Weebly Development

TL;DR

What it is: Building and customizing websites for clients using Weebly, a beginner-friendly drag-and-drop website builder platform. You create simple, functional sites for small businesses and individuals who need an affordable online presence without technical complexity.

What you'll do:

• Meet with clients to understand their website requirements and goals
• Design and build websites using Weebly's drag-and-drop editor
• Customize templates, add content, set up basic e-commerce or forms
• Configure domain names, SEO settings, and basic analytics
• Train clients on managing and updating their sites

Time to learn: 1-3 months to become proficient with regular practice (8-12 hours per week). Basic sites can be built within the first few weeks of starting.

What you need: Basic computer skills, eye for simple design, understanding of fundamental web concepts, and ability to communicate with clients. No coding required for most projects.

What This Actually Is

Weebly development is building websites for clients using Weebly's website builder platform. Unlike traditional web development where you code everything manually, Weebly provides a drag-and-drop interface that lets you design and publish websites without writing HTML, CSS, or JavaScript.

Your typical clients are small business owners, solopreneurs, local service providers, hobbyists, and individuals who need a basic online presence at an affordable price point. They want something simple, functional, and easy for them to update after you hand it over. Weebly attracts clients with tighter budgets compared to platforms like Squarespace or custom development.

The work involves understanding client needs, translating their requirements into a functional website, selecting and customizing templates, setting up pages and navigation, adding basic features like contact forms or simple online stores, and ensuring the site works across devices. You're helping clients establish their online presence without the complexity or cost of more sophisticated solutions.

Weebly handles the technical backend including hosting, security, updates, and infrastructure. You focus on design, content layout, user experience, and client relationships. Some developers also offer basic maintenance services like content updates or minor adjustments.

This differs from platforms like Wix, which offers more features and flexibility, or Squarespace, which emphasizes sophisticated design. Weebly positions itself as the simplest, most straightforward option. However, the platform hasn't seen significant updates since 2021 after its parent company Square shifted focus to Square Online, which limits long-term growth potential.

What You'll Actually Do

The work breaks down into client consultation, design execution, technical setup, and handoff.

Client consultation happens before building anything. You'll have calls or meetings to understand what they need, what their business does, who their target audience is, what features they want, and what their budget is. You'll ask about brand colors, existing logos, websites they like, and required functionality. This determines whether you're building a simple 3-page site or a basic e-commerce store.

Design work involves selecting a template from Weebly's 350 mobile-friendly themes as your starting point. You'll customize colors, fonts, and layouts to match the client's brand identity. You'll arrange sections on each page, add and edit images, place copy and content, and ensure basic visual consistency. The work is more about clean, functional design than cutting-edge aesthetics.

Technical setup includes connecting custom domains, setting up basic email addresses, configuring SEO settings like meta descriptions and page titles, adding apps from Weebly's App Center for contact forms or other functionality, setting up basic analytics, and ensuring mobile responsiveness. You'll test forms, navigation, and interactive elements before launch.

Content management means organizing client-provided text and images, optimizing photos for web use without slowing down the site, adding content to appropriate pages, and setting up blog sections, image galleries, or basic product catalogs depending on site type. You're working with what clients provide rather than creating extensive custom content.

Training and handoff happens at project completion. You'll show clients how to make basic updates, explain where to change text or add blog posts, show them how to view analytics, and provide simple documentation. Most Weebly clients want the ability to manage their own sites after launch since the platform is designed for non-technical users.

Ongoing maintenance can provide additional revenue. This includes updating content, adding new pages, troubleshooting basic issues, updating apps or integrations, and making minor design changes. Some developers offer simple monthly support packages, though these tend to be lower-priced than maintenance for more complex platforms.

Skills You Need

Basic design fundamentals matter more than technical skills. You need to understand simple layout principles, basic color coordination, readable typography choices, clear navigation structure, and what makes a website easy to use. You don't need formal design training, but you should recognize clean, functional design and be able to create it.

Weebly platform knowledge comes from hands-on practice. This means understanding the drag-and-drop editor interface, how templates work and their limitations, the differences between free and paid plan features, available apps in the App Center, Weebly's SEO and settings options, and mobile editor functionality. This comes from building multiple practice sites.

Basic web concepts help even without coding. Understanding what domain names are and how they connect, how website hosting works, fundamental SEO concepts like keywords and page titles, what SSL certificates do, and how contact forms function helps you troubleshoot issues and communicate professionally with clients.

