How to Start a Web Design Business [full video series]

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[@FoxWebSchool]

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[@ThomasDurham]

When I started watching you I had 0 clients & now I have 12. You definitely helped me stay motivated & focused.

[@FoxWebSchool]

Amazing Thomas! The first few are the hardest so will be cool to see your progression over the next few months. Where have you been finding clients so far?

[@ThomasDurham]

​@@FoxWebSchool Agreed & thank you! Definitely, the first few are the hardest & I will keep checking in here. When I started, I gained many clients from people I know. My friend's parents, people/professors I went to school with, & people who've seen my volunteer work/youtube content. Now I've moved on to cold calls with an email sequence & it has been quite effective for me. The majority of my clients are low budget right now ($250 - $1000 is what they typically spend). Anyway, love the videos! - Enjoy the day, Tom.

[@keithhunt7175]

@@ThomasDurham Congrats, Thomas. I'm just getting into the web design business myself. Just curious if you are offering your customers any other services as well? Maybe basic SEO setup, hosting, content creation, social media, or marketing management?

[@ThomasDurham]

@@keithhunt7175 Thank you, Keith! I do offer those services as well (besides hosting & content creation). In terms of content, I do that at no extra cost for my clients so I am always exceeding their expectations. Although, when I do sales, it is entirely focused on web design. Then when I have made them a happy client, I go ahead and offer them my other services. My long-term game plan is always to knock the ball out of the park sort-of speak so I build great relationships that will last years & decades (resulting in maximum life-time value).

[@keithhunt7175]

@@ThomasDurham Yea, probably need to start pricing that in as soon as your results/portfolio can easily justify it to your prospective clients. I'm only charging $100 for an initial SEO setup. That's ridiculously cheap, probably a better deal for them than even my early web site design price of only $300-$400 so far. I explained to them upfront, that without the SEO work, no one is likely to ever come across their site. Try to stay focused on the objective; what the site is actually going to do for them. As someone who has paid to have a professional website built before, and has paid for ads in various newspapers, etc., I know how cheap my deal is, and how expensive the opportunity cost is, for a lack of incoming clients. That's why I am heading down this road with this business plan. It is going to help early small business guys immensely. Wish I had that help when I was starting out. My early flailing about without a steady influx of clients was poisonous to my success. It really set me back.

[@ANerdsWorld]

Impressive! Thank you for motivating me to step up my own game. The quality of this content and the various camera angles puts you in first place amongst us Web Dev KZbinrs. Great work sir.

[@FoxWebSchool]

Thanks Chris! I already really like your content but would be great to see you do some content in this style if/when its possible.

[@andrewleneopperman3300]

Ok watching this 1 month ofter starting my business. Ill downlaod thia and watch the next step after I did this.

[@BusinessBasics]

Seeing a lot of potential for web design businesses for the next year as many businesses opt to go virtual with e-commerce. The demand is definitely there. Some really good advice here thanks for sharing! Going to your local networks is a good option. I've also seen cold calling effective, where you go to a business with a weak online presence and then offer your services. THanks for sharing!

[@FoxWebSchool]

Ya this year has been tough for a lot of people - but that is the opportunity for us. } With simple web skills you can help people so much right now so its up to us to get out there and make it happen! Thanks for watching!

[@danielq888]

Looking forward to the next episode! Funny coincidence? 1. I'm starting my web design business 2. I've 0 portfolio 3. My first piece of portfolio is my boxing gym as well ahah

[@FoxWebSchool]

Ha excellent! Really hope this series helps a lot then. Best of luck with yours!

[@nitilpoddar]

you probably couldn't understand how grateful I am for this series.

[@FoxWebSchool]

Great to hear that and really hope it helps Nitil

[@kennygamonez4788]

I tried this one but I still had work and if only I decided earlier it could've been better. Thank you for all of these, you save me a lot of time.

[@subramanianchenniappan4059]

I am a java web developer for 15 years . Have some wordpress websites as well. I am going to see all your videos to learn from business perspective 😍😍

[@greendragon0009]

This video is different from the rest. It's subtle but it's there. Whatever you tapped into feels electric.

[@FoxWebSchool]

Amazing to hear that - thanks

[@starryfoxx_]

This is what I’ve been looking for exactly. It’s a coincidence that you happen to start this as I just started to dive into creating my on web design business. Look forward to more!

[@ANBUleader13]

Amazing brother! I can’t wait till the rest of this series. I give credit to you for inspiring me to start my own web design business. Thanks for the work you do!

[@FoxWebSchool]

Really happy to have helped!

