How to Make Money Building Websites
Every serious business needs a professional website. Learn how to design, build, and maintain sites for clients while creating both project and recurring income as a freelance web developer.
Why This Works
Everything you need to turn your skills into a sustainable income stream
Constant, High-Value Demand
New businesses launch every day and existing sites constantly need redesigns, migrations, and improvements. That means ongoing demand for skilled web developers.
Project + Recurring Revenue Mix
Each new website project is a larger one-time payment, and you can stack recurring maintenance, hosting, and update retainers on top for stable monthly income.
Flexible Pricing Options
You can charge per project, per feature, or via retainers. As your portfolio grows, you can move from budget builds to higher-ticket, strategy-led projects.
Everything You Need to Know
Quick overview of the essentials—enough to get you started, with full guides available in your dashboard
What Is Website Building?
Website building involves creating professional websites for businesses using platforms like WordPress, page builders, or custom development.
Demand & Market Proof
Every business needs a website. New businesses launch daily, and existing sites need updates, creating steady demand.
Types That Sell Best
- Business websites
- E-commerce sites
- Portfolio websites
- Custom applications
- Website maintenance
Pricing Examples
- Simple sites: $1500-3500
- Custom sites: $3500-8000
- Complex sites: $8000-25000+
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Website Developer Pricing and Income Ranges
Your earnings depend on your tech stack, complexity of projects, and whether you add retainers. Here are realistic one-off project ranges that many freelancers charge:
$1,500-3,500 per website
Simple brochure-style business sites (5–10 pages) using templates or page builders (WordPress, Webflow, Squarespace). Ideal for local businesses and first clients while you refine process and systems.
$3,500-8,000 per website
Custom-designed sites, higher-converting marketing sites, or smaller e-commerce builds for growing businesses. Often includes copy support, basic SEO setup, and integrations.
$8,000-25,000+ per website
Complex custom builds, full brand + website projects, larger e-commerce stores, or web apps. These projects usually include strategy, architecture, performance, and long-term support options.
How It Works
Follow these steps to get started and see results quickly
Pick a Tech Stack and Type of Website You Want to Specialize In
You do not need to learn every framework. Start by choosing 1–2 primary platforms (e.g., WordPress, Webflow, Next.js + headless CMS) and a few website types you want to become known for.
Create a Focused Portfolio That Matches Your Target Clients
Your portfolio should look like a preview of the work you want to be hired for. 3–5 strong examples that match your ideal client are better than 20 random projects.
Offer Clear Website Packages and Maintenance Options
Turn your services into understandable packages that small business owners can compare. Then, add optional maintenance retainers for stability.
Find Website Clients and Deliver a Smooth Project Experience
Clients care as much about your reliability and communication as your code. A clean, predictable process makes it easier to win referrals and repeat work.
Website Types
Different website types serve different markets:
Business Websites
Professional websites for small businesses: service businesses, local companies, or professional services.
Examples:
- Service businesses
- Local companies
- Professional services
E-commerce Sites
Online stores for businesses selling products. Higher value projects with ongoing maintenance needs.
Examples:
- Online stores
- Product catalogs
- Shopping platforms
Portfolio Websites
Showcase websites for creatives, professionals, or businesses highlighting work and expertise.
Examples:
- Creative portfolios
- Professional showcases
- Work displays
Custom Applications
Custom web applications with specific functionality: booking systems, member portals, or business tools.
Examples:
- Booking systems
- Member portals
- Business tools
What You Get
Everything you need to succeed in your journey
Consistent Demand Across Industries
Almost every industry needs web presence. You can serve niche markets (lawyers, gyms, coaches, local trades) while still having a broad pool of potential clients.
Combination of Project and Recurring Income
Website builds provide larger one-off payments, while maintenance and retainer work smooth out your month-to-month revenue.
Remote-Friendly, Asynchronous Work
Most of the work can be done on your own schedule, with client communication consolidated into calls and async updates.
Portfolio Compounds Over Time
Each new site you launch becomes proof that you can deliver. A strong portfolio lets you raise your rates and attract better-aligned clients.
Easy to Systematize and Delegate
Once you have repeatable processes, you can template parts of builds, reuse components, or collaborate with designers and developers to take on more work without multiplying your hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Monetization Guides
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Start Your Website Building Business
Build professional websites for real clients and turn your web development skills into a $50K+ yearly business with both project and maintenance revenue.
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