The only eight elements you need to know to build a successful website design business, get noticed, get booked out, and get scaling to six figures.

You don’t do things by halves, babe. 

So I don’t even have to ask why you clicked on this blog post. 

Put straight? You want to know how to build a successful website design business from the foundation, setting everything in place to scale with ease. So from the way you engage with clients in the application process to the way you leave them feeling after your work is done, this is your ultimate guide to creating the biggest, boldest, most badass website design business from the inside out. 

You’ll learn the eight foundational elements:

1. Applications that convert
2. Strategic sales processes
3. Effortless onboarding
4. Masterful design processes
5. Streamlined deliverables
6. Money-making project tracking
7. Effective time blocking
8. Unforgettable offboarding

 

So you can:

→ Build a strong brand from the outset

→ Attract the work you crave

→ Establish a name for yourself

→ Create failproof foundations and processes

→ Draw in an ongoing stream of dream client referrals

→ Live and breathe a business you’re truly proud of

And I’m kicking off this list with a little something so many businesses forget, that makes a big difference. 

 

1. SUCCESSFUL WEBSITE DESIGN BUSINESS SECRET #1:  APPLICATIONS THAT CONVERT

Client applications are a gamechanger in the online service provider space. 

Their function is three-fold: 

1. Prequalifies leads
2. Builds your waitlist
3. Acts as a market research tool

…all with the view to save you time on the lead generation and client acquisition process. 

The best client applications are the ones that:

• Are under 10 questions (any more, and you’re making it so time-consuming you’ll turn them away)
• Feature questions that are clear and easy to answer
• Get leads excited to work with you through tone and relatability

 

Include key questions like:

• What is your business all about?
• What is your Instagram handle? So you can stalk their brand and cut out sales calls by connecting 1:1 and converting in the DMs.
• What draws you to my work? So you can understand if their desires and style are aligned with yours. 
• Use a user-friendly interactive tool like Typeform
• Promise a reply from you within a few business days via a particular platform (I recommend Instagram voice notes)

 

And as for layout (and whether to reveal your prices or not)? 

I recommend going one of three ways:

1. Share your pricing to prequalify any leads without the budget to invest in you to save you time and effort in the sales process.
2. Ask them their budget, then tell them which packages would best suit with a tailored proposal (no preset packages).
3. Showcase tiered priceless packages and let them inquire about the one they think would suit them best.

 

2. SUCCESSFUL WEBSITE DESIGN BUSINESS SECRET #2:  STRATEGIC SALES PROCESSES

Before we talk about anything else. Here’s one thing I need you to internalize: 

Respond to all leads in under 24 hours. 

They’re hot and ready to go, so you need to make them feel like your number one priority and seal the deal.

I mentioned earlier that the Instagram DMs (and voice notes feature) is my go-to for skipping the drawn-out Zoom appointments and time-waster sales calls. 

 Instagram voice notes are the ideal way to convert hot leads into dream clients.

That’s because it:

• Puts you in control of the conversation, helping you close quicker (sometimes I can do this off the second voice note without a proposal!).
• Allows you to bring your excitement to the table with your voice.
• Establishes a more personal connection, helping to humanize you as a business owner.
• Encourages you to draw on the unique elements in their application to deliver a more personalized, authentic experience.
• Makes them curious, then leaves the ball in their court (especially when you end your voice note with a question to encourage them to respond). 

 

Not sure what to say? 

Here are some phrases to get you inspired:

• “Are you ready to create your dream website?”

• “Let’s attract more of your dream clients”

• “You mentioned in your application your goal is to [XYZ] – I’m so ready to help you achieve this”

 

Whatever you do, don’t leave them hanging with the thought of going elsewhere. Be excitable, streamline the process and keep the ball rolling. 

 

3. SUCCESSFUL WEBSITE DESIGN BUSINESS SECRET #3:  EFFORTLESS ONBOARDING

You got the “hell yes” from another dream project – now it’s time to get them settled. 

As a busy website designer, you haven’t got time to manually onboard your clients, so building out an automated, plug-and-play sequence from the start is critical. 

Before you invest in a CRM like Honeybook or Dubsado, opt for a more unique and enjoyable onboarding experience. To achieve it, I recommend the following tools:

 

• Build out a templated onboarding sequence (like the example above) using Flodesk. Psst. You can get half-off Flodesk for life right here!
• Enable electronic contract signing using SignNow
• Sort your direct and secure invoicing using Paypal or Stripe.
• Help them schedule your first strategy or briefing session (even if it’s months in advance) using an appointment-booking tool like Calendly. 

