I'm currently working full-time but I'm looking to start a side hustle where I build simple websites for local businesses. I'm not aiming for anything overly fancy; just clean, fast websites that can help these businesses generate leads. I'm focusing on platforms that allow me to quickly build sites, provide clients with access, and charge them a monthly fee for hosting and maintenance. I'm interested in hearing what has worked for others in a similar setup!
6 Answers
I’d advise against WordPress for sure. While many non-techies gravitate towards it for ease of use, it’s really frustrating in practice due to security issues and convoluted navigation. I’m currently working with a lot of WordPress projects, and every tiny change takes ages just to locate within the dashboard!
Definitely avoid GoDaddy, trust me on that! When I started this journey while still working full-time, I realized the key was choosing a platform that lets me create professional-looking sites quickly while also allowing clients to have login access. It helps to keep everything streamlined, and then you can charge those monthly fees for hosting and updates easily.
For ultimate control and simplicity, you might want to stick with HTML, CSS, and vanilla JavaScript. If you're looking to use reusable components, consider static site generators like 11ty, Hugo, or Astro. Plus, you can host those on Netlify for free!
Be sure to think about long-term support for your clients. If even small text changes require a ticket system, you could easily end up burning out!
I overly complicated things at first, but I learned that it's best to treat websites as infrastructure rather than artistic projects. Focus on clean pages with fast load times and clear contact options. These factors will resonate more with local clients than flashy designs!
If your goal is speed and consistency, consider using platforms that allow you to reuse templates across different clients. Most local businesses don't need a fully customized site. Instead, establish a solid structure and focus on copy, call-to-actions, and how the contact flow works. That’s what drives leads!
Exactly! Everyone aims for quick and easy with WordPress, but maintaining a solid site takes a lot more time than they think. You spend hours figuring out the right templates and plugins, and then you still have to keep updating everything. It's just a real headache!