Sometimes when we’re looking to make a change, it’s not enough to go from one design job to the next—because actually what we’re looking for is more control, independence, responsibility and reward. This is when creatives need to take a leap of faith and venture out on their own.
And that’s what brought you here: to be your own boss and set up your web design business. But getting started successfully is not just about having the technical know-how; it’s about understanding the market, the challenges and the true value you can offer to your clients.
Web designer Derek Hairston’s ‘aha’ moment came with the realization that “most web design agencies leave clients in the dark with unexpected costs, delays and no visibility into the process.” He seized the opportunity to create a better experience for clients—giving them “peace of mind at every step of the way”—by starting his full-service agency, Olam Sites. “We specialize in building custom websites and features on Wix Studio.”
Below, we cover the essential steps of starting your web design business and answer some frequently asked questions.
Join thousands of pro designers building their businesses on Wix Studio.
How to start a web design business
Every business is a little bit different, but in general, you’ll need to take these steps:
7. Get funding
01. Define your niche
To make waves in a crowded market, narrow down your focus and decide on the types of clients you’d like to take on.
“Deciding on your niche is a blend of self-discovery and essentially asking the question, ‘Who would I be excited to wake up and serve every day?’” says Brad Hussey, web designer and founder of the Creative Crew community. “You’ll be spending considerable time, energy and money being around these people at trade shows, on podcasts, writing content for, networking with—and ultimately producing solutions for.”
Start by defining “why” and “for whom” you do what you do. For example, are you passionate about the restaurant industry and see an opportunity to build more professional online experiences for them? If so, start there.
Remember: just because you decide on a particular niche now doesn’t mean you can’t broaden your reach and services later on. It’s much easier to start small than to start too broad.
In the video below, Hussey gives additional tips for solidifying your niche and the “why” behind what you’re doing.
02. Decide which web design services to offer
Once you’ve settled on your “who” and “why,” “what” you’ll offer your clients should come somewhat naturally. Your services could include:
Website design and development
eCommerce solutions
User experience (UX) design
User interface (UI) design
Search engine optimization (SEO)
Mobile app design and development
Website accessibility
Graphic design
Custom web application development
Online branding
As you develop your list of offerings, consider how you can make these more attractive and accessible to clients seeking out your services.
Bundling vs. à la carte: Combining a few related services into a single package makes it easier for potential clients to buy more. Plus, giving these packages benefit-led names helps clients relate to your offering. For example, the “Fast Launch” package could include core website services, but fewer of them, making the lower-priced package and fast completion time more attractive. In parallel, offer each service individually—"à la carte"—for customers with more limited needs or budget, or to upsell to current customers.
One-off vs. recurring: How you package and promote your services will guide potential customers on how to engage you for projects. It’s okay that one-off services, like website design, are higher priced because clients only incur this cost once every few years. However, recurring services like SEO require ongoing activity in order to fully benefit your client’s website; you can offer this as a monthly subscription for recurring revenue.
03. Set up your business operations
Take a look around and ask yourself if you’re equipped to move forward. Do you have the physical space to start servicing clients and building a team? Do you have the right tools to deliver the services you want to provide? Here’s how to sort it out seamlessly.
Workspace: Some of the most successful entrepreneurs started their businesses from their kitchen table, whereas others joined incubators or communal work centers. There’s no single right way, so think about the following criteria and choose what is best for you.
Productivity: Choose a space where you’ll be productive, whether that’s the ease of working from your home office or a change of scenery in an office a short drive away.
Location: Be sure that you (and your potential team) can easily reach the location, considering public transportation connections and sufficient parking.
Scale: If you plan to grow a team, seek out a space that can accommodate more seats.
Equipment: The computer you use to plan a vacation and the chair you sit in to eat dinner might not be suited for your workflow. Again, consider the goal of productivity and if your equipment is fit for the job.
Computer: Web design and development require higher processing capabilities than your everyday device, otherwise your computer will lag. Plus, most professional web designers work with at least one external, high-quality screen to maximize display space and pixel precision.
Furniture: When sitting for hours at a time, you need both comfort and body alignment, so upgrade from a regular chair to an optimized work chair. Alternatively, you might prefer a desk that you can raise and lower to change-up your posture. Don’t forget the importance of lighting so that you don’t hurt your eyes (and so you look good on Zoom calls).
