How to Learn Code, Start a Web Company, $15k+ per month within 9 months

[Dunkafelics]

He agreed on €1400,-, which is not bad at all for my first real website for a client .

Hey man, well done! Good on you for having that confidence to go for the sale on the first client. I am currently working on two websites for friends that have businesses and offered to them for free in order to have their websites in my portfolio. Let us know how this goes!

 

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[Iammelissamoore]

It has taken me a long time to have time to create this thread and for that I apologize. I have been getting PMs for months and while I helped a lot of you out with detailed responses I wanted to start a thread so everyone would have access to the same information.

*** This isn't exact Fastlane, at least not in the beginning, but its a great way to earn 5 figures a month, learn the skills to create and run your own FL business while building a network of top business people***

Back at the beginning of the year I packed up everything I owned in Canada and moved to South America. I was keen to make enough income to stay down there while also building my own Fastlane business. Problem was I had no online skills, no idea what to do and have never ran a successful business before.

I just launched my business last week and I am still down here living happily so I guess I could say things have gone very well. Hopefully this information helps others achieve similar success and allows them to start pursuing their dreams.


So first things first:

- I started with zero coding knowledge in January of this year. I didn't know how to host a website, I didn't know what HTML or CSS was, I made a tonne of really basic mistakes and figured it all out by myself. I didn't take any expensive courses, had no mentors and probably only spent a few hundred dollars getting set up.

It took me a while to refine my niche but what I now focus on is building simple yet powerful websites that get huge results. No crazy interactive code, no fancy graphics, just simple, clean, professional websites that add huge value to the clients who hire me.

In the last few months I have
- built a website that landed a $1 million pus contract for the guys who hired me (they hadn't worked in over 8 months - oil company)
- built a website that helped get a pro athlete into a world tournament and increased pay from his sponsors (social media profile increase)
- Built a website that has a lawyer making over 1k a week on consultations

While I made good money on these websites its nice to know that the value I added is many times more and all my clients have been very satisfied.

I am still in the early stages of figuring this all out though so as this thread goes along I will still update with what I am learning and what has changed. Right now my problem is scaling, I need more top sales people on the ground selling websites for me. I will come back to this in another post maybe.


So how to begin:

So todays lesson is on how to get started at the very start. You know nothing and you want to get in on this action too. Some quick notes - I build "custom" HTML websites 99% of the time, I don't use wordpress except in some rare cases for add on blog/news sections to my sites. Why? Most of my clients are very busy, non tech people. They don't want or have time to update their websites. They want it built well and they want it to run itself. HTML is a lot better for this and when done right looks way more professional.

How to begin with HTML:

Take the HTML and CSS lessons on Codecademy - learn to code, interactively, for free.

You can also do the JS section but I didn't and have been just fine.


Next take the following UDEMY course:

Build Responsive Real World Websites with HTML5 and CSS3


After this you will now know how to edit and work with HTML themes. What does that mean?

Well there is no point creating a website from scratch. That takes years of coding experience and a lot of time for each new clients. Luckily enough people have gone and created HTML themes - its an already coded website where you just rearrange, switch out the pictures and text and add in a few extra bits (I will show how to do all of this at a later stage).

An example of a theme is here...

Foundry Multipurpose HTML + Variant Page Builder

It just a blank slate with a certain style that you work with. While this may seem like strange or cheating (I thought this was how to learn to build websites!??) its not. Anyone with an internet can create a website these days so that is not where we will be adding value. We add value by building a website with a purpose. We want to build websites that get results and make money, or whatever they are trying to achieve, for the owner.

So how do you build a website that gets great results?

Good question.

As @Andy Black would say you want sales not a website. I am going to meet him half way with you want to build a website that gets sales. Not a website that looks amazing, has cool videos and sections, talks about the companies recent gold tournament or how they really wanted to do X since they were 5. Now it might do one or all of these things but only IF it helps gets sales.

Every page, link, click and action on the website is to help facilitate the growth of the company and sales.

Lets take for example an immigration lawyer website...

Is the goal of the site to teach you about immigration law?
Is it to show you stats of work, trade and education within the country?
Is it to teach you about what to do when you first arrive, what to pack, what to expect?

No.

The whole purpose of that website is for the user to either book a consultation or contact them regarding their services. Which both lead to that person hiring them as their immigration lawyer.

Now it might use some of the above to help with that goal but it only has one main purpose. Everything we do for that client must help with that goal or if it doesn't help... be removed.


