sure they have enough time to get done what’s needed, which allows you to more accurately forecast projects and create realistic timelines for clients. 

Design and Development Software

This seems like a no-brainer, but I’d recommend you explore design and development tools that enable you to collaborate with others. By simplifying collaboration and handoff, you can get jobs done more quickly, produce better results and have a happier team. 

Many of these tools have collaboration features built in, so check on your existing ones before exploring alternatives. 

Human Resources Software (Optional)

If you decide you want to expand your web design business beyond yourself, you’re going to need tools to manage your team. This will ensure you have all information on employees and contractors safely stored as well as things like taxes and benefits automatically handled for you.

Which software you use depends on whether you hire contractors and/or employees. It also depends on how big your company is at the moment. A good one to start with, though, is Gusto .  Finally, it’s important to pay attention to the type of laptop you’re using. Make sure you have the right kind of  PC or Mac that’s most conducive for web design projects .

I originally set out to show you how to start a web design business. All of the steps before this will allow you to do that. However, before you go looking for new clients, build out your online profile a little bit. 

Remember: It’s not just your website that clients may go looking for or encounter online. 

So, while the website needs to be the central informational hub they eventually arrive at, you’ll want to have a presence on other channels as well. 

Here’s an example from Google and Zen Den Web Design of how you eventually want this to look: 

You can see that this design agency has done the following: 

• Provided Google with business details through a Google My Business account.
• Created a Facebook business page. 
• Claimed its listing on Yelp. 

Keep in mind that everyone’s online presence is going to look a little different. You need to build one out for yourself that makes the most sense. For example, do you need: 

• A Google My Business or Yelp account to reach local business owners? 
• A Facebook business page? 
• A Facebook group to grow your community?
• A LinkedIn page for recruitment? 
• A Quora account to answer questions and help potential clients find you there? 

Just keep in mind that for every profile you set up, it needs to be regularly managed and closely monitored. If you don’t have the capacity for that, then just focus on your website and one or two social media channels for now. 

Technically, everything you’ve done here will help you get web design clients . But like I mentioned before about SEO, you don’t always want to be on the hunt. It’s a time-consuming and exhausting process that’s going to take you away from paid work and building relationships with existing clients. 

That said, your SEO work is going to take some time to kick in. In the meantime, here are some ways to get in front of high-quality prospects: 

Ask existing or former clients for referrals. If they were great clients, there’s a good chance they’ll know other awesome business owners that need your help.

Connect with your “tribe” on social media . There are tons of groups on Facebook and LinkedIn where you can connect with other small business or agency owners who need clients or are maxed out and want to refer qualified prospects your way.

For instance, this is a post recently shared in the Web Designer Boss-Ladies group on Facebook : 

Reach out to your personal network. You never know, a relative, friend or former colleague might know of an opportunity that would be perfect for you.

Publish new content to your website. Content marketing isn’t just useful for raising your profile in search or on social media. It can help potential clients find knowledgeable and talented designers or developers who understand their pains and know the exact solutions needed to ease them. 

You can also use this space to communicate your mission and values, just as Wholegrain Digital does:

Offer a lead magnet. If you don’t have time to do a lot of blogging (or the funds to outsource it), put together a free and valuable resource to give away on your website, like a template, checklist, or ebook. Just remember to set up a sales funnel so you can automate pushing those leads through to conversion.

Scour job boards for good opportunities. Try to stay away from freelance marketplaces that require you to pay a fee for every job you secure. Instead, use resources like Indeed and LinkedIn Pro Finder to find reputable and high-quality clients .

Cold reach isn’t always a bad idea , especially if you’ve taken the time to research the company and website. Just make sure you actually qualify them as a lead, have a valid reason for reaching out to them (i.e., their website sucks), and have a plan for how you can fix it. 

One of the problems you may run into when your business starts to pick up speed is stagnation of your design skills. It’s not as though you’ll forget how to build websites, especially if you’re working five days a week. 

However, web design changes pretty quickly. One minute, every website is using lead generation pop-ups to greet visitors… and the next, they’re using AI chatbots to generate leads and get the conversation started. 

So, among everything else you must do as a business owner and web designer to succeed, you’ll want to make room for ongoing education.

The easiest and most pain-free way to do this is to subscribe to a few of your favorite web design or development blogs . This way, you’ll always have the latest news, trends and changes waiting for you in your inbox. 

Another thing you can do is carve out time for more formal education . And, no, I’m not talking about going back to school. There are so many other ways to accomplish this these days:

• Take free classes with a platform like Khan Academy .
• Play around with new coding or design techniques in online playgrounds like CodePen .
• Attend real-world training, collaboration, or networking events through WordCamp or Meetup .

If you want to ensure that your business does better with each passing year, keep educating yourself (and your team) so you’re always poised to deliver the most value.

The Challenges of Starting Your Own Web Design Business

To be fair, there are a ton of benefits associated with running your own small business or agency. You get:

• To set your own prices.
• Total control over your career and the direction of your business.
• Flexibility in terms of where, when, and how you work.
• Greater fulfillment working with clients you like, respect and can make a difference in the lives of.

But there are challenges, too. 

For one, you’re the boss now, which means you’re responsible for making sure that everything runs as it needs to. 

This goes beyond just successfully launching client websites. You have to make sure you’re making more money in your business than you’re spending on the business. You have to become really good at managing client relationships (and perhaps employee relationships, too). You also have to balance web design work with sales and marketing tasks. 

Being the owner of a small web design shop is a lot of work. It costs money, too (as you’ll soon see).

Then there’s the fact that how you enter this opportunity can make or break the business. 

For instance, let’s say you currently work full-time at a design agency, but your contract has a strict non-compete. When you leave, you might have to start your business with a new set of clients in a completely different niche. It’s going to take a lot of work to build your portfolio and reputation back up again if you have no previous work or contacts to leverage. 

It’s not impossible, but it does make it harder. 

Or let’s say that you’ve recently graduated from university. You have a pile of loans and expensive monthly bills that need to be paid now that you’re out in the real world. You’re having a hard time spending anything more than the bare minimum your business needs to get off the ground. 

Without a healthy safety net of cash behind you as well as the time and funds to put into building your business today, it’s going to be difficult to ever get to a point where you generate a steady and predictable income from it.

Whatever your situation, just keep in mind that you won’t be able to launch this business tomorrow nor will it become an overnight success. It takes time, money and effort to get a business off the ground and, if you’re not in the right space to do that, you may want to postpone this until you’re ready.

Wrap-Up (Plus, a Bonus Tip!)

You wanted to learn how to start a web design business — and the 12 steps above will certainly set you down the right path. However, I want you to keep one very important thing in mind here as we wrap up: 

If you do not take care of yourself, you won’t be able to take care of your clients. 

In other words, if you’re hustling like crazy to launch this business and take on as many clients as possible, there’s a good chance you’re going to burn yourself out. And when you’re exhausted and can’t see straight and your body is killing you from sitting around for 10+ hours every day, your head isn’t going to be in the right place for this. You’ll rush through your work, get agitated with clients who mean well and the quality of output will decline. 

This can happen in the very early days of a business as well as in the years ahead. 

So, starting as early as possible, set up the following burnout-proof practices to ensure that you and your business always perform at their level best: 

• Set a schedule and stick to it. 
• Create boundaries within your workspace as well as with clients. 
• Take weekends off and spend time with people you care about.
• Schedule vacation time at least once a year and build that time off into your pricing structure so you don’t see it as a “loss” you have to make up for. 
• Connect with and support other creative business owners who’re in the same boat. 

If you have a team working for you, foster a working environment that encourages these same best practices. No one is going to be of any use to your clients if you’re all struggling to get through the day. And you don’t want to let all the hard work you’ve invested in this business go to waste because of that.

Looking for fresh content?

By entering your email, you agree to receive Elementor emails, including marketing emails, and agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy .

Don't Miss Out!

Subscribe to get exclusive deals & news before anyone else!

Thank You! You’re In!

Don’t just sit back—dive right into our current plans now!

• Sample Business Plans
• IT, Staffing & Customer Service

Web Design Business Plan

If you are planning to start a new web design company, the first thing you will need is a business plan. Use our sample web design business plan created using upmetrics business plan software to start writing your business plan in no time.

Before you start writing your business plan for your new web design firm, spend as much time as you can reading through some examples of software and mobile app-related business plans.

Reading sample business plans will give you a good idea of what you’re aiming for, and also it will show you the different sections that different entrepreneurs include and the language they use to write about themselves and their business plans.

We have created this sample web design business plan for you to get a good idea about how a perfect business plan should look and what details you will need to include in your stunning business plan.

Web Design Business Plan Outline

This is the standard web design business plan outline which will cover all important sections that you should include in your business plan.

• Business Overview
• Keys to Success
• 3-Year Profit Forecast
• Company Ownership
• Start-up Summary
• Startup Cost
• Funding Required
• Existing Services
• Service Description
• Sales Literature
• Fulfillment
• Future Services
• Target Market Segment Strategy
• Market Trends
• Market Growth
• Service Business Analysis
• Business Participants
• Market Segmentation
• Competitive Advantage
• Marketing Strategy
• Marketing Programs
• Pricing Strategy
• Promotion Strategy
• Sales Strategy
• Strategic Alliances
• Organizational Structure
• Management Team Gaps
• Personnel Plan
• Important Assumptions
• Brake-even Analysis
• Profit Yearly
• Gross Margin Yearly
• Projected Cash Flow
• Projected Balance Sheet
• Business Ratios

Say goodbye to boring templates

Build your business plan faster and easier with AI

Plans starting from $7/month

After getting started with upmetrics , you can copy this sample business plan into your business plan and modify the required information and download your web design business plan pdf and doc file . It’s the fastest and easiest way to start writing your business plan.

Download a sample web design business plan

Need help writing your business plan from scratch? Here you go;  download our free web design business plan pdf  to start.

It’s a modern business plan template specifically designed for your web design business. Use the example business plan as a guide for writing your own.

Related Posts

Software Company Business Plan

SaaS Business Plan

Cost to Start a Web Design Business

How to Start a Web Design Business

How to Achieve Business Milestones

Important Business Milestones to Achieve

About the Author

Upmetrics Team

Upmetrics is the #1 business planning software that helps entrepreneurs and business owners create investment-ready business plans using AI. We regularly share business planning insights on our blog. Check out the Upmetrics blog for such interesting reads. Read more

Plan your business in the shortest time possible

No Risk – Cancel at Any Time – 15 Day Money Back Guarantee

Create a great Business Plan with great price.

• 400+ Business plan templates & examples
• AI Assistance & step by step guidance
• 4.8 Star rating on Trustpilot

Streamline your business planning process with Upmetrics .

How to Start a Web Design Business From Scratch [2023]

A common misconception for those who want to try freelancing is you need years of experience to succeed.

As proven by me and countless other freelancers, that’s simply not true.

Regardless of the industry, skill, or niche, you only need a blueprint or a set of steps you can follow to fast track your freelancing success and finally live the life you want.

In this article, I’m going to share with you exactly how you can start a freelance web design business from home with no experience.

Let’s get started.

Is Freelancing a Good Career?

The answer to this question is relative to your personality, working style, and goals.

The truth is some people work better in a physical office where they can take coffee breaks with co-workers or have face-to-face brainstorming ideas for a project.

On the other hand, some people function better when alone with total control over their time and workload.

Having the freedom to work anywhere at anytime also poses a great challenge to our self-control and discipline, so just keep that in mind.

If the idea of being your own boss appeals to you, then I think you'd love freelancing.