Client management skills determine repeat business and referrals. You need to ask clear discovery questions, set realistic expectations about what Weebly can and can't do, communicate progress and timelines, handle feedback and change requests professionally, and know when to push back on unrealistic demands. Managing budget-conscious clients requires particular skill.

Basic image handling improves site quality. Many clients provide poor-quality images or none at all. Being able to find appropriate stock photos, resize and optimize images for web use, crop photos properly, and ensure images look decent on the site adds value beyond just assembling pages.

Optional coding skills expand your capabilities. Learning HTML, CSS, and JavaScript allows you to add custom elements, create more unique styling, implement advanced functionality beyond templates, and work around platform limitations. This lets you charge higher rates for customized projects, but it's not required for basic Weebly development.

Writing skills add value if you offer them. Many clients struggle with website copy. Being able to write clear headlines, simple service descriptions, calls-to-action, and basic about page content makes you more valuable and allows you to offer content creation as an additional service.

Getting Started

Start by learning Weebly through hands-on building. Create a free Weebly account and build 3-5 practice websites for different purposes. Try a basic business site, a simple e-commerce store, a portfolio site, a service provider site, and a blog. This helps you understand different features and typical use cases. Experiment with templates, test different features, and get comfortable with the interface.

Build your own portfolio website on Weebly. This serves as both your portfolio and a demonstration of what you can do. Include examples of your practice sites, show simple before-and-after improvements, explain your process, list your services and pricing, and make it easy for potential clients to contact you. Your portfolio is your primary sales tool.

Study basic web design principles through free resources. Search YouTube for beginner web design tutorials, look at websites you think look clean and simple to understand why they work, analyze other Weebly sites to see what others are doing, and join beginner design communities to learn. You don't need expensive courses for basic Weebly work.

Set your initial pricing based on the budget market. Weebly attracts price-sensitive clients, so beginners often start with $200-$800 for basic sites to build experience and testimonials. As you improve and build a portfolio, you can raise rates toward $500-$2,000 for more complex projects. Decide whether you'll charge hourly or per project. Per-project pricing is simpler for clients to understand.

Create simple service packages. A basic package might include 3-5 pages, contact form, mobile optimization, and basic SEO setup for $500. A standard package could add e-commerce setup, blog integration, and training for $1,200. An advanced package might include custom code, more pages, and ongoing support for $2,500. Clear packages simplify client decision-making.

Find your first clients through your immediate network. Tell friends, family, and acquaintances what you're doing. Offer affordable rates for testimonials and portfolio pieces. Local small businesses often need help and prefer budget-friendly options. Join local business groups, attend community events, and reach out to businesses with outdated or no websites.

Join freelance platforms to access clients. Create profiles on Upwork, Fiverr, PeoplePerHour, and Freelancer. These platforms provide client access but take a percentage of your earnings and involve price competition. Use them to gain experience while working toward direct clients who provide better margins.

Note: Platforms may charge fees or commissions. We don't track specific rates as they change frequently. Check each platform's current pricing before signing up.

Consider specializing in serving specific types of businesses. Instead of being a general Weebly developer, focus on particular niches like local service providers, hobbyists, community organizations, or micro-businesses. Understanding their specific needs helps you create targeted offerings and stand out.

Income Reality

Income varies based on skill level, services offered, client volume, and time commitment. These are market observations, not guarantees.

Project-based rates are the standard pricing model. Basic 3-5 page websites typically range from $200-$800. This includes template selection, basic customization, content upload, simple SEO setup, and basic training. Projects at this level take 5-15 hours of work including client communication.

Standard websites with more features fall between $800-$1,500. These might include more pages, basic e-commerce setup with product uploads, blog integration, more customization, and additional training or documentation. These projects take 15-25 hours.

More complex projects run $1,500-$3,500. This includes larger e-commerce stores with many products, custom code for unique functionality, more extensive design work, multiple integrations, and premium support. These take 25-40 hours and require more advanced skills including coding knowledge.

Hourly rates for Weebly developers range from $15-$100 per hour based on experience and market positioning. Entry-level developers on freelance platforms average $15-$25 per hour. Experienced developers with strong portfolios charge $40-$60 per hour. Developers offering custom coding can reach $75-$100 per hour for specialized work, though this is less common for Weebly-focused developers.

Monthly retainer income provides some recurring revenue. Some developers offer basic ongoing support packages at $100-$300 per month per client. This covers minor content updates, small design changes, basic troubleshooting, and occasional check-ins. Building up several retainer clients creates baseline income, though retainers tend to be smaller for Weebly sites than for more complex platforms.

