Fox's 2019 Make $100k Starting Web Design from Scratch Challenge

[Fox]

I am actually surprised by the number of web designers that don't follow this practice! Why in the world would you use anything other than a static template for a simple sales page? It should be about using the right tool for the job, not the one that you like most.

This is why it frustrates me when I go to a simple site with a home page, about, services and maybe 1 other page and I see "Powered by Wordpress" after a 5-second page load. Use static templates for static sites, Wordpress for blogs, and Javascript frameworks for web apps. Period.

I know my validation isn't worth more than the pixels on your screen, but you are doing the right thing @Fox.

Thanks, I would do it either way but glad to see I am not the only one ha!

 

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[AgainstAllOdds]

Got to hand it to you: You have a lot bigger balls than I do.

With that said, your video presence is really good, so I'm excited to see what comes in 2019.

As for your existing business, what happened to that? How are you starting a new company from scratch? You sold that one, or are branding and building up a separate corporation?

 

[Fox]

Got to hand it to you: You have a lot bigger balls than I do.

With that said, your video presence is really good, so I'm excited to see what comes in 2019.

As for your existing business, what happened to that? How are you starting a new company from scratch? You sold that one, or are branding and building up a separate corporation?

I am just handing over work to my business partner who works on the Fox Web School stuff. She has the time to handle any changes or updates and its a nice bonus for helping me in return. If I do make any income from those it will be separate to this challenge. It will mostly be small stuff if there is even any - my sites don't need much maintenance.

I'll be honest about the videos - it takes quite a few takes and some days I just give up and try again when I am feeling 100%. Video can really take it out of you (or at least me) so after a few dozen failed takes I get pretty tired/frustrated. I am sure I will get better in time but for now, even making the videos is a challenge ha!

 

[.B.]

I'll be honest about the videos - it takes quite a few takes and some days I just give up and try again when I am feeling 100%. Video can really take it out of you (or at least me) so after a few dozen failed takes I get pretty tired/frustrated. I am sure I will get better in time but for now, even making the videos is a challenge ha!

I can totally relate to your frustration: I recorded a few videos for a sales funnel 10 years ago
Very time-consuming and the result is not pro when the bad parts are just cut out of the sequence, so it has to be good, end-to-end.

It is so much easier to just record the voice on top of the screen action (e.g. with Camtasia).
That way the audio can be cut & pasted where needed and
You don't need many takes to get one good end to end sequence.

If I had to do it again, that's how I'd do 80% of the takes

So maybe it's worth wondering how much you actually need to be seen full screen on every video to achieve your goal?

Maybe the intro and conclusion of the video is enough, the rest just with audio on top of the screen recording?

Another option to consider is the way this guy does his courses on Udemy:

his face just appears in a bottom corner!
Pretty neat.

It still feels very personal, but we will not notice the interruption/change of position when a bad video sequence was cut out because we focus on the rest of the screen most of the time, not on his face;

 

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[Andy Black]

I can totally relate to your frustration: I recorded a few videos for a sales funnel 10 years ago
Very time-consuming and the result is not pro when the bad parts are just cut out of the sequence, so it has to be good, end-to-end.

It is so much easier to just record the voice on top of the screen action (e.g. with Camtasia).
That way the audio can be cut & pasted where needed and
You don't need many takes to get one good end to end sequence.

If I had to do it again, that's how I'd do 80% of the takes

So maybe it's worth wondering how much you actually need to be seen full screen on every video to achieve your goal?

Maybe the intro and conclusion of the video is enough, the rest just with audio on top of the screen recording?

Another option to consider is the way this guy does his courses on Udemy:
View attachment 22739
his face just appears in a bottom corner!
Pretty neat.

It still feels very personal, but we will not notice the interruption/change of position when a bad video sequence was cut out because we focus on the rest of the screen most of the time, not on his face;

I don’t mind jump cuts as a consumer.

As a producer it was quite the revelation when I figured out how to edit videos and not have to do things in one take.

 

[Jeff Noel]

I'm just having trouble that's all. lol

Sorry for hijacking the thread for one post, but:

I'm late the the party, Avada (https://avada.theme-fusion.com/) is a great theme. It has both the versatility of being customizable for devs like me, and the custom "Fusion Builder" that's more user friendly and uses drag n' drop for a lot of good page elements.

You can easily untick elements so that they're not visible ton mobile devices, or only visible on mobile devices, etc. There's countdown elements, pre-skinned buttons, custom CSS for "containers" and their elements (scoped CSS). The list goes on. There's a few premium plugins included, like a white label one to hide EVERY mention of the theme, and even change the WP login screen. It's 100% compatible with WooCommerce.