How Much Money Can You Make as a Freelance Web Designer?

The short answer: There's no cap on your income .

Some freelancers struggle to earn a decent income, while others earn 6 figures and a lot more than their full-time income.

I can personally vouch for this:

3 years ago, this month, I quit my full-time job. It was scary, but it was the best decision I've ever made. Since then: - My salary is 5X more - I'm much happier - I really love what I do And this all started with learning HTML and a desire to be independent 👍 — Kyle Prinsloo (@study_web_dev) July 15, 2021

The truth is, how much you earn as a freelance web designer ultimately boils down to you.

It's important to also look long-term here.

You might earn X in the first year or two, but as you get more experience, as you get more clients, and as you get better at what you do, you can start increasing your salary.

Another thing to remember is that freelancing on the side is also great - that's how I started.

So even if you earn enough to pay for food or a vacation or whatever, that's awesome, and that's how it starts 😊

Tools You Need for a Freelance Web Design Business

Let’s start with the basics – what are the things you need to start a web design business from home?

Here are 5 things:

Designated Workspace

Yeah right! 😊

You can work anywhere - the beach, a coffee shop, hotel lobby, your couch, your bed, a desk, etc.

Fancy Laptop

You don’t need a MacBook to get started. I had a crap laptop for 5 years which I used to learn code and start a freelancing business.

These are helpful specs:

• Intel Core i5 or i7 processor
• Full HD resolution, ideally 1920×1080

If you can get a computer/laptop with these specs, great. If not, don’t use that as an excuse not to start.

Start with what you have. Second-hand computers are also okay as long as they’re still functional. My wife even started coding on her Android phone! If you really want it, find a way and just do it.

Internet Connection

You're reading this, so you must have an internet connection.

If your connection is not reliable, find a coffee shop with stable WiFi in the meantime (like I did when starting out).

A Way of Getting Paid

There are many ways to get paid for remote work. Some of the most popular are PayPal, Stripe, TransferWise, Bank Transfer, Payoneer, and Skrill.

PayPal is the most widely used bu,t has some of the lowest conversion rates. Business accounts get charged a percentage of the sale on top of a fixed fee.

In the US, companies pay a fee of 2.9% of the transaction amount plus a fixed fee of 30 cents.

This can really add up, but there are ways to avoid these fees.

Personally, I use PayPal and Bank Transfer to get paid these days.

Learning How to Design Websites: Where to Start

“Web design” goes beyond how the website looks. It needs to be effective.

An effective website should allow the website visitor to perform the desired action they'd like to take or learn about, and it should also help the website/business owner to achieve their goal (brand awareness, sales, sign ups, downloads, etc.) too.

To learn how to effectively design websites, you need to start with:

• Conversion Rate Optimization or CRO
• UX Fundamentals

Accessibility (a11y)

If you master these concepts, you’ll make informed decisions on how to layout the website, what features to include and omit, how to organize content, and more.

Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO)

CRO is very important because it’s literally all your client cares about.

Each website should be designed to accomplish a goal, which is often to make more sales.

Let's say you're asked by a client to design a landing page with the goal of getting visitors to sign up for a webinar.

Not everyone who lands on the landing page will sign up. Some will not like watching webinars, some will doubt if it’s going to help them, and so on.

But those who do sign up are now called “conversions”.

Converting visitors means getting them to perform your desired action.

To illustrate this, let’s take a look at this funnel:

As shown here, many people enter the funnel but only a few reach the end.

A website’s conversion rate is the percentage of visitors who reach the end of the funnel by performing your desired actions.

Conversion rate optimization , is the process of increasing the percentage of visitors who will convert or perform your desired action.

Whether that’s to buy, subscribe to a newsletter, schedule an appointment, etc.

Web Design and CRO

As a web designer, you need to design the website and include features that are known to increase conversion.

Here are 3 best practices to design websites for maximum conversion:

• Simplify processes. Make it easy for users to do what you want them to do. For example, one of the top reasons why users abandon carts during checkout is because of a long and complicated process. So, if you want more people to buy, make the checkout process as fast and easy as possible.
• Emphasize one call-to-action. Each web page should have only one prominent call-to-action to avoid confusing visitors. A landing page that is intended to capture emails of qualified leads should only include a button or link that will let them enter their emails, nothing else.
• Forget instant pop-ups. Nobody liked having pop-ups blocking their screen just seconds after landing on a website. Instead of instant pop-ups, use exit-intent pop-ups. These pop-ups only appear once the user shows signs of leaving the website like hovering their mouse over the X button. This simple tactic is shown to boost conversion rates by up to 27% in multiple studies.

There's obviously way more to discuss about CRO.

I suggest reading up on CrazyEgg , Digital Marketer , Moz , CXL , and Nielson Norman to learn more about CRO.

UX Design Fundamentals

UX stands for “user experience”. In relation to websites, it pertains to the entire experience of using the website – from the aesthetics to the navigation, branding, tone, and overall “feel” of the website.

UX design is often interchanged with the term “UI (user interface) design”. While the two are closely interrelated, their differences are worth noting.

UI (user interface) design, in the context of websites, is concerned with the design elements that impact the look, feel, and interactivity of the website. A UI designer thinks about the icons and buttons, color schemes, spacing, typography, imagery, and responsive design.

On the other hand, UX design goes beyond how the end website looks but it dives deep into the whole experience.

“No product is an island. A product is more than the product. It is a cohesive, integrated set of experiences. Think through all of the stages of a product or service – from initial intentions through final reflections, from first usage to help, service, and maintenance. Make them all work together seamlessly.”

— Don Norman, inventor of the term “User Experience”

As a UX designer, you should seek to understand the following:

• Who are the target users of the website?
• What are their pain points?
• What kinds of solutions will solve their pain points?
• What do they do on the website?
• How can the website be improved to give them a better experience?

UX is a broad topic that deserves your full attention. There are great UX courses on Udemy if you're interested to delve into this more.

Did you know that certain kinds of strobing or flashing animations can trigger seizures? Have you ever wondered how deaf folks access podcast content? How do people using right-to-left languages like Arabic and Hebrew consume online content?

All these questions are questions of accessibility.

While there are a lot of medical conditions and disabilities that can impact the way people use websites, here are some of the most common categories of impairments:

• Visual impairment – This goes beyond blindness. It also includes people with partial or total inability to perceive color contrasts.
• Hearing impairment
• Photosensitive seizures – Includes epilepsy and other conditions that may cause seizures when exposed to triggers like flashing lights
• Motor skills (difficulty moving parts of their bodies like hands or fingers)
• Cognitive disabilities (e.g., dyslexia or dementia)

It’s a broad topic and there’s really no fixed set of guidelines that you can use to guarantee 100% accessibility of your website. But I found this really cool website that gives a checklist of things you can do to help improve the experience for everyone who visits your site.

Quick Recap:

To be able to design effective websites, focus less on the small details (fonts, colors, etc.) and start with:

• How to design the website to boost conversion rates
• How to make the entire user experience good for everyone
• How to make the website accessible for everyone

Once you learn these, you can go crazy with design/aesthetic trends. It can be minimalist, modern, popping with impressive animations – however you envision it. As long as you don’t lose sight of the Big Three, you’re good.

Is It Okay to Use WordPress for Designing Websites?

As you read more about web designing and developing, you’ll find that there are two kinds of web designers (and developers): those who love WordPress and those who hate it.

I am one of the former.

For context: WordPress is a content management system that you can use to build websites and manage their content including pages and posts.

You can add blog posts, upload images, edit the layout, and everything you need to do to make a website.

The only problem is web developers and designers think that WordPress is clunky, generates messy codes, slow, and overall does not compare with the traditional way of coding websites from scratch.

I have 2 objections:

• WordPress evolved. It’s not the same slow old system with messy website codes. It now has plugins that enable a complete beginner to build a beautiful, functional website that is fast, well-coded, and professionally designed for maximum results.
• You don’t need to always code from scratch. Writing code from scratch for every single project is a huge waste of time. You can finish a 5-page website in 1-3 days with WordPress. This will give you more time to build your brand and get more clients.

What I love about WordPress is the robust library of plugins that you can use to add functionalities and features to your website.

Page builders like Divi or Elementor let's you design a web page by dragging and dropping elements like headers, images, text boxes, spaces, and more.

These page builders also have templates that you can reuse so you can speed up your process even more.

You’re also not limited to WordPress!

There are other no code / low code building platforms out there like Editor X , which is dominating the web design market right now.

With that said, knowing basic code is helpful especially tp customize themes. Some themes may not have the options you want, so knowing how to dive into the code and tweak it definitely helps.

Choosing a Niche: Why and How

Ever heard of the phrase “Jack of all trades, master of none?”

If you want to be a successful web designer, don’t be a jack. Be a master of one.

When you’re starting out, you’ll be tempted to offer your services to just about anyone who needs a website. So you’ll be saying something along the lines of “I design websites for businesses”.

“You do? Awesome. But so is Person B, and I’m not sure what makes you different? Unless you have a better price…”

You don’t want to have that conversation with a potential client.

The key to starting strong in the freelancing business is differentiating yourself from the rest.

You need to stand out.

And it doesn’t even have anything to do with your designing skills or credentials. You don’t need to have a degree in web design or experience working with Apple.

It has all to do with positioning yourself as an expert in a niche .

What’s a niche?

It’s a small portion of the market that is defined by its own preferences, needs, and identity.

Freelancers. Lawyers. Doctors. Authors. Photographers. Dog walkers. Local churches. Wedding Coordinators. Hotels. These are all niche markets.

If you’re a wedding coordinator who needs someone to design your website, who will you choose?

Someone who “designs websites for businesses” or someone who “designs websites for wedding coordinators?”

Niching down has 2 main benefits:

• It increases your perceived expertise.
• It lets you personalize your messaging.

Which lets you:

• Charge more.
• Spend less time looking for clients. Instead, they will come to you.
• Have more free time so you can actually live the life you want.

There’s more to niching down which I’ve discussed in detail here .

I also listed 10 niche ideas to try here .

Two Ways to Niche Down

The first way of niching down is to choose an industry you’d like to serve. I mentioned some examples before – lawyers, doctors, salon owners, coffee shop owners, or event coordinators.

You can get more specific – the more targeted it is, the better.

• Lawyers specializing in patents.
• Personal trainers for pregnant women.
• Online courses creators generating 5 figures a month.

If you want more diversity, you can start targeting a different niche or specialize in designing a certain kind of website.

For example, you can focus on designing e-commerce websites. E-commerce is a huge, multi-billion industry right now. As more businesses sell their products or services online, they’re going to need an effective system. An e-commerce store is a big part of that.

You can narrow it down by building e-commerce stores for specific kinds of businesses. Examples are fashion, furniture, beauty, fitness, and more.

How to Find and Choose a Niche

A good niche is something you’re interested in and has good income potential.

You can also use this guide to choose a niche market:

Here are some ways to find a niche:

Think of a Niche You Already Know

Starting with a niche that you already know offers several advantages. First, you already have an idea of what people in this niche need and how they behave or think.

Second, you most likely already have an existing network that you can reach out to when you’re ready to offer your services.

Grab a pen and paper and write down niches or communities that you feel you are a part of.

Here are examples:

• Skateboarders
• Coffee lovers
• Freelancers
• Home schooling
• Mountain bikers

Now consider the following questions:

• Which of these would you enjoy working in?
• How much do you already know about this niche?

If there’s a niche that you’re really interested in and you have considerable knowledge about it, that may be a good place to start.

