Your 10 Biggest Questions Answered (Plain & Simple)
You get paid to build and design the parts of websites that people see and interact with.
1. Do I need a certificate?
No. You need to learn HTML, CSS, and JavaScript basics. Can you make a simple webpage that looks good on phones and computers? That’s your skill.
What to do instead:
- Complete freeCodeCamp’s Responsive Web Design certification (free)
- Build 3 practice websites for fictional businesses
- Learn by copying and modifying existing website code
2. What’s the minimum I need to spend?
$0.
- VS Code (free code editor)
- GitHub Pages (free website hosting)
- Your computer and internet
Optional: Domain name ($10-15/year) once you have paying clients.
3. How do I describe what I do?
DON’T say: “I code websites.” (Sounds too technical)
DO say: “I create clean, modern websites that work perfectly on all devices and help businesses attract more customers.”
Services:
- “Small business website design and development”
- “Website redesign and modernization”
- “Landing page creation for marketing campaigns”
- “Website maintenance and updates”
4. Where do I find my VERY first client?
Start with local small businesses with bad websites:
- Local shops, restaurants, service businesses with outdated sites
- Freelancers needing portfolio websites
- Facebook groups for local business owners
- Friends/family starting businesses
Message: “Is your website working for you? I build modern, mobile-friendly websites that help attract customers. First consultation free.”
5. How much do I charge?
First Clients: $500-$1500 for a basic website.
Example pricing:
- 1-page website: $500-800
- 5-page small business site: $1000-1500
- Website redesign: $800-1200
- Monthly maintenance: $50-100/month
Payment: 50% to start, 25% at midpoint, 25% upon launch.
6. What does web development work look like? Step-by-step
Project: “Build a 5-Page Website for a Local Hair Salon”
Steps (20-30 hours total):
- Planning (3 hours): Meet client, understand needs, create sitemap
- Design (5 hours): Create mockups in Figma (free) for approval
- Development (15 hours): Code website using HTML/CSS/JavaScript
- Testing (3 hours): Check on different devices/browsers
- Content addition (2 hours): Add client’s text and photos
- Launch (2 hours): Set up hosting, connect domain, go live
- Training (1 hour): Show client how to update content
What you deliver:
- Fully responsive website (works on phone, tablet, desktop)
- Basic SEO setup
- Contact form that works
- Training on simple updates
- 30 days of support
7. How do I handle payment safely?
Staged payments: 50% to start, 25% when design is approved, 25% before going live.
Use PayPal, bank transfer, or check. Keep code on your server until final payment.
Clear contract: Exactly what’s included, number of revisions, timeline, what happens if client wants changes later.
8. What’s the #1 beginner mistake?
Not making websites mobile-friendly. More than half of web traffic is on phones.
Golden rule: Design mobile-first. Make it work perfectly on phone, then expand to tablet and desktop.
9. How do I know if I’m good enough?
You’re good enough if:
- You can build a responsive website from scratch
- You can debug basic problems (links not working, images not showing)
- You understand how to make websites accessible
- You can explain technical things in simple language
Test: Build a website for a friend’s hobby or side business. Does it work on their phone? Can they navigate it easily? If yes, you’re ready.
10. What’s the next step?
Learn a front-end framework (React, Vue) or specialize (e-commerce sites, WordPress development, web performance optimization).
After basic websites, offer: ongoing maintenance, SEO services, website analytics setup, conversion optimization.
Your Action Plan:
- Today: Complete first module of freeCodeCamp Responsive Web Design
- Tomorrow: Build a simple one-page website for a fictional business
- This week: Find 3 local businesses with bad websites and offer a free homepage redesign mockup