[@ShahzainAli-tl8sk]

What a brilliant video. Great advice, simple and practical.

[@mirkonik8788]

Hey Rob, I really like the new setup and camera angles of this video. It's a huge step up. Also really like the message and I'm very excited how the whole series unfolds. Great work, and as always thanks for sharing your wisdom.

[@FoxWebSchool]

Thanks Mirko - it will be a challenge to keep it at this level but I will do my best. Really glad its helping you.

[@mirkonik8788]

@@FoxWebSchool Yea I guess that the production of such a Video is way more time consuming if you have multiple camera angles, popups and other stuff. But what matters most is the message.

[@gabrieladimabua]

Watched the whole ads to help the channel, thanks for all you do Rob

[@FoxWebSchool]

Ha thanks - that YT money pays for my lunch ;)

[@jephthahjacob7409]

Wow...first video and you got my subscription 🎉

[@santiagovillegas1273]

Just WOW, your hands-on approach to teaching the process, including real conversations, examples and people creates one of the best videos I've seen (and i watch a lot of YT) congrats man and really really really THANK YOU!

[@FoxWebSchool]

Thank you Santiago

[@thatwebsitestrategist]

Super valuable content and killer production quality. You may need to make a Fox KZbin Legends course pretty soon haha But for real, your older content was a massive help when I was getting started. I can only imagine how many people this new and improved content will help!

[@FoxWebSchool]

Thanks Myles - ya would love to keep it at this level for 2021 - just got to figure out how to make it faster.

[@danielbarbour6294]

Love this, super excited to see how this project goes and follow along with your process!

[@FoxWebSchool]

Thanks as always Daniel!

[@germainrodriguez5230]

Yessss! You're on the top list of web design KZbinrs

[@FoxWebSchool]

Thank you Germain - really hope in 2021 I can keep this level of content and help you all as much as possible.

[@102tjack]

WOW. you just broke the belief/excuse I have in the fact that I live in Japan and don't speak any Japanese. Thank you

[@John-ne8uo]

AWESOME series man! I’m just looking into this and stumbled across your video. Keep it up and I’d love to see more!

[@otakung9189]

You've really stepped up the way you present your content. It looks very professional. Looking forward to the next video.

[@FoxWebSchool]

Thanks!

[@invictus8785]

@@FoxWebSchool I got a question, say you've got the client, closed the sale and are done working on the site. How do you go about giving them the capability to update the site, I'm stuck there. So each time they need an update I'm there to do it. Hope that makes sense

[@wehelpbuildwebsitesteam6774]

Looking forward to the new series! Lets kick off our 2021 Website Business with a BANG!

[@FoxWebSchool]

Ya 100% 2021 just around the corner...

[@ignaciogunz]

Cheers Rob! Your content always gives me confidence and support to keep going, so thank you for that. Great new design

[@vegardbell]

Love your office. Nice trees in the background.

[@FoxWebSchool]

Thanks Vergard - I think in winter it wont be as leafy but still lots of sunlight!

[@yossofajaj1484]

Thank you bro, I really like and appreciate what you have done so far, I want to ask you a question. Is it enough to know how to use WordPress and being able to build an entire website using elementor and other plug-ins to start with the business? I feel like I have a lot of other things to learn in order to start selling my service, am I right or it's enough to be able to start?

[@Marketingspectrum]

Wow Rob, nice step upwards! Very professional, thanks for sharing - looking forward to the rest of the series!

[@FoxWebSchool]

Thank you - glad you liked it.

[@Alex-ds6gb]

I just started and I have my boxing coach as well I did a website for him.

[@NaviYT]

Nice intro! Made me subscribe because all of what you said is what I'm looking for. I look forward to the rest of the video and the upcoming videos

[@barbacompany1103]

This is awesome. I’m rather established and curious if you could give an in depth detail of your systems? Or could we jump on a zoom?

[@bekekitti]

Hi Rob! In this series as far as I remember, there was a veio where you talk about getting results and when, how to gather the information. Is it still available? I can't find it.

[@woutermoes7157]

Incredible quality and valuable info Rob!

[@FoxWebSchool]

Thanks Wouter! Get me on that podcast someday ha!

[@adiquer-wordpresstutorials2370]

I was waiting for something like this!, Thanks a lot Rob.

[@FoxWebSchool]

Thanks!

[@cosmosgalax]

Wow, that's a really great and straight forward advice

[@enteduckente]

Great content as always! Thank you and keep up the good work.

[@FoxWebSchool]

Thanks - im already excited for next week ha

[@garethmelia6497]

Looking forward to these videos. You were missed.