Realistic monthly earnings depend on project volume. Working part-time with 2-4 small projects per month at $500-$1,000 each might generate $500-$1,500 monthly after platform fees and expenses. Full-time developers completing 5-8 projects monthly at moderate rates could earn $2,000-$5,000 monthly. Adding retainer clients increases income predictability.

Your income depends on marketing effectiveness, how efficiently you work, and your ability to manage client expectations. Developers who find clients directly earn more than those relying solely on freelance platforms. Those who create reusable templates and streamlined processes complete projects faster. Those who offer add-on services like basic SEO or simple copywriting earn more per project.

Geographic factors matter less for remote work, but pricing still varies. Developers in high-cost areas may charge more, though clients can hire globally. Your rates should reflect your skill level, the value you provide, and what your target market can afford.

The income ceiling for Weebly development is lower than more sophisticated platforms. The platform's limitations and stagnant development restrict premium pricing potential. Some developers use Weebly experience as a stepping stone to learn other platforms like Wix or WordPress that command higher rates. Others focus on volume, completing many smaller projects rather than fewer high-value ones.

Where to Find Work

Freelance platforms are the most accessible starting point. Upwork has regular Weebly projects ranging from quick fixes to full builds. Create a profile highlighting your Weebly experience, start with competitive rates to build reviews, and apply to projects matching your skill level. Fiverr works on a gig model where you list specific services. Create packages at different price points and optimize for Weebly-related searches. PeoplePerHour features Weebly specialists regularly. Freelancer also posts Weebly projects, though competition often focuses on price.

Note: Platforms may charge fees or commissions. We don't track specific rates as they change frequently. Check each platform's current pricing before signing up.

Direct outreach to small local businesses works well. Identify businesses with no website or very outdated sites. Focus on budget-conscious sectors like local services, small retail, community organizations, sole proprietors, and micro-businesses. Send personalized emails explaining how an affordable website could help their business. Offer free consultations or simple site audits.

Social media marketing builds visibility. Share your work on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn showing before-and-after examples. Post tips about simple website design and common mistakes. Join Facebook groups for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Provide helpful advice rather than constant selling. Your social media presence acts as extended portfolio content.

Networking in budget-conscious business communities generates leads. Attend local small business networking events, community meetups, and chamber of commerce gatherings. Connect with others who serve budget-conscious clients like bookkeepers, virtual assistants, and local marketing consultants who might refer clients. Focus on sectors where Weebly's simplicity and affordability are advantages.

Content marketing positions you as accessible and helpful. Start a simple blog or social media presence about website basics for small businesses. Create case studies showing how affordable websites helped clients. Offer free resources like website planning checklists in exchange for email addresses. This builds trust with budget-conscious prospects.

Partnerships with other service providers create referral opportunities. Many small business consultants, accountants, and coaches work with clients who need simple, affordable websites. Reach out offering to be their Weebly specialist for referrals. You might work on their client projects or receive direct referrals.

Community involvement and local presence help. Offer to build free or discounted sites for local nonprofits or community organizations. This builds your portfolio, generates word-of-mouth referrals, and connects you with community members who might become clients or refer others.

Online communities and forums can lead to opportunities. Participate in small business forums, Weebly communities, and entrepreneur groups. Help others with questions and share knowledge. Visibility in these spaces leads to direct inquiries and referrals from others who are overbooked or encounter clients outside their expertise.

Common Challenges

Platform limitations restrict what you can deliver. Weebly's feature set is smaller than competitors, and development has stalled since 2021. Clients sometimes want features Weebly simply can't provide. You need to educate prospects early about what's possible and what isn't. Some functionality requires workarounds or custom code, and some genuinely isn't possible.

Low-budget expectations create pricing pressure. Weebly attracts very price-sensitive clients who often have unrealistic expectations for what $300 can deliver. They want elaborate sites with extensive features at minimal cost. You'll spend time on calls that don't convert. Screen clients early by displaying clear pricing and asking about budgets upfront before investing significant consultation time.

Scope creep happens when projects expand beyond agreements. Budget-conscious clients often request additional pages, features, or endless revisions not included in your quote. Combat this with clear contracts specifying exactly what's included, revision limits, and what triggers additional charges. Get comfortable holding boundaries around scope and pricing.

