Starting a WordPress Web Design Business? (14 Things You Must Do)

Starting a WordPress web design business is a popular path for people who enjoy building websites and want to earn a living online. But getting started can feel overwhelming when you’re not sure what services to offer, how to price your work, or where your first clients will come from.

We’ve seen many people successfully turn WordPress skills into a reliable business, while others struggle because they miss a few important fundamentals early on.

In this article, we’ll share practical tips for starting a WordPress web design business, including what to focus on first and how to avoid common mistakes that can slow your growth.

Is Starting a WordPress Design Business Worth It?

The short answer is yes. In our experience, the long-term potential of a WordPress web design business is very promising compared to brick-and-mortar businesses.

Since all the work revolves around WordPress, you can operate entirely online. This eliminates overhead costs like office rent and utilities, allowing you to keep a higher percentage of your profits.

Here is a quick breakdown of why this business model works so well:

• Low Barrier to Entry: There are no expensive physical products to buy or inventory to manage.
• High Earning Potential: Experienced WordPress designers can earn upwards of $1000 annually) as you build your client base.
• Complete Flexibility: You can be your own boss, set your own hours, and work from anywhere with an internet connection.
• Massive Client Pool: WordPress is the most popular CMS on the market, meaning there is a constant demand for design services from bloggers, small businesses, and large enterprises.

You will need to put in a lot of effort at the start, but the path to a sustainable, high-income career is much clearer than in many other industries.

Before you start your website design company, there are several important factors to consider. We will look into the essential steps you need to take to turn your skills into a successful WordPress web design business in the following sections.

You can use the quick links below to navigate through this article:

1. Decide on the Scope of Your Web Design Services

When creating a business plan for your web design company, it’s important to define the scope of your web design services. This acts as the blueprint for your business, outlining the specific services you’ll offer to clients.

We also strongly recommend offering “Care Plans” or ongoing website maintenance packages. This ensures you generate recurring revenue, rather than relying solely on one-off projects.

For example, do you want to offer full-service creation of custom WordPress sites or specialize in custom WordPress themes? Or maybe you want to focus on improving a client site’s existing UX design to boost its conversion rate.

Consider your skills, years of experience, design interests, and target audience when making this decision.

Some people even focus on offering design services using a specific WordPress theme builder or page builder, as the client may use that tool to create their web content.

Additionally, some designers provide Figma design services that can be converted to WordPress.

You may also want to manage clients’ WordPress hosting services if you are building their websites from scratch. This way, you are providing a one-stop shop for all your customers’ website needs.

You can get reseller web hosting plans from reputable providers like SiteGround. This allows you to manage your clients’ hosting accounts while earning recurring revenue.

Keep in mind that when you resell hosting, you also become the first point of contact for your clients’ technical support. Be prepared to manage those requests or coordinate with your hosting provider to resolve issues.

Don’t be afraid to talk to potential web design clients to understand their demands and pain points. This can help you craft a service package that resonates with your ideal audience and set up your web design business for success.

2. Choose a Niche That Suits Your Strengths

When you are first starting out, you might feel tempted to say ‘yes’ to every web design project that comes your way. While this approach can help you gain experience and build a client base, long-term success often lies in specialization.

By focusing on a specific web design niche, you can become an expert in the needs and challenges of that particular industry or website type. This allows you to develop a deep understanding of your target audience, their pain points, and the design solutions that resonate best with them.

Maybe your niche focuses on functionality, specializing in building multilingual websites or eCommerce stores with WooCommerce. There’s even room for niching down by design style. For example, you might focus on clean, minimalist design or bold, eye-catching visuals.

A great example is CultivateWP, a web design agency known for creating beautiful and functional food blogs. By specializing in this niche, they’ve established themselves as thought leaders in the industry and can attract clients who value their specific expertise.

To find the right niche, you will need to identify your strengths and design interests. Who are the people you’d love to build websites for, and what kind of projects get you excited?

Also, you can research different WordPress web design examples and see where there is less competition. This allows you to carve out your space and establish yourself as a go-to expert in that particular area.

3. Create a Stunning Business Website With a Portfolio

Your WordPress business website is where potential clients get a first impression of your skills and professionalism. That’s why investing time in creating a well-designed website is important.

While getting as creative as possible to stand out is great, don’t forget to make your website design easy to navigate. You can create a custom navigation menu and/or add breadcrumb navigation links.

This way, potential clients can find the information they need quickly and effortlessly.