[@FoxWebSchool]

Thanks Gareth!

[@simplyeleza]

Great content as always. Can you please do a video about maintaining a site and how you charge your customers for maintenance. Thanks

[@bencelinski523]

Rob I'm from Poland! If there's any way I can help you out just let me know how we can get in touch. Your videos are awesome and I'm so looking forward to what's coming up on the channel!

[@FoxWebSchool]

Thanks - great country. Hit me up on IG if you want: @foxwebschool

[@KAZAWI_EDITZ]

Best hosting service for 2021

[@peterrae3619]

Super excited to hear more. Thanks Rob

[@russ8985]

Great content. Are you producing anymore videos?

[@brianlandis3057]

Yes, I love the idea of this series!

[@magorzatarys7102]

O wow thats a universe work for sure. I am from poland and I found you by dutch website or something while ago. That's a first time I am seeing this video and here you go saying you live in Poland :)

[@FoxWebSchool]

I live in the tri cities

[@magorzatarys7102]

@@FoxWebSchool I am from the Lower Silesia province, close to Wroclaw.

[@ryanhumphries7]

Great video! Keep em coming!

[@TheveneRodriguez]

Hey man! Just wanted to say you were one of the first web design people I started watching when I started to learn the business of web design. Also, give us a desk setup tour, bc that setup of yours looks C L E A N. Keep up the good work my man.

[@Mishraji7890]

Great content,, I was waiting for this. Love from India...

[@FoxWebSchool]

Thanks for watching all the way from India! Cheers Vibhor

[@Reginaldeus]

Great series!

[@lubomirzubko2306]

Looking forward to these series! 😊

[@hendrix6745]

Hi Rob, great content. Was wondering, how would you recommend going about learning video creation for clients? And what gear would you recommend for beginners? Your videos are really clean and professional. Thanks in advance!

[@FoxWebSchool]

Thanks - I learned a lot from Peter McKinnon and Parker Walbeck. They both have a lot of great tutorials on here. As for gear I use a sony a7iii and a G master 24-70mm lens but you don't have to use these - even an iphone can do a great job.

[@hendrix6745]

@@FoxWebSchool thanks for the reply! Will check them out

[@ijoshpillay]

Great tips, really appreciate your help.

[@Gigusx]

Valuable stuff, thanks for posting!

[@FoxWebSchool]

Thanks Adrian!

[@manniesreactionchannel3808]

I’m thinking about starting one. Do you have anymore advice on how to get some customers ?

[@keithhunt7175]

Thanks for the video. I really like your content. I'm a 44yr old business owner/operator looking to make a change. Studied basic web development(PHP & MySQL on the backend) a couple years ago, during the winter (my business's off-season.) Got too busy to keep up with it. Last summer I jumped into WordPress, redid my own business website, and started talking to people I know about it. Have a few website jobs pending right now. Hoping to do 3-5 WordPress based websites this winter, along with some basic SEO work, and hosting. Starting with $300-$400 for a sites, and $100 basic SEO setup, about $60 annual hosting for people I know. See how things evolve from there. Also planning to get back into basic from-scratch web development this winter. Don't know if I will go back to that or just use the knowledge to be able to further customize WordPress, maybe even build some small plugins or something. So far I really like their ecosystem.

[@FoxWebSchool]

Nice Keith. Great base of skills there to get out and help people right away. I would say focus on where the market takes you - look at what people need most and develop your skills around that. Hope it goes well for you!

[@keithhunt7175]

@@FoxWebSchool Thanks, man! Yea, I like the idea of digging deeper into programming, but honestly SEO is probably the most profitable. Like you said, I'll have to see where the almighty dollar leads me. Looking forward to this new series you've started. Keep cranking out the great content.

[@saimoonbloggs5413]

I like your inspiration Rob . Keep it going we are learning from you man 😇😃😇

[@FoxWebSchool]

Very positive - thanks Mahade!

[@empowerlee]

Hello, Rob? I watched the video very well, It's still in place because of capital and technology. but I'm going to study and do business by watching the your's videos again. Be careful corona. I wish we could meet sometime.

[@FoxWebSchool]

Thanks Juneg. If you ever have any questions just post them up on the channel and I will do my best. Keep safe too!

[@empowerlee]

@@FoxWebSchool Thank you for reply

[@empowerlee]

@@FoxWebSchool by the way " It's still in place because of capital and technology." this part. don't get me wrong It's just talking about me. Thank you again.

[@mohibhalepotra4396]

I have been waiting for your video since a long time.

