Running a Web Development Business: The Complete Guide from Udemy

Web development is one of the fastest growing online industries today. It's important for every business to have an online presence and that represents a huge opportunity for you. Whether you want to code or not, you can capitalize on the over 24 billion dollars of money spent per year on web development services. Whether you want to work part-time or full-time, you can create an awesome portfolio and an even better income taking on web development projects.

In this course, I'm going to show you how to jumpstart your business, grow it quickly, and manage your business like a professional - all from the comfort of your laptop.

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I'm Evan Kimbrell and I'm the founder of Sprintkick, a full service web & mobile application studio based out of San Francisco. Over the last 4 years I've personally overseen the launch of over 100 apps all the way from concept to deployment. I've grown my business 400% a year from one small client to 100+ clients. Today, we make apps for big name brands like Walmart, GNC, Dick's Sporting Goods, and other Fortune 500 companies.

I see too many people floundering to start or grow their web development business because they don't have the mentorship or the guidance to do it right. This course is my answer for all of you who have reached out for help. I've piled everything I know and everything that has made my business successful into this course. I created this course to teach you how you can hit the ground running with starting a web development business - even if you don't want to code.

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These are some of the questions this course will answer:

Where do I start and how do I know if I should do this?
How do I choose a niche or should I not specialize?
How should I make my portfolio and what is most effective?
How do I make professional proposals without spending tons of money?
How do I spend less time looking for clients and more time building websites?
How do I take on larger projects and make more money?
How do I find clients?
How do I keep clients from going to the competition?
Which clients are the most profitable and how do I find them?
How do I get clients to accept my estimates?
How did other companies get so successful with web development?
How do I charge more for my services?
How can I bring in development partners to offload my work?

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Why you should take this course:

Over 22+ hours of content and direct access to me, the instructor, as a guide and personal helper.

Learn step-by-step from someone who started and runs a very successful web development business.

Shorten your learning curve and protect yourself from making costly beginner mistakes.

Grow your business faster and with fewer hiccups along the way. See how the professionals do it.

A web development business can be run from anywhere at anytime. Join the international community of entrepreneurs who work when they want and how they want.

Learn how to tailor your business to your lifestyle. If you want to work part time and free yourself up from the full time grind, this course shows you how.

Included in this course:

Free contract documents such as an NDA, a customizable standard web contract, and an addendum contract for extra work. All of these documents cost me over $5,000, but are yours free as part of the course.

Free access to any course updates including case studies, projects, and collaborative discussions.

Learn on the go. All course lectures are free to download and view anywhere even without an internet connection.

Section summaries to help you review and re-learn lecture points easily and quickly.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction (39 minutes)

Course Overview

Join our community on Slack!

The Sprintkick story

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Provides insights into the web development landscape, which is useful for those looking to capitalize on the growing demand for online presence

Offers strategies for client acquisition, proposal building, and client management, which are essential for running a successful web development business

Includes free contract documents, such as an NDA and a customizable web contract, which can save new business owners significant legal expenses

Explores the option of subcontracting, which is helpful for those who may not have coding skills or want to scale their business quickly

Covers strategies like 'Email scrape and blast' and 'Perpetual discount', which may require careful consideration to ensure ethical and sustainable business practices

Discusses the use of platforms like Elance, UpWork, and Freelancer, which may have evolved since the course was created and require updated research

Reviews summary

Running a web development business guide

According to students, this course provides a practical and actionable guide to starting and growing a web development business. Learners particularly highlight the value of the instructor's real-world experience, praising his ability to break down complex business concepts into manageable steps. Many found the included legal contract templates to be a significant and valuable bonus, potentially saving substantial costs. The course is often described as comprehensive, covering aspects beyond just finding clients, such as pricing, client management, and scaling. While some note the extensive amount of content, the consensus suggests it offers immense value, especially for those just starting their entrepreneurial journey in web development.

A lot of material to cover.

"There's a vast amount of information packed into this course."

"With over 22 hours, it's quite comprehensive, requiring dedicated study time."

"The course is lengthy but covers everything you need to know."

"Be prepared for a deep dive, there's a lot of content here."

Ideal for new entrepreneurs.

"This course is perfect for someone looking to start their first web dev business."

"As a beginner entrepreneur, I found the steps easy to follow and implement."

"It provides a solid foundation for those new to the business side."

"I feel much more confident about starting my own agency after this course."

Covers business fundamentals.

"It covers all aspects of running the business, not just the tech or finding clients."

"I appreciated the breadth of topics, from setting up presence to managing clients."

"It's a complete guide that touches on marketing, sales, operations, and legal."

"The syllabus showed me this wasn't just about finding work, but the whole business."

Save money on legal documents.

"The contract templates alone are worth the price of the course."

"Getting access to professional legal documents saved me a lot of time and money."

"Having the NDA and web contract templates provided so much value."

