How to become a Webflow template designer: 5 step process

Build a passive income stream. Make money in your sleep. Wake up from your nap on the beach. You check your phone. Oh, is that more Webflow template sales? You laugh, take of sip of that sex on the beach coctail and then swim out to your yacht to slice some watermelon for a light afternoon snack.

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Ah, the life of a Webflow template designer...

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But is that just a dream?

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Can you earn any significant income from making Webflow templates?

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But how do you become a template designer?

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What are the benefits of becoming a Webflow template designer?

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And what can you do as extra in the Webflow template market to stand out?

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Also, if you're already making some templates and sick of small maintenance tasks, I know a company that will not only take away that headache for you but pay you a referral fee for doing so...Will explain at the end of the article! (if you can't wait, check out Flow n' Grow here)

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Ok, let's dive in:

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Context  

I recently interviewed John D Saunders (check out the episode "Learning to price Webflow projects correctly after over 250+ clients," if interested) who talked about the importance of systems and processes.  This was not just to help on-board staff but also so that he could productise his services moving forward for free lead gen magnets or paid courses, downloadables and guides and, yes, you guessed it, templates.

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Now templates were all the rage with Webflowers talking of extra income and some doing templates extremely consistently like Ty Hughey and Nikolai Bain to great effect. But how do you become a template designer?

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We'll chew the cud in all this, and more.

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Important to note - I'm not personally making Webflow templates but I'm working for Macu Studio and they have a couple of templates that they're selling. However, we're considering making a LOT of cloneables and templates as a lead generation strategy to attract work to the agency. Speaking of, what's the difference?

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Are Webflow templates and cloneables the same thing?

No.

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At first glance, Webflow templates and cloneables might seem similar, but they cater to different needs and functionalities within the Webflow ecosystem.

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Templates are professionally designed layouts that users can purchase and use for their projects, providing a robust starting point that encompasses design, structure, and sometimes even pre-defined animations.

On the other hand, cloneables are free resources shared by the Webflow community. They can range from entire website layouts to specific elements like navbars or contact forms. While templates are comprehensive solutions aimed at getting your project up and running quickly with minimal adjustments, cloneables serve as learning tools or building blocks that can inspire or be integrated into existing projects.

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3 reasons why it's worth making Webflow templates

1) Income

Make some cheeky wonga. Generating income through selling Webflow templates is straightforward yet potentially very lucrative. Obviously, designers can create templates once and sell them an unlimited number of times, providing a passive income stream that continues to pay dividends long after the initial work is completed. It's important to note though that how well you do in template sales significantly relies on SEO as Nikolai Bain explains in this exceptional video.

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Although you may make some money for the template sale, another financial benefit is that it also opens the door to upselling related services such as customization or consultation.

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In addition, if your templates gain popularity, you could command higher prices for the templates but also client projects. I know people who have got agency collabs from the quality of their templates. In essence, the more appealing and functional your templates are, the higher your potential earnings.

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2) Lead generation

Creating Webflow templates serves as a powerful lead generation tool for your Webflow business. When customers purchase your templates, they’re not just buying a product; they're also buying into your design philosophy and expertise.

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This initial purchase lays the foundation for a relationship between the designer and the customer. Often, customers who buy templates realize they want customizations to make the template perfectly fit their unique needs or brand identity.

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This is where the opportunity for lead generation truly shines, as these customers are likely to return to you—the original designer—for these custom modifications. Over time, what starts as a request for minor tweaks can evolve into requests for comprehensive website redesigns or entirely new projects.

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Essentially, each template sold has the potential to become a gateway to more extensive, lucrative projects in the future, underpinning the significance of templates not just as products, but as potent tools for business growth and client engagement.

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3) Explore new styles

Exploring new styles through the creation of Webflow templates is not just a task; it's a genuinely fun and creative process. It allows designers to experiment with different aesthetics, layouts, and functionalities without the constraints of a specific client brief.

This freedom to innovate and test out various design theories or trends can lead to unique and groundbreaking templates that stand out in the marketplace. In essence, creating templates becomes a playground for designers to express their creativity, learn new skills, and push the boundaries of web design. This exploration not only enhances their portfolio but also keeps their work fresh and exciting, both for themselves and their audience.

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Selling templates in the Webflow template marketplace

The Webflow Template Marketplace is an online platform where designers can buy and sell premium, responsive templates specifically designed for the Webflow website builder. This marketplace offers a diverse range of templates catering to various industries and purposes, including e-commerce, portfolios, blogs, and more.