Software and tools: The leading tools for freelancers and professional teams are all accessed via the web (and not as system downloads). Go down the list of your key tasks and workflows, checking off that you have the right tools to get the job done.
Web design: No surprise here. You’ll need to choose a web design platform that matches your skillset, whether you prefer the ease of a low code, no code tool or advanced capabilities like custom CSS and building web apps. Don’t rush this decision and make sure your platform of choice includes all the resources you need to succeed, such as how-to tutorials and excellent user support. (Some even come with the latest AI web design tools.)
Project management: You’ll create a productive operation when project details like owners, dependencies, approvals and deadlines are defined and shared both internally and with your clients. Check this list for the best design collaboration tools.
Client management: Your clients want to see you, but don’t let them see you sweat. Video communications tools are essential for building strong relationships, and CRM platforms will ensure you keep track of all the important details, including contact information, contract versions and other project documents.
Financial management: Business decisions are made in the context of the larger financial picture. Track the hours you spend on projects to assess if you’re under or overbilling your clients. Also, track money in and out to know whether you’re in the clear or in the red, and plan accordingly. Every financial platform will help you make and receive payments, but choose a platform that matches your level of financial literacy (and comes with easy-to-read reports).
Some tools consolidate multiple workflow tasks in a single platform. For example, with Wix Studio’s management tools, you can:
Streamline communications with clients and colleagues in a single workplace
Stay engaged and updated from anywhere via a mobile app
Leverage features like handover resources and reusable assets to work more efficiently
Start building your web design business on Wix Studio and create an account for free.
04. Name, register and license your business
Before diving into creative work, address the legalities of starting your own business. But in order to register your business with the relevant authorities—like the Secretary of State in most U.S. states—first, your business needs a name.
To choose a business name, keep these factors in mind.
Your niche and services: Highlight your specialty in your business name
Memorability and differentiation: Choose a name that sticks and no one else has
Long-term goals: If you plan to expand your services or team, make sure your business name isn’t too narrow
Agency founder Derek Hairston was inspired by something personally meaningful when naming his agency Olam Sites: his faith. “Olam” means world in Hebrew. Alternatively, he advises budding founders “to choose a name that resonates with the target audience, something simple, easy to pronounce and memorable.” He makes a good point. “Too often I see people go overboard with creativity in their business name,” he says. Instead, he suggests emulating the simplicity of some of the world’s most unforgettable brands, like Starbucks, Target and Apple.
Next, decide on your legal business structure. Consider how big you plan on growing your team. Do you plan on managing the business alone or with a partner(s)? Ultimately, what’s the vision for your business and how will it evolve? The answers to these questions will help you choose between several structures.
Sole proprietorship: Owned and operated by a single individual. As the owner you have unlimited personal liability and business income is reported on your personal tax return.
Limited liability company (LLC): Combines elements of partnerships and corporations, offering limited liability for owners (members) and flexibility in management. Income is typically passed through to individual tax returns.
Partnership: A business owned by two or more individuals who share profits and liabilities. There are general partnerships (equal sharing) and limited partnerships (with limited liability for some partners).
Corporation: A legal entity separate from its owners, providing limited liability protection. Shareholders own the corporation and it can be taxed as a C corporation (double taxation) or an S corporation (pass-through taxation).
As shown above, each structure has its own tax obligations, protections and requirements. You’ll therefore want to make sure to thoroughly research your options and consult a business attorney, consultant or accountant before making a final decision. (More on that next.)
At this stage, consider whether you’ll need to apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS and open any business accounts with your bank to keep your finances in order. Make sure to obtain all necessary licenses, insurance and permits for running a web design business in your region, too.
05. Seek legal advice
This is important—throughout the process of starting your web design business, legal advice is never “one and done.” You will need steady legal advice as you go along, even after your business is launched and projects are underway. Now is the time to find a legal expert you can trust and who is specialized in your professional arena.
Finding a lawyer is the hardest part, and this is where professional networks come into play. Recommendations are the safest bet, so whether it’s an online forum or phone calls with peers, ask about others’ experiences, successes and watchouts as you search the legal marketplace. (Try the Wix Studio Community to connect with hundreds of creative professionals.)
