Web Design & Online Marketing Business

How Profitable Is A Web Design & Online Marketing Business? (Updated for 2024)

Pat Walls

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Updated: October 5th, 2024

How Profitable Is A Web Design & Online Marketing Business? (Updated for 2024)

So you want to start a web design & online marketing business?

And the first question that came to your mind was, “well, are web design & online marketing businesses actually profitable?”

With a market size of $40.8B - there’s plenty of business to go around.

Especially considering:

You could start a web design & online marketing business with as low as $50
Based on our data, web design & online marketing businesses generate an average of $1.55M per year
You could see gross margins as high as 60% with web design & online marketing businesses

There’s money to be made. Don’t worry.

But, I don't want to spoil it all. Below we’ll cover everything you need to know when it comes to the profitability of a web design & online marketing business.

Let’s dive in!

Is a web design & online marketing business profitable?

Yes, a web design & online marketing business is generally a profitable business. However, you still need to consider several factors since these things always impact the overall outcome.

For instance, since average revenue is $1.55M per year with an estimated gross margin of 90%, you could expect to recover your investment within 7 months or even less.

But of course, it all comes down to how much you earn compared to the potential revenues of your web design & online marketing business.

To determine whether your business is profitable, you should earn more than your expenses in the beginning months. However, while you're in your first month, it can be challenging to know what to expect.

Therefore, you should maintain a record of your monthly expenses and income to determine whether you're meeting your goals. By doing this step, you can see how your web design & online marketing business is doing and if any changes or adjustments need to be made to enhance or maintain your efforts.

Is a web design & online marketing business worth it?

If you’re wondering if a web design & online marketing business is worth it, the answer is a big YES. With web design & online marketing businesses, you have the potential to earn $1.55M per year (this is based on data reported by real founders).

Further, you could have your initial investment back within months. Simply put, it’s a business worth a shot, especially if you have the resources and make the necessary efforts to achieve or surpass the target.

With a market size of $40.8B, it will be possible for you to build something that grows and turns into a flourishing business. As such, it’s the type of business you might want to consider starting.

Of course, you must learn and understand every aspect of running a web design & online marketing business to ensure success. Still, as long as you have the initial investment and can endure a few months before your actual gains, this business could be worth it.

You might want to consider reading more specifics about successful web design & online marketing businesses case studies.

Examples Of Profitable Web Design & Online Marketing Businesses

Here are a few examples of profitable web design & online marketing businesses, and a few more details about them:

1. Envision ($360K/year)

Leighton Taylor, founder of eCommerce marketing agency Envision, came up with the idea for his business while freelancing in web design and development. He noticed the explosive growth of Shopify as the eCommerce platform of choice and decided to specialize in Shopify-related services. Through clear communication, punctuality, and early success with content marketing, Envision has attracted and retained clients, earning approximately $30k/month in revenue.

Is it profitable? Yes
How much money it makes: $360K/year
How much did it cost to start: $0

How I Started A $30K/Month Conversion-Focused Shopify Development Agency

Founder Leighton Taylor shares how his eCommerce marketing agency for Shopify has grown to approximately $30k/month, working with about 350 eCommerce brands and an ideal client with annual revenue from $1-10 million, while focusing on clear communication, punctuality and content marketing through a podcast.

Read this case study

Read by 7,676 founders

2. Woww ($960K/year)

Felix Norton, the founder of Woww Digital, came up with the idea for his business while he was still a student studying Computer Science. He started building websites for friends and family on the side, which eventually became a full-time business. As the demand for digital marketing services grew, Felix and his team expanded their offerings to provide a holistic solution for clients to succeed online. They have achieved consistent growth, even during the pandemic, and are on track to reach their goal of $1 million MRR in 2026.

Is it profitable? Yes
How much money it makes: $960K/year
How much did it cost to start: $250

How We Started An $80K/Month WordPress Design Business [Cape Town]

Woww Digital is a Cape Town based digital marketing agency specializing in WordPress web design, achieving consistent 60% YoY growth through a pandemic and providing a complete solution to help clients start, grow and thrive online.

