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

Fox

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For your N-E-S-C-T standards, I believe that they can all be achieved with Squarespace, including client control over their own site. I've mentioned this already, but this strategy might be good if you want to target small businesses and professionals. Dentists and other professionals don't need custom Javascript on their page -- they just want a simple but beautiful professional site to sell their services to the public.

With this, I can probably go high volume and charge in the hundreds (at least in the beginning), because it is an easier job. So I can probably make some money while I learn how to really code to get the five figure projects.

Anyway, man. I don't mean to hijack the thread. I'm going to start my own to see if this idea works. I am very appreciative of the inspiration you gave me. ;)

EDIT:
No one's saying about limiting one's ceiling in the future -- that's just your assumption. Why stop yourself from making money already doing this (assuming this works) while you learn how to code? It's best to be open-minded and taking what you can get right now with what you can do.

This thread is going to be running a while so go try it out and report how it goers. Im being sincere.

60% of a website is going to take the same amount of work no matter what system you use.

The cold call, the sale, getting the content, getting the photos, emails back and forth, hosting info, hosting the site and payment are all included in every job. If you want to do hundreds of jobs keep in mind this part is the same. Its the same amount of time for a 15K site as a $500 site.

You can do what you have written. I agree it will work to a point. Just keep in mind its going to top out and I would be skeptical of making over $2000 a website with that approach, but anything is possible.

In the long run - you add value by being able to do what others can't. I don't know about these systems but whatever system you use if someone else can learn it overnight then you don't have much competitive edge. Thats just basic Entry.


This is from your first link...

Screen Shot 2016-09-15 at 11.45.47 AM.png

So you can either not tell them you are doing it on a website builder and you still own the site (good luck when they find out).

Or you can tell them and have them sign up for a website builder before you begin work on a 5k website.

Again report back when you have actually done this, for now it looks super messy.
 
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goodguude

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Since I am also in this business for a month now I want to share some useful resources.
Hope it's okay to post them in your thread, @Fox .

Learning to code:

for free:
www.freecodecamp.com

(extensive)
www.codecademy.com -> look at the courses HTML & CSS, JavaScript, jQuery, Make a Website, Make an interactive Website
(not that extensive)

udemy:
https://www.udemy.com/the-web-developer-bootcamp/
https://www.udemy.com/design-and-develop-a-killer-website-with-html5-and-css3/



Learning something about UI:
http://goodui.org/


Beautiful Images:
(for free)

https://unsplash.com/
(excellent for hero images)
https://pixabay.com/de/
(more "standard" pictures)
https://placeit.net/
(iPhone Mockups)


Textures:
http://subtlepatterns.com/
http://www.freepik.com/



Beautiful VIDEOS:
http://www.coverr.co/

(really cool for the header of your website)


Colors:
https://flatuicolors.com/
http://www.w3schools.com/colors/colors_picker.asp



Fonts:
https://fonts.google.com/



Some Inspiration:
http://www.csszengarden.com/




Maybe I forgot some nice resources. Feel free to add some more.
Hope it is useful for some of you. :)

 

The-J

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I just contacted a company telling them their form doesn't work. That's all I said. I did this like 5 minutes ago, and I got an automated message saying that the dude is out of the office tomorrow? The time zone is like 2 hours behind me so it's only like 3pm there.

So much opportunity in fixing broken business
 
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RyanSki

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Since I am also in this business for a month now I want to share some useful resources.
Hope it's okay to post them in your thread, @Fox .