Paying for legal services begins immediately. Often a lawyer will offer a short, free consultation to understand your needs and introduce his or her credentials. But then the fees come. Use your hours with a lawyer wisely and ensure you have some available funds to pay these first invoices.
Spreading out legal services to use over time will help you manage the costs. At each phase of your business development, tackle only what’s relevant. For example, if you seek outside funding, your lawyer can advise on financial contracts and conditions. There’s no need, yet, to broaden the scope to client contracts. Deal with that later.
06. Write a business plan and set goals
Your business plan will serve as your roadmap, outlining things like:
Your business description
Target market
Competition
Funding
Organization and management
Services and products
Goals and strategies
Financial projections
Goals, in particular, can be hard to set when you’re starting your business without any past performance. But goals are fluid and can be anything measurable—just remember to set them against a time frame, like one month or one year. Perhaps your goal is to achieve a value of monthly sales or to work with a set number of clients by the end of your first year. More importantly, by setting these goals you can tangibly measure your business’s success and set new goals for the next month or year.
Building out your business plan may also show you that you’re missing something to achieve your goals—like outside funding.
07. Get funding
Whether you need extra resources to expand your services, grow your team or invest in marketing, your business plan can help you decide when and how to raise money. It can also show where the money will go when approaching investors, banks or other potential backers. And your lawyer can advise you on these conversations and agreements.
“I started off as a penny-pinching bootstrapper, although I’m not convinced that’s the best way,” reflects Hairston on the early days of Olam Sites. “I projected revenue based on the potential customers in my immediate environment, but this limiting mindset put a ceiling on our earnings and scalability.”
His suggestion for designers getting started: “Your projections and confidence should justify raising funds for greater scalability,” he says “Otherwise, what’s the point?”
Your funding options could be well within reach—e.g., personal savings, family and friends—or might require a bit of bureaucracy if you’re looking for larger sums via bank loans or capital investments. Whichever option (or options) you choose, this is also the time to clarify the return on the funding, such as a loan payback schedule or equity ownership in your business.
08. Set your prices and deliverables
You’ve already determined your service offering, but how much will you charge and what will you produce to hand over to your client? For instance, a restaurant provides a service—say, dinner—but in practice produces and delivers a range of many dishes at different prices.
Similarly, one of your services, like web design, could be offered at different price levels because you provide different amounts of assets: a single-page website, with fewer final assets, will cost less than a multi-page website, with more complexity.
First, revisit your service list and write up deliverables for each item. Deliverables can include a built website, a digital strategy guide, a fixed number of blog articles at a specific length, brand guidelines, an asset library, etc.
Then, set your prices. There are different web design pricing models and you don’t have to choose only one.
Flat fee (a.k.a. “Project-based pricing”): A fixed amount that you and your client agreed on at the start of the project.
Hourly fee: An hourly cost, ensuring that you get paid the agreed-upon amount for every hour you spend on a project.
Monthly fee (a.k.a. “monthly retainer”): A contract, either measured in time or value, that involves monthly payments for a certain amount or type of work.
Learn more: Choosing the right business model
Oftentimes deciding on what price to charge can feel like taking a shot in the dark. Or, you may feel pressure to price your services low if you’re just starting out.
However, you’ll want to avoid selling yourself too short. Do your research and learn what your competitors are charging. Identify your differentiators while weighing your expenses—like workspace costs and software licenses—and ideal profit margin. Think about the different clients you plan to take on and what they can afford, whether you’re targeting large enterprises or local shops.
09. Establish your processes and workflows
Having clear and repeatable processes for your web design business will unlock more efficient team and client management—start with standardized web design proposals, client contracts (another time to engage your lawyer) and project flows.
This also helps when marketing your services. By communicating your workflow and demonstrating your expertise and experience, you build credibility and confidence with prospective clients from the get-go.
To create the workflow that’s right for you, first take a look at your individual needs such as:
Team size
Number of projects you will manage simultaneously
Complexity of your projects
Then, map out a workflow that covers the full lifecycle of your projects. A typical workflow includes:
Project briefing and kick off
Research and strategy
Brand and creative development
Wireframing
Website design
Website development
QA and launch
Project wrap and handover
Depending on your service offering and scope of work, the list above could vary, particularly if you sign clients for monthly fees or recurring services.
