35 Web Design Business Ideas You Can Start Today [2024]
Interested in starting a web design business in 2024?
We put together 35 of the best web design businesses you can start in today.
For each business idea, we’ll show you real-world examples of other web design businesses to help you see what it really takes.
Here's the full list:
1. Start a shopify ecommerce agency
A Shopify eCommerce agency is an expert who helps retailers list their products, and target potential customers, enabling the business to achieve its eCommerce goals.
If you are a Shopify expert, you can turn your skills into income by becoming a Shopify eCommerce agency. The Ecommerce agencies offer SEO services, web development or web design, and eCommerce marketing services.
To become a Shopify Ecommerce agency, develop the necessary skills in either SEO, web design and development, or marketing. It would help if you joined an agency for an opportunity to gain the required experience. Then, define your niche, and focus on growing your clientele.
How much you can make: $20,000 — $300,000/month
How long does it take to build: 91 days (?)
Velstar, a UK-based Shopify Plus partner agency, has seen impressive year-on-year revenue growth of at least 100% every year, due to their focus on building engaging and conversion-focused eCommerce websites, and highly effective growth marketing for direct-to-consumer brands on Shopify, with big ambitions for 2020 including launching a local Shopify Plus meetup, an eCommerce podcast, investing in content marketing and hiring their first business development personnel.
2. Start a website development business
Website developers create websites for their clients. as a website developer, your responsibility is to ensure a website is visually appealing and easy to navigate. Web developers also focus on improving the website’s performance and capacity.
To become a website developer, learn different web programming languages. Your customers can be eCommerce business owners or brick-and-mortar businesses looking to have an online presence.
How much you can make: $200 — $350,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,750 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
How a founder turned his passion for marketing and technology into a successful Boston-based web design and SEO company, generating over $20k in sales each month by focusing on serving the niche market of small businesses through affordable and personalized services, while establishing his reputation through B2B networking and online initiatives.
3. Create a wedding planning resources website
How much you can make: $10,000/month
The Budget Savvy Bride is a top wedding planning resource and support community that grew from a passion project into a successful business, reaching millions of readers annually and breaking revenue records in 2020 with a 46.6% increase in revenue and a 21.28% increase in traffic.
4. Develop an online survey tool
Online survey tools are a great way for businesses to gather customer feedback. They offer a convenient and cost-effective way to collect data from large groups of people. This service offers a variety of features, including a survey builder, a data collection tool, and a reporting system.
If you are interested in starting a business that helps businesses to gather customer feedback, then starting an online survey tool could be a great option for you. This business is growing in popularity as more businesses are using online surveys to collect data.
Typeform is a popular online survey tool that allows you to ask customers questions and get their feedback on the product. This can be used for many different purposes such as improving services or developing new products. Typeform told TechCrunch on the occasion of today’s funding announcement that its annual recurring revenue surpassed $70 million in 2021 after tripling over the preceding three years.
Building an online survey tool is a good business idea because there is a lot of demand for data collection. Businesses need to know more about their customers in order to be able to make better decisions.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $1,600,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
QuestionPro's Founder, Vivek Bhaskaran, shares the story of how he started the most robust survey software on the market, which has provided innovative technology to Fortune 100 companies, academic institutions, small businesses, and individual DIY researchers for over 12 years.
5. Start a web development business
A web development business is a company that builds and takes care of websites. They typically use coding and design skills to create online spaces that meet the needs of individuals or businesses.
These businesses help ensure websites work well and look good, playing a key role in the online presence of their clients.
How much you can make: $6,600 — $350,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)
Vuetify is a popular open-source user interface library, built with the Vue.js framework, that generates revenue through digital content and services such as paid digital content in the Vuetify store, direct support through consulting, ad revenue from Carbon ads on the documentation pages, and donations/sponsorships via GitHub and Patreon, generating an average income of $6,500 per month.
6. Start a travel agency
Are you a passionate traveler with entrepreneurial skills? Then starting a travel agency can be a great career choice for you.
As a travel agency, you'll be responsible for linking travelers to providers of all the travel and tourism-related services such as accommodation, transportation, sightseeing, tour guides, local adventure, etc.