All the demos you see in the right side bar (or elsewhere if you're on mobile), they're available in the theme itself.

 

[The Abundant Man]

 

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[GuitarManDan]

@Fox besides a very small percentage, I think almost everyone is uncomfortable behind the camera for videos. It definitely doesn't show though, you seem calm and collected for the content that I've watched.

Even though I've been following this challenge in the Facebook groups, I haven't had a chance to ask some questions yet so here are a few that I was thinking about:

1. You've had success in certain niches with your other web design business. Is the plan to continue to target those industries or other ones that you haven't worked with before?

2. Although I doubt these objections come up as you have the skills to keep the sales conversations about the client's problems and how you can help but... do you have an idea of how you'd handle it if a client asked about your previous experience?

3. One thing I was personally guilty of in the past was thinking that when I needed to make a sale I would go crazy and cold call 200 businesses in a week instead of focusing on maybe 20 businesses to reach out to in a week. I'm assuming the more specialized strategy is what you'll be using... how much time do you usually spend doing targeting for each potential lead?

Thanks!

 

[Fox]

@Fox besides a very small percentage, I think almost everyone is uncomfortable behind the camera for videos. It definitely doesn't show though, you seem calm and collected for the content that I've watched.

Even though I've been following this challenge in the Facebook groups, I haven't had a chance to ask some questions yet so here are a few that I was thinking about:

1. You've had success in certain niches with your other web design business. Is the plan to continue to target those industries or other ones that you haven't worked with before?

2. Although I doubt these objections come up as you have the skills to keep the sales conversations about the client's problems and how you can help but... do you have an idea of how you'd handle it if a client asked about your previous experience?

3. One thing I was personally guilty of in the past was thinking that when I needed to make a sale I would go crazy and cold call 200 businesses in a week instead of focusing on maybe 20 businesses to reach out to in a week. I'm assuming the more specialized strategy is what you'll be using... how much time do you usually spend doing targeting for each potential lead?

Thanks!

1) I will (most likely) be sticking with simple static sites for Blue Collar or similar industries. Only differences this time is added in value of things like video production, photos, and off-site systems like email.

I am going to take a guess and say that property and construction are going to be some main niches. I am not expecting much $ action for a few months though - I got to build up that portfolio first. WHich brings me to...

2) For the portfolio stage, I am going to go with some good web design training from one of my favourite movies...

I really am going to make them an offer they can't refuse:

- An amazing site with a clear plan to make them money and bring in new clients for basically no cost (during the portfolio stage).

The deals will be so good they won't care what I have done before and I will try to remove all risk. Ill try show exactly how this was done on the videos. I will take the money hit for this stage but it is the fastest way to get to the higher paying jobs.

3) I am going to be very strategic first few months. I won't need many calls at all in this stage - I will plan out deals that should have more of a chance of closing that not. But once the portfolio stage is done I then got to use that anyway I can to get real paying jobs. This is where the calls and emails will kick in. But even then I try to plan things out and avoid mega cold calling type approaches.

 

[GuitarManDan]

1) I will (most likely) be sticking with simple static sites for Blue Collar or similar industries. Only differences this time is added in value of things like video production, photos, and off-site systems like email.

I am going to take a guess and say that property and construction are going to be some main niches. I am not expecting much $ action for a few months though - I got to build up that portfolio first. WHich brings me to...

2) For the portfolio stage, I am going to go with some good web design training from one of my favourite movies...

I really am going to make them an offer they can't refuse:

- An amazing site with a clear plan to make them money and bring in new clients for basically no cost (during the portfolio stage).

The deals will be so good they won't care what I have done before and I will try to remove all risk. Ill try show exactly how this was done on the videos. I will take the money hit for this stage but it is the fastest way to get to the higher paying jobs.

3) I am going to be very strategic first few months. I won't need many calls at all in this stage - I will plan out deals that should have more of a chance of closing that not. But once the portfolio stage is done I then got to use that anyway I can to get real paying jobs. This is where the calls and emails will kick in. But even then I try to plan things out and avoid mega cold calling type approaches.

Honestly, my first thought when I saw this challenge was "some lucky business owners are going to have no idea what incredible value they're getting for practically no charge" haha!

Thanks for the feedback, this is really helpful.

 

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[AgainstAllOdds]

- An amazing site with a clear plan to make them money and bring in new clients for basically no cost (during the portfolio stage).

Let me know if you need volunteers.

 

[The Abundant Man]

I've been a full-time front-end developer for the past 5 years and I'm hoping to do what you're doing one day. I do have a couple of questions for you.

