And How to Fix It by Stepping Into Strategy and Leadership
Most web designers are underpaid, and it’s not because of a lack of skill.
They know how to build.
They know how to design.
They know how to deliver great work.
But here’s the hard truth: business owners don’t pay for work.
They pay for clarity.
They pay for leadership.
They pay for outcomes.
If you’re stuck building websites for $2,500 while juggling revisions, missed deadlines, and low-margin projects, it’s not your skill that needs to change. It’s your position.
Let’s talk about how to fix it.
Web Design Isn’t the Product. Strategy Is.
The market has shifted.
Business owners can get a site built on Wix, Shopify, or Webflow with AI in a matter of hours. They don’t need more options, they need someone to tell them what matters and what to do next.
That’s where you come in. But only if you shift from building things… to guiding decisions.
You don’t get paid for what you build. You get paid for what it builds for them.
When you lead with strategy, when you own the plan, the priorities, and the process, you instantly become more valuable.
How to Step Into Strategy (Even If You’ve Always Just Built Websites)
You don’t need a marketing degree. You don’t need to know everything.
You just need to ask better questions and start thinking like an owner.
Start here:
- What is this client really trying to accomplish?
- What’s getting in their way right now?
- What would be the simplest path to get them from where they are to where they want to be?
When you begin thinking and speaking at that level, clients start seeing you differently. You become the person who leads the project, not just the one who executes it.
And that difference is what unlocks premium pricing and long-term partnerships.
Strategy Is Where the Leverage Lives
Strategy:
- Positions you as a trusted advisor
- Justifies higher pricing
- Reduces revisions
- Attracts clients who value your insight, not just your output
- Opens the door to recurring consulting and ongoing retainers
It also protects your energy. Because now you’re not getting pulled in every direction—you’re guiding the direction.
And when you own the strategy, you’re no longer one of many.
You’re the one they come to for clarity and results.
Ready to Be Paid What You’re Worth?
The clients are out there. They’re already spending the money.
The question is, will they spend it with someone who builds websites… or someone who helps grow their business?
When you own the strategy, you own the value.
And that’s when everything starts to scale.
Ready to Grow Your Web Consulting Business?
If you’re looking to take the next step in growing your web consulting business, learn how at:
👉 http://join.webconsulting.com/