Starting an online travel agency is a lot easier than you might think. You'll need to perform market research, get a few necessary certifications (such as your IATA number), study competition, build a website, and do proper marketing.
To maximize earnings, negotiate discounts from the industry service providers, and charge travelers within the market rate.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $114,200,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Marissa Daniels runs a successful travel agency, Spread Your Wings Travel, that hit $100,000 in sales within a year of launch and provides payment plan options for its all-inclusive vacations, and she hopes to help 100 families supplement their income through the business.
7. Become a shopify app developer
Have you thought about a career building Shopify apps?
Shopify is a Canadian e-commerce company that provides an online platform for entrepreneurs to set up their own online stores and sell products. Shopify is now valued at over $45B (as of 2022) with over 1.75M merchants using the platform worldwide.
To be able to build a plugin for Shopify, you need to know how to code. If not, then at least have some knowledge of HTML and CSS. You also need experience in the Shopify API and some basic knowledge about the Liquid template language for Shopify.
How much you can make: $150 — $65,000/month
How long does it take to build: 115 days (?)
ByteStand, a software development company run by ecommerce experts, created Shopify apps, including FreshCredit and FBA Shipping, which generate approximately $17,000 per month in revenue, with over 2,000 shops using their software.
8. Start a credit card comparison website
A credit card comparison website is a business that allows users to compare and contrast different credit cards to find the best fit for their financial needs. This business operates by gathering information about various credit cards and their features, such as interest rates, rewards programs, annual fees, and other benefits. The website then presents this information in a clear and easy-to-understand format, allowing users to compare the different options and decide which credit card to apply for.
To run a successful credit card comparison website, it is essential to keep the information on the site up-to-date and accurate. This requires constantly researching and gathering new data about credit cards and their features and regularly updating the website with the most current information. Additionally, it is important to provide a user-friendly interface that allows users to compare different credit cards and find the information they need.
Another key to business success is establishing partnerships with credit card companies and financial institutions. By partnering with these companies, the website can offer exclusive deals and promotions to users, which can help to drive traffic to the site. Additionally, partnering with these companies can provide the website with valuable resources and expertise, which can help to improve the quality and accuracy of the information on the site.
Finally, to run a successful credit card comparison website, it is essential to focus on marketing and promoting the site to attract users. This can be done through various methods, such as social media marketing, search engine optimization, and paid advertising. By effectively promoting the site, entrepreneurs can increase visibility and drive traffic, leading to increased revenue and success.
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
9. Start a web development business
A web development business is a company that builds and takes care of websites. They typically use coding and design skills to create online spaces that meet the needs of individuals or businesses.
These businesses help ensure websites work well and look good, playing a key role in the online presence of their clients.
How much you can make: $6,600 — $350,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)
Vuetify is a popular open-source user interface library, built with the Vue.js framework, that generates revenue through digital content and services such as paid digital content in the Vuetify store, direct support through consulting, ad revenue from Carbon ads on the documentation pages, and donations/sponsorships via GitHub and Patreon, generating an average income of $6,500 per month.
10. Start a dating website
A dating website is a great way to connect people who are looking for love. It is a platform that helps people to find and connect with potential romantic partners. This service offers a variety of features, including a profile creation tool, a search engine, and a messaging system.
If you are interested in starting a business that helps people find love, then starting a dating website could be a great option for you. This business is growing in popularity as more people are looking for ways to meet partners online.
Tinder has taken over the world! It is so popular that it brings in revenues of $1.4B per year.
Some recent trends that are making dating websites more popular include the growth of the online dating market, the rise of mobile dating apps, and the increasing acceptance of online dating.
How much you can make: $1,300 — $11,250,000/month
How long does it take to build: 47 days (?)
This case study follows Pat Stedman, founder of The Dynamic Man, LLC, and his journey to building a successful dating and relationship coaching business that now earns around $25,000 - $35,000 per month through coaching services and passive income products like his 19-hour video masterclass.
11. Start a clothing boutique
If you have an eye for fashion trends and retail experience, opening a clothing boutique can be a great opportunity for you to tap into the lucrative fashion retail industry and be your own boss.