1. How do you differentiate your services from Squarespace or Wix in a client's eye? If I was a business owner I'd look at the cost of making a Squarespace site vs hiring you to do my site for me and see that I could get a nice looking website for next to nothing. How do you get past that barrier?

These guys knew absolutely nothing about stocks yet made millions selling penny stocks. Moral of the story-You do not need to know the product that you're selling to...sell it.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxRStrx8xtc

 

[Jeff Noel]

Hey Fox,

I've been following your content for a while now and I'm pretty excited to watch you take this journey. I've been a full-time front-end developer for the past 5 years and I'm hoping to do what you're doing one day. I do have a couple of questions for you.

1. How do you differentiate your services from Squarespace or Wix in a client's eye? If I was a business owner I'd look at the cost of making a Squarespace site vs hiring you to do my site for me and see that I could get a nice looking website for next to nothing. How do you get past that barrier?
2. What kind of clients do you target and how do they find you? Or do you go to them?

How do you differentiate ? You tell them:

"Wix's SEO sucks. The problem with the automation is the lack of perfection. It's generic. The code behind is aweful. Yes, it might be beautiful, but you will lose customers in the end because they won't find you. And the moment you need a custom page for X form or Y product opt-in ? It's not possible in Wix, but I can definitely do it for you. What's your phone number ?"

 

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[Fox]

Video 2 is up...

Any questions or feedback just let me know here.

Next week I start with actual client stuff so I am looking forward to seeing how that goes. I got one client meeting lined up so hopefully can record some of the sales meeting and the job itself.

 

[ontheRIGHTtrack]

This is awesome!
I feel lost in my corporate job. I have a bond with the company and have to pay them up 2000$ in order to be able to quit the company within my first 12 months.
I am going to put my all in with your challenge and get my first steps in the entrepreneurial world and quit my dead end job for good.
Thanks for the timely video @Fox .

 

[Fox]

This is awesome!
I feel lost in my corporate job. I have a bond with the company and have to pay them up 2000$ in order to be able to quit the company within my first 12 months.
I am going to put my all in with your challenge and get my first steps in the entrepreneurial world and quit my dead end job for good.
Thanks for the timely video @Fox .

Damn! Well make a new progress thread and tag me in it if you want. I am sure you can get that $2k soon and quit if you wish.

 

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[Guest61362]

Great intro/episode one. I have more hard skills (coding) than natural soft skills- sales. And not much of a portfolio, at least not alive today. I hope sales is also a hard skill by definition!

When pitching to clients, especially when building portf. - do you overpromise just to close or underpromise & overdeliver?

 

[Georgios K.]

Hi @Fox

Watched your two videos. Interesting project you're starting here and I'm very curious about your progress.

 

[Fox]

Great intro/episode one. I have more hard skills (coding) than natural soft skills- sales. And not much of a portfolio, at least not alive today. I hope sales is also a hard skill by definition!

When pitching to clients, especially when building portf. - do you overpromise just to close or underpromise & overdeliver?

I try never to overpromise but I do use selling techniques to get them to take action...
- Stack as much value as you can
- Remove any doubts, fears, resistance to change

With clients, I would say I succeed cause I ask good questions/listen well and figure out the above two things the best I can.
> What can I do to give them as much value as possible?
> What do they consider valuable?
and
> How can I reduce anything which currently annoys or frustrates them?
> And also making buying from me as easy as possible?

That is a very simple version but should help. Ill cover more in the future when I got real clients to refer to.

 

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[Real Deal Denver]

Hey @Fox -

Love your thread. I've checked out your website and YouTube channel as well. Two questions for you...

First, a technical one... What do they call the effect where the website scrolls up past a background scene that stays put. It's kind of like a window scrolling up that you can look through and see what's behind the "front page" that it is scrolling past. I hope that makes sense.

Secondly, from watching your video on making your $7,000 sale of a website, that was all well and good - but I am looking for a LOT more technical training. I watched several of your videos, and they are all excellent, of course. But I need to be able to "produce" world class results before I can compete effectively. Yes, the selling and marketing is important, but I need to really stand out as far as quality goes. Does your course concentrate on that part? Will I be able to be among the best of the best in creating content and style? I'm not talking about making an Amazon site with a huge database - I want what you refer to, which are "marketing websites that make money!" Hope that makes sense as well...

Keep up the good work. This is one of the best "adventures" I've been able to enjoy in a very long time. You have come so far in such a short time, and that is truly inspiring in and of itself!

Now don't worry about those of us NOT in a tropical paradise! Go have a rum and coke at the beach! Hey man - you got it ALL figured OUT!

 

[Jeff Noel]

First, a technical one... What do they call the effect where the website scrolls up past a background scene that stays put. It's kind of like a window scrolling up that you can look through and see what's behind the "front page" that it is scrolling past. I hope that makes sense.