Read this case study

Read by 3,128 founders

3. Rise Visible ($96K/year)

Aunia Kahn, CEO of Rise Visible, started her digital marketing agency after receiving an old computer from a friend that had software like Dreamweaver and Adobe Photoshop. With no previous experience, she learned through trial and error and discovered her passion for digital marketing. Through solid work and referrals, Rise Visible has been able to attract and retain clients, leading to impressive revenue growth and recognition as a top-ranking woman-owned digital agency.

Is it profitable? Yes
What's the gross margin? 60%
How much money it makes: $96K/year
How much did it cost to start: $0

My Journey Building A 6-Figure Business As A Disabled Woman In Tech

Rise Visible, a full-service digital marketing agency, founded by Aunia Kahn, has achieved Top-Ranking Woman-Owned Digital Agency 2022 by Clutch and is rapidly approaching its first $100K year in revenue, solely through solid work, referrals, digital marketing through Google My Business, reviews, Facebook groups, social media and newsletters.

Read this case study

Read by 4,297 founders

Learn more about starting a web design & online marketing business:

Where to start?

-> Web design & online marketing business plan
-> How to finance a web design & online marketing business?
-> How much does it cost to start a web design & online marketing business?
-> Pros and cons of a web design & online marketing business

Need inspiration?

-> Other web design & online marketing business success stories
-> Marketing ideas for a web design & online marketing business

Other resources

-> Web design & online marketing business tips

How much can you make with a web design & online marketing business?

With a web design & online marketing business, you can make an average of $1.55M revenue per year (based on data reported by real businesses).

You can start with an initial investment as low as $50. Then, with proper knowledge and sustained effort, you could have an ROI (return of investment) within 7 months.

How much does a web design & online marketing business make a week?

Based on our data, average weekly revenue for a web design & online marketing business ranges around $32.2K. As such, you could see monthly revenues of $129K.

To know if your web design & online marketing business achieves the weekly profit target, you need to keep track of the total earnings you get per day. Afterward, you'll want to consider subtracting the expenses you have daily.

Learning your weekly profit can also show whether you're hitting your target goal for your web design & online marketing business.

How much do web design & online marketing businesses owners make?

The income of a web design & online marketing business owner can vary depending on various factors such as location, size, competition, and the owner's business skills.

But to give you some idea, the weekly revenue of an established web design & online marketing business is about $32.2K. But this can be lower or higher depending on so many factors - it's almost impossible to say exactly.

While the potential for earning a good income as a web design & online marketing business owner exists, success in this field requires a commitment to providing quality products and services and building a strong reputation within the community.

Web Design & Online Marketing Business Profit Margins

Generally speaking, a web design & online marketing business can expect profit margin of around 90%. Profit margins refer to the percentage of revenue that remains after deducting all expenses associated with running a business. In the case of a web design & online marketing business, profit margins can vary depending on various factors, such as the type and quality of products sold, the size of the store, and the level of competition in the area.

However, these figures can vary depending on the pricing strategy, inventory management, and overall efficiency of the business. To maintain healthy profit margins, web design & online marketing business owners must focus on managing costs, negotiating favorable supplier terms, and providing high-quality products and services to attract and retain customers. By doing so, web design & online marketing business owners can ensure long-term sustainability and profitability for their business.

Web design & online marketing business owner salary

The salary of a web design & online marketing business owner is an unpredictable figure. It's significantly influenced by numerous factors, including the store's location, its size, and the degree of competition. An owner of a well-established web design & online marketing business, in a prime position, might see an average weekly salary around the ballpark of $29K.

But it's worth noting, such numbers aren't always consistent. The earnings can vary wildly, potentially swinging by as much as 80% either way.

Achieving consistent success and maintaining a reliable income stream in this industry requires a deep commitment. It's imperative to offer high-quality products, deliver impeccable customer service, and nurture a trusted bond with the community you serve.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, based on many of our examples, a web design & online marketing business may be a promising business to start - but the success of your web design & online marketing business mostly depends on your effort and your approach.

If you focus on these, you'll have a much higher chance of a profitable web design & online marketing business.

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Starting A Web Design & Online Marketing Business: Everything You Need To Know

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