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Home » Blog » Side Hustles » Creating Small Business Websites as a Side Hustle

Creating Small Business Websites as a Side Hustle

Creating Small Business Websites as a Side Hustle

Creating small business websites has quietly become one of the most reliable, flexible, and scalable side hustles available today. Every business—no matter how small—needs an online presence. Yet millions of local businesses still have outdated websites, broken pages, or no site at all. That gap creates opportunity.

Unlike many side hustles, web design doesn’t require a storefront, inventory, or viral success. It requires skills, systems, and the ability to solve a real problem for real businesses. When done right, creating websites can generate consistent income, recurring revenue, and long-term client relationships—often on evenings or weekends. This article breaks down everything you need to know: what the side hustle actually involves, what skills you need, tools and resources, pricing, how to find clients, and how to grow without burning out.

Why Small Business Websites Are a Strong Side Hustle

Small businesses depend on trust and visibility. For many customers, a website is the first impression. But most small business owners are not designers, developers, or marketers. They want something simple, professional, and functional—without complexity.

That’s where you come in.

Creating small business websites is a strong side hustle because:

  • Demand is constant
  • Skills are learnable
  • Startup costs are low
  • Work can be done remotely
  • Projects can be standardized
  • Clients often need ongoing support

You’re not competing with massive agencies. You’re serving local businesses that want clarity, speed, and affordability.

For more information, check out these pages and articles:

What “Creating Small Business Websites” Actually Means

This side hustle is less about advanced coding and more about problem-solving.

For most small businesses, a website needs to:

  • Clearly explain what they do
  • Show credibility (reviews, photos, contact info)
  • Work well on mobile
  • Load quickly
  • Be easy to update
  • Help customers take action

Your job is to build clean, functional websites that meet those needs—not to create complex custom platforms.

Typical projects include:

  • 5–10 page business websites
  • Landing pages
  • Service pages
  • Contact forms
  • Booking or inquiry systems
  • Blog or update sections

Free Seo Generator

Click here for more information: Wakewall’s 50-State SEO Guide for Small Businesses

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Skills You Need (And What You Don’t)

Skills You DO Need

You don’t need to be a senior developer, but you do need foundational skills.

Core skills include:

  • Basic web design principles (layout, spacing, readability)
  • Understanding how websites convert visitors into leads
  • Familiarity with website builders or CMS platforms
  • Basic SEO structure (titles, headings, page speed)
  • Communication with non-technical clients

Skills You Do NOT Need

You do not need:

  • Advanced coding knowledge
  • Custom software development skills
  • Graphic design degrees
  • Marketing certifications

Read More:

Most small business websites are built with no-code or low-code tools.

Best Platforms to Build Small Business Websites

1. WordPress

WordPress powers a large percentage of the internet and is widely used by small businesses.

Why it’s popular:

2. Wix

Wix is beginner-friendly and popular with local businesses.

Pros:

  • Easy drag-and-drop
  • Hosting included
  • Fast setup

Cons:

  • Less flexibility than WordPress

Resource: https://www.wix.com

3. Squarespace

Squarespace is known for clean design.

Best for:

  • Creatives
  • Service businesses
  • Simple sites

Resource: https://www.squarespace.com

4. Webflow

More advanced, but powerful.

Best for:

  • Designers
  • More custom layouts
  • Higher-end clients

Resource: https://webflow.com

Tools You’ll Actually Use

You don’t need dozens of tools. Keep it simple.

Common tools include:

Optional tools:

What Small Business Owners Actually Want

Understanding clients matters more than technical skill.

Most small business owners want:

  • A website that looks professional
  • Something easy to manage
  • Clear pricing
  • Fast turnaround
  • Someone who explains things simply

They don’t want:

  • Tech jargon
  • Complicated dashboards
  • Endless upsells
  • Confusing timelines

If you communicate clearly and keep things simple, you instantly stand out.