Platform stagnation creates uncertainty. Weebly hasn't had significant feature updates since 2021, and Square has focused development on Square Online instead. The App Center hasn't seen new apps since 2020. This creates questions about the platform's long-term viability and limits what you can offer compared to actively developed platforms.

Client-provided content delays projects. Clients promise to send text and images but take weeks or forget entirely. Projects stall waiting for materials. Set clear deadlines for content delivery in contracts. Consider offering basic content creation at additional cost to avoid this bottleneck and maintain control over timelines.

Competition on price is intense. Many Weebly developers compete heavily on price, particularly on freelance platforms. Some developers from lower cost-of-living areas bid very low rates. You can't win competing only on price. Differentiate through specialization, reliability, communication quality, and understanding specific client needs.

Technical limitations frustrate advanced requirements. Weebly works well for simple sites but struggles with complex needs. Unique integrations, sophisticated database requirements, or advanced functionality might not be possible even with custom code. Learn Weebly's capabilities thoroughly so you can decline projects beyond its scope rather than struggling with impossible requirements.

App marketplace limitations restrict functionality. Weebly's App Center is small and hasn't been updated recently. Many apps show no activity for years. This limits what additional features you can easily add compared to platforms with active app ecosystems. You're more dependent on Weebly's built-in features.

Perceived value affects pricing potential. Weebly is often viewed as the "budget option" among website builders. This perception makes it harder to charge premium rates even for quality work. Clients who can afford higher prices often choose platforms perceived as more sophisticated like Squarespace or Wix.

Uncertainty about platform future creates concerns. Square's shift away from Weebly development makes some developers and clients hesitant about long-term investment in the platform. While Weebly continues functioning, the lack of active development suggests it may be sunset eventually, creating questions about building a business around it.

Tips That Actually Help

Develop a standardized process for efficiency. Create checklists for discovery, design, setup, and launch phases. Use templates for common elements. This consistency speeds up your work, prevents forgotten steps, and appears professional. Faster completion means you can handle more projects in the same time.

Build a library of reusable components. Save color schemes, section layouts, forms, and design elements you use frequently. Customize these starting points for each client while cutting development time significantly. Working efficiently matters more in lower-priced projects where margins are tighter.

Set clear boundaries with clients from the start. Define revision limits, response times, and communication methods in your contract. Don't give unlimited revisions or 24/7 availability. Budget-conscious clients sometimes demand more because they're paying less. Train clients to respect your time by respecting your boundaries consistently.

Focus on volume and efficiency over premium pricing. Weebly's market position makes high-per-project pricing difficult. Instead, focus on completing more projects efficiently. Streamline your process, create package offerings that simplify selling, and develop systems that let you work faster without sacrificing quality.

Collect testimonials aggressively after successful projects. Ask for testimonials while clients are happy and request permission to showcase their site. Social proof matters enormously for attracting similar budget-conscious clients. Positive reviews help you stand out on freelance platforms where competition is price-focused.

Learn basic SEO to add value. Understanding simple keyword research, meta descriptions, alt text, and basic content optimization makes you more valuable. Offering basic SEO setup as standard or as an affordable add-on increases project value without significant additional time investment.

Consider diversifying into other platforms. Using Weebly experience as a foundation, learn Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress to offer broader services and access higher-paying markets. Many developers start with Weebly for its simplicity, then expand their platform expertise to increase income potential.

Be honest about platform limitations. Don't oversell Weebly's capabilities to win projects you can't deliver well. Being upfront about what Weebly can and can't do builds trust, prevents problematic projects, and leads to referrals from clients who appreciate your honesty.

Track your time to understand true profitability. Use time tracking to see how long projects actually take including revisions and client communication. This helps you price accurately and identify which project types are profitable versus which ones consume too much time for the payment received.

Create clear, simple contracts even for small projects. Define scope, deliverables, timelines, payment terms, and revision policies. Budget-conscious clients sometimes push boundaries more, so having clear written agreements protects both parties and prevents misunderstandings.

Communicate proactively throughout projects. Send regular updates, share progress screenshots, and ask questions before making assumptions. Clients who feel informed are more satisfied, leave better reviews, and provide referrals. Most issues come from feeling ignored rather than actual quality problems.

Price based on the value clients receive, not just hours worked. Even budget-conscious clients understand that a website generating new customers is worth the investment. Frame pricing around outcomes and value rather than competing purely on lowest cost.