Learning to code:

for free:
www.freecodecamp.com

(extensive)
www.codecademy.com -> look at the courses HTML & CSS, JavaScript, jQuery, Make a Website, Make an interactive Website
(not that extensive)

udemy:
https://www.udemy.com/the-web-developer-bootcamp/
https://www.udemy.com/design-and-develop-a-killer-website-with-html5-and-css3/



Learning something about UI:
http://goodui.org/


Beautiful Images:
(for free)

https://unsplash.com/
(excellent for hero images)
https://pixabay.com/de/
(more "standard" pictures)
https://placeit.net/
(iPhone Mockups)


Textures:
http://subtlepatterns.com/
http://www.freepik.com/



Beautiful VIDEOS:
http://www.coverr.co/

(really cool for the header of your website)


Colors:
https://flatuicolors.com/
http://www.w3schools.com/colors/colors_picker.asp



Fonts:
https://fonts.google.com/



Some Inspiration:
http://www.csszengarden.com/




Maybe I forgot some nice resources. Feel free to add some more.
Hope it is useful for some of you. :)

I appreciate all the resources. I started coding about a year ago. It's a bit overwhelming. So many languages, frameworks, libraries, etc to learn...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Fox

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I just contacted a company telling them their form doesn't work. That's all I said. I did this like 5 minutes ago, and I got an automated message saying that the dude is out of the office tomorrow? The time zone is like 2 hours behind me so it's only like 3pm there.

So much opportunity in fixing broken business

Exactly look for people and companies who have clear issues. Easy to pitch them work.

I contacted a HUGE company in Ireland (20 million a year plus) and asked for the main contact person listed on the website - "oh he left a year ago". Now when you email this guy (his email is also listed) you don't get any response or error message. So he left, they never updated the site and his emails go nowhere. Its a crazy world out there.
 

Andy Black

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Just did an hour Skype with someone just getting started. Really nice to pass on all the info that will save the weeks/months I spent figuring it out for myself.

If @MJ DeMarco can make it happen I would like to do an INSIDERS call for this. Its not mega millions but I think 1-2 hours will be enough to get anyone interested started towards a 5-10k monthly income after a few months.

If people are interested in something like this let me know. I have gotten a lot of PMs and while I try my best its not going to be possible to Skype everyone for an hour.
Pamela.biz

Record those calls and drop them in here. I've done so many calls with forum members that would have helped other forum members. If only I'd thought to record them!

Heck, I think a recorded call between me and thee would be interesting.


EDIT: Not saying don't do an INSIDERS call. I thought of doing one then figured just do some calls and drop them in anyway - without asking for permission and without telling anyone I was going to do it.

It's kind of a philosophy I'd like to use in my business. "I'm doing it anyway." or better still "I did it already. You want to buy it?"


EDIT2: pamela.biz broke so I'm using evaer.com
 
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Last edited:

Fox

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Great, can you also record screenshare @Andy Black ? I would like to do more screenshare so I can explain concepts and design.

I am trying to think of the best format - maybe I just do a one hour Skype with a beginner on here and people could also post up questions in advance?

Also I would love to do one with you in the future Andy.
 

Andy Black

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Great, can you also record screenshare @Andy Black ? I would like to do more screenshare so I can explain concepts and design.

I am trying to think of the best format - maybe I just do a one hour Skype with a beginner on here and people could also post up questions in advance?

Also I would love to do one with you in the future Andy.
I think Pamela.biz can record video too. I had a video one recorded by mistake. I deleted it and didn't check the quality.

I've recorded Skype screenshares with Camtasia Studio before and that worked quite well.

I think just going "deep" with one person and recording it will add a lot of value.

Maybe we just do it and I record it? I've already got Pamela and Camtasia so you wouldn't have to fork out anything.

Plus I'd add some of my tips and tricks and how I view the Google results page.

My business model isn't too far different from what you're discussing in this thread (less "hits" of revenue and more recurring revenue possibly?) and I'm moving away from it towards owning the lead gen assets in a similar way you are too.

"AndyTalks with The Fox" coming soon! :)


EDIT: I'm using evaer.com and not pamela.biz now.
 
Last edited:

Fox

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Cool @Andy Black lets do it early next week. Guys post up your questions in the meantime or what topics to cover.