Research Who Needs a Website in this Niche

It’s not enough to have an interest in a niche – you have to know if there’s a need in this niche for websites and if people are willing to pay for it.

You can do that by brainstorming what you already know and researching the market to look for opportunities.

• If you’re a toy collector, you can design websites for online stores specializing in rare toy figures. Your selling point could be you know how toy collectors think and what they’re looking for in a toy figure online store.
• Let’s say you worked as a grade-school teacher before, and you’ve noticed that more teachers are starting a tutoring sideline to augment their income. You can offer to build them a website so they can save time, better market their services, and start earning more.
• If you’re an environmental activist and you feel like it’s your life’s mission to spread awareness about this issue, you’ve likely interacted with a lot of like-minded individuals or organizations already. Reach out to them and see if anyone needs a website to further their advocacy.

Look for Facebook groups, Reddit threads, Quora threads, and other places where people from this niche market often hang out online.

Read their questions, find out what are their pain points, and what kind of solution they’re looking for.

Then be that solution.

Consider Trends

Emerging trends can be handy in choosing a niche.

For example, you can target businesses who want to redesign their old, outdated websites into modern, more effective ones. You can make redesigning your area of expertise.

Another trend that’s gaining popularity in recent years is what we discussed earlier – web accessibility. Non-profit organizations, schools, churches, government agencies, and other organizations are likely to want to make their websites more accessible to avoid non-accessibility penalties. There’s a huge opportunity here and it’s your chance to carve out a space for yourself in this niche.

You can apply this same strategy to other web design trends too such as the dark mode craze, minimalism, customizable interfaces, and more.

A Niche Should Pay the Bills

This should go without saying, but a lot of new web designers often overlook this.

Not every niche that interests you is profitable.

If your interest or hobby is extremely obscure, you’ll be having a hard time looking for clients.

Or if you’re aiming to eventually earn $10,000 a month, some niches are simply not going to do that.

Think about it: Lawyers can easily pay $5,000 for a simple website while this may be overbudget for a small car parts store owner.

It's not to say it's impossible - it just means you need a lot more of these clients for it to start adding up to a good income.

Here’s a simple method to determine if a niche can give you your desired income:

Go to Google and find out the salary of your niche business owner, then divide it by 10. This should be the rough estimate of their annual marketing budget.

Neurosurgeons

According to PayScale.com, a neurosurgeon earns around $400,000 a year. This means they can pay around $40,000 per year on marketing.

So that's around $3k /mo in marketing services.

Your niche directly correlates with your income potential, so choosing a niche should be a balance of interest and earning potential.

If you need more ideas, check this list of web design niches you can try.

Building Your Portfolio: How to Get Your First Web Design Client

Getting that first project is a roadblock that stops many aspiring web designers.

Although it’s admittedly hard to convince a client to work with you if you have no portfolio to show, there are effective ways to get your first project without any experience.

Let’s first take a look at what your web design portfolio can look like:

This simple website can serve as your “agency” website. You can show target clients what you do, how you can help them, what previous clients say, and some of your past works.

To get your first projects, you can do the following:

Build 2-3 websites for free

In your chosen niche, find a business or organization that needs a website and offer to do it for free. In exchange, they should give you a testimonial that you can put on your portfolio.

They literally have nothing to lose.

As I said before, you can use WordPress or other web design tools to finish your work faster.

Keep in mind CRO, UX, and a11y as you design.

Buy 2 domains and build the websites yourself

This is a short cut to get you up and running the quickest way possible.

If all potential clients want to see is if you can design effective websites, then you can just buy domains and build the websites for yourself.

The downside to this method is you won’t be getting client testimonials. 

Once you built your first 2-3 projects , you’re ready to find your first paying client. This is where the real hard work begins.

How to Get Web Design Clients Using Facebook

Now that you have the knowledge, tools, and skills to design effective websites, it’s time to turn these into $$$.

One of the most overlooked ways to get paying clients is Facebook.

As of the second quarter of 2020, there are over 2.7 billion Facebook users in the world.

It’s the biggest social media in the world, and chances are your target clients are there.

Facebook Groups

The most effective – and FREE – way to market on Facebook is using Facebook groups.

Facebook groups are highly targeted communities of people with common interests. Whatever niche you’re in, you can likely find a relevant group on Facebook.

There are two ways to use a Facebook group to find your first client:

• Join an existing group.
• Create your own group and add people in your target niche as members.

1 - Join an Existing Group

To join an existing group, simply search for your niche in the search bar.

For example, if your target niche is online course creators, you can search the phrase “online course creators” in the search bar. Then join 2-3 groups.

Keep in mind to only join groups with members who are likely to need your services. In the example below, 3 out of the 5 results are good groups to join.

Remember not to sell your services right away. These are communities that value engagement. Introduce yourself and start adding value to the community by responding to people’s questions, commenting, and engaging.

Once you’ve built relationships, people will see you as trustworthy, friendly, and someone who’s willing to help.

Look out for opportunities to sell your services. For example, if someone posts in the group asking the members tips about building their own website, comment a useful tip and mention that you’re designing websites for businesses like them.

2 - Create Your Own Group

Creating your own group is a good way to quickly establish yourself as a part of their community. It also makes sense to do this if there is no existing Facebook group for your target niche.

Creating a Facebook group is really easy. Just click on “Groups” then “Create New Group”. Give it a name that is relevant to the niche market, a description, and set the privacy settings.

Then start inviting members to join the group.

Keep in mind the following tips to get the best results with this strategy:

• Keep the group active Publish valuable content that your target clients will benefit from. For example, online course creators will appreciate any tips on how to market their courses or how to make their courses more effective.
• Add some fun Some of the best groups regularly hold fun contests where members are rewarded for simple achievements like making the most comments for that week. It will keep members engaged with the group.
• Don’t sell your services too much People can tell if you're a sleazy salesman. Build relationships first, then money will follow. A good strategy is sending your members a message once you’ve built a relationship or occasionally post about your services.
• Focus on growing the group You don’t need to have 1000 members for this to work. A hundred will do as long as it’s targeted. It may take months to get paying clients, but do it consistently and you’ll get results. If you can convert 2-3% of your members to paying clients, you’re golden. Remember that this is essentially free marketing. All you’re investing in is time and effort.

Marketing through Facebook groups will not only help you land clients, but it will also help you:

• Get to know your target client even better . What their problems are, what solutions they are looking for, how they think, etc.
• Develop your marketing and sales skills . You will learn how to be engaging, carry a conversation towards a goal, handle objections without stuttering, and more.

Now obviously getting clients is a massive topic and requres its own article.

So that's exactly what I have for you 🙂

Learn how to get web design clients here .

If you'd like to know how I got started with freelancing, watch this:

More Advanced Strategies

So let's say you're lazy (or smart), and you decide you're not interested in doing the work.

You just want to project manage and get others to do the work.

That's also possible!

Here's how to do it:

1 - Get the project idea from the client

2 - Forward that to someone else to quote you for them doing the work

3 - Add your profit on to this

4 - Send the final quote to the client

5 - Get paid, let someone else do the work, and you manage the project

This is not for everyone, but it does work 🙂

I talk about outsourcing in more detail here .

Obviously there's a lot more to get into, but that would be a whole course ( hint, hint ).

I hope you found this article helpful, but more than that, I hope you’ll apply what you’ve learned because knowledge without action is dead .

That's it for now! See you in the next one ♥️

Everything You Need To Master Freelancing

Use coupon STARTFREELANCING for 20% off The Complete Freelancing Bundle

Join 5,000+ others →

Want Free Bonus Downloads?

• Client Proposal Template
• Sales Follow Up Sheet
• Prospective Client Questionaire

Helpful articles:

Best Web Development Courses 2022

Best Coding Bootcamps in 2022

The Freelancer Podcast

How to Start a Web Design Business: Complete Guide

Launching a web design business presents an exciting opportunity in today's digital landscape. As companies increasingly rely on online platforms to connect with customers, the demand for skilled web designers continues to surge. Industry reports project double-digit growth in the coming years, signalling now is an opportune time to build a web design brand.

However, the web design industry remains highly competitive. Aspiring entrepreneurs must carefully lay the groundwork for their venture to avoid common pitfalls derailing success. Proper planning and preparation can help position your web design business for sustainable growth.

This guide provides aspiring web designers the tools to translate their passion into a prosperous business. We will explore core strategies to help you:

• Identify your niche and ideal clientele based on your skills and interests. Specialisation is critical to standing out in a crowded market.
• Price your services accurately and competitively. Benchmark competitors and calculate your overhead to set fair and profitable rates.
• Attract a steady stream of clients through marketing and referrals. Build authority and connect with potential customers.

But first, we assess vital considerations before starting a web design business. Gauge your existing skills, finances, and risk tolerance to determine if you have the foundation for entrepreneurship.

With the proper groundwork, launching a web design business can be a gratifying pursuit creatively, financially, and professionally. This guide shares actionable steps to help you succeed on your journey.

Table of Contents

Research and Planning

Are you diving deep into research and planning? Market analysis is vital to finding opportunities for your web design business. Check out customer needs for a competitive edge.

Competitor research also helps. Uncover industry leaders and their strategies. Figure out their strengths and weaknesses to refine your approach.

For target audience profiling, understand potential customers. Identify demographics, preferences, and pain points. This will help tailor services to meet their specific needs.

Defining Your Services and Target Market

To understand what you offer and who you should target, you need to define your services and target market. This will help tailor your web design biz to meet their specific needs.

• Responsive Web Design – for small businesses.
• E-commerce Websites – for startups.
• UX/UI Design – for freelancers.
• Mobile App Design – for non-profit organisations.

Now, let's look at the unique details. Responsive web design makes sure websites look great on any device. Also, targeting small businesses allows you to give cost-effective solutions.

By specialising in e-commerce websites for startups, you can gain an edge in the competitive market. To provide tailored solutions, get to know their specific needs, such as shopping carts and secure payment gateways .

UX/UI design for freelancers helps you enhance their online portfolios and show their skills effectively. This niche market values intuitive interfaces and visually attractive designs.

Mobile app design for non-profit organisations can significantly impact their outreach efforts. Create user-friendly apps that match their messaging to help them reach their goals faster.

To succeed in defining your services and target market:

• Research your competition to identify gaps in the market you can fill with your services.
• Conduct surveys to understand potential clients' pain points and preferences.
• Narrow down your focus. Specialise in a niche market to develop expertise and stand out.

By combining research, client feedback, and specialisation, you can position your web design biz for success and attract the right clients.

Setting up Your Web Design Business

Setting up a web design business requires careful planning and execution. Here is a step-by-step guide to get started:

• Research and Define Your Niche: Identify your target market and specialise in a specific niche to differentiate yourself from competitors. This could be e-commerce, responsive design, or UX/UI.
• Build Your Portfolio: Showcase your skills and previous work to attract potential clients. Create a visually appealing website to demonstrate your expertise, and consider offering pro bono work or discounted rates initially to gain credibility.
• Set Up Your Business Infrastructure: Register your business and obtain licences or permits. Set up a separate bank account, create a professional email address, and invest in reliable hardware and software.
• Develop a Pricing Structure: Determine competitive yet profitable rates for your services. Consider different pricing models, such as hourly rates, flat fees, or retainer contracts, depending on the type of projects you aim to work on.
• Market and Network: Establish an online presence through social media platforms , professional networking sites, and industry forums. Attend events and connect with potential clients and collaborators—Utilise SEO strategies to improve your website's visibility and rank in search results.

Remember, success in starting a web design business lies in your ability to deliver high-quality work, exceptional customer service, and continuous self-improvement. Stay updated with the latest design trends and technologies to stay ahead in this competitive industry.

