My web design business has been around for over 25 years, and I’m proud to say I started small. I took on projects with very limited budgets. Building a complete website for a few hundred dollars? That was an opportunity I embraced.
These projects didn’t significantly boost my finances, but they taught me a lot about web development and forming professional relationships. It was a period of experimentation to discover what worked and what didn’t.
Starting small was a common path for new designers and students. It allowed us to gain initial experience in a growing industry, with the aim of progressing to more profitable and sustainable ventures.
Now, this market is being targeted by artificial intelligence (AI) applications. New build tools are emerging that can create websites from a simple prompt. AI agents assist users in navigating their content management systems (CMS) and making changes. We’re entering a new era.
So, what does this mean for the lower end of the web design market? Will AI eliminate opportunities for new designers? Let’s explore what’s happening and its implications.
Is the Low End a Dead End?
Web technology has advanced over the past two decades, making even the simplest modern websites more complex than we once imagined. In the past, websites rarely required databases or languages beyond HTML. Now, we’re building brochure sites using PHP and various JavaScript frameworks.
Client expectations have also risen. The web is a mature platform, and features like e-commerce and automation are now standard. The cost of implementing these features has significantly decreased. As a result, website owners across all market segments expect such functionality.
Meanwhile, DIY website-building tools have become more capable. They’re easier to use and more powerful than before. While the results may not be at a professional level, they suffice for a significant portion of the market.
This trend was already underway before AI entered the scene. The market was already saturated with web designers competing on price. AI site generators have accelerated the diminishing returns in this race to the bottom.
In this context, AI is another competitor making it harder to build a business at the lowest levels. Nonetheless, new freelance designers need a starting point. So, what’s the alternative?
Identify Ways To Use AI to Your Advantage
The answer may lie in leveraging these new AI tools. The quality of their output depends on the person crafting the prompts.
AI may lower some technological barriers, but it can’t read minds. It’s unlikely to anticipate every need and niche use case. These tools perform best when users have a solid foundational knowledge. The more you understand about building websites, the better the results.
Additionally, web professionals don’t have to settle for what AI produces. We can refine and expand upon those initial results. This approach uses AI as a starting point rather than the sole decision-maker. This is where potential lies for designers.
Your expertise still holds value. Clients need guidance on the consequences of using specific tools and technologies. They also require expert advice on topics like website performance and accessibility. Relying solely on automation is risky.
There’s an opportunity to help others maximize the benefits of AI and other site-building tools. It’s worth experimenting with these applications instead of dismissing them outright. They may help you serve the next generation of clients.
This highlights the importance of learning (and continuing to learn) the fundamentals of web design and development. These skills will remain your advantage, regardless of the tools you use.
New Web Designers Can Still Start Small
Yes, things are quite different from when I started my web design business. Everything moves at a rapid pace now. It can be overwhelming.
The positive aspect of this fast-paced environment is that it forces you to adapt. Adaptability is a crucial skill for survival in this industry. It’s best to develop it early on!
There are still opportunities to gain experience building websites for clients. As always, it’s about learning as much as possible and applying that knowledge to your work. AI is just another stepping stone on your journey. Make it a priority to experiment and become an authority.
The goal isn’t to remain at the bottom of the pricing scale forever. The more experience you gain, the faster you’ll climb the ladder.
That aspect hasn’t changed at all.
This article was made possible by funding from WordPress.com. All opinions and rankings are independent and not reviewed by WordPress.com.
Written by Eric Karkovack
Eric Karkovack is a web designer and WordPress expert with over two decades of experience. You can visit his business site here. He recently started a writing service for WordPress products: WP Product Writeup. He also has an opinion on just about every subject. You can follow his rants on Bluesky @karks.com.
Read more articles by Eric Karkovack.
