If you think that you need staff, offices, and investor capital to start a web design business, then think again. Constructing websites for busy businesspeople is, for want of a better word, a lucrative enterprise. What’s more, it’s something anyone can do with a little training.
There are stories all over the internet of people who threw in the towel, quit their job, and started new careers in the web design industry, often by themselves. Many were surprised to discover the kind of money that they could make off the bat. $500 for a couple of days’ work on a website is not out of the question.
You don’t even have to give up your day job if you don’t want to. Web design is something that you can do in your spare time in the evenings or at the weekend. And because it is so creative, you never really feel like you’re doing proper work. It just feels like a lot of fun.
So if you’re thinking of starting a web design business full-time or on the side, where do you begin?
Start Your Training
The first thing you’ll need to do is get some training or experience building websites. Instead of watching endless tutorials on YouTube, try building your own.
WordPress and other platforms offer free or very inexpensive training courses that guide you through the process. Not only do you learn the basics of the website builder UI, but you can also learn the underlying code too for full customization.
Concentrate On WordPress
While there are other website builders and platforms out there, the majority of people start with WordPress. It is the most famous platform in the world and the one that most businesses will expect you to use. Some niche enterprises might ask you to use other platforms, like Wix or GoDaddy, but this sort of client is rare. The majority want to slip right into the WordPress ecosystem because of the sheer number of options that it offers.
Tell Your Friends What You’re Doing
As you expand your network, you’ll be amazed at just how many people want you to build them a website. Note that it is not your job to make their businesses succeed – although that helps – but, instead, merely to help them get off the ground.
Start spreading the word about what you’re doing and why people should choose you. Provide a portfolio of example websites if you can, or use your first few clients to showcase what you can do.
Get A Contract
Before agreeing to do any work, create a web design contract. This document should lay out the terms of your service and what you’re going to provide. In the unlikely event of a dispute, you can use it as a point of reference.
Learn As You Go
There’s no need to know everything about web design before you begin. Even people with a cursory knowledge of the tools can often provide clients with a lot of value. If a customer wants you to include a feature, learn how to implement it on the job.
