Last Updated on September 25, 2024 by Arif Chowdhury
Ever dream of quitting your 9-to-5 and making bank from your laptop?
I did. And I made it happen.
Now I’m pulling in $7,200 every single month selling custom website templates.
Sound too good to be true? It’s not. But it ain’t easy either.
Let me break it down for you.
The Gold Rush of Website Templates
Here’s the deal:
Businesses need websites. That’s not changing anytime soon.
But not everyone can code. And not everyone wants to.
That’s where we come in.
Did you know: According to a recent survey, 71% of small businesses have a website, and this number is growing every year.
We create the templates. They buy ’em. Everybody wins.
Why $7,200 a Month?
Simple math:
- Sell 20 templates a month
- Price each at $360
- 20 x $360 = $7,200
Is it doable? Absolutely.
Is it guaranteed? Hell no.
But if you’re willing to put in the work, it’s possible.
Step 1: Learn the Basics
First things first. You gotta know your stuff.
HTML, CSS, JavaScript. These are your new best friends.
Don’t know ’em? Start learning. Now.
Free resources:
- freeCodeCamp
- Codecademy
- YouTube tutorials
Spend a month diving deep. Get comfortable with the basics.
Step 2: Find Your Niche
Here’s where most people mess up.
They try to please everyone. Big mistake.
Pick a niche. Get specific.
Examples:
- Yoga studio websites
- Food truck landing pages
- Freelance writer portfolios
The more specific, the better.
Pro tip: Research your niche. What do they need? What are they willing to pay for?
Step 3: Design Your First Template
Time to get your hands dirty.
Fire up your design software. I use Figma. It’s free and powerful.
Start sketching. Start designing.
Remember:
- Keep it clean
- Make it responsive
- Focus on user experience
Don’t aim for perfection. Aim for progress.
Step 4: Code It Up
Design done? Great. Now bring it to life.
Code that bad boy up.
Make sure it’s:
- Fast-loading
- Mobile-friendly
- Easy to customize
Did you know: According to Google, 53% of mobile users abandon sites that take longer than 3 seconds to load.
Test it. Debug it. Polish it.
Step 5: Set Up Shop
You’ve got your template. Now where do you sell it?
Options:
- Your own website
- Template marketplaces (ThemeForest, TemplateMonster)
- Etsy (yeah, they sell digital products too)
I recommend starting with marketplaces. Built-in audience. Less hassle.
Step 6: Price It Right
Pricing is tricky. Too high, no sales. Too low, no profit.
Do your research. What are similar templates selling for?
Start in the middle. Adjust as you go.
Remember: You can always run sales later.
Step 7: Market Like a Boss
Templates don’t sell themselves. You gotta hustle.
Marketing ideas:
- Create a killer product page
- Use social media (Instagram, Pinterest are great for visuals)
- Start a YouTube channel showcasing your templates
- Write blog posts about web design
Be everywhere your potential customers are.
Step 8: Provide Stellar Support
Support can make or break you.
Be responsive. Be helpful. Be patient.
Happy customers leave good reviews. Good reviews bring more customers.
It’s a beautiful cycle.
Step 9: Rinse and Repeat
One template won’t cut it. You need a portfolio.
Keep creating. Keep improving.
Aim for:
- 1 new template a week
- Or 4 new templates a month
Quality over quantity, always.
Step 10: Scale It Up
Once you’ve got the hang of it, think bigger.
Ideas to scale:
- Hire designers/developers to create more templates
- Offer customization services
- Create course teaching others how to do this
The possibilities are endless.
The Reality Check
Let’s keep it 100. This ain’t easy money.
Challenges you’ll face:
- Steep learning curve
- Fierce competition
- Constant need to update and improve
But if you’re passionate about web design and ready to hustle, it’s worth it.
My Journey
I started three years ago. Knew nothing about coding.
First month: Made $0.
Sixth month: Made my first sale. $120.
One year in: Consistently making $2,000 a month.
Now: $7,200 a month and growing.
It’s possible. But it takes time, effort, and persistence.
Final Thoughts
Creating and selling website templates can be a goldmine.
But it’s not a get-rich-quick scheme.
It’s a business. Treat it like one.
Put in the work. Stay consistent. Keep learning.
And who knows? Maybe you’ll be the one writing about making $10,000 a month next year.
Ready to start your journey? What are you waiting for?
Get coding. Get designing. Get selling.
Your future self will thank you.