8 Wordpress Developer Business Success Stories [2024]
Want to use your web design skills to help businesses build their online presence? Consider starting a WordPress developer business.
In simple terms, a WordPress developer business involves designing and developing websites using the WordPress platform. WordPress powers over a third of all websites globally, making it a highly sought-after skill for businesses of all sizes.
Clients will rely on you to create user-friendly, responsive websites that cater to their specific needs. From e-commerce sites to company blogs, the opportunities are diverse. Your job isn't just about coding; it's about crafting a seamless online experience that drives business goals.
The appeal lies in the flexibility—this can be a side hustle or a full-time gig, and you can operate entirely online. With the right skills and a good marketing strategy, a WordPress developer business is both a rewarding and scalable venture.
In this list, you'll find real-world wordpress developer business success stories and very profitable examples of starting a wordpress developer business that makes money.
1. 51blocks ($2.52M/year)
Michael Borgelt, the founder of 51Blocks and BionicWP, was inspired by his grandfather's business principles of helping people. He saw a need for quality digital marketing services and SEO expertise in the industry, so he started 51Blocks in 2009. With a strong focus on customer service and referrals, the agency has achieved an impressive customer lifetime value of 2.5+ years and generates $2.6 million in annual revenue. Building on this success, Borgelt launched BionicWP in 2020 to provide hyper-fast WordPress hosting with top-notch customer support.
How much money it makes: $2.52M/year
How much did it cost to start: $1K
How many people on the team: 30
This case study is about Michael Borgelt, founder of 51Blocks and BionicWP, who generates $2.6M revenue annually offering quality digital marketing and hosting solutions, including white label SEO, hyper-fast WordPress hosting, website development, and paid advertising, achieving a customer lifetime value of 2.5+ years and hosting 2,000 sites in about 1.5 years.
2. Nirmal Web Studio ($1.2M/year)
Nirmal Gyanwali, the founder of Nirmal Web Studio, came up with the idea for his business after realizing that many businesses on a budget were being left with half-completed projects by inexperienced web developers. He wanted to utilize his years of industry experience to help these businesses and founded his own boutique WordPress agency in 2015. Since then, the company has grown to a team of 25 and serves over 100 clients, including renowned brands like the University of Oxford and The Star.
How much money it makes: $1.2M/year
How much did it cost to start: $5K
How many people on the team: 22
Nirmal Gyanwali founded Nirmal Web Studio in 2015 with no investment, gradually growing from 2 to 25 global teams, serving more than 100 clients, including the University of Oxford, by offering top-notch web development services through their values of continuous improvement and leadership.
3. 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.
How much money it makes: $960K/year
How much did it cost to start: $250
How many people on the team: 25
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.
4. Visualmodo ($360K/year)
to the market response, competitors, and trends. Secondly, customer support and satisfaction are crucial. Providing excellent support, addressing customer questions and concerns promptly, and going above and beyond to exceed their expectations will not only retain existing customers but also attract new ones through positive word-of-mouth. Lastly, investing in content and establishing yourself as an authority in your field through valuable resources, helpful documentation, and educational materials can greatly contribute to brand credibility and customer trust.
How much money it makes: $360K/year
How much did it cost to start: $10K
How many people on the team: 3
Visualmodo co-founders Claudio Pires and Jared Dias started a global WordPress theme development company which generates $360k per year, with the market growing rapidly.
5. TRIARE ($300K/year)
Boris, the founder of TRIARE, came up with the idea for his software development company after working as a project manager for a German startup. When the company closed down, Boris decided to keep the team and build a business together. With just a $500 investment, they started providing software development services and eventually evolved into a full-cycle service provider. Through word of mouth and various marketing tools, TRIARE has attracted and retained customers, with their website receiving 22,000 unique visitors and generating dozens of leads.
How much money it makes: $300K/year
How many people on the team: 60
Ukrainian software development company TRIARE, with a current annual turnover of $500,000, shares how personal and collective responsibility, paired with patience and consistency, can help build a profitable business.
6. Windhill Design LLC ($263K/year)
Link Moser, founder of Windhill Design, came up with the idea for his WordPress development and SEO company after teaching himself HTML and building his first website for a real estate company in 1996. Over the years, the business has grown organically through referrals and search engine optimization, and has recently experienced growth through acquisitions, reaching a gross revenue of $212,000 in 2021.
How much money it makes: $263K/year
How much did it cost to start: $30
How many people on the team: 1
Learn how Link Moser started a WordPress development and SEO company with just $30 and grew it to a business that generated around $212,000 in gross revenue in 2021 by focusing on providing excellent customer service and leveraging growth through acquisitions.
7. ThriveWP ($57.6K/year)
Gavin, the founder of ThriveWP, came up with the idea for his WordPress maintenance service after experiencing the need for website updates and patches to prevent issues and vulnerabilities. With over 15 years of experience in the WordPress industry and a focus on providing top-quality support, Gavin built ThriveWP into a successful business through customer-centricity and word of mouth.
How much money it makes: $57.6K/year
How many people on the team: 1
ThriveWP, a WordPress Maintenance Service based in the UK, shares how they started a $3.5k a month business providing website management, maintenance, hosting, and support services to various customers, with a focus on customer-centric service and a non-jargon approach.
8. Website Profit Course ($28.2K/year)
Ray DelVecchio, founder of Website Profit Course, came up with the idea after realizing the importance of owning one's website and email list. He wanted to help people start their web design businesses and provide them with the necessary skills to succeed. Through his blog and membership program, he has been able to help aspiring web designers gain clients and generate income, with some members earning up to $4,900 from their first paid gigs.
How much money it makes: $28.2K/year
How much did it cost to start: $600
How many people on the team: 0
Learn how one founder built and grew a web design business learning platform, with an average online revenue of $2,350/month, by providing step-by-step training systems and resources for beginners and using consistent publishing on YouTube, blog and email lists to retain customers.
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.
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.