You are going to learn to take the value of threads of here regarding copywriting, sales and the Fastlane Mindset and apply it other peoples businesses to help them achieve massive results. This just happens to take the form of a website. You are really selling sales and results.

Once you sell results there is no limit to what you can charge and achieve.


If you have read all this and want to start follow the above links, compete them fully and then follow along with the next stages. There will be a lot to cover but I will outline everything you need to know to be making over $10,000 a month with 6 months*.

*Assumes actual work ethic, being able to do some learning by yourself and filling in the gaps. I will give advice but I won't be holding anyones hand step-by-step.

Next lesson... Client selection.

This what you are teaching here, is absolutely Powerful, and by all means, I am 1000% grateful - Pepper and Spray - making great use of effective tools.

Thank you.

 

[imjustlearning]

First off, thanks so much to everyone who contributed value to this thread, it really is mindset changing. As a result, I read through it all, completed the courses made a couple of test websites to get my skills up and revamped one website through a contact I had for free, but it's all quiet on the referrals front there unfortunately. I did the best job I possibly could but they didn't seem to value online presence in the first place anyway.

I then went ahead and sent 100 cold emails using the "niche" + "town" googling to find leads outlined earlier, but I received not one single positive reply. Is cold calling the way to go? If so, what software do I use for it? (I'm assuming using a personal number will get you put on a spam list).

 

[Daniyal Anjum]

First off, thanks so much to everyone who contributed value to this thread, it really is mindset changing. As a result, I read through it all, completed the courses made a couple of test websites to get my skills up and revamped one website through a contact I had for free, but it's all quiet on the referrals front there unfortunately. I did the best job I possibly could but they didn't seem to value online presence in the first place anyway.

I then went ahead and sent 100 cold emails using the "niche" + "town" googling to find leads outlined earlier, but I received not one single positive reply. Is cold calling the way to go? If so, what software do I use for it? (I'm assuming using a personal number will get you put on a spam list).

I personally used gmail calling and it seemed to work great.

Skype banned me for security reasons. Which was strange, since I honored everyone's requests to not call them back and I was 100% upfront with everyone (I found you through yellowpages, google business and I think I can help you).

 

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[imjustlearning]

I'll use Skype for now. I'm in the UK so no Google Voice which is a shame.

Has anyone had success with small business Facebook/LinkedIn groups for initial traction?

 

[Fox]

Guys just to let you know this is now open...

Fox Web School
Marketplace - Fox Web School - Online School for Making Money with Web Design


If you have any questions please ask over there, thanks.

 

[Countzatara]

I read through this forum post all week. Great post Fox. Took action today after setting up my website. the FIRST business I emailed, wants to meet with me. It's an elevator repair company with a really bad website. No prior experience in my portfolio.

I largely think I got it so easily because
1. Im a local guy, and I made sure to reference itin my email to build some sort of trust that I'm not a random scammer on the internet.
2. (This is probably the biggest reason) I made a mockup of their home page and sent them it. When they replied, they stressed how much better it looked and instantly wanted to set up a meet time.

I highly recommend doing this method. I can't believe how easy that was. Now, I have a few questions. When I meet/call with him, what order of topics should I bring up? What materials should I bring? Should I bring a contract? Just how much should I talk about? Any and all tips are greatly welcomed.

If you need help with negotiating the best book, in my opinion, is Getting More, by Stuart Diamond. To supplement this book, read Never Split the Difference, by Chris Voss. Best of luck!

 

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[policebaton]

Hey Fox,

I am an account executive at a magazine and have an advertising client struggling with their website. They need a new one, and you're one of the first I thought of after reading this thread. Would love to see if you could give them a hand. They make fireproof materials for lithium ion battery packs, I know them well, and they called me asking if I knew someone who could help.

Let me know please maybe we can set up a quick chat. Thanks

 

[pbellot]

I wanted to add to the thread. I found a cloud hosting/deployment company: zeit.co I plan on using them for my services. Also check out Semantic-UI. It's a fantastic alternative to Bootstrap with better "class" names and some very nice material type components. Very sexy!

 

[SamuelMazzotta]

Thanks Fox for this awesome section! I love read your partecipation at The Forum, you always have many advice and Gold nuggets to us.
Create Value is one of the best secrete to have success and i'm studyng and learning day by day to create it, help people to solve a problem and in the end come on to my personal Fastlane.
Thank you sincerely.

 

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[Andy Daniels]

This thread is killer! Thank you @Fox for bringing light to this amazing opportunity.

