How to Start a Web Development Side Hustle: Build Sites for US Businesses and Earn $100/Hour

Web development is one of the most powerful side hustles in America because it combines high demand, strong hourly rates, and fully remote work. US businesses of every size still need modern, mobile‑friendly websites that load fast and look professional, and many local companies have either outdated sites or no website at all. If you can learn to build clean, functional sites and communicate well, reaching $100/hour on bigger projects and retainers becomes realistic over time—not on day one, but as you stack skills, proof, and referrals.

This guide walks through a practical path from beginner to well‑paid side hustler: what skills to learn, how to build a portfolio, where to find US clients, how to price, and how to make your presence Google‑friendly so you can actually be found. Even if you are starting from zero, you can use evenings and weekends to build a valuable web dev business around your existing job.

Table of Contents

Step 1: Choose Your Tech Stack and Service Type

Before anything else, decide what kind of web development you want to offer. For a side hustle aimed at US small businesses, you do not need to be a full‑stack engineer. You need to reliably deliver sites that are:

Mobile‑responsive
Fast enough to keep users from bouncing
Easy for clients to update

Common beginner‑friendly paths include:

No‑code / low‑code site building: WordPress (with page builders), Webflow, Squarespace, Wix.
Front‑end development: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, plus a framework like React for more complex projects.
Specialized niche sites: E‑commerce (Shopify), restaurant sites, booking sites, real‑estate listings.

For most people starting a side hustle targeting local US businesses—restaurants, gyms, salons, contractors—learning WordPress with a good page builder or Webflow is enough to charge hundreds to thousands per site. You can always add deeper coding later as you level up.

Step 2: Build Core Skills with Action, Not Endless Tutorials

Avoid getting stuck in tutorial purgatory. Plan a focused learning phase of 30–45 days where you balance study with real mini‑projects.

Focus on:

HTML & CSS basics: Structure pages, style layouts, handle responsive design.
Basic JavaScript: Simple interactivity, forms, menus, and small UI touches.
Platforms: Pick one primary platform (WordPress + Elementor, or Webflow, or Shopify) and get comfortable building from scratch and from templates.
Web fundamentals: Hosting, domains, SSL, and basic site security.

The best approach is project‑driven learning. Make a list of three fictional US businesses—a local coffee shop, a home contractor, and a personal trainer—and build a simple one‑page site for each. Treat them as if they were real clients: logo, sections, contact form, and mobile layout. These will become the backbone of your first portfolio.

Step 3: Define Your Niche and Ideal US Client

Trying to build “any website for anyone” makes marketing far harder. Narrowing your focus helps you stand out and charge more.

Beginner‑friendly niches in the US:

Service businesses: plumbers, electricians, roofers, landscapers, cleaning companies.
Hospitality: cafes, restaurants, food trucks, small hotels, Airbnbs.
Health and wellness: personal trainers, therapists, chiropractors, yoga studios.
Local professionals: real estate agents, lawyers, accountants.

Ask yourself:

What industries do you understand from personal experience or people around you?
Which type of client is easy to talk to in your area?
Where do you already see bad or missing websites?

An example positioning statement:
“I design fast, mobile‑friendly WordPress sites for local service businesses in the US—so they show up, look credible, and get more calls.”

That clarity will guide your portfolio examples, outreach messages, and pricing.

Step 4: Build a Portfolio That Proves Outcomes, Not Just Code

Clients don’t care about your tech stack; they care about results: more calls, more bookings, more trust. Your early portfolio should be small but sharp.

Create:

3–5 demo projects aimed at real niches (e.g., “Austin Roofing Co.,” “Brooklyn Coffee Bar,” “Denver Fitness Coach”).
Each site with: clear sections, call‑to‑action buttons, contact forms, and mobile‑ready layouts.
Before/after style screenshots if you redesign any existing sites for friends or local businesses.

Host these demos on your own domain or subdomains so you have clean links to share. Add short case‑style descriptions under each:

Who the business “is” (even if fictional or a friend’s company).
The problem (no website, bad mobile experience, slow site).
Your solution (new design, faster load, clearer content).
The outcome (for real clients: more inquiries, better search visibility).

For broader freelancing business advice and contract guidance, you can learn a lot from organizations like the Freelancers Union, which supports independent workers across the United States with resources and tools.

Step 5: Set Starter Pricing and Understand the Path to $100/Hour

You likely will not charge $100/hour on your first project. Instead, think in terms of project pricing that can lead to that hourly equivalent as you gain experience and speed.

Reasonable beginner ranges for US local business sites:

Simple one‑page site: $300–$600
3–5 page brochure site: $700–$1,500
Basic e‑commerce or booking integration: $1,000–$3,000+

At first, your effective hourly rate might be low (for example, $600 for a 25‑hour build ≈ $24/hour). But as you reuse components, refine your process, and build from starting templates, the same $600 site may later take you 8–10 hours, pushing you toward $60–$75/hour or more. Higher‑tier projects and retainers (maintenance, updates, SEO) can easily push you to $100/hour effective rates once you have a strong reputation.

