How Much Does It Cost To Start A Niche Web Design Business? (In 2024)
Looking to start a niche web design business?
But curious about:
- how much it costs to start a niche web design business?
- what are the typical niche web design business startup costs?
- or the actual cost of starting niche web design businesses?
Well, we have the data to prove it, supported by real niche web design businesses and how much they actually cost to start.
Let's go over it.
What is the average cost of starting a niche web design business?
Based on our data reported by actual niche web design business founders, the average cost of starting a niche web design business is between $28 and $300,000.
Additionally, our data shows that the the median startup costs for a niche web design business are around $1K.
Remember, though, not all niche web design businesses are the same - and neither are people's budgets. It's important to distinguish between different levels or types of niche web design businesses
Real World Examples: How much does it cost to start a niche web design business?
We asked real niche web design business founders and business owners how much it actually cost to get started?
Here is what they said:
Kara Jensen
Founder of Bop Design ($200K/month)
"The money we earned from Bop Design went right back into the business to pay for marketing, networking events, and other business expenses. We lived off my salary and Jeremy's sales consulting job."
Kara Jensen is the co-founder of Bop Design, a B2B Digital Marketing Agency that she started in 2009, which has since evolved to serve clients globally and made the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies list two years in a row.
Mike Shaefer
Founder of LabelGurus ($6K/month)
"I didn’t bother with any legal stuff from the start so my startup costs were next to nothing. Just the $18/mo for a Squarespace website and $6 for a g-suite. The great thing about starting a service business like graphic design is you can do it from anywhere in a matter of minutes. As long as you have some work you can show, you’re ready to start."
Mike Shaefer is the founder of LabelGurus, a label & packaging design service for CPG beverage brands that started in 2019 and is currently averaging $6,000 per month in revenue.
Ray DelVecchio
Founder of Website Profit Course ($2.35K/month)
"My most significant expenses were screen recording software (Camtasia for $299 and WordPress membership software (WishList Member for $297)."*
Ray DelVecchio is the founder of Website Profit Course, a business launched in 2015 to help people start their own web design businesses.
Andy Golpys
Founder of MadeByShape ($50K/month)
"We had no overheads, I think we probably spent about £1,000 to set up the business."
Andy Golpys is the founder of MadeByShape, a creative and digital agency that has grown substantially and now averages £50k per month.
Nirmal Gyanwali
Founder of Nirmal Web Studio ($100K/month)
"We literally started the business with zero investment. As I had a long experience in the industry, the only asset that required us to take off was a laptop and the willingness to take risks."
Nirmal Gyanwali is the founder of Nirmal Web Studio, a WordPress agency that started in 2015 and has grown to a 25-member team servicing more than 100 clients.
Anebi Agbo
Founder of Eikon Design ($15K/month)
"I did not keep track of every possible thing that went into it at the beginning but will place it in the ballpark of $1500 to get this going (you can do this cheaper)."
Anebi Agbo is the founder of Eikon Labs, a web design consultancy started in 2019 to help small-business leaders create inspiring designs for their websites, apps, and marketing.
Ľubomír Lajoš
Founder of UXtweak ($40K/month)
"Our main costs were development. We spent around 30K Euros on the development of the first product. We didn't have any offices, any company, we just used free tools. We are IT guys, that's how we roll. Other costs - legal and so on - were less than 5K Euros."
Ľubomír Lajoš is the founder of UXtweak, a user research platform that helps businesses understand user interactions with their websites.
Kenn Kelly
Founder of Never Settle ($150K/month)
"I left that company, released all the debt I had invested, and returned my equity to create a clean separation. Took everything I had learned in my career from Management Consulting, to being in a high growth tech startup, to being part of a culture I wasn’t comfortable with and launched Never Settle with the axiom that we would ‘never settle’ on doing the right thing even when it costs us money, time, or humility."