Registering your business may sound boring, but at least now you can officially blame your bad web design on ‘corporate regulations'.

Registering Your Business

Starting a web design business? Follow these steps:

• Pick a name that reflects your brand.
• Choose a legal structure.
• Notify HMRC.
• Get permits and licences.
• Open a business bank account.
• Protect your IP rights.

Plus, learn about local laws and data protection rules.

Fun fact: 80% of UK small businesses are sole traders first.

Setting up Your Office Space

Creating a productive office is vital for your web design business's success. Here's how to set it up:

• Location: Pick a quiet, well-lit place to concentrate. Try renting a small office or using a spare room.
• Furniture: Get a comfy chair and desk of the right height for good posture and productivity. Plus, ensure good light and air.
• Organisation: Organise essential documents with an efficient filing system. Shelves, cabinets, and digital storage will help.
• Tech: Set up your computer with enough power, memory, and storage. Install web design software and get reliable internet.
• Design: Decorate with stuff that sparks creativity. Artwork, plants, and quotes are great ideas. Keep it professional.
• Distraction Control: Limit distractions with family members or housemates during working hours. Use noise-cancelling headphones or music.
• Nature: Bring natural elements like plants for better air quality and less stress.

Considering these tips, you can create an environment for productivity and innovation. Don't overwhelm yourself with extra costs or work pressure.

Acquiring the Necessary Equipment and Software

You must get the right tools and software to start your web design business. This will help you give good services and satisfy customers.

Here is a guide to help you get what you need:

• Check what you need: Discover the exact needs of your web design business. Think about things like the size of your jobs, collaboration with teams, and any special software or hardware your tasks require.
• Look at possibilities: Investigate different equipment and software options that match your needs. Look for dependable brands and read reviews to get the best quality tools.
• Make a budget: Work out the costs of your hardware and software. See if you have to pay upfront or if there are fees for maintenance or subscriptions. Set a budget that lets you buy good tools without exceeding your means.
• Buy or rent: Decide if your business should buy or rent the equipment and software. Buying can save you money in the long run, while renting allows you to upgrade or change tools quickly.
• Set up and link: Once you have the tools and software, ensure they are correctly set up and connected. Change settings for best results, turn on licences and check how different tools work with each other.

In addition, always stay informed about new tech and consider upgrading your tools and software when needed.

Pro Tip: Invest in backup solutions such as external hard drives or cloud storage when buying hardware. This will protect your clients' data and help you keep your business running if something goes wrong.

Building Your Portfolio and Online Presence

Building Your Portfolio and Online Presence is crucial in establishing a successful web design business. This pivotal aspect allows you to showcase your skills and attract potential clients. Here's how you can effectively build your portfolio and online presence:

• Create an impressive portfolio: Compile your best design work and showcase it in a visually appealing manner. Ensure that your portfolio highlights various styles and demonstrates your versatility.
• Showcase client testimonials : Request feedback from previous clients and showcase their positive testimonials on your website. This builds credibility and instils trust in potential clients.
• Create a professional website: Your website should reflect your expertise as a web designer. Craft a visually appealing and user-friendly interface, including an about page, services offered, and contact information.
• Optimise for search engines: Implement optimisation strategies to increase your online visibility. Utilise appropriate keywords, meta tags, and high-quality content to improve your website's ranking on search engine result pages.

Additionally, social media marketing is critical to building your online presence. Use platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to share your work, interact with potential clients, and establish your brand. Finally, staying updated with the latest web design trends and technologies will ensure your portfolio remains relevant, helping you stand out in the competitive market.

Creating a Professional Website

A professional website is critical for exhibiting your portfolio and establishing your online presence. It works like a virtual business card, helping potential employers and clients to learn more about you and your work. Here are 6 points to consider when creating one:

• Select a modern, clean design that displays your brand.
• Utilise high-quality images to show your work and pique your curiosity.
• Logically arrange your content for easy navigation.
• Include relevant info – contact details, testimonials, social media profiles.
• Optimise for search engines by using appropriate keywords.
• Keep visitors engaged by updating regularly with new content.

To stand out, add interactive elements such as video galleries or interactive maps to improve user experience. You can make a lasting impression on potential clients or employers by having an attractive and user-friendly website.

Remember, creating a professional website isn't just about looks but also functionality and an outstanding user experience. So, begin today and build an impressive online presence that sets you apart.

Showcasing Your Work

Creating an impressive portfolio is critical to building your online presence. Compile your best work into a visually appealing display using high-quality images or videos. Select the right platform that suits your needs and target audience – a website, social media, or specialised platforms such as Behance or Dribbble. Highlight your unique selling points and add context to each project. Seek feedback from peers or professionals in your industry, and engage with relevant communities through comments, collaborations, or discussions.

Remember, it's not just about displaying what you can do – it's about communicating your skills, expertise, and passion. Invest the time and effort into presenting your work in the best possible light, and witness the opportunities that will come your way!

Utilising Social Media and Online Marketing

Social media and online marketing are vital in constructing your portfolio and expanding your presence. Here's how to make the most of them:

• Interact with your viewers: Social media offers a great chance to hook up with potential clients or employers. Post content regularly that displays your talent and encourages communication.
• Use targeted ads: Online marketing allows you to target an audience based on their interests, demographics, or behaviours. Invest in ads to boost visibility among relevant individuals.
• Post valuable content: Spread helpful blog posts, videos, or podcasts across various social media channels. Give value to your audience with practical tips, industry insights, or solutions to their problems.
• Forge relationships with influencers: Joining forces with influencers in your industry can extend your reach immensely—partner with them for guest posts, takeovers, or endorsements to reach more people and build credibility.

To be one-of-a-kind and capitalise on social media and online marketing:

• Include visuals: Visual content is more engaging than text. Include stunning images, infographics, or videos that match your brand's message.
• Formulate a consistent brand voice: Set up a unique tone of voice that portrays who you are professionally. Consistency on all platforms helps create recognition and trust.
• Check analytics: Know which strategies are best for you—Utilise analytical tools from social media platforms to measure engagement levels, website traffic, and user demographics.
• Stay active and responsive: Consistency is vital to social media success. Keep your profiles updated with fresh content and promptly respond to comments or messages from followers or potential clients.

To get the most out of social media and online marketing, don't forget these unique aspects:

• Experiment with new platforms: Stay ahead of the game by exploring new social media platforms or online marketing techniques. Trying out innovative approaches can give you an edge.
• Cross-promote your content: Promote your work on different channels to reach a wider audience. Cross-posting blog articles or sharing social media posts on other relevant platforms can draw more attention.
• Collaborate with other professionals: Joining forces with others in your field can let you benefit from their networks and reach a broader audience. Look for chances to collaborate on projects or share each other's content.
• Invest in paid promotions: Organic growth is essential, but don't fear investing in paid advertisements. Strategic advertising campaigns can speed up your development and expand your online presence.

It is time to act and use social media and online marketing for success. Seize the opportunities they offer and start building your portfolio and enhancing your online presence now!

Establishing Your Pricing and Contracts

Establishing Your Pricing and Contracts is crucial in building a successful web design business. It involves determining the correct prices for your services and establishing contracts that protect you and your clients. To ensure your business thrives, it's essential to approach this aspect professionally and strategically.

Below is a table outlining essential factors to consider when establishing your pricing and contracts:

Conduct thorough market research to determine the average prices web designers charge in your area. Consider your budget, including software, hosting , and marketing expenses. Analyse your competitors' pricing strategies to position yourself competitively.

Next, assess the value of your services based on your skills, expertise, and the unique value you bring to clients. Clearly define payment terms, including the amount due upfront, instalment plans, or milestone-based payments. This will help you maintain a healthy cash flow .

To protect yourself legally, it's essential to have detailed contracts in place. Clearly outline the scope of work, timeline, payment milestones, and any limitations or additional fees. Establish a revision policy to manage client expectations and a termination clause to address unforeseen circumstances.

Now, let me share a true story. Bob, a web designer in London, struggled when he first started his business due to poorly defined contracts. One client requested numerous revisions beyond the agreed scope, causing Bob to spend extra hours without additional payment. Realising his mistake, Bob revamped his arrangements, clearly outlining the number of revisions included and any extra charges. This protected Bob from future issues and set clear expectations with his clients.

By establishing pricing and contracts effectively, you can navigate the web design business professionally, provide clarity to clients, and build a solid foundation for your success.

Setting prices for your web design business is like trying to find a unicorn: everyone talks about it, but no one has seen one.

Determining Your Pricing Structure

Price-setting is a crucial part of owning a successful business. It means finding the perfect cost for your services or products to make money and meet customer needs. When considering your pricing structure, there are three key points:

• Market Analysis: Thoroughly research demand and competition in your target market. This will help you set a cost which reflects the value you offer.
• Cost Evaluation: Work out all costs for making, promoting and providing your products. Think of direct costs (materials, labour) and indirect costs (rent, utilities). Make sure prices cover these costs and allow a fair profit.
• Customer Perception: Consider how customers view the value of your products or services. Factors like quality, reputation and unique features can justify higher prices. Yet, be careful not to price too high and turn away potential customers.

Plus, always review and adjust your pricing plan based on market trends and customer feedback . If you stay aware of industry dynamics, you can stay ahead of the competition.

Interesting fact: According to Harvard Business Review , even a 1% raise in price can lead to an average 11% increase in profits.

Creating Contracts and Agreements for Clients

Creating contracts and agreements may seem tedious, but it can save you from future troubles. For example, I had a seemingly trustworthy client who wanted contract changes, which would have been a costly mistake. Thankfully, our lawyer helped us negotiate better terms.

It is essential to consult a lawyer specialising in contract law to ensure that your contracts and agreements are legally sound and cover all potential risks. Taking the time to craft well-drafted contracts and deals guards your business, builds trust, and sets clear expectations in your professional relationships. Prevention is better than cure!

Finding and Attracting Clients

Finding and attracting clients is essential for any web design business to thrive. Here are three key points to consider:

• Develop a robust online presence: Showcase your expertise and portfolio through a well-designed website and social media platforms. Optimising your website for search engines will increase your visibility to potential clients.
• Network and collaborate: Attend industry events, join professional groups, and connect with other designers, developers, and business owners. Building relationships and collaborating can lead to client referrals and new opportunities.
• Offer exceptional customer service: Providing a positive client experience is crucial for client satisfaction and word-of-mouth recommendations. Respond promptly to inquiries, communicate clearly, and exceed expectations in delivering quality work.

Consider unique details to stand out from the competition, such as offering personalised web design solutions tailored to each client's specific goals and target audience. Additionally, highlighting any niche expertise or specialised services you offer can attract clients seeking technical design solutions.

Pro Tip: Develop a referral program to incentivise satisfied clients to refer new clients to your business. Word-of-mouth recommendations can be a powerful tool for attracting clients and expanding your business.

Networking and building relationships can be as delicate as a web design in Internet Explorer – you never know when it will crash.

Networking and Building Relationships

Attend industry events to meet like-minded people and potential clients. Have meaningful conversations and exchange contact details for lasting connections.

Utilise social media platforms such as LinkedIn for virtual networking. Connect with professionals in your field, share insights, and join relevant discussions.

Look for networking opportunities with your current client base. Referrals from satisfied clients can lead to new business opportunities. Nurture these relationships to ensure growth.

Stay in touch with your network. Inform them of news, industry trends, and events through newsletters or emails to solidify relationships.

Networking is key! Follow up after meetings and personalise messages. According to Forbes Magazine , 85% of crucial jobs are filled through networking.