To succeed in this venture, you need to identify your target customers, curate your inventory to match their style and leverage social media marketing to build a loyal following and grow your business rapidly.
Focusing on specific customer segments, such as petite, plus-size, budget-conscious customers, or underserved groups instead of competing with major chains can further help you stand out in the market.
Opening a specialized clothing boutique lets you monetize your passion while serving customers that traditional stores often ignore.
How much you can make: $500 — $11,750,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $4,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 135 days (?)
Boutique Rye is an online-only women's clothing and accessories boutique that has grown to 3,200 Facebook Group members and a successful website through organic customer sharing, live sales, and open communication with customers.
12. Start an affiliate marketing business
Are you looking for a side hustle to pay you a passive income? Affiliate marketing is one of those side hustles that will pay you well over the long term. It is a way to earn money online by promoting other companies' products and services. You will be paid a commission for each sale you make as an affiliate marketer.
To get started, learn how to find the right product and brand to partner with. For example, you may prefer becoming an affiliate marketer for an eCommerce store, partnering with a manufacturer, and marketing their products for a commission.
How much you can make: $500 — $773,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 55 days (?)
This case study explores how Spencer Mecham founded Buildapreneur, an affiliate marketing business, and has made over half a million dollars in profit with no employees, relying solely on content marketing through platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.
13. Start a domain registrar
Starting a domain registrar business can be lucrative and rewarding for those passionate about technology and the internet. A domain registrar is a company that allows individuals and businesses to register and purchase domain names, which are used to identify a specific website or web page on the internet.
To start a domain registrar business, you will need to invest in the necessary infrastructure and resources to support the registration and management of domain names. This includes a domain name server (DNS), a website and online platform for customers to browse and purchase domain names, and a team of customer service representatives to assist with any issues or questions.
In addition to these technical requirements, it is essential to have a strong understanding of the domain name industry and the various options and regulations that apply to different types of domain names. This will allow you to provide valuable guidance and recommendations to your customers as they select and register their desired domain names.
To succeed as a domain registrar, it is also essential to have a strong marketing and sales strategy in place to attract and retain customers. This can include targeted online advertising, partnerships with web hosting companies and other industry leaders, and offering competitive pricing and discounts to attract new business.
Starting a domain registrar business requires a combination of technical expertise, knowledge of the industry, and strong marketing and sales skills. You can build a successful and profitable business in the domain name industry with various factors.
14. Start an advertising consulting business
How much you can make: $2,797 — $1,600,000/month
How long does it take to build: 20 days (?)
Jumper Media-founder Colton Bollinger's Instagram-focused marketing strategies helped him to assist over 3000 small businesses to build brand awareness and boost audience engagement and sales, leading Forbes, Entrepreneur, and Yahoo to recognize him for his efforts.
15. Start a bitcoin website
How much does it cost to start: $800 (?)
How long does it take to build: 110 days (?)
16. Start a community website business
How much you can make: $8,333,333/month
From humble beginnings of $12k and a mascot, Reddit's success story boasts over 300 million monthly users and a valuation of $1.8 billion, despite growing pains, personal issues and persistent trolls.
17. Start a blogging tips website
How much you can make: $4,000 — $100,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $200 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
This case study follows the journey of a young entrepreneur from Nigeria who started a profitable blog generating a monthly revenue of $1,500+ through sales of advertising space, sponsored posts, and information products, and shares his strategies for success including a Twitter growth challenge and guest post pitches.
18. Start a domain & hosting information business
How much you can make: $830,000/month
Domain Name Wire, founded in 2005 by Andrew Allemann, a Seattle-based entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in the domain business, provides guidance on technology-related media issues, and offers advice to businesses on domain name selection.
19. Start a currency conversion website business
Web and app developers provide extensive services that facilitate users to browse through different services without facing geographical barriers. A good example of a modern tool is the currency converter.
A currency conversion mobile application provides an accurate and precise exchange rate based on user requests and lists the real-time rate. Thus, users view updated information helping them track fluctuating rates.
Creating a currency conversion website can attract more users to your website and become profitable as you display ads.