It provides an invaluable resource for businesses and individuals looking to launch professional websites quickly without the need for extensive coding knowledge. For designers, the marketplace represents a unique opportunity to showcase their skills, reach a global audience, and monetize their designs.

Extra tip: you can sell your Figma designs too. Nikolai Bain does this incredibly effectively.

Extra extra tip: If you're going to the effort of creating templates for the Webflow template marketplace, why not also build them in Framer? If you use a component library like Tilebit, you can get the components for Figma, Webflow and Framer so you can literally replicate it across all the different platforms.

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How Much Money Can a Webflow Template Designer Make?

It depends (lol).

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Webflow have simplified their pricing structure so you get 80% of the total template sales.

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The mighty Nikolai Bain explains in this cracking video that when he had 15 templates, he was earning $3,500 USD a month:

The reason for this is there are an initial surge of sales and then they level out.

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Even though the video is a couple of years old, it's class.

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More recently, he has now got over 40 templates and is earning a steadier monthly income.

Let's be clear though - the financial rewards of becoming a Webflow template designer can be significant, varying based on factors such as experience, reputation, and the complexity of templates designed.

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Beginners in this field may start earning modest amounts, but with increased skill and visibility, it's possible to command prices ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per template. Nikolai Bain isn't any beginner.

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It's also important to say that you need to be your own self promotion engine.

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It's not like you whack up a few templates on the Webflow Marketplace and bobs your uncle, you've made it son. Think about posting it around the internet and how you can generate traffic to your website.

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Is it too late to become a Webflow template designer?

No.

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In the fast-evolving world of web design and development, the question arises – is it too late to become a Webflow template designer? The answer is a resounding no.

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The digital landscape is continuously growing, with businesses and individuals constantly seeking fresh and innovative web solutions. Webflow, with its intuitive design and powerful functionalities, remains a favored tool for many. The demand for skilled Webflow template designers is on the rise, making now an excellent time to start or further develop your skills in this area. There's a significant opportunity for creative individuals willing to learn and adapt in this dynamic field.

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How do you become a Webflow template designer? A step-by-step process

Becoming a successful Webflow template designer involves a combination of learning, practicing, and networking. Here is a step-by-step process to help you start your journey:

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1) Learn the Basics of Web Design

Let's be clear. You don't get past the application process without being good enough. No pass, no template sales. Capiche?

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Understand fundamental principles of web design, including user experience (UX), user interface (UI), and responsive design. Online platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and Webflow University offer comprehensive courses. Then, master Webflow. Deepen your knowledge of Webflow by exploring its features through tutorials available on Webflow University. Practice building templates from scratch, and experiment with different design elements.

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2) Do your research fool

Dig in to resources - success leaves clues. Look at killer content from people like Bryn Taylor - his article, "The definitive guide to selling Webflow templates," is exactly what it says on the tin. It's worth saying that it used to be far easier to be a template designer than it is now. As a result, it's worth doing your homework before applying.

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Share your designs with the community through forums, social media platforms, and Webflow’s Showcase. Constructive feedback will help you improve and refine your designs.

3) Build a Portfolio

To be honest, if you haven't got a portfolio at all and you want to be a template creator, I'm worried that you won't get past the submission process (as someone that failed the application process in exactly this position). If this is you, maybe head back to step one and do some serious learning!

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Fair enough if you're still here even if you have no portfolio at all. You are a rascal.

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It's worth creating a portfolio that showcase your skills and design range. Your portfolio should reflect your expertise in creating diverse and responsive designs using Webflow. Duh.

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4) Application process

Start by offering your templates on online marketplaces or your own website. Be sure to consider client needs and current design trends to create templates that stand out.

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5) Market Yourself

‍Think about who is going to buy your templates - where do they hang out, how do they talk, why should they care about what you have made?

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Promote your work on social media, web design blogs, and forums. Building a strong online presence can help attract clients and opportunities to collaborate or sell your designs. Good luck.

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Sick of maintenance tasks from Webflow Template clients?

Maybe you've started selling a couple of templates and people are contacting you about editing them - great! You now have some extra income.

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But you find this work tedious...

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Can you change the nav bar? Can you change the image of Deborah? Can you add an image to the slider? Can you add a section with a calendar embedded which links to…

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ARGHHHHHH NO, Just no Susan.

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Tired of the headache of doing a maintenance package for clients you have worked with and wish you could hand them off to a reliable provider you can trust AND earn a referral fee?

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NOW YOU CAN.

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• Prices start as little as just $8 a day so its super affordable for you and your clients

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Stop being a design vending machine and earn some money. Simples.

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