Utilising Online Job Platforms and Freelance Websites

Online job platforms and freelance websites offer various options for finding and attracting clients. These platforms create a simple and effective way to connect with potential customers worldwide. Freelancers can use these sites to highlight their skills, experience, and portfolio to draw in clients seeking their services.

Let's look at some data that shows the effectiveness of these platforms:

These figures demonstrate the size of these platforms and the potential earnings they can generate for freelancers. It also reveals the enormous potential for finding and connecting with customers through these channels.

In addition, online job platforms and freelance websites have features to make client-freelancer interactions easier, like chat systems, secure payments, and dispute resolution. This makes the process smoother for both involved.

Using online job platforms and freelance websites is not limited to specific industries or professions. Opportunities exist for almost any skill, from graphic design to content writing programming to virtual assistance.

Forbes reported that Upwork has recently seen a massive surge in demand, with big companies like Microsoft, Airbnb, and GE turning to freelancers sourced through the platform for their projects.

Marketing and Advertising Your Services

Advertising your services is essential for gaining clients. It requires strategically promoting your services to the target audience, making brand awareness and influencing their buying decisions. Here are four points to keep in mind:

• Recognise your target market : Know your potential clients' demographics, inclinations, and needs. This will help you customise your advertising attempts to reach them effectively.
• Develop a strong brand identity : Create an engaging message and design an attractive logo that resonates with your target audience. Incorporate your brand regularly across all advertising channels to build recognition and trust.
• Use different advertising channels to broaden your reach by investigating online platforms such as social media, search engine optimisation (SEO), and email campaigns . Offline networking events and print ads can also help connect with potential clients.
• Measure and analyse outcomes : Constantly monitor the performance of your advertising campaigns. Use analytics tools to know which strategies generate the best results and adjust your technique for maximum impact.

Moreover, it is essential to discover unique characteristics that differentiate you from competitors. Showcase special features or exclusive benefits your services offer to draw more clients.

For example, a freelance graphic designer once had trouble getting customers despite having good skills. However, after implementing a creative advertising strategy centred on targeting specific industries through personal outreach, they saw a significant rise in client inquiries and ultimately obtained multiple long-term contracts. This demonstrates the power of effective marketing in attracting clients and constructing a successful business.

Providing Exceptional Customer Service

Exceptional customer service is the key to success in any web design business. You can ensure client satisfaction and build strong relationships by providing top-notch service. Here are five essential points to consider:

• Communication: Clear and prompt communication is vital to providing exceptional customer service. Respond promptly to client inquiries and concerns, keeping them informed throughout the design process. Actively listen to their needs and preferences and provide regular updates on project progress.
• Understanding client goals: Take the time to thoroughly understand your client's goals and objectives for their website. This includes their target audience, desired functionality, and overall aesthetic preferences. You can effectively meet their expectations by aligning your design efforts with their vision.
• Attention to detail: Paying attention to the most minor details can make a big difference in customer satisfaction . Ensure website elements are consistent, visually appealing, and functional across different devices and browsers. Conduct thorough quality assurance testing to catch any issues before the website goes live.
• Flexibility and adaptability: Clients' needs and preferences can change throughout the design process. It is vital to be flexible and adaptable to accommodate their evolving requirements. Be open to revisions and willing to make adjustments to ensure the final product aligns with their vision.
• Post-launch support: Exceptional customer service does not end once the website is launched. Provide ongoing support and maintenance services to address any issues that may arise. Respond to client inquiries promptly, offer assistance with updates or additions, and continuously monitor the website's performance.

Additionally, ensure you maintain clear documentation of all agreements, instructions, and client communications. This will help prevent misunderstandings and be a reference point if any issues arise later.

Pro Tip: Implement a feedback system to gather client input after the completion of each project. This allows you to improve your services continuously and demonstrates your commitment to exceptional customer service.

With a focus on open communication, attention to detail, flexibility, ongoing support, and feedback, you can provide exceptional customer service in your web design business.

Communicating with clients: Remember, you're not just becoming a web designer; you're also becoming a part-time therapist and mind reader.

Communicating Effectively with Clients

For excellent customer service, effective communication with clients is essential. It means conveying information concisely and attentively, listening and responding to their needs . This builds trust and loyalty, plus allows for informed decisions.

Effective problem-solving comes from seeking clarification, spotting problems, and offering solutions . Appropriate language and tone should be polite, respectful, and empathetic . Use simple language to avoid misunderstandings.

Non-verbal cues like body language and facial expressions help show understanding. A Harvard Business Review study shows businesses prioritising effective communication have higher satisfaction and retention rates.

Managing Projects and Meeting Deadlines

Prioritising tasks based on urgency and importance is essential to manage projects and meet deadlines. The Eisenhower Matrix can help classify jobs. Communication is also vital – regular updates, clear channels, and collaboration tools like software or IMs help avoid misunderstandings and align team members. Embracing an agile methodology means being open to change. Evaluating progress can detect obstacles or inefficiencies. Identifying risks proactively helps with timelines.

Pro Tip: Positive attitudes boost success. Motivating team members, recognising milestones, and fostering collaboration with diverse skill sets will help meet deadlines successfully.

Continuously Improving Your Skills and Knowledge

Grow your expertise and understanding to deliver remarkable customer service! This lets you keep up with new trends and developments in the industry, aiding your capacity to anticipate and fulfil customer needs quickly. Here's how to do it:

• Keep up with industry trends by reading books, articles, and blogs.
• Join training programs, workshops, or conferences to widen your knowledge.
• Get feedback from customers and colleagues to spot areas for improvement.
• Develop a learning mindset by taking on new challenges and possibilities.
• Network with experts in your field to gain insights and learn from them.
• Use online resources like webinars or e-learning platforms to gain skills.

Moreover, stay informed about the latest tech advances to benefit your customer service. By knowing how tech tools can speed up processes or help communication, you can serve your customers even better.

Pro Tip: Regularly evaluate your skills and knowledge gaps to zero in on targeted areas for improvement. This can help you provide top-notch customer service in the long run.

Scaling Your Web Design Business

When it comes to scaling your web design business, there are several vital points to keep in mind for continued growth and success:

• Utilise a project management system to streamline workflow and ensure efficient client communication.
• Hire skilled and reliable freelancers or employees to handle increased workloads and expand your team.
• Develop strong client relationships by providing exceptional customer service and delivering on your promises.
• Implement effective marketing strategies to generate leads and increase your client base.
• Continuously improve and update your skills through professional development and staying up-to-date with industry trends.
• Leverage technology and automation tools to save time and increase productivity.

Remember, scaling your web design business requires careful planning and execution. By implementing these strategies, you will be well on your way to achieving long-term growth and profitability.

Pro Tip: Regularly review and analyse your business processes to identify areas for improvement and optimisation. This will help you stay ahead of the competition and deliver outstanding results to your clients.

Adding more web designers to your team is like giving a squirrel a Ferrari; it's fast, wild, and occasionally leads to hilarious crashes.

Hiring Additional Team Members

As your web design business flourishes, you may need to employ extra team members. This can stretch your possibilities and help you manage enormous work. Here are some significant points to bear in mind when hiring new team members:

• Evaluate your requirements: Determine which skills or roles you must fill to complete your present team and meet customer demands.
• Compose legible job descriptions: Clearly explain the duties and qualifications required for each position to attract suitable candidates.
• Search for cultural fit: Finding team members who go with your company values and collaborate nicely with existing members is essential for smooth collaboration.
• Examine applicants thoroughly: Do interviews, inspect portfolios, and investigate references to ensure potential candidates have the essential skills and experience.
• Provide coaching and guidance: Invest in onboarding processes & ongoing training to assist new team members in adjusting to their roles & bettering their abilities.
• Apportion tasks efficiently: Assign jobs according to each team member's strengths to maximise productivity & guarantee effective project management .

Moreover, take a look at possibilities beyond standard hiring methods. Freelancers or contractors can offer flexible solutions without the commitment of a full-time employee.

Pro Tip : Constructing a powerful team isn't just about technical mastery; look for people with diverse viewpoints, creativity, and passion for web design.

Expanding Your Service Offerings

To grow and succeed in web design, diversifying your services is essential! You can now meet more customer needs and bring in more clients. Here are some ideas to incorporate into your repertoire:

• Mobile Design: With the surge of smartphones, offering mobile design will give an optimal user experience for all devices.
• E-commerce: Allowing e-commerce solutions allows clients to make money online , a significant revenue stream.
• Content: Offering content creation services helps clients create engaging material to draw their target audience and improve their online presence.
• SEO: SEO can help clients increase visibility on search engines and draw organic traffic .

Expanding your service offerings gives you an edge in the industry. It makes you a one-stop solution for all web-related needs, giving clients the convenience of working with you. Here's how to make sure it works:

• Research market trends. Know what's new and in demand so you can offer the best solutions before competitors.
• Develop specialisations. Diversify services but also focus on becoming experts in a specific area. This makes you stand out and attract niche clients.
• Collaborate with partners. Join forces with graphic designers or digital marketers to offer comprehensive packages that meet client needs and expand your businesses.

By expanding your service offerings strategically and keeping up with market trends, you will gain sustainable growth and be a top web design business.

Developing Long-term Client Relationships

Creating long-term client relations is essential to success in web design. It involves building trust, delivering quality work, and offering excellent customer service.

• Understand your client's requirements and objectives to tailor services.
• Stay in contact during the project.
• Meet deadlines and surpass expectations to gain credibility and loyalty.
• Offer post-project help and maintenance to keep clients backed up even after finishing.
• Contact clients to address issues or give updates on new design trends.
• Express appreciation for their business through personal gestures like thank-you notes or exclusive offers.

By forming strong client bonds, you will obtain repeat customers and referrals. This helps your web design business to grow.

Forbes claims that businesses with higher customer retention rates are more likely to be successful in the long run (Source: Forbes).

To conclude, setting up a web design biz requires plenty of prep and concentration. Here are a few things to consider:

• Prepare a solid business plan and objectives.
• Construct a varied portfolio that shows your skills and know-how.
• Buy the right tools and software to speed up the process.
• Create strong ties with customers by providing top-notch service.
• Be aware of the newest design trends and technology.
• Keep learning and developing your skills.

In addition, it's essential to take note of elements that haven't been discussed. For example, grasping the significance of search engine optimisation (SEO) can make a massive difference to the growth of your web design company.

Let me tell you a story that demonstrates this point. A web designer I know used SEO methods for their client's sites, significantly increasing organic traffic and sales. This not only pleased their customers but also helped them build their own rep in the industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the necessary skills to start a web design business.

To start a web design business, you need skills in web design and development, proficiency in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, an understanding of UX/UI principles, familiarity with design software like Adobe Photoshop or Sketch, knowledge of responsive design, and basic SEO understanding.

How should I price my web design services?

Pricing web design services depends on the project's complexity, the client's requirements, your experience, and the value you provide. You can charge by the hour, offer fixed package rates, or use both. Researching the market and competitors is essential to ensure your competitive and profitable pricing.

What legal requirements should I consider before starting a web design business?

Before starting a web design business, you should consider legal requirements such as registering your business as a legal entity, obtaining necessary licences and permits, complying with data protection and privacy laws, preparing contracts and service agreements, and understanding intellectual property rights.

How can I find clients for my web design business?

You can find clients for your web design business through various methods, including networking and referrals, creating an online portfolio or website to showcase your work, promoting your services on social media platforms, participating in online communities and forums, attending industry events, and using freelance job platforms or local business directories.

What tools and software do web designers typically use?