"The included resources, especially the contracts, were a huge plus."

Strategies to start and grow fast.

"The course provides actionable strategies I could implement immediately."

"Not just theory, but step-by-step guidance on how to actually run the business."

"I learned concrete ways to find clients and structure my services effectively."

"The advice is straightforward and directly applicable to building a business."

Insights from a successful founder.

"The instructor really knows his stuff, drawing from his own successful business experience."

"I found the insights from Evan Kimbrell's personal journey incredibly valuable and inspiring."

"His practical experience shines through, making the advice feel very grounded."

"Learning directly from someone who built a successful agency is a game-changer."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Running a Web Development Business: The Complete Guide with these activities:

Review Web Development Fundamentals

Show steps

Solidify your understanding of core web development technologies to better understand project requirements and communicate effectively with subcontractors.

Browse courses on HTML

Show steps

Review HTML, CSS, and JavaScript basics.
Familiarize yourself with common web design principles.
Explore front-end and back-end development concepts.

Read 'The Lean Startup'

Show steps

Apply lean startup principles to your web development business to minimize risk and maximize efficiency.

View The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use... on Amazon

Show steps

Read 'The Lean Startup' by Eric Ries.
Identify areas in your business where you can apply Lean Startup principles.
Experiment with different approaches and track your results.

Create a Sample Proposal Template

Show steps

Develop a professional proposal template to streamline the client acquisition process and present your services effectively.

Show steps

Research successful proposal templates in the web development industry.
Outline the key components of your proposal, including project scope, timeline, and pricing.
Design a visually appealing and easy-to-read template.
Customize the template for different types of projects.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Write a Blog Post on a Web Development Topic

Show steps

Establish yourself as an expert in the field by creating valuable content that attracts potential clients and showcases your knowledge.

Show steps

Choose a relevant and engaging topic for your blog post.
Research the topic thoroughly and gather supporting information.
Write a clear, concise, and informative blog post.
Promote your blog post on social media and other channels.

Attend Local Tech Meetups

Show steps

Connect with other professionals in the web development industry, learn about new trends, and potentially find clients or partners.

Show steps

Research local tech meetups and networking events.
Prepare a brief introduction about your business.
Attend the event and actively engage with other attendees.
Follow up with interesting contacts after the event.

Read 'Never Eat Alone'

Show steps

Improve your networking skills to build valuable relationships and expand your business opportunities.

View Never Eat Alone, Expanded and Updated: And... on Amazon

Show steps

Read 'Never Eat Alone' by Keith Ferrazzi.
Identify key networking opportunities in your industry.
Practice building rapport and making meaningful connections.

Develop a Client Onboarding Checklist

Show steps

Create a standardized onboarding process to ensure a smooth and positive experience for new clients.

Show steps

Identify the key steps involved in onboarding a new client.
Create a checklist to ensure that all steps are completed consistently.
Automate parts of the onboarding process.
Gather feedback from clients to improve the onboarding process.

Career center

Learners who complete Running a Web Development Business: The Complete Guide will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Entrepreneur

An entrepreneur is someone who starts, organizes, and manages a business, taking on greater than normal financial risks in doing so. This course provides a comprehensive overview of how to launch and grow a web development business. Budding entrepreneurs learn about the essential aspects of running a successful web development venture, from selecting a business structure to managing clients and projects. The course's practical advice on finding subcontractors, building a portfolio, and creating effective proposals is invaluable for anyone looking to start their own web development company. The step-by-step guidance and direct access to the instructor is particularly beneficial for entrepreneurs seeking personalized mentorship and support.

See salaries and explore the career path for Entrepreneur

Web Design Business Owner

A web design business owner manages all aspects of a company that creates and maintains websites for clients. This course provides a comprehensive guide to starting, growing, and managing a web development business. The course's material on selecting a niche, building a portfolio, and crafting professional proposals is directly applicable to attracting and retaining clients. The detailed sections on managing clients, understanding budgets, and working with subcontractors provides a strong foundation for success. The inclusion of free contract documents and ongoing course updates further enhances the value for web design business owners.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Design Business Owner

Web Development Consultant

A web development consultant advises businesses on how to effectively use web technologies to achieve their goals. This often involves assessing a client's current needs, recommending specific web solutions, and overseeing the implementation of those solutions. This course is essential for aspiring web development consultants, because it explores how to start, grow, and manage a web development business. The course's material on selecting a niche, building a portfolio, and crafting professional proposals directly helps in attracting and retaining clients as a consultant. The detailed sections on managing clients, including understanding their budgets and communication strategies, provides a strong foundation for success as a web development consultant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Development Consultant