* Also it will be two Irishmen so we need someone to do subtitles. :woot:
 
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The-J

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I contacted a HUGE company in Ireland (20 million a year plus) and asked for the main contact person listed on the website - "oh he left a year ago". Now when you email this guy (his email is also listed) you don't get any response or error message. So he left, they never updated the site and his emails go nowhere. Its a crazy world out there.

It's kind of hilarious, really, except it's not because who knows what else they're F*cking up with?
 

Andy Black

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Cool @Andy Black lets do it early next week. Guys post up your questions in the meantime or what topics to cover.

* Also it will be two Irishmen so we need someone to do subtitles. :woot:
Just subtitles for you Mr Fox. Blimey, don't you know I'm English? Tally Ho and all that.
 

Andy Black

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It's kind of hilarious, really, except it's not because who knows what else they're F*cking up with?
Yes, the food trays being dirty means our airplane engines haven't been serviced properly.

It means they'll be extinct eventually.
 
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Chazmania

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Cool @Andy Black lets do it early next week. Guys post up your questions in the meantime or what topics to cover.


Since you went from zero to 5 figs per month with no prior coding ability in a quick 9 months (which is damn impressive) , I would like to ask:

1. It seems like you had a great formula from the start. If you don't mind - what kind of resources did you learn from besides the courses you listed already in the beginning of the thread? Any favorite books/trainings etc that you'd recommend, whether it's coding, freelancing, sales, whatever?

Thanks again for all the great info so far. Definitely getting some basics down already from the Codecademy course.
 

Fox

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Screen Shot 2016-09-15 at 8.21.19 PM.png

This is why I don't really make too many cold calls or have to chase down work that often. If you build solid websites, treat the customer well ( read @SinisterLex thread on copywriting), and provide value they come to you. This isn't to say I am above cold calls. If I did not have work I would be busting my a$$ off making calls and I started off that way but its nice to know that all that hard work does come back around.

This pic isn't too brag. Its a good lesson on adding value. There are hundreds, maybe 1000s of guys chasing down $300 websites on Upwork, not even 9 months doing code and here is another $4-6k website.

Also talked to my other client today and they are super happy with the work done. Maybe another few leads there.


If you are starting off...

Use the 1000s of threads on here and apply that knowledge to the whole experience of someone getting a website off you.

Guys a lot smarter than me have posted dozens of posts on value, customer relations, sales, mindset and on and on. Its all here.


I am still on small money compared to the big guys on here but I do think this is a great lessons in the skills that I hope to put to use on bigger projects down the line. Add value - money will come afterwards.
 
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DaRK9

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It took me longer to build a site on Squarespace than it would have to modify a template by hand.

I had a client who at the end of everything goes "Oh and I want it all on Squarespace so I can edit it later."

Last time I do that.


EDIT: Jesus. This site http://addpbj.com/service-pricing/ was disgusting.
 
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DaRK9

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What was so bad?
The homepage doesn't have a clear message except for money.
You never want to hit someone over the head with pricing like that.

The other pages are so cluttered I can't keep track of what is going on.
You should never have to move your eyes completely across the monitor to read the main body of a page.
Too much parallax scrolling going on with items that are meaningless.
10.8 MB page size??

It reminds me of all the terrible Flash sites that are floating around still. It's like the designer took every fad design from the last 5 years and crammed it into one site.
 

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jmomcc

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It took me longer to build a site on Squarespace than it would have to modify a template by hand.

I had a client who at the end of everything goes "Oh and I want it all on Squarespace so I can edit it later."

Last time I do that.


EDIT: Jesus. This site http://addpbj.com/service-pricing/ was disgusting.

I had a quick look at that site. What's up with the scrolling feature where pics scroll down and cover other areas of the screen. Also, it is next to impossible to find actual links to sites they worked on. It is incredibly bad but they seem to be getting business which should be encouraging I guess.
 