Web designers typically use tools and software such as design software (Adobe Photoshop, Sketch), wireframing and prototyping tools ( Adobe XD, InVision), code editors (Sublime Text, Visual Studio Code), version control systems (Git), project management tools (Trello, Asana), and collaboration tools (Slack, Google Drive).

How important is ongoing learning and staying updated in the web design industry?

Ongoing learning and staying updated in the web design industry is crucial. Technology and design trends evolve rapidly, and clients expect web designers to be up-to-date with the latest practices. Continuous learning allows you to enhance your skills, offer innovative solutions, adapt to changing client needs, and stay ahead of the competition.

Stuart Crawford

Need help building your brand.

Let’s talk about your logo, branding or web development project today! Get in touch for a free quote.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Trusted by businesses worldwide to create impactful and memorable brands.

At Inkbot Design, we understand the importance of brand identity in today's competitive marketplace. With our team of experienced designers and marketing professionals, we are dedicated to creating custom solutions that elevate your brand and leave a lasting impression on your target audience.

A Simple Guide to Creating a Business Plan for Web Professionals

Starting your own business comes with plenty of tedious paperwork. Writing out a business plan may seem like an unnecessary step, when you feel you already have a clear idea of where you want your company to go. However, having one in place will definitely pay off over the long term.

This post will teach you all about the importance of having a business plan. We’ll also walk through seven steps that will help you write your own.

Let’s jump right in!

• 1 Why Web Professionals Need Business Plans
• 2.1 Step 1: Outline Your Business’ Goals
• 2.2 Step 2: Describe Your Products and Services
• 2.3 Step 3: Identify Your Target Audience
• 2.4 Step 4: Map Out Your Marketing Plan
• 2.5 Step 5: Determine Your Operational Needs and Organizational Structure
• 2.6 Step 6: Consider Any Legal Requirements
• 2.7 Step 7: Figure Out Your Finances
• 3 Conclusion

Why Web Professionals Need Business Plans

Both freelance web professionals and those working as employees have pretty straightforward responsibilities. You’ll need to first find a client or receive an assignment, finish the project, get paid, and move on to the next job or task. However, if you’re going to build your own business, things can get quite a bit more complicated.

While other professionals can focus on the present, business owners have to be concerned with the longevity of their companies. Having a plan provides a clear path forward, especially in the moments when you’re wondering what to do next to grow your business.

In the early days of setting up your company, a business plan will provide an outline to help you structure and manage employees, projects, clients, and resources. Plus, it can help you acquire the investors, partners, and other help you’ll need along the way.

If you need to take out business loans or bring on investors to help expand your company, they’ll likely want to see a copy of your business plan. Demonstrating that you’re prepared and have a strategy for maintaining your business can help assure them that you’re a smart long-term investment.

The same applies to partnerships as well. If you want to sell part of your business to another person, who can help you run things and take on some of the burden of ownership, they’ll probably want to see what they’re getting into first.

In short, a business plan is an important tool that can help you over many of the bumps in the road to starting, growing, and maintaining your company. Crafting a thorough plan while you’re still in the early stages of starting your business should prove well worth the time and effort.

How to Create a Business Plan as a Web Professional (In 7 Steps)

Writing up a business plan can take a lot of time, and may require a substantial amount of strategizing and research. You can find e-books and templates online to help simplify the writing process, so you can focus on the aspects that are unique to your business:

Throughout the following steps, we’ll show you everything you need to include if you’re looking to create a well-rounded business plan, whether you’re starting from scratch or using a template.

Step 1: Outline Your Business’ Goals

Setting goals can help both you and your business stay on track. Without them, there’s a good chance you’ll have a lot more misses and mistakes as you try to steer your company forward. On the other hand, staying focused on clear objectives can help you accomplish more and solidify your brand identity.

Therefore, make sure to start your business plan off by outlining concrete goals. If you’re not familiar with it yet, we’d highly recommend familiarizing yourself with the SMART framework . It’s also a good idea to have your mission statement in place at this point, since it will inform your goals and shape how you’ll accomplish them.

Step 2: Describe Your Products and Services

At the core of every business is a product, a service, or both. A detailed description of your offerings is a key element of your business plan. Within your plan, you can strategize about how you’ll produce your products or offer your services, and deliver them to your customers.

Successful products and services are those that provide a solution to some kind of problem faced by your target audience. Explaining how your offerings solve an important problem – and how you do this differently or better than your competition – should go in your plan too. If available, you can also include information about considerations such as price and production costs in this section of your business plan.

What’s more, in order for your company to continue expanding, you’ll likely need to come up with new products and services over time. Noting down your ideas for future offerings can help give you direction, and show potential investors or partners your company’s potential.

Step 3: Identify Your Target Audience

Without customers or clients, your business won’t generate any revenue. Therefore, it will be difficult to get off the ground if you haven’t done any research into the people who might want to pay for the products or services your new company offers.

The process of audience research can also help you come up with ideas for new products. By determining what problems your target audience faces, you can work on finding solutions, and then developing products or services to provide them.

The first step will be to put together a comprehensive marketing persona as part of your business plan. In order to effectively market your products or services, you’ll need to pinpoint your audience so that you can implement targeted strategies.

Step 4: Map Out Your Marketing Plan

Spreading the word about your business and what it has to offer is vital to the growth of your business. Your marketing plan will lay out how you intend to do this. A lot of research is necessary to make the most of this part of your business plan.

There are many different marketing strategies you might want to implement, to get the word out about your company. Email newsletters , social media campaigns, and content marketing are all smart techniques that web professionals can use to reach more leads.

However, part of your marketing plan will also need to include information about which channels are most popular among your target audience. Researching demographics and your competitors’ marketing strategies can help you get started. You’ll also need a marketing budget, a portfolio of your best work, and a brand strategy . It’s a lot to put together, but doing the work upfront will save you time and help you avoid mistakes later on.

Step 5: Determine Your Operational Needs and Organizational Structure

There are two key things your business needs to keep running that we haven’t touched on yet – equipment and people. Whether you’re a developer, a designer, or another type of web professional, there are probably some programs or other tools you use to make your job easier. You’ll want to note those requirements in your plan, along with how much each tool costs and what it’s needed for.

In addition, your plan should account for any employees you’ll need to hire. This might include other developers, a marketing specialist, or an accountant (just to name a few examples). Any skills needed to keep your company afloat that you don’t have yourself will have to be provided by someone else.

Even if you have a wide range of skills, you probably can’t do everything on your own. Knowing when to hire out and delegate tasks will be vital if you want to avoid burnout. If you’re not ready to bring on employees right away, listing some potential roles in your plan will still be helpful in the future. You can one of these plugins to create your own business job board on your company website so you can quickly (and cheaply) post jobs and hire top-talent.

Additionally, you’ll need to outline the organization of your business. Specifically, you should make its hierarchy clear, and provide guidelines for how employees, contractors, and the like will interact and work with one another, in order to provide quality products or services.

Step 6: Consider Any Legal Requirements

It’s not a bad idea to hire a business lawyer to provide some guidance when you’re first starting out. They can advise you on how to structure your company, and what will be required of you legally as a business owner.

This includes considerations such as paying taxes, and what will happen if your business fails. These are crucial financial concerns, and you don’t want to make mistakes in this area. So consider your lawyer fees to be an investment in your future financial security.

Plus, there are several documents you may want to create at this point and get legal consultation on. License agreements and client contracts are key to bringing in revenue for web professionals. Making sure yours are airtight now can prevent many problems later on.

Step 7: Figure Out Your Finances

Finally, you’ll need to put together a financial plan. Saving this for the end of your business plan can be helpful. That way, you’ll have already gathered plenty of details on your business’ expenses, including production costs, marketing expenses, employee wages, and legal fees.

Moving forward, you’ll need a strong system in place for closely managing your business’ finances. Additionally, you’ll want to determine when you’ll get paid, and how you’ll pay your employees, taxes, and any other key expenses (e.g., office space, utilities, and rent).

Finally, you’ll have to account for any upfront investments you’ll need to make in order to get your business started, whether that’s loans or money from investors. Bringing in an accountant to help you with this part is probably wise, and can be the start of a relationship that will serve you well over the lifespan of your business.

While writing your business plan may not be the most exciting aspect of starting your own business, it’s definitely a necessary step. In the long run, you’ll appreciate the time you put into creating this plan in the early days of your company.

Following these seven steps will help you put together a comprehensive business plan:

• Outline your business’ goals.
• Describe your products and services.
• Identify your target audience.
• Map out your marketing plan.
• Determine your operational needs and organizational structure.
• Consider any legal requirements.
• Figure out your finances.

Do you have any questions about creating a business plan? Let us know in the comments section below!

Article Thumbnail Image ChristianChan / shutterstock.com

Want To Build Better WordPress Websites? Start Here! 👇

Take the first step towards a better website.

By John Hughes

John is a blogging addict and WordPress fanatic

Explore Divi, The Most Popular WordPress Theme In The World And The Ultimate Page Builder

Check Out These Related Posts

6 Best Drag and Drop Website Builders in 2024 (Compared)

Posted on July 14, 2024 in Business

There’s no doubt that having a website can significantly help your business be found online by potential customers. Whether you’re a small business owner or part of a large corporation, websites play a crucial role in boosting your online presence. But what if you lack coding skills or...

Shopify vs Amazon: Which eCommerce Platform to Choose?

Posted on July 13, 2024 in Business

Choosing the right eCommerce platform for your online business is crucial and challenging. With so many to choose from, both Shopify and Amazon remain top contenders for many reasons. They each offer great features for selling products online but differ in many ways. So, which one is right for...

How to Become a Successful Freelance Web Designer (2024)

Updated on July 7, 2024 in Business

Are you burnt out on the 9-to-5 grind? Are you longing for a career with more freedom and better work-life harmony? You might want to consider going freelance as a web designer. Fair warning, though – it’s not a walk in the park. Succeeding as a freelance web pro demands immense hard...

Awesome post. Thanks for this great article. It is very useful to all the web designers to consider these important points while starting their own business .

thank you for providing such an informative article. this will surely help me creating business plan.

I suggest to start with the lean canvas. It’s a 1-page business plan and you can fill it and save it online. It’s free as far as I remember.

Thanks for the suggestion Jean 🙂

This is a very handy guide. Especially when there are so many younger people entering the market place who are just trying to make a buck. Things are hard enough to figure out on your own. Guides like this are extremely useful!

This article is very informative and helpful. Thanks for sharing this.

You’re very welcome Luke 🙂

I had a business model in my mind but was a bit confused as to how to work towards it and from where to start, thanks for the great pointers and for making it a lot easier for me to work on it. The pointers were really brief, valid and to the point.

You’re welcome I am glad it helped so much 🙂

Leave A Reply Cancel reply

• Recent Posts
• Divi vs OceanWP: Which WordPress Theme is Better? (2024)
• Free vs Paid WordPress Themes: Pros and Cons for 2024
• Introducing Divi AI Section Generation + Unsplash Integration
• New Divi Starter Site for Spas (Quick Install)
• How to Install a WordPress Plugin in 2024 (3 Methods)
• Divi Resources
• Theme Releases
• Tips & Tricks

974,872 Customers Are Already Building Amazing Websites With Divi. Join The Most Empowered WordPress Community On The Web

We offer a 30 Day Money Back Guarantee, so joining is Risk-Free!