Also, a good WordPress web design business should have a portfolio section on the website. You can use this to feature your most impressive web design projects.

Make sure to use high-quality images. More importantly, write compelling descriptions that explain the results you achieved. Potential clients want to know how your design choices helped the client’s business grow, not just that the site looks pretty.

While you can build a portfolio with a page builder like SeedProd, a dedicated gallery plugin like Envira Gallery gives you more powerful tools. It can help you create beautiful galleries with albums, tags, and lazy loading to keep your site fast without compromising on image quality.

You can also add links to the projects if the client wants to see more.

Of course, don’t forget about search engine optimization (SEO). An SEO-friendly website ranks higher in search results. In turn, this increases the chances of potential clients finding you online when they search for WordPress web design services.

Here are other tips to help you make a strong impression on potential clients:

• Use high-quality visuals like engaging large hero images or video backgrounds to grab attention.
• Choose a color scheme that aligns with your brand identity and complements your design aesthetic.
• Make sure your website adapts seamlessly to all screen sizes, from desktops to mobile devices.
• Adding a dark mode option is a trendy feature that caters to user preferences and improves accessibility.

For more details, you can see our guide on how to create a small business website and our complete guide to the essential WordPress design elements for all websites.

4. Figure Out the Best Pricing Strategy

Finding the sweet spot between competitive pricing and a healthy profit margin is key to attracting clients and growing your WordPress design business.

Before setting your prices, research what other designers in your niche charge. You will also need to decide which pricing model fits your business goals best.

Here is a comparison of the three most common pricing strategies:

Pricing Model	Pros	Cons
Hourly Rate	✅ You get paid for every minute you work. ✅ It is safer for projects where the scope isn’t clear.	❌ It punishes efficiency; the faster you work, the less you earn. ❌ Clients often dislike open-ended bills.
Project-Based (Flat Fee)	✅ Clients love knowing the exact price upfront. ✅ You can earn a higher effective hourly rate if you work efficiently.	❌ Scope creep can destroy your profit margin. ❌ It can be difficult to estimate accurately when starting out.
Retainer (Care Plans)	✅ Provides predictable recurring revenue every month. ✅ It builds long-term relationships with clients.	❌ You must be available for ongoing support. ❌ It can be harder to sell the value of maintenance to some clients.

Remember to factor in the resources you’ll need to bring a website to life. These may include website hosting, premium plugins or themes, and project management software.

Accounting for these expenses upfront ensures you price your services accurately. For more information about costs, you can check out these articles below:

• How Much Does a Custom Theme for WordPress Cost?
• How Much Does It Cost to Build a WordPress Website?
• How Much Do eCommerce Websites Cost?

Finally, consider offering tiered service packages. A basic package might include a custom theme design, while a premium package could cover ongoing maintenance and SEO.

You may also want to provide discounts for larger projects or long-term contracts. This demonstrates your willingness to work within client budgets and build lasting relationships.

5. Make It Easy for People to Contact You

A visitor lands on your WordPress site, impressed by your portfolio and expertise. They’re eager to discuss their project, but can’t find your contact details anywhere. If they cannot find your contact details quickly, they may leave your site and visit a competitor instead.

To prevent this scenario from happening, make sure your contact information is prominent and easy to find on your website. You will want to use clear calls to action (CTAs) throughout your website so that they can reach out for a consultation or quote. 

You can also offer a free consultation call. It’s a low-pressure way to understand customer needs and showcase your expertise.

Tools like RingCentral can help streamline the scheduling process. It makes it easy for potential clients to book a convenient time to chat.

If you want to add a request-a-quote form, then you can use a plugin like WPForms. This plugin lets you create a contact form with its easy-to-use form builder.

It also has a pre-made template for quotation requests, so you don’t have to customize much.

6. Build a WordPress Plugin Toolkit

As a WordPress web designer, having a collection of trusted plugins in your toolkit is like having a Swiss Army Knife for website creation.

The right plugins can streamline your workflow, add valuable features, and help you build more efficient and feature-rich websites for your clients.