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Hi Fox I was reading some of your posts about Programming. I must say it is very inspiring. I also moved from North America and am currently living in Medellin. I am finding that teaching English is rewarding but not putting as much money in my pocket as I would like. Recently I have started looking to the internet to start making money. I am a little lost on where to start. I just starting looking into coding as a possible way for me to make a living abroad. I would like to elaborate more, but I have to be in Spanish class in a half hour. I look forward to hearing from you, and learning from you.

Thank You!
 

Fox

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How much are you worth / how much should you be charging?

- Take your top three websites you have done so far.

- Contact 3 People each on Upwork (choose the best people) and ask them how much to do a website like this

- Get the averages

- Only ask people with a good track record. You don't want to see what people low ball as, you want to see what top guys would charge

- If you get any kind of negative feedback about the actual website along the lines of "I wouldn't do it like that" "The design seems off" then realize you need to work on your actual coding and design skills and not on your sales

This is a good test for where you are in the market place and what your websites are really worth.


*Kind in mind that selecting good niches can increase these prices by about 50-200%
 

Fox

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Chazmania

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Great, and very relevant, info from @SinisterLex

Lol - you must be getting a ton of PM's, I hope it doesn't kill your enthusiasm for continuing this thread. After all there are only so many hours in a day.

Honestly though even if you never gave another suggestion or piece of advice, there's already enough in this thread for someone with initiative to get up and running. Rep transferred.



Great points from @SinisterLex as always.
 

Fox

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Lol - you must be getting a ton of PM's, I hope it doesn't kill your enthusiasm for continuing this thread. After all there are only so many hours in a day.

Honestly though even if you never gave another suggestion or piece of advice, there's already enough in this thread for someone with initiative to get up and running. Rep transferred.



Great points from @SinisterLex as always.

Thanks, that post isn't to discourage PMs (if needed) but just to show people go for it themselves and try out what is posted on this forum first before hitting up Message boxes. I am guilty of it too sometimes but you really do have to figure out how to put things into action by your own.
 
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The point of the above is too show that web design is not a saturated service. Maybe on Udemy but if you learn some basic skills, know how to find the right clients and add value the door is wide open. Lots of companies NEED smarter websites, better plans of action and the information on how to succeed online. If you have read a lot of the Gold posts on here you know half of it already. You don't need fancy websites, just the right design and approach.

The above company is blowing money by the hour. With a few weeks of learning anyone on here could add huge value to that specific companies website and help their business out dramatically.

Simple landing page design, email funnel and call answering service and an automated email ---> 1000% results. Average hire rate for a Canadian immigration lawyer is $2500-4000. Imagine getting only one extra client per month. Thats $30-48,000 more in sales.

They're leaving so much money on the table that it's sad smh. @Fox I just have to say thank you very much for this valuable info on web design. You're really giving me life right now! Just out of curiosity, do you approach these companies as a free lance web designer under your own name? Or do you instead operate with an actual business name with perhaps your own website for said business?
 

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Very very interesting! Thank you for sharing @Fox . I had spent a lot of time looking into something similar - SEO Rank & Rent. Rank websites for key terms for expensive fields. I.e. Dentists - where one client can be worth thousands. I, unfortunately, do not have the cash flow to keep up the SEO on my own terms. However, I had also been looking into selling and building websites. Did freelance sales for a while but things fell out.

This way of thinking is fantastic, yes businesses need to exist to provide high volume services to lots of smaller clients. But that doesn't have to be you.
What we are doing here is lowering the hurdle of ROI. If just one customer is worth $30k to a business, then a website bought for $15k is an absolute no-brainer?

If just one client per month, or even per year, doubles the cost of investment (and everything above is gravy) then who the hell wouldn't invest in that? You are providing great value, a fantastic ROI and it's something you can prove with numbers (provided by the business owners themselves).
 

Fox

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@Fox How do tell if a site is good or bad?

Lots of factors but is it getting results, the design and a clear "path" with strong Call-to-Action(s)


How do you go about paying taxes when working with foreign payments?

I have a Canadian company. I bill through that just like any other company. I also have a great accountant.
 

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