Freelance Web Developer

A freelance web developer works independently to design, code, and maintain websites for clients on a project basis. While this course does not teach coding, it provides invaluable knowledge on how to manage the business aspects of freelancing. This includes creating proposals, managing client relationships, and securing new projects. The course's emphasis on building a strong portfolio and understanding client budgets is particularly relevant for freelance web developers looking to grow their business. The insights into finding subcontractors are also beneficial for freelancers who may want to expand their services or take on larger projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Freelance Web Developer

Business Development Manager

A business development manager focuses on identifying new business opportunities, building relationships with potential clients, and driving revenue growth. This course is useful for business development managers in the web development industry. The course material on identifying profitable clients, crafting compelling proposals, and understanding the web development process is directly applicable to this role. The strategies for finding clients, managing client expectations, and charging appropriately for services are also highly valuable. This course equips business development managers with the knowledge and skills to effectively promote and sell web development services.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Development Manager

Account Manager

An account manager serves as the primary point of contact between a company and its clients, focusing on building strong relationships and ensuring client satisfaction. This course is relevant for account managers working with web development clients. The course's detailed guidance on managing clients, understanding their needs, and communicating effectively is essential for success in this role. The course's sections on building proposals and managing client expectations helps account managers to set clear expectations and deliver high-quality service. Learning how to identify red flags for bad clients provides further value by helping account managers prioritize their efforts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Account Manager

Web Development Team Lead

A web development team lead oversees a team of developers, ensuring projects are completed on time and to the required standard. This course can be valuable for team leads who want to improve their understanding of the business aspects of web development. While the course doesn't cover coding or technical management directly, it provides insights into client management, project estimation, and team dynamics. The information on building proposals is useful for team leads involved in project planning and client communication. Learning about the strategies for managing client expectations, covered in the course, helps team leads ensure client satisfaction.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Development Team Lead

Web Strategist

A web strategist develops and implements strategies to improve a company's online presence and achieve its business goals through web technologies. This course may be helpful for web strategists who want to deepen their understanding of web development processes and business management. The course helps web strategists make informed recommendations about technology investments and digital marketing initiatives. The sections on setting up an online presence and attracting clients are particularly relevant for enhancing web strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Strategist

Project Manager

A project manager is responsible for planning, executing, and closing specific projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within budget, and to the required standard. This course may benefit project managers who oversee web development projects. While the course does not focus on project management methodologies directly, it provides a solid understanding of the web development process, client management, and team dynamics. The sections on creating proposals, managing clients, and working with subcontractors provide valuable context for effectively managing web development projects. This understanding helps project managers communicate more effectively with developers, anticipate potential challenges, and ensure project success.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Digital Marketing Manager

A digital marketing manager is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing marketing campaigns that promote a company and its products or services online. This role requires a strong understanding of web technologies and how they can be used to reach target audiences. This course may be useful for digital marketing managers who want to enhance their understanding of the web development process and communicate their needs more effectively to development teams. The course touches on website development, which helps digital marketing managers make informed decisions about web-based marketing strategies. The section on setting up an appealing online presence would be highly relevant for enhancing digital marketing efforts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Digital Marketing Manager

IT Consultant

An IT consultant provides expert advice and guidance to businesses on how to best use information technology to meet their objectives. This course may be useful for IT consultants looking to specialize in web development or offer web-related services to their clients. The course can help IT consultants assess a client's needs and recommend appropiate web solutions. The sections on building a portfolio and crafting professional proposals are particularly relevant. The instructor's experience as a business owner provides an invaluable source of knowledge.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Consultant

Chief Technology Officer

A chief technology officer is responsible for overseeing all technological aspects of a company, including web development. This course may be useful for CTOs who want to gain a deeper understanding of the web development process and the challenges faced by web development teams. While this course does not delve into advanced technical topics, it provides valuable insights into project management, client relations, and team dynamics. The course can assist CTOs in making informed decisions about technology investments and strategies. Understanding how to manage client expectations, as covered in the course, helps CTOs align technological solutions with business needs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Technology Officer

Sales Representative

A sales representative sells a company's products or services to new and exisiting clients. This course may be useful for sales representatives in the web development industry. The course can help sales representatives better understand the value proposition of web design to prospective clients. The sections on pricing and finding clients are particularly relevant for sales representatives. Strategies for managing customers provide a competitive advantage.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Representative

Social Media Manager

The social media manager is responsible for a company's social media presence. This course may be useful for social media managers who want to deepen their understanding of web development and online technologies. While the course doesn't cover social media marketing directly, it provides a solid foundation in how to conduct business online. The sections on setting up an appealing online presence and attracting an audience may be relevant for social media efforts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Media Manager

Software Engineer

A software engineer designs, develops, tests, and evaluates software applications and systems. While this course does not teach specific software engineering skills, it highlights how to succeed with development of software. This course may be useful for senior software engineers. The sections on building a portfolio and setting up an online presence may be useful for software engineers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Running a Web Development Business

The Complete Guide

What's inside

Syllabus

Traffic lights

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Reviews summary

Running a web development business guide

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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