If you’ve been Googling “best web design course” lately, you already know — there are a lot of them.
Some promise six figures in six months, some claim to teach you coding and design and branding and business — all at once. And if you’re new, it’s hard to tell what’s legit and what’s just clever marketing.
So before you drop hundreds (or thousands) of dollars on a course, here’s my honest advice from someone who’s taken plenty, built her own six-figure design business, and now teaches others how to do it too.
You don’t need to know everything to start
Most people overcomplicate this step. They think they have to learn every design program, every platform, every detail before they can take clients.
You don’t.
The truth is, you can start a successful web design business by learning one platform — like Showit — and getting really good at that. It’s beginner-friendly, drag-and-drop, and perfect for service-based businesses like coaches and creatives.
If a course makes you feel overwhelmed just reading the sales page, it’s probably not designed for beginners.
Look for a course that teaches design and business
Learning how to design is one thing. Learning how to actually get clients, price your services, and run your business — that’s another story.
A lot of design courses skip the “how to get paid” part, which leaves you feeling like you can build a website but have no idea how to find someone who’ll pay for it.
Before you buy, ask yourself:
- Will this course help me find clients?
- Does it teach branding, copy, or client experience?
- Does it show me how to turn design into income?
If not, you’ll still end up feeling stuck after you finish.
Start with free training first
Here’s what I recommend (and what I wish someone had told me): start with a free training first.
You’ll get a feel for the instructor’s teaching style, find out whether the approach actually makes sense for you, and save yourself a lot of time and money figuring out if this is something you truly want to pursue.
That’s exactly why I created my own free training:
👉 Start Your Web Design Business with Zero Experience
It walks you through my proven 3-step action plan to start a web design business, how to attract clients (even as a beginner), and includes a free Web Design Starter Kit with all my favorite tools and resources.
It’s the perfect way to test the waters before you commit to a paid course — and you’ll already have a solid foundation when you’re ready for the next step.
Be realistic about timelines
No one builds a six-figure design business overnight — and that’s okay.
You can absolutely launch your business in a matter of weeks (that’s what my students do), but growth takes time, consistency, and learning as you go.
When you see courses promising instant results, take it with a grain of salt. The best ones give you structure, not hype.
Focus on progress, not perfection. You’ll be amazed at how far you can go in just a few focused weeks.
Don’t be afraid to start small
You don’t need to wait until you’ve mastered everything to call yourself a web designer. You just need to take that first step — build your first mock project, find your first client, and build confidence as you go.
That’s where the momentum starts.
If you’re still not sure where to begin, grab my free training below. It’ll walk you through exactly what to do first.
🎓 Start Your Web Design Business with Zero Experience
You’ll walk away knowing:
✅ How to start your business without coding
✅ How to attract clients who value your work
✅ How to launch your design business in as little as two weeks
No pressure, no fluff — just a real plan that works.
Melissa Lunt is the founder of Superhero Design, a template shop specializing in high-converting Showit website templates for coaches, photographers, and creative entrepreneurs. With over 10 years of experience designing brands and websites, she helps business owners launch beautiful, strategic sites without the designer price tag or tech stress. Melissa is passionate about creating handcrafted templates that don’t just look custom—they actually book clients. When she’s not designing, you’ll find her drinking coffee, spending time with family and exploring the outdoors.
Explore Showit templates and launch resources at superherodesign.co.
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