[@FoxWebSchool]

Ha ya took a little break Mohib but hopefully not can keep it consistent again!

[@activatethegoddess3157]

I reeally want to learn how to GET CLIENTS... i know how to build websites... I just can't seem to get my first client. I would especially love to learn COLD EMAIL ;) Thank you!

[@FoxWebSchool]

Ill cover cold email in the next series but this series should help you get a client(s) without any cold emails. Hope it helps.

[@px-4596]

Hi Rob, to keep it short I am not the best at design, I know how to build the sites, if I see a website I know how to copy it most of the time, yet I do not think I am a good designer, should I start searching for clients already or should I still keep on honing my skills? I never had a client before and am afraid I would be able to deliver. How picky are clients generally? Do they need many rounds of revisions?

[@FoxWebSchool]

Hey good question Samuel and really hope this series shows you how to do exactly what you asked above. In my opinion you don't need to know that much coding/design skills - the value is in focusing on helping people solve their problems. 100% you can make this work and this series should show you how. Update me later with how things go for you!

[@morganmagras7644]

Thank you! Very helpful!

[@SuhasAmin]

I'm currently learning and practising websites on Webflow. I know that offering services like website management or maintenance service is a quick way to start off. Do I need to learn coding for managing and maintaining websites?

[@maltecharrois7850]

Shall I use WordPress to build my websites?

[@jeremykoch3148]

keep it up man, love the content

[@FoxWebSchool]

Thanks Jeremy - Im excited for next weeks episode > I think its even better!

[@starryfoxx_]

How do you handle the cost for hosting and domain if you’re going the route of building the website in exchange for trust?

[@Impactfulzone]

How much would you suggest I charge(monthly) for maintenance of a personal brand website

[@mfaizanulhassan]

What do you guys think of FIVERR in terms of building a portfolio ?

[@FoxWebSchool]

I would pass - you won't be working with people who see you as a real problem solver - more as a "just do this" freelancer. If you want to use freelacing sites I think upwork is a much better option.

[@mfaizanulhassan]

@@FoxWebSchool Got it , Thanks

[@elijah530]

I'm 14 is there any thing you would have done differently if you started when you were my age?

[@crack8151]

I'm trying to build a website for my parents business. I'm trying to pick a design and communicating with my parents with how they want the design to look like, so do you think I just use a bit of others ideas to build the website or should I just go all out with my own idea?

[@FoxWebSchool]

As long as it makes sense, try going with your own ideas. For inspiration, you can look at what people in a similar (or the same) niche are doing in other major cities. But focus most on what problems you can solve best for them.

[@wonderfulcreatures9111]

Do I have to have a website myself to start

[@tak5126]

I'm wondering if I need to earn money for your school or I will learn something from this series

[@FoxWebSchool]

This series will teach you a lot for free. If it ever makes sense to join though we would love to help. Thanks.

[@miguelstevens3042]

To all of you who started, did you make a portfolio website before you got started? Or is that something not to worry about in the beginning?

[@tiltify2393]

but what if you're a hermit like me? I seriously don't have anyone that I know... who has a business... neither do I have relatives... so can I create 3 niched down websites for made up businesses and present them as portfolio pieces?? Would that work?

[@studious_viewer]

awesome applicable advice.

[@MrConway007]

Hi Rob, great video man! So are you saying we should not be focussed on choosing niche at this point, but rather ANY niche business that is Local? I keep reading all this stuff online about when you get started you HAVE to choose a niche but it was stressing me out and becoming overwelming because I don't have a pull to any one niche over another. Question 2: Also, is it ok to do your first few portfolio projects for free?

[@FoxWebSchool]

I totally disagree with all that advice. When you are just starting it is a lot better to just get going and get any experience you can. Later (once you have a few sites and feel more confident) you can then start to see where you are/might be getting the best results - if you spot an area with potential you can then niche down. Lots of people who teach this "niche down right away" advice were already experienced in an industry before they ever started web design - so they give the advice that worked for them but not necessarily for others. If you got no experience and are just starting use every opportunity you can to get going.

[@MrConway007]

@@FoxWebSchool Hey Rob, thanks for replaying here in such detail. I'm kinda glad you do disagree to be honest because I really really appreciate the consistency , clarity and value of the KZbin content you produce on this topic of starting a freelance web design business, honestly it's some of the best advice I've ever heard and watched on the subject, and the production value is just 🔥🔥I'm sure you hear that alot but it really is true. I was getting so overwelmed and stressed out thinking I would fail if I helped out a bunch of different clients from different industries as my first few jobs, based on the niching bandwagon everyone seems to jump on but what you mention time and time again about getting big results as early as you can even if from different niches makes a lot of sense. So if I am to start chasing that first client in my local rural town with lots of small businesses around me, how can I determine who is experiencing pain points with there website and who is not, if looks are not always a determining factor? and do I need a portfolio set up with some fictional examples first, before working with my first client?