Here are some essentials to get you started:

• WordPress blocks: The WordPress block editor offers a wide range of built-in blocks for various purposes. However, there are also several block editor plugins available that extend these features even further.
• User feedback: Consider using plugins like UserFeedback, which allow visitors to provide feedback directly on your client site’s user experience. These valuable insights can help you identify areas for improvement and test new features.
• Contact forms: Make it easy for visitors to connect with your clients by integrating a user-friendly contact form plugin.
• Pop-up forms: They are a great way to capture leads for your client’s email marketing. Choose a plugin like OptinMonster that allows for targeted pop-ups that appear at strategic moments without overwhelming visitors.
• Typography: Add custom fonts to ensure your client’s website has a unique and brand-consistent look.
• Sliders: Use a slider plugin to showcase multiple images or testimonials in an engaging, interactive way.

When choosing plugins, make sure to only use ones from trusted developers or review sites like WPBeginner Solution Center.

A poorly coded plugin can introduce errors, slow down performance, and ultimately lead to lost traffic and potential revenue for you and your clients.

For even more inspiration, check out our list of the must-have WordPress plugins for business websites.

7. Get Legal Advice for Your WordPress Web Design Business

While the creative parts of web design are exciting, taking care of the legal side of your business is equally important. A solid legal foundation protects both you and your clients, creating trust and a smooth working relationship.

Here are some legal things you want to look after before starting a web design business:

• Business structure: Choosing the right business structure (like a sole proprietorship or LLC) is important because it affects how you file taxes, whether your personal assets are protected from business debts (liability), and how you can grow your company.
• Clear contracts: A well-drafted contract clearly outlines the project scope, pricing, payment terms, and revision policies. This protects both you and your client by setting expectations and lowering the risk of misunderstandings.
• Business insurance: Consider investing in general liability insurance for your WordPress design business. This protects you from financial losses if a client sues you for negligence or unforeseen circumstances, such as data breaches or security issues.

Consulting a lawyer is the safest and easiest way to take care of these aspects. They can provide invaluable guidance and ensure you comply with all relevant regulations in your region.

8. Use a Project Management Software

While emails and spreadsheets can be helpful, they don’t offer the most user-friendly way to manage projects.

That’s where project or task management software comes in. These powerful tools offer a centralized platform to keep you organized, track project progress seamlessly, and ensure timely delivery.

Popular options like Asana and Monday.com allow you to create tasks, assign them to team members or yourself, set clear deadlines, and collaborate with clients in real time. This removes the back-and-forth communication struggles.

To find the perfect tool for your needs, you can explore our list of the best task management software.

9. Don’t Forget About Administrative Tasks

Efficient administrative tasks are the backbone of a smoothly running business.

Tasks like regular invoicing and bookkeeping make sure you get paid on time and can track your finances. This prevents chaos and allows you to focus on what matters most: creating exceptional websites for your clients.

Managing many different roles as a small business owner can be exhausting, but thankfully, many tools are available to automate these tasks.

For example, online bookkeeping services like Bench can help you manage your books, expenses, and taxes to keep your finances in order.

There are also accounting software options like QuickBooks and FreshBooks to connect with your bank accounts and automatically capture all your transactions. This saves you time and removes the need for manual data entry.

If you need help with invoicing, then you can check out our guide on how to create invoices for clients using WordPress. This article will show you how to create professional invoices quickly and easily so that you get paid on time for your work.

10. Separate Business and Personal Communication

Keeping your business and personal life separate builds trust and shows that you are a serious professional.

When business and personal stuff mix, things can get confusing for everyone. Having a separate business email address and phone number keeps things clear and professional. Plus, it avoids any security risks with your personal accounts.

One way to separate professional from personal communication is to use a business email address with your own domain name. This shows that you’re a legitimate business and invest in your professional image. For more information, read our guide on how to set up a business email.

You may also want to use a professional communication tool like Slack, especially if you have team members. This keeps all your communication organized and secure in one place, and you can invite your clients to your workspace for easy collaboration.

If needed, you can get a separate business phone number from Nextiva. This lets you maintain a professional presence and avoid giving out your personal phone number.

It’s also great for keeping your work and personal life separate, especially if you get many calls.

11. Establish Your Authority on Social Media

Social media is a powerful platform for professional branding and digital marketing. You can use it to connect with potential clients, showcase your expertise, and build brand awareness for your WordPress design business.

For example, graphic designer Megan Weeks uses TikTok to share her business journey and web design tips to help fellow designers. She has a large following on the platform.

Or take a look at Mr. Web.

This YouTuber runs a web development business and shares design-related knowledge on his channel, which has thousands of subscribers.

Similarly, you can create social media accounts to connect with other professionals and establish yourself as an authority. You can also use them as social proof for your business.