Hairston provides some insight into Olam Sites’s efficient way of working: “Our operations strategy is centered around standard operating procedures, leveraging efficient tools—Asana, Hubspot and Wix Studio—and a phenomenal project manager. Wix Studio centralizes all client websites and team access, making the deliverable handoff process seamless and scalable.”
Start building sites smarter with Wix Studio’s collaboration and client management tools.
10. Design your brand
Now for the fun part—turn your business name and service offering into a brand identity. This consists of:
Logo
Color scheme
Icons
Fonts
Image and/or photography style
Why is it important to take this step and not jump directly to creating a website?
Make a strong first impression. When potential clients land on your website, show them you know how to build a brand and not just a website. You have only a few seconds to impress new site visitors—a structured and methodical brand is far more impressive and impactful. Make visitors think, “I want this too!”
Consider it a case study. How you create your own brand—the process, research and decisions—can be presented to clients as how you’ll approach their projects. Especially if you’re creating your web design business from nothing, a personal case study adds credibility to your credentials.
You might even consider enlisting a professional designer to create your branding, which Hairston highly recommends. “You’re too close to your brand,” he says. “Hiring an external expert forces you to articulate your vision and value, and then assess how that is perceived by another set of eyes and ears.” Firstly, this ensures that the branding is optimized not for your tastes but for your target audience’s attention. Plus, Hairston says this saves you from “perfection paralysis,” so you can complete the branding and get to market (rather than lose time on endless changes).
11. Create your portfolio or website
A strong portfolio is how you’ll attract clients and showcase your design skills. Here you’ll pull together all the elements you’ve developed so far—branding, service offering and processes—to show (not just tell) future clients what you’re capable of creating online.
When creating a website for your web design business, choose a platform to:
Host both your website and your work for clients. This not only keeps everything in one place but also helps you to get ultra-familiar with the web tool you’re offering your clients.
Build sites easily for all devices. Your next client could find you from a desktop or mobile device, so your site needs to be flawless on all screen sizes. (Make sure to build your site with these mobile design best practices in mind.)
The most successful creative portfolios include sections, pages or CTAs like:
About: Introduce yourself and your team, including your credentials like any relevant education, industry awards and your value proposition.
“Our Work:” Showcase projects that represent your best work, and make sure there’s a brief but clear backstory so that visitors understand how you solved your clients’ needs. Keep in mind that before uploading client projects, you should always get client approval in case projects are confidential or not yet live.
Services: List the different services you offer so that you’ll spend less time weeding through requests and more time connecting with relevant prospects whose needs match your skills.
Contact: Make it easy for people to contact you with any questions, and consider embedding a form into your site to collect useful information from prospects (such as their company name, current website’s URL, etc.).
“Book a Meeting:” Offer high-intent prospects the opportunity to meet you face-to-face via an online booking feature.
A solution like Wix Studio, for example, is tailored for agency work. It brings together features—including AI tools—for web design, development, SEO, eCommerce, website maintenance and CMS. Beyond having the tools to design cool, interactive sites for your clients at scale, you can enjoy built-in capabilities that allow you to expand your services.
Build your agency site on Wix Studio with one of these responsive templates.
12. Promote and market your web design business
Once your site is published and you’re open for business, take steps to establish your brand and to proactively get in front of potential clients.
“Building authority in your industry by creating content is like investing money in the stock market,” says Hussey. “When I started creating videos, writing blogs, appearing on others’ podcasts—those efforts may not have produced results in the immediate term, but over time, the benefits have paid me back in multiples.”
To get started, try these content ideas:
Client testimonials
Case studies
Pro tips
Then, promote your content and business profile across different channels:
Social media
Job boards
Professional databases like the expert listings in the Wix Marketplace
Email subscribers
You can use Wix Studio's marketing integrations to schedule social posts, send emails and track performance—both for your clients and yourself.
Don’t forget to invest in your personal brand and network. Given how nearly 70% of consumers trust influencers, friends and family over information coming directly from a brand, it’s always a good idea to use your own sphere of influence to connect people with your agency.