20. Start a government website
21. Start a website testing business
In today’s ever-changing and competitive world, the internet has become an integral component of our operations.
Most people search the internet for things they need, entertainment, and transactional purposes.
Therefore, more businesses seek to build websites and be present online and deliver services and solutions quickly and effectively. To achieve the goal, the businesses will test their websites often and fix any issues.
Therefore, starting a web testing service can be a great business venture.
How much you can make: $150,000/month
How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)
PlaybookUX is a remote research platform that uses qualitative research to test and analyze digital assets with Fortune 500 firms and sole freelancers as customers, having achieved $1.8m in annual revenue with 1,100 customers and 100% YoY growth as a result of bootstrapping their business and keeping user feedback in focus.
22. Start a news website
How much you can make: $1,000 — $830,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,525 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Contrarian Thinking is a premium membership community that teaches its 1.5 million members how to implement cash flow strategies to achieve financial freedom, with a current run rate of $3 million and a goal of $50 million ARR in five years.
23. Start a website theme development business
Starting a website theme development business involves creating visually appealing and functional website designs. These themes can be sold to individuals or companies looking to update their online presence. To start and run this business successfully, you will need a strong understanding of website design and development and a portfolio of your work to showcase to potential clients.
Additionally, you will need a strong marketing strategy to reach potential customers and showcase your skills. This may involve creating a website or social media presence to showcase your work and attract new clients.
Running a website theme development business also requires strong project management skills to ensure that projects are completed on time and to the satisfaction of your clients. Good communication skills are also essential, as you will need to work closely with clients to understand their vision and ensure that you are creating a theme that meets their needs.
Overall, starting a website theme development business requires a combination of creative skills and business acumen. This can be a rewarding and successful business venture with the right tools and strategies.
How much you can make: $150,000 — $250,000/month
How long does it take to build: 95 days (?)
This case study follows the success story of Nick, founder of Qoders Family, who has generated over $3M in revenue through his various website building services including an award-winning development design agency, custom-designed WordPress theme templates, free WordPress plugins, and a Shopify app.
24. Start a website editing service
A website editing business involves helping individuals and businesses improve their websites’ look, functionality, and content.
The website editor business involves tasks like fixing broken links, updating outdated information, improving the layout, and enhancing the overall user experience. You can also offer services like proofreading and editing content to ensure it’s clear and error-free.
To start this business, you’ll need basic knowledge of website platforms and editing tools, which can be acquired through online resources and tutorials. With minimal upfront costs, such as a computer and internet connection, you can launch this venture and provide valuable services to clients seeking to enhance their online presence.
How much you can make: $6,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $50 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
This case study is about an engineer who developed a free online HTML editor that generates a passive income of $6K per month and owns over 40 websites with a total of roughly 8-10 million monthly visitors.
25. Start a local business listings website business
How long does it take to build: 885 days (?)
26. Become a real estate website creator
Real Estate Website Creator Business is a resource for passive income. Real estate websites have become a must-have for real estate agents. Using a website builder like Squarespace, Wix or WordPress can help you stand apart from your competition. For most people, a real estate website creator is among the most effective businesses to start online.
Website Builders Market was valued at $1.46B in 2019 and is projected to reach $2.62B by 2027. Over the past five years, a very popular business that people have started is building real estate WordPress websites. This is a great business to start if you have some money saved up and you're looking for more freedom to work whenever you want.
How much you can make: $50,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Modern Launch, a custom software development company, generated over $100k in revenue and achieved profitability within its first 3 weeks of bootstrapping, offering services including mobile application development, website development and design, and custom software development.
27. Start a deals promotion website business
How much you can make: $3,000/month
PennyCanny is a coupon website founded by Uzair Farooq in 2021 that offers customers free coupons for popular stores like Wayfair, JCPenny, and DoorDash, generating a monthly profit of $3,000 and aiming to expand its coverage to multiple regions and complete a browser extension in the future.
28. Start a stock images website business
How much you can make: $10,000/month
How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)
VideoPlasty, an affordable and easy-to-use platform for buying pre-made stock animation elements and GIF images, has attracted over 600,000 visitors since its launch, with over $100k in revenue in 2020 alone, thanks to free organic traffic from YouTube tutorials and optimized SEO.