If you’re not sure where to start, choose one or two platforms that align with your skills and current workflow. For example, you could use YouTube for in-depth tutorials, Instagram for showcasing visual design work, or LinkedIn for professional networking.

Once you have set up your accounts, you can start creating content. Share valuable information that your target audience finds helpful. This might include showcasing your latest projects, sharing case studies, offering design tips, or answering common questions potential clients might have.

Remember to participate in online conversations and leave comments where you can add value. This is a great way to make your brand more visible and establish yourself as a thought leader in the WordPress design community.

12. Always Ask For Client Feedback

Client feedback offers valuable insights into your strengths and weaknesses.

By proactively asking for feedback after a project’s completion, you can identify areas for improvement in your communication, design process, or overall client experience. This lets you refine your approach and deliver exceptional service on every project.

What’s more, you can use your positive feedback as testimonials to display on your business website.

One way to ask for feedback is by adding a client feedback form on your website using WPForms. You should place this on a private page and send the link to your client via email once the project is finished.

Additionally, you could use the UserFeedback plugin to add a small survey feature on your client’s new website and ask for website design feedback there. This way, the client can review your work and share their thoughts while they go through the site.

13. Keep Up-to-Date With WordPress Web Design Trends

The world of web design is always changing. For your WordPress design business to succeed, you must keep yourself updated on the latest trends.

By staying current with the newest WordPress features, plugins, and security updates, you can offer your clients the best possible service.

This can mean using the latest features to create websites, picking popular themes and plugins to make sites look and work great, and following the latest security practices to keep your clients’ websites safe.

You can subscribe to the WordPress News newsletter to get information on upcoming core updates. At WPBeginner, we also share the latest WordPress news and updates to keep you in the know.

Another way to stay informed is to join online communities and forums like the WPBeginner Facebook Group. Here, you can share ideas and ask for tips and tricks from other WordPress users.

14. Consider Outsourcing or White-Labeling Services

As your WordPress design business grows, you may have more work than you can handle alone. That’s where outsourcing and white-labeling services come in.

These two models are similar, but they differ in how you present the work to your client.

Outsourcing means hiring a freelancer or agency to handle specific tasks, like coding a plugin or writing content. White-labeling means hiring a company to do the entire project, but you put your brand name on the final product.

Here is the difference at a glance:

Feature	Outsourcing	White-Labeling
Branding	The freelancer may be credited, or the work is neutral.	Your brand. The partner agency is completely invisible.
Client Contact	You manage the project, but the freelancer might communicate with the client.	You only. The client never knows the white-label partner exists.
Profit Margin	Variable. You pay for time or project completion.	High. You pay a wholesale rate and charge your client premium agency prices.

The key to both outsourcing and white-labeling is picking good partners. For recommendations, you can check out our picks of the best WordPress development agencies.

Frequently Asked Questions About Starting a Web Design Business

Here are some questions that our readers have frequently asked about starting a web design business:

How do I start a WordPress business?

To start a WordPress business, first choose a specific niche and service offering. Then, build a professional portfolio website to showcase your skills, set up legal business structures, and start networking on social media to find your first clients.

For more information, take a look at our beginner’s guide on starting a small business website in WordPress.

What are the 5 golden rules of web design?

While opinions vary, the five golden rules are generally considered to be:

• Keep the design simple and consistent
• Ensure fast loading speeds
• Prioritize mobile responsiveness
• Make navigation intuitive
• Ensure the site is accessible to all users.

Can ChatGPT build a WordPress website?

No, ChatGPT cannot build a fully functional WordPress website on its own yet. However, it is an excellent assistant that can write code snippets, generate content, and outline site structures to speed up your development process significantly.

Can I earn money with WordPress?

Yes, you can definitely earn money with WordPress. Common methods include offering freelance web design services, building and selling your own plugins or themes, or starting a monetized blog using affiliate marketing and ads.

To get started, see our guide on proven ways to make money online in WordPress.

Can I learn WordPress in 3 days?

Yes, you can learn the basics of installing WordPress, creating posts, and customizing themes in just a few days. However, mastering advanced development, security, and SEO strategies will take significantly more time and practice.

Is WordPress 100% free?

The WordPress core software itself is 100% free and open-source. However, to publish a live website, you will need to pay for a domain name and web hosting, which usually costs between $3 to $10 per month.

We hope this article has helped you learn the things you should know to start a WordPress web design business. You may also want to check out our ultimate guide to editing a WordPress website and our expert pick of the best design software for WordPress.

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