[@clogiudice96]

Ey very nice video ! I was thinking of we could see the website? And did he paid you at the end ?

[@FoxWebSchool]

The website is shared at the end of the series. And it was a free project in exchange for being able to film.

[@andreidragan7581]

Why did he stop posting stuff? The content was great.

[@Tycee97]

hie guys not only directed to big bro Rob, here is the thing im a student in my final year and i want to start a web development SME and what scares me the most is that i don't know what equipment to have for a startup studio, also im looking for a mentor someone who is self made and will that's pretty much thanks in advance for those who are going to help #muchLoveFromZimbabwe

[@vazzysnipe5634]

Which platform should i use to receive huge amount like 10k+ deals. Paypal isn't the right choice i know. Which one do you use. I'm a non US resident so?

[@FoxWebSchool]

I would recommend setting up something like freshbooks and connecting to stripe. Hopefully that works in your country.

[@pizzaslice9548]

Hey, thanks for the video, really helpful. Just had a question, when you agree on free deals with clients, do you also provide hosting and pay for the domain or do you leave that up to the client?

[@BrianSchalkxSEO]

Leave that up to the client.

[@FoxWebSchool]

You can set it up on your own account but usually it is best to have them register it themselves and then you set up on the site on their account - just less hassle later with billing etc.

[@pizzaslice9548]

@@FoxWebSchool alright, thanks a lot

[@theoneprince777]

Thank You.

[@ye_buna]

thank u sir you help me a lot

[@yevolution]

That's right everybody ! We all have to start somewhere. Build that network up, that resume up, that portfolio up. Eventually, through time, your knowledge will expand and your client levels will expand. Beautiful, step by step , everybody, 90% of the time there is no quick or easy route

[@RadethProductions]

Keep it up man!

[@FoxWebSchool]

Thanks Joshua

[@rushbtv5507]

Good to see you back. Now, a question that I have is how do you help business get more clients. Is it by doing the SEO, marketing, ...? Because I belive just creating a website isn't enough, traffic won't come its self. Looking forward to the next episode

[@FoxWebSchool]

Hey good question - for a starting project like this look for someone who already will be getting traffic/searches. Quite simply they wont have much/any budget to help with this for now so you need to find someone who it won't be a big issue. Later as you can land bigger budgets you can tackle bigger problems like this - but for now try avoid someone with no traffic and no website/bad website.

[@shaunlennon8050]

T0 get started would you learn Wordpress?

[@FoxWebSchool]

Ya sure - Elementor is a great direction too. As long as you can work fast, make it look good, and it helps solve the client's problem then choose whatever works best for you.

[@Robfaulk1]

Great Stuff Rob!! When's the next video? :)

[@FoxWebSchool]

Thanks Rob - every Wednesday

[@amanikanezamulume8337]

Thank you bro

[@cliffpollard6975]

When I did cold calling, nobody would work with me due to trust issues. I would like to know more ways to build trust. Any ideas?

[@Amaymay1000]

I think pick out your ideal client and do sample page for them for free. And then if they don't want to, go with their competitor. lol

[@Alex-nn4qz]

Rob where you based now? Looks lovely!

[@FoxWebSchool]

Gdansk, Poland - been here around 1.5 years now and really like it.

[@srrywrongname57]

But do they pay for hosting

[@WhoIsJohnblack]

Hey Rob how can I get in touch with you regarding speaking about a possible collaboration?

[@FoxWebSchool]

Hey Juan hit me up at [e-mail]

[@WhoIsJohnblack]

@@FoxWebSchool Hey Rob you should have mail today from me. Sorry for the delay, pc issues. Hope to hear from you soon!

[@aniket9185]

ready for next video...

[@ricardor3944]

you into boxing even cooler badass! COOL DUDE

[@seenuz1]

Good 1 mate

[@sameers9677]

Thank youuuuuuuu‼️‼️‼️‼️

[@FoxWebSchool]

Thanks Sameer!

[@Hsa008]

Awesome

[@gabrieladimabua]

When should we expect the next video?

[@FoxWebSchool]

Every Wednesday!

[@obloo]

Gdansk great City :)

[@FoxWebSchool]

The best :)

[@muskankashyap4870]

I am looking for web designing jobs

[@doobiedouglas]

#dope