I've already started the academy courses on coding, and I've put together a small list of companies that I know,
whose websites are pathetic. I can't wait to build them new ones, and add tons of value and results to their business.

It's all about taking action. This thread is gold for a reason. Fox is right, no excuses!

 

[alan3wilson]

This thread is killer! Thank you @Fox for bringing light to this amazing opportunity.

I've already started the academy courses on coding, and I've put together a small list of companies that I know,
whose websites are pathetic. I can't wait to build them new ones, and add tons of value and results to their business.

It's all about taking action. This thread is gold for a reason. Fox is right, no excuses!

Great man. So you just call business owners and tell them to restore their website for a monthly fee or what ?

and where are you learning programming ? books ?

 

[Andy Daniels]

Great man. So you just call business owners and tell them to restore their website for a monthly fee or what ?

and where are you learning programming ? books ?

I haven't started prospecting yet until I finish the coding courses.

There are plenty of free resources out there, my favorite being this: Build Responsive Real World Websites with HTML5 and CSS3

Once I get more practice, I will build up my portfolio by offering free builds to local companies that I know, in exchange for positive testimonials for my site. If they like my product, they will use it, and hopefully tell their friends about me. You gotta start this way to build social proof about your business.

 

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[alan3wilson]

I haven't started prospecting yet until I finish the coding courses.

There are plenty of free resources out there, my favorite being this: Build Responsive Real World Websites with HTML5 and CSS3

Once I get more practice, I will build up my portfolio by offering free builds to local companies that I know, in exchange for positive testimonials for my site. If they like my product, they will use it, and hopefully tell their friends about me. You gotta start this way to build social proof about your business.

Great. I think also programming you can learn that only with practice right ? Coding seems difficult at first.

 

[Skyizlimit1]

Sorry if this was already answered, @Fox, but do you ask what a clients budget is before giving them a price? I gave a quote to my first company that was interested for $1500 (4-5 page site with picture gallery) and now they barely answer me and tell me they are "till deciding" 2 weeks after I gave them the quote. I think it might've been out of their budget and they looked elsewhere.

 

[Fox]

Sorry if this was already answered, @Fox, but do you ask what a clients budget is before giving them a price? I gave a quote to my first company that was interested for $1500 (4-5 page site with picture gallery) and now they barely answer me and tell me they are "till deciding" 2 weeks after I gave them the quote. I think it might've been out of their budget and they looked elsewhere.

When dealing with a smaller client you can work backwards...
"what is a budget you would feel comfortable with"
"how much do you have to invest in making this work"

Once you get some experience though and have a solid portfolio you should be seeing out clients who you know have the cashflow to afford a decent website.

 

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[Undependent]

Guys just to let you know this is now open...

Fox Web School
Marketplace - Fox Web School - Online School for Making Money with Web Design


If you have any questions please ask over there, thanks.

Hi Fox,
Where can I ask questions? Just found your offer and have a couple of questions. Thanks.

 

[Milos]

I learned to code a few months ago, and I am very comfortable with HTML, CSS, Wordpress and even basic JS. Although I can create a website, and I would have no trouble cold calling and doing whatever is necessary to get clients, I am completely devoid of creativity needed to design a website.
I think Fox said earlier in this thread that as soon as he sees some terribly designed website, he already knows how to improve it. While I can certainly recognize a terrible website, I usually have no idea how to improve it. And if the website is at least decent, I don't even see what's wrong with it until someone points it out.

Should I quit this and focus on something that can be learned by reading a book?

Also thank you for creating this thread, there is lot of good info here for people who want to earn more by building websites.

 

[pbellot]

I learned to code a few months ago, and I am very comfortable with HTML, CSS, Wordpress and even basic JS. Although I can create a website, and I would have no trouble cold calling and doing whatever is necessary to get clients, I am completely devoid of creativity needed to design a website.
I think Fox said earlier in this thread that as soon as he sees some terribly designed website, he already knows how to improve it. While I can certainly recognize a terrible website, I usually have no idea how to improve it. And if the website is at least decent, I don't even see what's wrong with it until someone points it out.

Should I quit this and focus on something that can be learned by reading a book?

Also thank you for creating this thread, there is lot of good info here for people who want to earn more by building websites.

You've gotta keep working at it. Look at inspirational sites: AirBnB, Artsy, Facebook, ZenGarden. Find the inspiration! It's like a big ole pile of legos! You don't know what's going on at first, but when you start putting it all together, magic happens.