Divi Features

• All Features Explore Divi
• Divi Modules
• Divi Layouts
• Quick Sites Brand New!
• No-Code Builder
• Ecommerce Websites
• Theme Builder
• Marketing Platform
• Speed & Performance
• Premium Support
• Divi Marketplace
• Divi Hosting
• Extra Theme
• Bloom Plugin
• Monarch Plugin
• Plans & Pricing Get Divi Today
• Documentation
• Help Articles & FAQ
• 24/7 Support
• Developer Docs
• System Status
• Product Updates
• Best Plugins
• Best Hosting
• Divi Meetups
• Divi Facebook Group
• Divi Examples
• Divi Integrations
• Divi Reviews
• Community Forum
• Affiliate Program
• Terms of Service
• Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2024 Elegant Themes ®

• Marketing & Clients
• Free templates
• For recruiters
• Job profiles
• Freelance Study
• Our product
• Try Freelancermap

How To Create A Freelance Business Plan – Guide + Template

Having a solid freelance business plan is crucial for achieving long-term success. While you may not have the same traditional structure as a brick-and-mortar business, it’s essential to have a roadmap that outlines your goals, target audience, and financial projections. In this article, we’ll discuss the key components of a business plan for freelancers and offer tips on how to create a plan that sets you up for success.

• Purpose of a business plan
• Benefits and advantages

The Business Model Canvas

Value proposition, customer segments, customer relations, key partners, key resources, key activities.

• Revenue Stream

Cost Structure

The lean canvas.

• Freelance business plan template + checklist
• Executive Summary
• Company and Strategy
• Products and Services
• Market Analysis
• Competitors
• Marketing and Sales
• Organization and Resources
• Risk Analysis
• Action Plan
• Common mistakes when creating a business plan

Purpose of a freelance business plan

A business plan forms the foundation of your company. It records the business idea and all the important components that contribute to its success or failure. Therefore, a business plan not only helps to get an idea of what the chances of success are for a plan, but also serves to keep an eye on the development of the company after the start-up, and to make target-actual comparisons and counteract negative changes in a timely manner.

In addition to its internal purpose, a business plan also fulfils external tasks. When starting a business, it especially serves as a basis for evaluation by external capital providers.

A good business plan can already be helpful in the start-up phase to convince potential investors, banks, authorities, as well as potential sales partners, customers or suppliers of the business idea.

However, before diving straight into the creation of a business plan, one should first engage with their business idea in order to illuminate it from all sides. This not only helps to avoid early failure, but also makes the creation of a freelance business plan much easier.

Why use a business plan? Benefits and advantages

Before you start creating the perfect freelance business plan, let’s take a look at the benefits and advantages that it can offer:

• Increased clarity: A business plan can help you get clarity to your decision-making process and helps you put your end goal at the core and work towards it.
• Provides clear structure: A business plan provides structure and allows you to define business objectives. When consulted regularly, it can help measure and manage your areas of focus that are of the utmost priority.
• Creates a marketing roadmap: A business plan allows you to create an effective marketing roadmap, which in turn can help you define things like target market(s), target customers, schedules, timeframes, etc.
• Improved financial decisions: Planning for expenses effectively is crucial when it comes to freelancing. A business plan gives you the information needed to make better decisions financially.

To analyse the potential of a business idea, one can use a variety of methods. One of the most comprehensive tools for this is the Business Model Canvas by Alexander Osterwalder. In this method, a business idea is placed at the centre and related to 9 dimensions – the so-called building blocks:

Revenue Streams

During the development and analysis of the business idea, all fields are filled with the corresponding contents. Plan to spend two to three hours working on these fields. It is important to take enough time to consider the thoughts for each building block, but not to plan every field in detail. Remember, the completion of the Business Model Canvas should only show whether the business idea is feasible and serves as a guide for what needs to be considered.

The Value Proposition defines the extent to which the business model brings benefits to the customer. The following questions help to define the promise of performance:

• What problem am I solving?
• What exactly am I offering?
• Why are customers looking for my service specifically?
• What makes my offer better than the competition?

Next is the definition of the target audience or customers. It is important to define customer segments that will buy your services or products. Potential customers are grouped together based on their characteristics. The group characteristics can be traditional demographic factors (age, gender, location, etc.) or can focus on purchasing behaviour or reasons for buying.

Next, the channels through which you want to inform your customers about the product or service are defined. It is important to find out where and how potential customers shop. Here are some questions to answer:

• How and where do customers find out about the offering?
• How do customers become aware of my product or service?
• How can customers buy my products and services?
• How do I provide the service or how does the service reach my customers?

To capture all relevant touchpoints between customers and your business, it is recommended to record the so-called customer journey. Here, you put yourself in your customer’s shoes and document every step he or she takes from gathering information to making a purchase (and possibly beyond). This will help you identify the channels that you need to establish and manage for your business.

If you have already thought about the customer journey, you’re halfway to defining customer care. It is not only important to consider how to attract and win customers, but also how to keep the ones you already have. Consider the following questions:

• What options do you have to communicate with your customers?
• Is there a customer service hotline, a contact form, an email address?
• How do customers learn about your new offerings?

In the next step, you will think about possible partnerships and how you and your business depend on them. This includes suppliers and vendors, as well as technology partners or regulatory bodies that you need to work with. Focus on the really relevant partners without whom you couldn’t do your job.

The same applies to Key Resources. Here, the resources needed for your work are listed, including:

• Employees or roles that need to be filled
• Financial resources and capital
• Intangible resources such as licences, brands, patents, etc.
• Material resources such as laptops, office equipment, company cars, etc.

Of course, not every pencil you need to buy for your business needs to be listed here. The focus should be on the critical resources for success.

The definition of Key Activities is one of the simpler tasks in the Business Model Canvas. Here, all activities that contribute to the success of the business model are listed. The other components of the business idea also contribute to this, which is why it is worth deriving the Activities from them.

In general, you need to ask yourself what activities need to be performed to fulfil the value proposition, win customers, and maintain day-to-day operations.

Next, it is important to define how you make money with your business . For freelancers, this means defining their hourly rate or considering other revenue models to generate income. Are there perhaps special contracts that bring recurring revenue or are only the hours billed each time? Define all essential sources of revenue and how they work.

Lastly, the cost structure is defined. The most important variable and fixed costs and their causes must be identified. These may include:

• Production costs
• Marketing costs
• Licence costs
• Personnel costs

As a further development of the Business Model Canvas, the Lean Canvas became known in 2010. It is specifically adapted to the fast-paced and limited resources of a startup and focuses on the problem to be solved and the solution to be provided, as well as the so-called unfair advantage and the core metric. In the Lean Canvas, these elements replace the Key Activities, Partners, Resources, and Customer Relations.

Often business ideas fail because they don’t solve a relevant problem. Therefore, this component was added to the Lean Canvas.

Once the problem to be solved has been identified, the focus shifts to providing a corresponding solution quickly and easily. The Lean Canvas approach involves using an MVP (minimum viable product). The MVP represents the minimum version of the solution – the raw version. This is launched on the market as soon as possible and then further developed in collaboration with customers.

The unfair advantage essentially describes the competitive advantage. For startups, it is important to know this very well or, if it does not exist from the beginning, to define it.

Young companies often lose themselves in the masses of numbers and metrics that define the success of a business. To prevent this, entrepreneurs who choose the Lean Canvas approach should first define only one metric from which they can measure success and failure. At the beginning, when the survival of the company is paramount, this could be profit. Later, when it comes to growth, other metrics come into play.

How to create a freelance business plan – Template + checklist

For those who have thoroughly considered their business idea beforehand, writing a freelance business plan will be easy. The elements of the Business Model Canvas or the Lean Canvas often overlap with the elements of the business plan and only need to be worked out in more detail. The planned size and complexity of the business idea also determine the content and scope of the plan.

The following elements provide a guide for creating your freelance business plan:

1. Executive Summary 

The Executive Summary is a brief overview of the business plan. The business idea is explained briefly and concisely, usually along with the purpose, objectives, and goals of the business. The industry and growth potential of the market are described, and finally, the key investment and financial data are presented.

Write the Executive Summary at the end of the business plan. It serves as a compact overview of the business idea and as the first evaluation criterion for the potential success of the business model and its financing for potential investors.

The chapter, which should be no more than one and a half pages long, includes:

• Business idea
• Offer – products & services
• Industry / Market
• Growth potential of the market
• Financial requirements

2. Company & Strategy

In this section, the foundation for the company’s concept is laid out. The approaches for a successful implementation are presented in detail. It is also important to highlight the arguments and strengths of the idea and the planned company. These can be supported, for example, by a SWOT analysis.

The following sub-chapters are included:

• Founding history
• Milestones, capital, and shareholder structure
• Business goal
• Business purpose
• Vision and strategy

3. Products & Services

This section of a freelance business plan contains all information about your products and services. Define them precisely, describe their unique selling points, and think about pricing segments. 

The subchapters include:

• Products or services
• Product or service advantages
• Pricing segments

4. Market Analysis

For a successful business, the appropriate market potential must be present. Therefore, the selected market must be analysed in detail. Identify customer groups and define strategic business areas. The topics to be addressed include:

• Market volume
• Market position and market shares
• Growth potential
• Framework conditions (economic and legal factors)
• Entry barriers
• Competitive analysis
• Customer groups (segmentation)
• Strategic business areas (product per segment)
• Market objectives
• Outlook on potentials and future.

5. Competition

Here you take a look beyond your own company and get an idea of who your direct competitors are, who your market companions are, and how the situation can develop in the future. The following points belong in the competition analysis:

• Direct competitors
• Their products and services
• Their strengths and weaknesses

6. Marketing & Sales

For a business idea to succeed, the right marketing and promotion of the product or service is crucial. Here, you describe the marketing concept and your marketing mix, where you define what you market where, how, and at what cost. Common models for processing are, for example, the 4 or 7 P’s. In addition, the marketing concept should include all important key points for the timeframe of market entry. The sub-chapters for this chapter include:

• Sales and distribution strategy, distribution channels
• Pricing, price policy
• Communication strategy, channels, advertising, PR

7. Organisation & Resources

For the successful development of a company, resources, management, and employees play an important role. Therefore, this part Organization and Resources describes everything that is important for the organisation of the company, production, or service provision. This includes points such as:

• Production process (location, technology, capacities, etc.)
• Inventory management
• Research & Development
• Legal situation
• Patents/licences
• Responsibilities
• Development/expansion potential

8. Risk Analysis

In this section, possible opportunities and risks are described, as well as measures to counteract the risks. In classic risk analysis, risks and their consequences are listed and classified according to the likelihood of occurrence.

The risk matrix provides information about which risks are critical. For risks in the high and extreme categories, measures to limit or remedy them must be defined. Potential risks can be found, for example, in:

• Management / personnel

9. Financing

A business plan for a planned self-employment cannot be created without detailed financial planning. Create the financial plan in the business plan for a period of 3-5 years to increase planning security. The following topics belong in the financial plan:

• Cost structure
• Revenue cycle
• Cash flow plan – comparison of expenses and revenues
• Profit planning – profit and loss statement
• (Planned) balance sheet – overview of asset ratios
• Required capital / investments

10. Action Plan

No matter how detailed your business plan is, it won’t help if it doesn’t lead to a structured and realistic action plan. Define all the steps that need to be taken until your product or service is on the market. You can use the chapters of the business plan as a guide. The next steps need to be defined, for example, for:

• Product/Service
• Business start-up/Company
• Resources/Partners
• Marketing/Market entry
• Location/Business premises

11. Appendix

In the appendix, documents can be included that would exceed the scope of the respective chapter. For example, the following can be included:

• Resumes / Founders’ Profiles
• Financial planning (Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Cash Flow)
• Operating permits / Patents
• Organisational charts

📌 Business Model checklist ➯ DOWNLOAD

Common mistakes when creating a business plan (and how to avoid them)

When it comes to such a labour-intensive process as creating a business plan, it can be frustrating when errors creep in. To help you with this, we’ve identified the most common sources of errors below and provide tips on how to avoid them:

Lack of knowledge (e.g. in the area of finance)

• Scrutinise the areas where you are unsure, especially critically.
• Acquire any missing knowledge if necessary.
• Seek out partners and advisors who have the expertise you lack.