Here Hussey suggests four additional ideas for your outreach:
13. Keep learning and developing your skills
Winning your first client isn’t the end of the story. It’s just the beginning of how you grow your business and your skills. In fact, these two go hand in hand. By growing your skills, you can offer more services and meet the needs of even more potential clients.
Develop your skills: The market offers a wide curriculum, whether you want to improve your technical abilities or learn strategic concepts. Either way, you benefit from advanced knowledge that helps you charge more, build better sites and solve more customers’ problems. The Wix Studio Academy can help you get started with how-to web design tutorials, webinars from agency founders and more educational resources.
Get certified: Certifications are a stamp of approval, signifying that you’ve met the conditions to deliver a specific service. Complete certifications and add them to your website and marketing materials—this signals to potential clients that you’re a trusted and trained professional. You could aim for a certification in the broader area of eCommerce web design, as well as a Wix Studio certification for expertise on the web creation platform. (Then, show off your new Wix Studio Expert badge on Contra, a freelance marketplace.)
“In this industry, you must keep learning or you’ll find yourself behind the 8-ball really fast,” says Hairston. For his own program, Hairston set up a routine to regularly engage in new topics, through online courses and YouTube. How does he decide what to learn next? LinkedIn and TechCrunch are his two most trusted sources for educational inspiration.
Look at continuing education as an investment in your success: the more you learn, the more you can offer and gain in the long-run.
How to design a website FAQ
What is a web design business?
A web design business is a type of design agency that specializes in creating and maintaining websites for clients. However, more often than not, it’s about more than just design; it’s about building functional, user-friendly online spaces that serve a specific purpose for a client.
The scope of work involved in a web design business can be broad. They can range from simple static pages to complex web applications and everything in between. Whether it's an eCommerce platform, a personal blog or a corporate website, each project comes with its own set of design and development challenges and requirements
Why start a web design business?
The web design industry offers a world of business opportunities for creative and tech-savvy entrepreneurs. Starting your own web design business not only taps into a field that blends art and technology but also positions you in a market with high demand for your services.
The benefits of starting a web design business are numerous. Here are some of the most compelling reasons to consider taking your career in this direction.
High demand: In a digital age, nearly every business needs a website, increasing the demand for skilled web designers.
Flexibility: Running your own business means you can set your own hours and work from anywhere, be it your home office or a beach in Bali.
Creative freedom: As the owner of a design business, you have the freedom to express your creativity and make decisions that align with your vision—from the clients you choose to take on, to the design and website niche you specialize in.
Is web design a profitable business?
The profitability of a web design business can be significant if managed correctly. Here's what you should keep in mind.
Demand for services: With more businesses going online, the need for professional web design services is on the rise. Tapping into that demand can mean a lot of work for a web design firm. You’ll need to think about things, such as your sales process for your web design business, amongst other key business needs.
Pricing strategy: Setting competitive rates that reflect the quality of your work and the value you provide is the key to profitability. To do this, you’ll need to have an idea of what your competitors offer and how they package similar services. Be mindful of value-pricing, which is setting your rates according to the value of your work, not just the time spent on it.
Marketing: You’ll need to promote your business to give yourself the best chance of securing long-term and profitable clients and projects. This could include networking or connecting with related online and offline communities to promote yourself and your business. Encourage your current clients to refer you to others who might need the same services and build your freelance community along the way.
Diversify your services: Offer a range of services within the field, including content management and social media promotion, if relevant to your expertise.
Build client relationships: Establishing long-term relationships with clients is crucial to getting repeat business and securing more freelance design clients.
Stay updated with industry trends and changes: Knowing the latest web design trends will keep you competitive in an evolving market.
Can I start a web design business with no experience?
With no prior experience, starting any type of business can be challenging. However, focusing on education and growth from the outset can help you maintain momentum and see measurable development over time.
These steps can be a solid guide for your first few months:
Learn the fundamentals: To understand web design from the ground up, get familiar with user experience, content writing and the principles of good website design. While these days it’s not necessary to create websites with code, an online coding class in HTML, CSS or JavaScript will help you understand the backbone of your websites.
Practice your skills: As you learn new concepts, put them to use. One option is to recreate websites you find online, down to the details of hover interactions and entrance animations. Practicing with Wix Studio's design tools can help you focus on your web design skills, since the platform has extensive no-code features.