If I understand correctly, you are talking about a parallax effect. Something like this website: Spokes

 

[Real Deal Denver]

If I understand correctly, you are talking about a parallax effect. Something like this website: Spokes

Thanks for the info.

Wow - that's an intense website design. I had to go up and down a few times to really admire what they did with that!

 

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[Thomas Baptiste]

Ill show my process when I get the first job but its pretty simple.

Get a good theme > make some simple but smart edits > punch in my content > good to go.

My thoughts are a site is for selling, I am not about pure coding. If the site gets results and performs well I am happy.

I got clients who have made multiple 100ks from sites built on $19 themes.

I'll take heat from the code guys for this but I see websites as just a way to get a sales message across.

Edit* my websites don't sell on the actual site / don't have to do complex tasks - so it's all good for me to go with static themes. When I get a project video up it will become pretty clear.

Have you ever had a client that requested online/on-site payments/registration be incorporated into the site? If yes, how have you handled that aspect?

 

[The Abundant Man]

All of a sudden Elementor won't load. It's stuck at the loading screen.

 

[The Abundant Man]

All of a sudden Elementor won't load. It's stuck at the loading screen.

Nevermind. I fixed it. It was some sort of plugin causing the problem.

 

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[Stargazer]

Thanks for the info.

Wow - that's an intense website design. I had to go up and down a few times to really admire what they did with that!

Do you use the word folly in the US?

Folly - Costly, ornamental building with no practical purpose.

18th and 19th Century Estate Owners in England liked to build them.

The site referenced is a good example. Spokes

I found it rather irritating.

5/7 tabs at the top don't function.

Home page if that is what it is called says 'Cruising Oak Cliff since 2012' as if this is remotely of interest to anyone then says 'What's happening in 2015?'

So if you are thinking of getting into this webdesign game and this is a genuine business and not some web designers example (I don't know how to tell the difference) I would suggest contacting the owner via the contact tab (It works) and selling him something that puts money in his pocket rather than 'the designers'

After 6 years he will know what you mean by now.

Dan

 

[Fox]

Have you ever had a client that requested online/on-site payments/registration be incorporated into the site? If yes, how have you handled that aspect?

Ya one or two. Usually there are third party apps that just plug into a site quite easily.

One example is Acuity Scheduling - Online Appointment Scheduling Software.
People can pay on the site to set up a consultation while the website owner (your client) can manage things on their end without needing to know how to code. I got one client who has done multiple six figures in bookings alone through their site.

Short answer - when it comes to payments there are lots of solutions that you can just add into a simple site.

 

[Real Deal Denver]

Do you use the word folly in the US?

Folly - Costly, ornamental building with no practical purpose.

18th and 19th Century Estate Owners in England liked to build them.

The site referenced is a good example. Spokes

I found it rather irritating.

5/7 tabs at the top don't function.

Home page if that is what it is called says 'Cruising Oak Cliff since 2012' as if this is remotely of interest to anyone then says 'What's happening in 2015?'

So if you are thinking of getting into this webdesign game and this is a genuine business and not some web designers example (I don't know how to tell the difference) I would suggest contacting the owner via the contact tab (It works) and selling him something that puts money in his pocket rather than 'the designers'

After 6 years he will know what you mean by now.

Dan

Yes it was too loud - and irritating - as you said.

I still admired the ingenious way they created it.

I could see it working without the neon colors that were just painful. Good concept - wrong execution.

 

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[ChrisV]

This is random but what is a really good easy WordPress Theme to use?

I actually use mostly HTML themes and don't use wordpress myself.

Elementor is really popular with my students and produces great results.

Was that you (@Fox) that recommended Themeforest Sartre? They have Wordpress versions of that and almost all their themes. I’ve used them and like the a lot.

 

[Jeff Noel]

Do you use the word folly in the US?

Folly - Costly, ornamental building with no practical purpose.

18th and 19th Century Estate Owners in England liked to build them.

The site referenced is a good example. Spokes

I found it rather irritating.

5/7 tabs at the top don't function.

Home page if that is what it is called says 'Cruising Oak Cliff since 2012' as if this is remotely of interest to anyone then says 'What's happening in 2015?'

So if you are thinking of getting into this webdesign game and this is a genuine business and not some web designers example (I don't know how to tell the difference) I would suggest contacting the owner via the contact tab (It works) and selling him something that puts money in his pocket rather than 'the designers'

After 6 years he will know what you mean by now.

Dan

You are right about Spokes. My goal here was to show him what the parallax effect was.

It's rare you find a production site with a console.log() still within the JavaScript code, that's full of comments, not minimized, etc.