 

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[Milos]

You've gotta keep working at it. Look at inspirational sites: AirBnB, Artsy, Facebook, ZenGarden. Find the inspiration! It's like a big ole pile of legos! You don't know what's going on at first, but when you start putting it all together, magic happens.

Thanks for replying.
The problem is when I start looking how other great websites look, I just end up copying some of them which doesn't help my creativity in the long run at all, it kills it completely.

 

[pbellot]

Thanks for replying.
The problem is when I start looking how other great websites look, I just end up copying some of them which doesn't help my creativity in the long run at all, it kills it completely.

Think of it like music, the best music is copied and improvised on. Take out the best parts you like and build on that. Think about whitespace, font color and spacing, color, content presentation. I think of it like this: if my 4 year old or 80 year old with Parkinsons can navigate through the site easily, I've done my job. Look for simplicity, find inspiration and add your touch/flair.

 

[Milos]

Think of it like music, the best music is copied and improvised on. Take out the best parts you like and build on that. Think about whitespace, font color and spacing, color, content presentation. I think of it like this: if my 4 year old or 80 year old with Parkinsons can navigate through the site easily, I've done my job. Look for simplicity, find inspiration and add your touch/flair.

I see, thanks for advice. I guess I will give it a try again, there are some old projects I could revisit.

 

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[Fox]

Hi Fox,
Where can I ask questions? Just found your offer and have a couple of questions. Thanks.

Hi, if you click on that link you will find the marketplace post - ask whatever you want in that thread. Thanks.

 

[jmusic]

Hello,
I'm having some second thoughts about a project, would appreciate the opinion of the fastlaners.

Started my web design adventure about a month ago, made a free one-page site for my young friend who has just opened her attorney office.

She got me a lead, her former boss, a wealthy senior attorney with 30 years of experience who has never had a website before.
I met with him today, we discussed his needs and he feels he needs a 1-1.5 month project.

Then he also told me that he wants me to do the whole project for free, as well as pay his hosting and domain costs. In exchange, he assured me several times that he will find more clients for me in the future.

I reluctantly shook his hand, thinking I have to start somewhere but now I have some serious second thoughts.
What is your opinion?

I know it's a few months later but for anyone else reading this, there is a ***BIG*** difference between:
- You offering to work for free
- Someone ASKING you to work for free, especially a "a wealthy senior attorney"!!

 

[jmusic]

Wow. Finally slogged through all 41 pages! I can definitely see how frustrating it can be to teach.

I've got the CodeCademy and Udemy courses done and have identified a few businesses in need of my services. I'll start my free project for a friend who has a home-based smoker/BBQ business and then the sky's the limit!

I've done sales before too. Main hitch right now is my slowlane job: pays VERY well, but will be ending in about 18 months with a large payday at the end as well so I won't be quitting that early. Don't want to go back to a cubicle farm when that's done though. My wife also gives me crap about spending "too much" time on the computer at home (which a good deal of is action-faking or outright killing time, I admit).

Anyone else successfully getting projects while working around a full-time 8-5 job?

 

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[ImIvanI]

Hey Fox. I'm a complete newbie here, but I've been following your advice on the thread for weeks, and am finishing up courses in HTML / CSS, as well as making my own portfolio website. My one question is how / where do you host your websites? Almost everything is paid except github and I was wondering if you pay monthly to host your client's websites. Thank you!

-Ivan

 

[jmusic]

Hey Fox. I'm a complete newbie here, but I've been following your advice on the thread for weeks, and am finishing up courses in HTML / CSS, as well as making my own portfolio website. My one question is how / where do you host your websites? Almost everything is paid except github and I was wondering if you pay monthly to host your client's websites. Thank you!

-Ivan

I think he answered that question quite early in the thread. Fox prefers to have the client buy the hosting, usually through GoDaddy, that way they aren't tied to him in the future. "Keeps everything clean" I think were his words...

Others have mentioned using "White Label hosting" which is basically a service that you would control/make money from, but it increases the complication factor.

Hope this helps.

 

[alan3wilson]

So guys from what I read here, the best way to learn programming is to work on your own projects or clients projects?

 

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[ImIvanI]

I think he answered that question quite early in the thread. Fox prefers to have the client buy the hosting, usually through GoDaddy, that way they aren't tied to him in the future. "Keeps everything clean" I think were his words...

Others have mentioned using "White Label hosting" which is basically a service that you would control/make money from, but it increases the complication factor.

Hope this helps.

Thanks so much. Very useful info!

 

[Fox]

So guys from what I read here, the best way to learn programming is to work on your own projects or clients projects?

Clients - real problem that require active learning (solutions).