Missing structure in the business plan

• Pay attention to the logical structure of the business plan. The chapters and subchapters can follow a different order in your plan if it makes more sense for your business idea.
• Focus on the important components of your business plan, which may vary depending on the purpose of the plan (investor pitch, business planning, etc.)
• Various organisations offer consulting services to entrepreneurs, some of which are even subsidised by the states.

Insufficient differentiation

• Even if your idea seems incredibly unique to you, a comprehensive competitor analysis is necessary.
• This is the only way to define a convincing unique selling proposition (USP) – which is also essential for the success of your business idea.
• Not only does the business idea need unique selling propositions, but each product and service also needs to stand out in the market. Therefore, define a unique value proposition (UVP) for your products and services as well.

Underestimating risks

• Nobody becomes self-employed overnight without careful consideration. Therefore, inform yourself carefully about the risks of self-employment and choose your approach consciously.
• Use various analysis tools to minimise risks.

Poor planning

• It’s easier to take the next steps if they are specifically planned and written down. A dedicated action plan of the individual steps is therefore essential to make the business plan a reality.
• To avoid suddenly facing insurmountable obstacles, a secure risk planning is needed. Make sure to think this through thoroughly before embarking on the adventure!

These articles might be interesting too:

• Client Acquisition: Tips to Acquire Clients & Set Up Your Strategy
• Freelance Profile: What to Include, Tips and Examples
• Self-Marketing Tips And Tricks: How To Promote Yourself As A Freelancer

Stefania Volpe

Stefania joined the international team at freelancermap in 2020. She loves marketing, the digital world, foreign languages and meeting different cultures. She moved from Italy to Germany thanks to an exchange program at the university and worked as marketing manager for several startups. Now she focuses on helping freelancers and IT professionals to find jobs and clients worldwide at www.freelancermap.com.

What Does An ASO Specialist Do?

International recruitment: how to hire freelance talent the right way, linkedin for freelancers – guide & tips to get the most out of this professional network, what does an seo consultant do.

Recent Posts

• False Self-Employment – Definition, Criteria, Checklist, Examples
• The IT Freelance Market In Germany – Market Insights [2024]
• Freelancing in Germany: Guide & Insights
• How Many Hours Do Freelancers Work? [Survey 2024]
• Freelancer Guide: How to Become A Freelancer

WEBSITE ESSENTIALS

Step-by-step guide: how to create a successful freelance website

• Talia Cohen

We all know that having an active presence online is important for all types of businesses . This is especially true if you’re a freelancer or you don’t operate from a brick and mortar shop.

Read Also: How to start a business

Even if you have social media accounts or a dedicated page in an online directory, you’re going to need more in order to attract clients. What makes the difference between an average business and a powerful success story is a freelance website that draws in customers and spreads the word about your brand.

For that reason, you’ll need to create a website that shows your work at its best. With the right set of tools, you can shatter any creative boundary and build a stunning online portfolio of your own.

Waste no time and create your site from start to finish with Wix's website builder .

How to create a freelance website

To make life easier for you, we’ve compiled a step-by-step guide that will explain everything you need. Here are 10 steps you’ll need to create a freelance website:

Choose a freelance website template

Create a domain

Develop your brand

Include relevant pages

Add sophisticated design elements

Incorporate the right business tools

Create a blog

Optimize for SEO

Make it mobile-friendly

Promote your site

01. Choose a freelance website template

Just like you wouldn’t start driving somewhere without directions, you should think about your ideal website layout before beginning to build it you'll need to plan your website , essentially. Ask yourself the following questions: Which elements do you want to stand out? What will be the first and last things people see when they land on your site? How do you envision the user’s flow from one page to another?

You can start from a blank canvas or choose among the free website templates available for all types of freelancing projects. These templates are 100% customizable, so you can personalize them to fit your brand. If you’re still searching for inspiration, take a look at these portfolio websites to see how professionals have organized their work.

Learn more: Best website builders for freelancers

02. Create a domain

Once you’ve chosen your freelancer website template, give your site a name. Come up with a few different options and check which ones have an available domain name . Ideally, your domain name should include the name of your biz and a taste of what you do.

You should also check Google, social media platforms and the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s (USTPO) to make sure the name you’ve selected isn’t already in use by another business.

03. Develop your brand

After sealing a domain name, it’s time to create additional aspects of your branding. Start by creating a logo, which you can do using a free logo maker . This will help you pinpoint the look and feel you want for your brand.

Next, select your fonts, colors and slogan. Your goal should be to maintain a consistent brand identity that encompasses what you stand for. These attributes will ultimately set you apart from your competitors and entice new customers to try your product or service, so it’s important that they stand out.

Even after you’ve checked off the branding basics, keep in mind that any type of content you create, whether it be on your website or social media accounts, should align with your branding. A unified marketing strategy is the key to developing consumer trust, which eventually will lead to repeat customers.

04. Include relevant pages

Think about all the information you want your freelance website to include, and strategically organize it into separate pages. You can add as many pages or sections as you want, but here are some of the most important:

Think of this as the entrance to your site. This is the very first thing site visitors will see. In addition to including a beautiful background image, you’ll also want to add some descriptive text. Clients should be able to determine who you are and what you do immediately upon entering your site. Choose your words wisely and make sure that every bit of text, photo and video are the best fit to secure a great first impression.

Products or services

Create a clear and detailed section explaining what kind of products and services you offer. If you’d like customers to place orders or schedule a call, add an order form or bookings calendar that invites them to do so.

Highlight your professionalism and quality of work by showcasing your projects and the list of clients you’ve worked with. If you’re an artist or designer, the Wix Pro Gallery is a great way to add examples of your work to your site.

Online store

A freelance website is an effective way to make money online. In addition to including an order form on your product page, you should create a separate page for your online store.

Testimonials

Satisfied customers are one of your most important marketing assets, since they can recommend your products and services to friends and social media followers. Ask them for testimonials, and include their positive reviews on your site. Testimonials boost your credibility and help create trust between you and potential customers.

Use this page to tell your visitors who you are. Provide essential information about your business and summarize your unique identity, work ethic and values. This will also let you build connections with your customers by helping them get to know you on a personal level. When planning this you should also think about your privacy policy page also.

After you’ve stunned them with your site, visitors should be able to contact you easily. While you may want to include your contact details throughout your site—in the footer, for instance—it’s also good practice to create a dedicated contact page. Add a contact form with Wix Forms , your email, phone numbers and social media handles.

05. Add sophisticated design elements

Your freelance website is more than just a means to an end. It’s also an outlet for you to express your talent and creativity and show that you’re on top of your visual game. Make a list of the design features that will enhance your site, and start exploring which ones you can effortlessly integrate.

There’s no need to add every design element you come across, but incorporate the ones that fit in well. Ideas to consider include: hover effects, customized grids, parallax scrolling and animation. For each effect, think about how it will look to a first-time visitor and consider the purpose that it will serve. If you want some expert tips, you can also check out the Wix Marketplace to hire a Wix designer to help you build your perfect site.

06. Incorporate the right business tools

From talking with customers to marketing your product, there are many aspects of your business to stay on top of. This can be particularly challenging if you’re working alone, or if you’re a digital nomad without a fixed office space.

To make your life easier, take advantage of business tools that can help reduce your workload and streamline processes while making money as a freelancer. For example, you can use Wix Chat to easily communicate with potential clients and answer their questions in real-time. This feature displays a chatbox on your website that lets people message you immediately.

You can also take advantage of online scheduling software to efficiently take online bookings, accept secure payments and send automatic email reminders without any hassle.

Other tools, such as Wix Analytics , help you measure the traffic to your site. This gives you a view into where your website is performing well and where it could be improved, letting you adapt to fit your clients’ needs.

07. Create a blog

You can also consider creating a blog that appeals to your audience. This is a strategic way to incorporate additional content for SEO purposes, encourage people to spend more time on your site and establish yourself as a leader in your industry. A blog is also a helpful way to attract new visitors to your site because it provides valuable content without asking for anything in return. It can also be a highly effective way to make money as a freelance writer .

It’s also an effective strategy to convert traffic into customers. Your blog articles allow people to get to know you and become acquainted with your work. Blogs are an effective way to create personal relationships with your audience, which ultimately, allows them to feel connected to your brand. You can even include a comments section so you can communicate with your readers directly.

08. Optimize for SEO

What good is an online presence if no one gets to see it? This is exactly why you should invest some time and effort into your SEO capabilities. In order for your clients to easily find you and book your services (see how to start a service business ), you need to make sure that your website appears in Google search results.

Optimizing your website with SEO features is an ongoing task that requires you to update your content regularly. You’ll want to do some keyword research to determine which words and phrases to incorporate throughout your site. Take advantage of tools like Wix SEO , Ahrefs and SEMrush to help you determine which relevant keywords people are searching for. Then, incorporate them throughout your website content. You might also want to engage an SEO services agency or professional to help you.

If you’re a freelancer who works in a specific location, you’ll also want to invest some time incorporating local SEO. To start, include your location on your website and register with Google My Business . Another helpful tip is to form relationships with other local businesses who can vouch for your credibility and link from their own website to yours. This type of local link building is a worthwhile tactic that will ensure your freelance website is found by anyone searching in your area.

09. Make it mobile-friendly

Did you know that mobile internet use accounts for 50% of all web traffic? This means you’ll want your website to look just as beautiful on a small smartphone screen as it does on a desktop computer.

Pay attention to the fonts and colors you use and make sure they’re readable. Declutteer the mobile version of your site and consider adding a search bar to ease navigation. If you’re a Wix user, your site will automatically generate a mobile-friendly version with an adaptive gallery for your images.

10. Promote your site

After you’ve published your site, you’ll need to promote it to obtain clients and spread the word about your brand. Share it on your social media channels, and include a link in the bio of each of your accounts. You’ll also want to get business cards printed with your website on it. Furthermore, send out an email to your existing customers and share your website that way.

Once you’ve gotten the word out, remember that running a successful freelance website requires maintenance and upkeep. Keep your content updated, implement fresh features, improve the user experience and stay up-to-date with current design trends.

Oh, and brace yourself—the business offers are about to come pouring in.

Related Posts

31 job boards for landing your new freelance work

How to become a freelancer and land your dream job

Was this article helpful?

• Business Contacts
• Country Index
• Local Index
• People Index
• Dataset Index
• Similar leads
• Top 100 category

Search keyword

Filters Clear

• Countries > Espa艸後所癇謎]・､翫*遺 > A > Auto chemistry | Showing 20 out of 5.083 Auto chemistry in Espa艸後所癇謎]・､翫*遺.

Order Summary

Number of leads

Premium plan discount (20%)

Promotional discount Have a promotional code ?

Basic data per contact: $ 0.20

Total amount

Order amount must be minimum $1 USD

Data included:

Promotional code

This allows you to offer a discount on the total amount.

List your company

Contact details (not included in profile)

Get the Reddit app

A subreddit for those who enjoy learning about flags, their place in society past and present, and their design characteristics

Flag of Elektrostal, Moscow Oblast, Russia