Kenn Kelly is the founder of Never Settle, a digital agency that has built over 1,000 business sites and apps and has been globally recognized as a leader in mobile, website, and marketing solutions.
Jonathan Moore
Founder of PageGuard ($200/month)
"All in all, it was about a hundred bucks to get the things I needed to launch the business."
Jonathan Moore is the founder of PageGuard, a WordPress website maintenance business that launched in mid-2020.
Enjoyed reading these real world examples?
Our platform is full of case studies of successful niche web design businesses that you can learn from.
Starting a niche web design business - what you should know:
Starting a niche web design business can vary greatly in cost due to several nuanced factors.
Initial Setup Costs
The initial setup costs include essential tools like a good laptop ($1,000 - $2,500), design software (Adobe Creative Cloud at $52.99/month), and web hosting services ($3 - $10/month). Additionally, you might need a business website, which can cost around $500 if outsourced. Keep licensing and educational resources in mind; courses and certifications range from free to $1,000.
Marketing and Branding
Marketing and branding are crucial for attracting niche clients. Expect to spend on a professional logo ($300 - $1,000), business cards ($20 - $100), and a custom website theme ($50 - $200). Social media advertising, Google Ads, and SEO services, which can cost you anywhere from $200 to $1,000/month, are also essential for increasing visibility.
Specialized Tools and Plugins
The costs can escalate if you need specialized tools and plugins tailored to your niche. For example, e-commerce plugins for a niche in online stores can range from $50 to $300 annually. CRM integrations and premium themes also add up, varying from $100 to $800 depending on complexity and demand.
Ongoing Costs
Consider the ongoing costs like software updates, domain renewals ($10 - $20/year), and hosting renewals ($50 - $150/year). Content marketing, customer support, and any required certifications to stay competitive can cost between $100 to $500 annually per certification.
Understanding these nuances will help you plan your budget effectively and avoid unforeseen expenses.
Potential Costs of Starting a Niche Web Design Business
Starting a niche web design business comes with various startup costs that range from essential tools and services to optional items that can help scale the business effectively.
| Cost Type | Description | Estimated Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Domain Name | Registration of a professional website domain. | $10 - $20 per year |
| Website Hosting | Costs for hosting your website. | $5 - $30 per month |
| Website Design Software | Subscription to web design tools like Adobe XD, Figma, or Sketch. | $10 - $50 per month per tool |
| Graphic Design Software | Tools like Adobe Creative Cloud for graphic-related tasks. | $20 - $80 per month |
| Content Management System | CMS setup costs (e.g., WordPress, Joomla). | Free - $50 per month |
| Project Management Tools | Tools for project management and collaboration (e.g., Trello, Asana). | $0 - $25 per month |
| Computer/Workstation | High-performance computer for designing and coding. | $1,000 - $3,000 upfront |
| Office Space | Renting workspace if not working from home. | $0 - $600+ per month |
| Internet Service | Reliable high-speed internet connection. | $50 - $150 per month |
| Marketing and Promotion | Costs for online advertising, SEO, and other marketing strategies. | $100 - $500+ per month |
| Legal Fees | Incorporation, trademarking, and other legal expenses. | $200 - $1,000+ upfront |
| Accounting Software | Software for financial tracking and invoicing (e.g., QuickBooks). | $10 - $60 per month |
| Freelancer/Employee Wages | Hiring freelance designers or developers. | $20 - $100 per hour |
| Education/Training | Online courses, certifications, and other educational resources. | $50 - $500+ one-time or yearly |
| Backup Solutions | Cloud backup services for project files. | $5 - $20 per month |
| Insurance | Business insurance to protect against liabilities. | $200 - $600 per year |
| Miscellaneous Software | Any additional software not covered above (e.g., plugins, utilities). | $0 - $100 per month |
This table includes a range of both essential and optional costs that should be considered when starting a niche web design business. While certain costs can be minimized or deferred depending on the specific needs and scale of your business, it's important to budget accordingly to ensure a smooth operation from the outset.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
