<div class="bbWrapper">I earn some money doing it and the number of amateurs is staggering.<br />
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If you're going to be successful, you need a grounding in either software development and/or artistry/design.<br />
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I only got involved because I had been doing something else and happened into the higher level technical stuff (core software issues).<br />
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My first programming book, for example, was a beginner's guide to PHP4 (we're now up to PHP 8), which I bought when I was 12 or 13 in 2003:<br />
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Some things to be aware of: -<br />
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<li data-xf-list-type="ol"><u>There are MANY demanding buyers</u><br />
If you're getting started and have to work basically for free to get clients, be prepared to deal with some of the most annoying people possible. They will continually pester you for the smallest fixes and will often send constant messages/chats to see progress.<br />
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<li data-xf-list-type="ol"><u>There are 3 types of buyer</u><br />
The first type is the average person who wants something fixing/repairing. These typically have maybe $50 or something and are looking for someone who can get it done for that price. The constraints of the work determine the price. They can often go up to like $500 depending on what needs to be done.<br />
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The second is someone who wants a higher level implementation (full website build, product site etc). These typically have several thousand to put into a solution and will want to work with someone with design prowess & technical ability to pull it off. These are typically successful "offline" businesses who need a website to remain competitive. The majority of "agencies" out there will serve this type of buyer - $3k,$5k,$10k per project. This is the type <a href="https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/members/33771/" class="username" data-xf-init="member-tooltip" data-user-id="33771" data-username="@Fox">@Fox</a> targets.<br />
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The third is a company with relatively deep pockets to spend on something substantive. They may have their own digital platform, or some other "mission critical" piece of digital infrastructure that requires constant support & maintenance. I don't have much experience at this level but I imagine the work to be quite gruelling with extensive amounts of preparation required. Budgets can be in excess of $100k (full app build or similar).<br />
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<li data-xf-list-type="ol"><u>There are two types of developer - "paint by numbers" + creators</u><br />
The majority of people scratching a living doing it are "paint by numbers" people. They are getting paid to install a premium Wordpress theme, change the menus/widgets and adding pictures.<br />
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As you'll appreciate, anyone with 2hrs + a functioning brain can figure out how to do this stuff, which is why these people are to be avoided. If you find yourself heavily relying on the likes of DIVI or Elementor, you need to take a look at your value proposition.<br />
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<li data-xf-list-type="ol"><u>Websites are a part of a <b>MUCH</b> larger equation</u><br />
Most are high on the digital kool-aid and don't really consider "why" people are buying so many products online. I am convinced that there will come a point where people disassociate from the Internet like they do TV and radio now. It's become a massive billboard.<br />
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If you are involved in "web design", please be weary of adding to the circus. People don't want to be sold every 2 seconds and will actually deplore attempts to make quick money.<br />
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Of course, you'll always get people trying to exploit those without self control, but when it's flagrant, most will see through it (hence bad reviews etc). Online, there are basically 3 ways to make money:<br />
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- Sell an existing (in demand) product cheaper<br />
- Sell a new (innovative) product at a premium<br />
- Build a community around something extraordinary & sell products from that<br />
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If you're not doing the first, you're doing the second. The third is for influencers.<br />
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If you are doing the second, you need to look at what <a href="https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/members/47734/" class="username" data-xf-init="member-tooltip" data-user-id="47734" data-username="@Black_Dragon43">@Black_Dragon43</a> has written before about marketing to understand how to create an effective (and valuable) funnel. Being able to present a product in a way which triggers someone to buy it is basically where the "real" value of a web dev lies.<br />
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Succinctly, you need one reason why your product is different (preferably better) than what exists. You then create a digital experience (website) showcasing the core benefits of what you've got, and then use some marketing magic to get people interested. If you've got the experience, you will supplement this with <i><u>offline</u></i> traffic generation (advertising/PR) to drive demand.<br />
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<b><u>ALL</u></b> digital values derives from the following formula: <u>traffic x conversion = sales</u>.<br />
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If you aren't getting someone traffic, you need to make sure you're converting what they get already.<br />
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</li>
<li data-xf-list-type="ol"><u>The real money is in PLATFORMS</u><br />
The big money lies in the ability to create a platform (SAAS).<br />
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To own a platform which is a) useful, b) high value, c) popular, d) worth paying for is one of the most valuable business models in the modern world. Not only do you get recurring cashflow, but you're able to add/change the product as the market evolves.<br />
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Every big player in the digital space should be focused on the creation of an effective platform to keep users coming back.<br />
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If I owned Gymshark, for example, it's where I would be focusing the majority of my R&D spend. Getting people into a space where they are able to keep themselves fit & moving towards higher quality goals is basically what the brand represents, and providing them with the ability to a) showcase their progress, b) network with others, c) get discounts/introductions to similar brands & generally build a new "fit family" is what will amplify their offering.<br />
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The clothing would become <i>a step</i> along the brand journey (not the destination as it is now), allowing the business to multiply its revenue without having to acquire more customers.<br />
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Of course, they won't do that, they're 100% dependent on Shopify lol, why would they put $1m's into their own bespoke SAAS solution (that's where someone like me comes in).<br />
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In other words, if you want to "get rich" with web design, dump any money you make into an actual asset (brandable platform). The quality and depth of the platform drives its worth. This is <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shopify#History" target="_blank" class="link link--external" rel="noopener">how Shopify started</a>.</li>
</ol>There is a bunch more stuff I could add, but I'll just say that "web design" is basically like what typesetting was back in the day - a means to help someone get their message across.<br />
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As you'll probably appreciate, none of what I have mentioned here touches on the "technology" aspect at all. That's because the real value of the web is the way in which it helps companies reach a wider audience.<br />
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Understanding how to get in front of that audience and provide an offer they are inclined to want to purchase is where the value lies. And when you're competing with someone who's got like 17 years experience with PHP, Ruby, C, marketing, selling, art direction etc, you have to provide results.</div>