How Much You Can Charge

Pricing depends on scope, experience, and market—but here are realistic ranges.

Typical Website Pricing Examples

  • Basic 5-page site: $500–$1,200
  • Standard small business site: $1,200–$2,500
  • More custom builds: $2,500–$5,000+

Monthly Recurring Income Examples

Recurring services are where this side hustle becomes powerful.

Examples:

  • Hosting + maintenance: $50–$150/month
  • Content updates: $50–$200/month
  • SEO monitoring: $100–$300/month

Recurring revenue stabilizes income and reduces constant client hunting.

How to Find Clients (Without Cold Calling Hell)

1. Local Outreach

Local businesses are the easiest clients.

Try:

  • Google Maps searches
  • Visiting local business websites
  • Offering improvement suggestions
  • Networking events
  • Chamber of Commerce listings

2. Freelance Platforms

Good for early experience:

  • Upwork
  • Fiverr
  • Freelancer

These help you build a portfolio, not necessarily long-term pricing power.

3. Referrals

Satisfied clients bring more clients.

Always ask:

“If you know anyone who needs a website, feel free to share my info.”

4. Your Own Website

Your site is proof of skill.

It should:

  • Explain your service clearly
  • Show examples
  • Make it easy to contact you

What Your First Website Projects Should Look Like

Start small and focused.

Your first projects should:

  • Use templates
  • Follow a repeatable structure
  • Avoid custom complexity
  • Emphasize speed and clarity

A basic structure:

  1. Home
  2. About
  3. Services
  4. Testimonials
  5. Contact

Consistency reduces stress and speeds delivery.

Legal and Business Basics

You don’t need a complex setup, but you should cover basics.

Consider:

  • Simple business name
  • Basic contract or agreement
  • Clear payment terms
  • Invoicing system (PayPal, Stripe, Wave)

Optional:

  • LLC (later, when income grows)
  • Business bank account

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many beginners burn out because of avoidable mistakes.

Avoid:

  • Underpricing too long
  • Over-customizing early projects
  • Saying yes to everything
  • Skipping contracts
  • Ignoring recurring income opportunities

Structure protects your time and energy.

How to Scale This Side Hustle

Once you’re comfortable, scaling becomes possible.

Ways to scale:

  • Productized website packages
  • Monthly maintenance plans
  • Niche focus (dentists, realtors, trades)
  • Templates for faster builds
  • Outsourcing design or content

You don’t need to grow fast—you need to grow intentionally.

Who This Side Hustle Is Best For

Creating small business websites is a great fit if you:

  • Enjoy problem-solving
  • Like structured creative work
  • Want flexible income
  • Prefer predictable projects
  • Are okay learning technical basics

It may not be ideal if you:

  • Hate client communication
  • Avoid learning new tools
  • Want instant results
  • Dislike detail-oriented work

How Long It Takes to Get Results

Realistically:

  • 1–2 months to learn basics
  • 2–3 months to land first clients
  • 6–12 months to build steady income

Consistency matters more than speed.

The Long-Term Potential

This side hustle can remain:

  • A few extra hundred dollars a month
  • Or grow into a full-time business
  • Or fund other projects
  • Or create semi-passive income through maintenance plans

The ceiling is higher than most people realize.

Final Wakewall Truth

Creating small business websites as a side hustle is not about chasing trends or becoming a tech genius. It’s about solving a real, ongoing problem for businesses that need help showing up professionally online.

If you focus on:

  • Simplicity
  • Clear communication
  • Repeatable systems
  • Fair pricing
  • Long-term relationships

This side hustle can quietly become one of the most stable income streams you ever build.

You don’t need to be perfect.
You don’t need to know everything.
You just need to start—and improve with every project.

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Disclaimer: This content is for inspiration and informational purposes only — results may vary based on effort and circumstances. All monetary figures displayed may not reflect market rate and are subject to change. Click here to read full disclaimer.

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