29. Start a viral videos website business
30. Start a sports betting website
Sports betting has continued to become popular over the past years. Although sports betting is still not legal everywhere, the global betting market is huge and can be lucrative. If you love sports and looking for a profitable sporting-related business, you may consider starting a sports betting website.
However, before starting your sports betting website, make sure sports betting is legal in your state and that you have the required permits and licenses.
How much you can make: $30,000/month
How long does it take to build: 175 days (?)
Discover how Sean Green turned his sports gambling podcast into a multi-million media empire generating $30K/month in revenue and over a million downloads annually.
31. Start a website building agency
Starting a website building agency is a smart career move. Why not own your time and leverage your skills? Building websites is where the money is at. You can earn 5-figures a week with just one client.
The global website building market size to grow from $7 billion in 2021 to $14.3 billion by 2026. A site-building business allows you to start your own business at home. Building websites for yourself and others is a great way to create a passive income stream that can be very rewarding to own.
How much you can make: $7,846 — $250,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Cantilever Web Design and Development, with clients including IBM and small businesses, reached a revenue of over $750k last year with a gross margin of 50% by prioritizing Digital Hospitality, fostering high-quality relationships, and constantly improving their process and philosophy.
32. Start a video game download website business
33. Become a speciality websites promotor
To run a successful specialty website's promotor business, it is important to follow these tips:
Focus on a specific niche or market: Identify a unique product or service that sets your business apart from others in the industry. This will make it easier to attract and retain customers who are interested in your specialized offerings.
Have a well-designed and user-friendly website: The website should be easy to navigate and make it easy for customers to find and purchase products or services.
Seek out new and interesting products: To keep customers coming back, it is important to constantly seek out new and interesting products to offer on the website. Building relationships with small businesses and artists can help you source unique and high-quality products.
Utilize marketing and social media strategies: Marketing and social media presence are crucial for a business's success. Utilize platforms like Instagram and other visual platforms to showcase your products and attract a larger customer base. Consider offering promotions and discounts to encourage first-time customers to try your service, and implement a referral program to incentivize returning customers to spread the word about your business.
- Monitor and analyze your sales and customer data: Use tools like Google Analytics and customer feedback to track your sales and customer data. This will help you understand what is and isn’t working for your business and allow you to make informed decisions about future product offerings and marketing strategies. To run a successful specialty website’s promotor business, it is essential to follow these tips:
- Focus on a specific niche or market: Identify a unique product or service that sets your business apart from others in the industry. This will make attracting and retaining customers interested in your specialized offerings easier.
- Have a well-designed and user-friendly website: The website should be easy to navigate and make it easy for customers to find and purchase products or services.
- Seek out new and exciting products: To keep customers coming back, it is important to constantly seek out new and exciting products to offer on the website. Building relationships with small businesses and artists can help you source unique, high-quality products.
- Utilize marketing and social media strategies: Marketing and social media presence are crucial for this business’s success. Utilize platforms like Instagram and other visual platforms to showcase your products and attract a more extensive customer base. Consider offering promotions and discounts to encourage first-time customers to try your service, and implement a referral program to incentivize returning customers to spread the word about your business.
- Monitor and analyze your sales and customer data: Use tools like Google Analytics and customer feedback to track your sales and customer data. This will help you understand what is and isn’t working for your business and allow you to make informed decisions about future product offerings and marketing strategies.
34. Start a website quality consultant business
How much you can make: $60,000 — $110,000/month
How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)
JDAQA is a quality assurance testing powerhouse that partners with startups and has grown to about 20 people with a revenue of $110K/month by providing a scalable, concierge QA service that can grow with your company and ensuring that builders can get back to the building while they handle the bugs.
35. Start a technology related website business
How much you can make: $9,000 — $300,000/month
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
WPX, a WordPress hosting company, started as a side project bootstrapped with just a server and a few licenses, and is now a team of over 100, servicing over 11,000 customers globally, with an annual income of $3M, thanks to their consistent focus on providing fast, reliable service and tech support for non-techies.
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- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
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- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