You can also offer monthly maintenance packages:

Basic: $50–$100/month (backups, security updates, minor text changes).
Standard: $150–$300/month (updates, speed checks, basic SEO tweaks).

Stack 5–10 of these and you have recurring side‑hustle income on top of new builds.

Step 6: Find Your First US Clients Without Paid Ads

There are many sources of clients; early on, focus on the ones with the shortest path to trust.

Your existing network
- Friends, family, and local acquaintances who run or know small businesses.
- Offer a “beta” price for your first 2–3 real projects in exchange for testimonials and referrals.
- Example pitch: “I’m building my portfolio and offering a steep discount on a professional website build for the first three local businesses who jump in.”
Local outreach in your city or town
- Search Google Maps for local businesses in your niche and click through to their sites.
- Make a list of those with no website, broken sites, or non‑mobile pages.
- Email or call them with a short, specific message: who you are, what you noticed, and how you can help.
Freelance platforms and niche job boards
- Create clear, niche‑oriented profiles on popular freelance marketplaces.
- Apply only to jobs that fit your skill level and niche, and write targeted, concise proposals instead of generic messages.
- Focus on US‑based clients when possible, as they tend to match your time zone and pricing expectations.
Social media presence
- Post short breakdowns of your projects on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram: “Rebuilt a local gym website—load time cut in half, clearer calls to action.”
- Use simple visuals (before/after screenshots, mobile previews) and call out the type of US business you helped.

Your first three to five clients may come from people you already know or simple cold outreach in your local area. That is normal and extremely valuable for quick feedback and real testimonials.

Step 7: Communicate Like a Professional, Even as a Beginner

Clients often judge web developers more by their communication and reliability than by flawless code. From day one, act like a pro:

Run a quick discovery call (15–30 minutes) and ask clear questions about goals, target audience, must‑have features, and content.
Summarize the project in a short written proposal: scope, deliverables, timeline, price, payment terms, and revision limits.
Get a simple written agreement before starting; even a clear email trail is better than nothing.
Use a basic project timeline: wireframe, design preview, development, review, and launch.

Set expectations early:

Which pages are included.
How many rounds of revisions are covered.
Who is responsible for copywriting and images.
How ongoing changes will be billed after launch.

This helps you avoid scope creep and keeps the project profitable.

Step 8: Make Your Own Site Google‑Friendly and “Indexable”

If you want to appear in Google when US businesses search for help, your own website needs basic SEO in place. It does not have to be fancy, but it must be clear.

Key elements:

A home page that clearly states what you do, for whom, and where (for example: “Web development for US service businesses—fast, mobile‑friendly WordPress sites that bring you more calls.”).
Service pages that describe specific offers like “Website design for local contractors” or “Restaurant website packages.”
A portfolio page with screenshots, short explanations, and links to live projects where possible.
An “About” page showing who you are, where you’re based, and why you focus on your chosen niche.
A simple contact form, email address, and possibly a booking link for discovery calls.

SEO basics:

Use natural phrases that your ideal client might type into Google, such as “website design for small businesses in [your city/state]” or “US web developer for local service companies.”
Give each page a clear, descriptive title and meta description aligned with your niche and location.
Make sure your site loads quickly and works on mobile devices.
List your business on Google Business Profile if you want to target local clients specifically.

You don’t have to obsess over ranking nationwide keywords; showing up in your city or region alone can fill your calendar as a side hustler.

Step 9: Improve, Specialize, and Raise Rates Over Time

Reaching $100/hour comes from compounding improvements, not one big leap. With each project:

Track how long tasks actually take you.
Identify steps that can be templatized or automated (starter layouts, forms, checklists).
Collect testimonials and ask satisfied clients for referrals and case‑study permission.
Learn one new valuable skill every month (for example, speed optimization, basic on‑page SEO, conversion‑focused design).

As you gain confidence and consistent results:

Move from generic “websites” to specialized outcomes: “websites that generate leads for local roofers,” “online booking sites for therapists,” or “conversion‑focused landing pages for paid ads.”
Gradually raise your minimum project price, especially for new clients.
Introduce premium packages that bundle design, development, ongoing updates, and strategic advice.

When your process is tight and your results are proven, you will find clients are willing to pay premium rates because you are no longer selling “a website”—you are selling a business outcome, with web development as the vehicle.

Putting It All Together

A web development side hustle for US businesses is achievable even if you are starting from scratch and working around a full‑time job. By focusing on practical skills, a clear niche, outcome‑focused portfolios, and professional communication, you can land your first few projects, gain momentum, and then steadily raise your effective hourly rate. Over time, $100/hour becomes less a dream number and more a reflection of the value and efficiency you’ve built into your services.

The key is consistent action: build real projects, talk to real businesses, and refine your offers based on what the US market actually needs. If you treat this as a serious side business rather than a casual hobby, your skills and income can grow far faster than you expect.