8 Website Designer Success Stories [2024]
Delivering digital artistry for the modern age, becoming a website designer offers a blend of creativity and technical skill.
Simply put, a website designer is responsible for crafting the visual layout and user experience of a website. It’s not just about making things look good; it’s about creating intuitive, engaging digital environments where users can seamlessly navigate.
The demand for polished online presences is ever-growing, making this a business idea with considerable potential. Companies and individuals alike are always in need of visually appealing, functional websites to represent their brands and interests.
For those with a flair for design and a knack for technology, website design can be both rewarding and versatile. Building a portfolio and honing your skills can pave the way for a successful career, blending artistry with strategy.
In this list, you'll find real-world website designer success stories and very profitable examples of starting a website designer that makes money.
1. Skynet Technologies ($1.2M/year)
Rajesh Bhimani, the founder of Skynet Technologies, started the digital agency and technology company with the goal of bringing digital transformation to businesses. Despite limited financial resources, he gathered support from friends in India and the USA and built a team. With a clear vision of offering all digital services under one roof, Skynet Technologies has grown to a monthly revenue of $150k - $200k.
How much money it makes: $1.2M/year
How many people on the team: 0
Skynet Technologies is a successful digital agency and technology company that has scaled to a monthly revenue of 150k - 200k USD, offering end-to-end eCommerce solutions, CMS, mobile app development, custom application development, and much more, with growth despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. Weichie.com ($360K/year)
Bob, the creative director at Weichie, accidentally started his freelance business while working in a digital agency in New York. After gaining experience in SEO and website design, he launched Weichie.com and used it as an example site to showcase his skills. Through word-of-mouth referrals and a focus on customer satisfaction, Bob's business has grown to specialize in eCommerce and SEO, with a goal of becoming an authority in the field.
How much money it makes: $360K/year
How much did it cost to start: $3K
How many people on the team: 2
A creative director at a Brussels-based creative, technology, and e-commerce optimization agency outlines their process of building a digital agency that focuses on eCommerce and SEO-based projects while providing tips on the importance of looking up to others but never comparing yourself to them.
3. Windhill Design LLC ($263K/year)
Link Moser, founder of Windhill Design, came up with the idea for his WordPress development and SEO company after teaching himself HTML and building his first website for a real estate company in 1996. Over the years, the business has grown organically through referrals and search engine optimization, and has recently experienced growth through acquisitions, reaching a gross revenue of $212,000 in 2021.
How much money it makes: $263K/year
How much did it cost to start: $30
How many people on the team: 1
Learn how Link Moser started a WordPress development and SEO company with just $30 and grew it to a business that generated around $212,000 in gross revenue in 2021 by focusing on providing excellent customer service and leveraging growth through acquisitions.
4. Understanding eCommerce ($120K/year)
Mike Doherty, the founder of Understanding eCommerce, came up with the idea for his business after experiencing frustration with limited options and unreliable hosting services while building eCommerce sites for friends. He discovered the flexibility of WordPress, became an expert in WordPress-related issues, and realized the need for a reliable hosting service that specifically supports WordPress. Through his expertise and commitment to customer service, Understanding eCommerce has grown into a trusted provider for various digital marketing services.
How much money it makes: $120K/year
How much did it cost to start: $15K
How many people on the team: 3
Understanding eCommerce is a business that offers worry-free hosting for WordPress sites, including maintenance, performance, and security, to help innovative companies build their brand awareness, grow their online reach, and convert visitors into customers.
5. Fruity Llama ($96K/year)
Steve and his wife Stephanie started their digital marketing agency, Fruity Llama, as a side hustle selling graphic design services on Facebook. Inspired by successful YouTubers, they decided to turn their side hustle into a full-time business and evolved it into a digital marketing agency. Within three months, they were making £7,000 per month and their future plan includes hiring more employees and expanding their services.
How much money it makes: $96K/year
How much did it cost to start: $5K
How many people on the team: 3
Digital marketing agency Fruity Llama, based in Lancashire, has grown their business from selling graphic design services on Facebook to a full-time digital marketing agency offering web design, SEO, and branding, and currently generate £7,000 per month within 3 months of launching.
6. Rise Visible ($96K/year)
Aunia Kahn, CEO of Rise Visible, started her digital marketing agency after receiving an old computer from a friend that had software like Dreamweaver and Adobe Photoshop. With no previous experience, she learned through trial and error and discovered her passion for digital marketing. Through solid work and referrals, Rise Visible has been able to attract and retain clients, leading to impressive revenue growth and recognition as a top-ranking woman-owned digital agency.
How much money it makes: $96K/year
How much did it cost to start: $0
How many people on the team: 0
Rise Visible, a full-service digital marketing agency, founded by Aunia Kahn, has achieved Top-Ranking Woman-Owned Digital Agency 2022 by Clutch and is rapidly approaching its first $100K year in revenue, solely through solid work, referrals, digital marketing through Google My Business, reviews, Facebook groups, social media and newsletters.
7. Anytime Design ($30K/year)
Shubham Dhawan and Mitya Smusin, both coming from the agency world, had been working together on various design projects. During a weekly huddle, they discussed the idea of an unlimited design subscription, and with their existing design and dev team, they quickly built Anytime Design. Their subscription service offers UX design to startups and small businesses that can't afford an elaborate design team, and they already have a monthly recurring revenue of $2,500.
How much money it makes: $30K/year
How much did it cost to start: $10K
How many people on the team: 4
Anytime Design is an unlimited design subscription for app and web UI/UX design requirements, providing companies with a fixed-rate subscription of $2,500 per month to outsource their design requirements without laborious scope mapping conversations, long briefs, and extensive hiring processes.
8. Website Profit Course ($28.2K/year)
Ray DelVecchio, founder of Website Profit Course, came up with the idea after realizing the importance of owning one's website and email list. He wanted to help people start their web design businesses and provide them with the necessary skills to succeed. Through his blog and membership program, he has been able to help aspiring web designers gain clients and generate income, with some members earning up to $4,900 from their first paid gigs.
How much money it makes: $28.2K/year
How much did it cost to start: $600
How many people on the team: 0
Learn how one founder built and grew a web design business learning platform, with an average online revenue of $2,350/month, by providing step-by-step training systems and resources for beginners and using consistent publishing on YouTube, blog and email lists to retain customers.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
