Text on dark background: "How Erika Went From Zero To $7,500 Projects In 7 Months." Logo: Web Designer Academy. White text and circular emblem.
Starting at zero, Erika didn’t just land her first clients—she was booking $7,500 web design projects within seven months. In this post, I share how she clarified her niche, created a premium offer, and used strategic outreach (without posting on every platform) to attract clients who value results. Erika’s journey proves that with aligned positioning, confident pricing, and intentional action, it’s absolutely possible to elevate your business faster than you think.
Dark background image with text: "How Alex Went Full-Time In Just 4 Months." Logo of Web Designer Academy at the bottom.
Want to quit your day job and become a full‑time web designer in just four months? Alex did exactly that — and more. In this post, I dive into how she replaced her corporate salary inside Web Designer Academy by setting clear pricing goals, leaning into strategic mindset shifts, and using our proven strategies to land high‑paying clients fast. Alex’s story shows that with the right clarity, confidence, and support, hitting full‑time freelance is absolutely within reach.
Text image with dark background: "How Leigh Reached Her Revenue Goal in Just 90 Days." Logo and text: "Web Designer Academy."
Want to hit a solid revenue baseline in 90 days? Leigh did—and this post breaks down exactly how. You’ll learn how she clarified her niche, set confident pricing, and used client-focused outreach to book paid work quickly. Spoiler: she didn’t need a massive portfolio or endless cold pitching—just intentional action and aligned positioning. If you’re ready to set an income baseline and build momentum fast, Leigh’s story is your roadmap.
The image features the text, "How Barb Created $10K Months As A Web Designer," with the Web Designer Academy logo below.
Ready to hit consistent $10K months in your web design business? Barb did it—and you can too. In this post, I dive into how she shifted her mindset, got paid while learning, used client-first marketing, and became her own safety net. No more hustle‑and‑bust cycles—just steady premium clients and freedom. These five secrets from Barb's journey are exactly what you need to scale with confidence and clarity.
Text on teal background: "4 Shifts Our Clients Make To 5x Their Income" with "Web Designer Academy" logo at bottom.
Wondering how to scale your web design biz without burning out? This post shares the four mindset and strategy shifts our clients make to boost revenue—5× style—without working more. We dive into how to own your prices, simplify your marketing, tighten up your project flow, and learn to say no (in a way that feels empowering and profitable).
Text on a dark background reads "Why You Don’t Have To Wait To Raise Your Web Design Prices," with Web Designer Academy logo below.
Feeling like you have to wait six months—or even a year—before raising your web design prices? That delay isn’t necessary. In this post, I dig into why you can confidently increase your rates now, how to position that raise as a win for clients, and the mindset shifts that make it feel authentic and aligned. You can start charging what you’re worth today—no waiting required.
Promotional poster for a webinar titled "How to Get Premium Web Design Clients," hosted by Web Designer Academy, targeting introverted individuals.
If you’re an introvert, the idea of selling yourself can feel like your worst nightmare. But you can book premium web design clients without turning into a networker extrovert. This post reveals how to lean into your introvert strengths—deep listening, thoughtful communication, quality over quantity—and use them to build meaningful connections and stand out. You’ll learn approachable strategies that make marketing feel true to you and actually work.
Text on a teal background reads: "Why You Can Raise Your Web Design Prices" with a Web Designer Academy logo.
Feeling stuck thinking your clients can’t afford higher web design prices? That belief is holding you — and them — back. Undercharging keeps you burnt out, unable to invest in your business, and unable to give clients your best. But there are clients who value real results and will pay for a VIP-level experience. This post cuts deep into your money mindset and shows you how to confidently raise your prices so both you and your clients win
Dark green background with white text: "Is Imposter Syndrome Holding You Back?" Logo of Web Designer Academy at the bottom.
If marketing your web design business makes you feel like a total imposter, you’re not alone. This post breaks down why those “I’m not good enough” thoughts aren’t truth—they’re just unexamined beliefs. You’ll learn how to shift from self-doubt to confidence by defining what you actually do, embracing your expertise, and creating a marketing message that feels honest, aligned, and effective (instead of cringe).
Text on a dark background reads "How To Get Web Design Clients Without A Portfolio." It features the logo of Web Designer Academy.
Think you need a portfolio to land high‑paying web design clients? Think again. In this post, I unpack why you don’t need a wall full of past work to book paid projects—and how to get clients now. You'll learn how simply saying “I’m a web designer,” clearly explaining your process, and offering paid discovery calls can build credibility, confidence, and cash—without ever working for free or cheap.
Promotional graphic for Web Designer Academy, with text "3 Tactics For Getting Your Next Web Design Client" on a dark teal background.
Feeling stuck trying to book your first or next web design client? You don’t need to be everywhere online or constantly post on social media to get hired. In this post, I share three simple, powerful tactics that help you build momentum fast—by focusing on relationships, real conversations, and consistent follow-up. If you’re tired of overthinking your marketing and just want a clear, aligned way to find clients, this one’s for you.
Dark teal background with white text saying, "Why Niching Doesn’t Work For Web Designers (and what to do instead)." Logo of Web Designer Academy below.
“Choose a web design niche,” they say. “The riches are in the niches,” they say. So you did, and you’re still struggling to get web design clients. So what do you do when all the other web designers have chosen the niche you chose (female entrepreneurs, for example)? What do you do when everyone's “fishing in the same pond”? Well my friend, today I'm breaking down why niching doesn’t work for web designers (and what to do instead).
Text on a dark teal background reads "3 Keys To A Profitable Web Design Business" by "Web Designer Academy" with a leaf logo below.
Are you ready to stop undercharging and overdelivering and finally create a full-time income as a web designer? The three keys I'm about to share with you are going to transform your entire web design business. I wish

I would've known this information when I started mine back in 2014, because I struggled so much in the beginning. If you're a web designer who is undercharging, overdelivering, and maxed out, read on.
About
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Hi, I’m Shannon Mattern, Founder & CEO of the Web Designer Academy and Pricing Coach for women web designers who are ready to stop undercharging, overdelivering and build businesses that feel as good on the inside as they look on the outside.

Topics

90 DAY REVENUE ROADMAP

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Increase your income without rebranding, niching down or adding more services or skills.

Guides

Stop undercharging and start owning the value of your work. This guide walks you through pricing your services in a way that’s profitable and sustainable.

Get the Guide ⟶

No content hamster wheel, no social media burnout. This guide shows you how to consistently market your web design business in just minutes a week — even in a saturated market.

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The biggest thing standing between you and your next level? Your thoughts. This guide helps you spot and shift the beliefs that quietly sabotage your pricing, boundaries, and confidence.

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