Share your progress: Whether you’ve created wireframes, designs or live websites, share your real-time process and finished products on your social channels. You’ll receive encouragement and feedback from professionals, plus you’ll enjoy going back to your old posts to see how far you’ve come.
Connect with professional heroes and mentors: “Become an apprentice of someone who is already successful in the industry to gain the skills, experience and industry insight,” advises Hairston of Olam Sites. “This could be in a variety of forms: employee, mentee or YouTube channel subscription.” Choosing a professional hero—someone whose style you admire and want to emulate—will give you a wealth of creative inspiration. Plus, it’s never a bad idea to get in touch with them; they might be happy to provide mentorship and feedback as you find your feet.
Build your online presence: Now that you’ve completed a few projects, organize everything on a portfolio website. You’ll have one link that you can easily share to show off your past work, whether you’re looking to take on clients or build up your network.
Can I start a web design business with no technical background?
Yep. In fact, there are many platforms that offer website creation without code, and that provide all the necessary features in a single solution. Since you’ll learn web design as you go, choose a web creation platform that’s suitable for your level of knowledge.
Drag and drop website builders have a more user-friendly interface for beginners. All the design elements you need—such as text boxes, page sections, buttons and video players—are ready-to-go for you to place on your page and customize via a code-free inspector panel.
Pre-set animations will add personality, surprise and engagement to your page and can be added to your site’s elements without any code. Not only is it easier to trial and change the animated effects, an inspector panel gives you controls to customize the timing and speed of the effects.
Clickable add-ons like an online store, blog pages and lead capture forms will expand the functionality of your site without any additional development—cutting both the time and complexity to create business-generating websites.
And be sure to study detailed guides along the way, so you can apply your learnings in real time and get familiar with industry terminology like breakpoint, responsiveness and navigation. This guide on how to make a responsive website is a good place to start.
Use Wix Studio’s drag and drop editor and no-code animations for your next site.
Can I start a web design business from home?
Starting your web design business from home brings great advantages like no commute time, significant cost savings and complete control over your work environment.
And though this also comes with its challenges, you can overcome them with these best practices.
Enlist time management for work-life balance: Different from project management, time management helps you organize your day across your different tasks, including any personal tasks that you may have to take care of while at home. Set a clear start and end for your work hours, as well as offline times for lunch and screen breaks.
Create a Zoom-friendly space: Video conferencing isn’t unique to working from home, but take notice of what’s behind you when you’re on camera for video calls. Make a good impression by clearing away laundry and dirty dishes, and find a space away from household interference.
Connect with online communities and local organizations: Without an outside office space, it can be more difficult to cross paths with like-minded professionals for shared learning and networking. But with a little effort, there’s a big payoff. Join online professional communities like Freelance Fam for web design freelancers, and Creative Crew for web design agencies. Find nearby events to attend via resources like Meetup.
Schedule in-person meetings: While it’s comfortable and convenient at home, health experts encourage getting out of the house daily for physical and mental well-being. Do this by finding time to meet with colleagues or clients face-to-face, whether for business meetings or casual coffee chats.
Learn more: Guide to Remote Work
Can I start a web design business with no money?
Starting a web design business will always require a small amount of money at the beginning. Why?
Registering your business comes with a processing fee that varies depending on your country or state.
Legal advice isn’t required, but spending a little bit of money to work with a lawyer at the beginning can save you a lot of disappointing (and preventable) loss. For instance, a lawyer can help you craft a solid client contract that protects you and saves you from any costly troubles.
Creating a website with your unique domain name comes at a cost, but gives you a portfolio to send to prospects and that will index to appear on Google Search.
However, there are plenty of areas at the beginning where you can manage your new web design business without incurring costs. Working from home relieves you of space fees; Google Sheets is free and flexible enough to manage project plans, timelines and finances; and some web design tools don’t cost anything for designers to use—your client will cover the cost for a website plan when it’s time for their new site to go live.
Even though you can get by with very little upfront investment, use your early client revenues to slowly build up your financial security. Try these common best practices:
Collect an initial deposit to support your first days or weeks of expenses
Set aside +/-10% of each payment as a safety fund for when business is slow
Save +/-10% of each payment that you can reinvest later in marketing or tools
Create a free account to build your next site on Wix Studio.
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