 

The best onboarding sequences feature at least the following two emails:

• A ’welcome’ email featuring a link to your electronic contract, invoice, and appointment scheduling.
• A ’get prepped’ email encouraging them to organize everything before the project commences such as:
  • Purchasing a Showit (or website platform of choice) subscription
  • Securing their domain
  • Familiarising themselves with the process
  • Organizing images and website copy (and dropping them into a central location, like a shared Asana board)

 

4. SUCCESSFUL WEBSITE DESIGN BUSINESS SECRET #4:  MASTERFUL DESIGN PROCESSES

In my opinion, the perfect design process goes a little something like this:

1. You’ll kick things off with an initial call to establish brand goals, expectations, and direction for branding. 
2. On that call,  you’ll also arrange a strategy session for two week’s time. 
3. In that two weeks, you’ll immerse yourself in the branding process, developing a strong visual identity aligned with your client’s dreams. 
4. After you present their new branding, you’ll discuss the ultimate website strategy. You’ll move onto designing your client’s home page at this point. 
5. From the home page, the rest of the website will effortlessly flow – about, services, sales, contact, and mobile design. 
6. Finally, allow yourself a week to successfully execute the website launch, finalizing backend details like the keycode, domain, uploading copy, and blog content. You could even go above and beyond by creating social graphics ready for them to share when launch day arrives!

This is the step-by-step, failproof formula I use for every branding and website design client whether it’s a VIP day or a full-out, month-long custom project. 

 

5. SUCCESSFUL WEBSITE DESIGN BUSINESS SECRET #5: STREAMLINED DELIVERABLES

Streamlining communications between you and your client is crucial to maximizing your time, efficiency, and income. But when I first started? I had no clue how o do this. I was asking for content last minute, going back and forth with my clients, and looking like an unprofessional, frazzled, hot mess. 

My secret to overcoming this? A shared Asana board (that you duplicate for each client) with a place for everything you could ever need from your client (and they could ever need from you). This could include things like a project introduction, branding information, page-by-page breakdown, and key backend details. 

As you complete the branding and website, you could upload screenshots of the design for your client to leave feedback as you go. 

Spare yourself the headache of disorganization and treat every project to a streamlined process more organized than your Friday night charcuterie board. 

 

6. SUCCESSFUL WEBSITE DESIGN BUSINESS SECRET #6: MONEY-MAKING PROJECT TRACKING

10 one-off projects, five retainer projects, and one stressed-out designer. Project tracking is your savior when you’ve grown your business to booked-out status. 

I’ve been managing 12 to 15 clients in one month alone, and couldn’t have done it without an Asana board to keep me on top of each project timeline. Because let’s be real, you can’t keep it all in your head. 

Early on in my business, I established a board that enabled me to monitor each client’s status using a specific layout that moved them through the process. 

It included statuses like: 

• Onboarded
• Branding complete
• Website complete
• Launched

Depending on your unique process, this project pipeline may look a little different. But one thing remains the same: so long as you’re moving your clients along, you’ll stay accountable and never lose track again. 

7. SUCCESSFUL WEBSITE DESIGN BUSINESS SECRET #7: EFFECTIVE TIME BLOCKING

Business is tough, babe. And without a little organization in your week, it’ll keep you on your toes and have you running on empty. 

When you’re not focused on delivering an unforgettable design experience for your clients, you have legal stuff, accounting, launching, marketing, your health, and your personal life to manage. 

That’s why I time (and day) block. I elect to spend an entire ‘CEO day’ dedicated to me and growing my business (not client work). I schedule this for Mondays, and it has been a game-changer as it enables me to have a three-day weekend and kick off the week with a growth mindset. I block out this day for getting creative, working on new offers, creating content, and diving deep into my goals. I avoid emails, don’t enter meetings, or allow clients to book me on these days to ensure I maximize my time. 

I’ll then plan the rest of my four-day week, prioritizing projects based on where they’re at in the pipeline, ensuring no client’s work is left untouched. 

For a step-by-step guide to my unique and uber-effective time blocking process, click here!

 

8. SUCCESSFUL WEBSITE DESIGN BUSINESS SECRET #8: UNFORGETTABLE OFFBOARDING

Being the incredible designer you are, there’s no doubt you’ll leave every client better than when you found them. But after the magic has been delivered, it’s time to end the relationship (in the nicest way possible) and free your mind and heart for the next project. 

 

Take this as a warning: Before I created an official offboarding process, my relationship with my clients dragged on, with them constantly messaging me, asking questions, and requesting additional out-of-scope changes.  Without being harsh, I was ready to be done and dusted! 

 

Jump back into Flodesk and create a template that packages up your work as much as it wraps up the relationship. This could include links to a Google folder with their brand details, training videos, a support group or helpline (if you offer it), and a link to provide a testimonial (like the example on the right). 

End the relationship on a positive note like this, and your client is not only likely to return, but refer you on to more of the work you crave!

 

Reached the end? Now you’re well and truly ready to: 

→ Build a strong brand

→ Attract dream work

→ Establish yourself as an expert

→ Create failproof foundations and processes

→ Draw in a flood of dream referrals

→ Live and breathe a business you’re truly proud of

…All because you’ve mastered the eight elements of a successful website design business

1. Applications that convert
2. Strategic sales processes
3. Effortless onboarding
4. Masterful design processes
5. Streamlined deliverables
6. Money-making project tracking
7. Effective time blocking
8. Unforgettable offboarding