Learning Timeline Reality

The learning curve for Weebly development is the gentlest among website builders, which is both an advantage and a limitation. These timelines assume consistent practice, not passive tutorial watching.

Weeks 1-3 focus on basic platform familiarity. Spending 8-12 hours per week, you can learn the Weebly editor interface, template selection and basic customization, drag-and-drop functionality, and how to publish sites. Build 2-3 simple practice sites during these weeks. By week three, you can create basic functional websites suitable for simple client projects.

Weeks 4-8 develop professional-level skills. Continue practicing 8-12 hours weekly building increasingly complex sites. Experiment with e-commerce features, blog setup, more advanced layouts, form creation, and mobile optimization. Study existing Weebly sites to see what's possible. Learn basic SEO setup and analytics configuration. By week eight, you should have 3-5 portfolio-quality sites and feel ready for paid projects.

Months 3-4 focus on business skills and client work. Start taking real client projects, even at modest rates for experience. Learn client communication, basic project scoping, simple contracts, and pricing strategies. Build confidence through completed projects rather than just practice. By month four, you should handle basic client projects independently from start to finish.

Beyond four months, improvement comes from project volume and variety. Each client teaches something about communication, problem-solving, or design. You get faster, handle unusual requests better, and build business confidence. Advanced skills like custom coding or complex integrations take additional focused learning.

Factors that speed up learning include any previous website or design experience, daily practice rather than sporadic effort, getting feedback on your work, and building diverse project types. Factors that slow learning include only watching tutorials without building, perfectionism that prevents finishing projects, and not seeking feedback.

You can technically start taking simple paid projects within 3-4 weeks of beginning, though you'll learn significantly through those early projects. Don't wait until you feel completely ready because that never happens. Start with small, affordable projects to build confidence and portfolio pieces.

Ongoing learning is minimal compared to other platforms. Weebly's development has stagnated, so there aren't regular new features to master. This simplicity helps beginners but limits long-term skill growth potential. Many developers eventually expand to other platforms for continued learning and higher income.

Is This For You

This side hustle works well for people who want the simplest entry into website development without extensive learning requirements. If you want to start earning quickly with minimal technical complexity, Weebly offers the fastest path to basic competence.

Consider this if you're comfortable serving budget-conscious clients. Weebly attracts clients with limited budgets who need simple solutions. If you're patient with price-sensitive clients, comfortable with modest per-project rates, and willing to compete on value and service rather than premium positioning, this can work.

This suits people who want very flexible, part-time work. Projects are typically smaller and faster than other platforms, making them easier to fit around other commitments. You can do this alongside other work, as occasional side income, or scale it up by increasing project volume.

You should be comfortable with technology but don't need to be technical. If you can learn software easily, don't get frustrated with computers, and can figure things out through trial and error, you'll be fine. Weebly requires less technical understanding than any other website development option.

This isn't ideal if you want significant income growth potential. The platform's limitations, stagnant development, and budget-focused market cap your earning potential. Premium pricing is difficult because clients choosing Weebly specifically want affordable solutions. Long-term, you'll likely need to expand to other platforms for income growth.

Avoid this if you want to work on sophisticated, cutting-edge projects. Weebly is about simple, functional websites, not complex technical implementations. If you need constant technical challenges and learning to stay engaged, you'll get bored quickly once you master the limited platform.

This might not suit you if the platform's uncertain future concerns you. Square's shift to Square Online and lack of Weebly development since 2021 creates questions about long-term viability. If you want to invest in learning a platform with clear long-term prospects, more actively developed options might be better choices.

Consider whether you're comfortable with price-focused clients. Budget-conscious clients sometimes have higher demands, more revision requests, or more challenging communication. If you prefer clients who value and pay for premium service, platforms with higher price positioning might suit you better.

You'll succeed if you're patient, enjoy helping people with limited resources, work efficiently, and don't need high per-project income. Combining basic design sense with good communication and efficient processes matters more than technical expertise for Weebly work.

Side hustle perspective: This works best as supplementary income rather than a full-time career path. The platform's limitations and market positioning make it difficult to build substantial full-time income solo. Treat it as a way to earn extra money with minimal investment and learning time, potentially using it as a stepping stone to other platforms or keeping it as reliable side income alongside other work.

Note on specialization: Consider whether Weebly's current market position aligns with your goals. With development stagnant since 2021 and Square focusing elsewhere, this platform serves a specific niche of very budget-conscious, simplicity-focused clients. It works well for that specific market but may not be the best long-term investment compared to more actively developed platforms.