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Recurring Revenue for Web Designers is a Must
If I could go back and change one thing early in my business, it would be starting recurring revenue sooner. This week, I focused on the habit of building recurring revenue, and it reminded me how important my ongoing services are to my web design business.
What Worked Well
My WordPress care plans have been the backbone of my income for years. They keep cash flow steady, help me stay connected to clients, and allow me to deliver support that actually makes a difference. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve made.
Challenges: Managing Volume at Scale
Right now, I’m monitoring nearly 200 websites through ManageWP, and I’ll admit—sometimes it’s overwhelming. Staying on top of updates, errors, and plugin conflicts takes time and attention. But I’ve learned to pace myself and let the tools do their job.
A Surprising Benefit: Early Detection of Site-Wide Issues
Having eyes on so many websites gives me an advantage when something goes wrong. For example, this week a WebCami Cafe member spotted a Genesis issue, which led others to notice the same thing. Because of my care plan setup, I was able to fix the problem across ten sites at once using ManageWP. That kind of visibility is a huge bonus.
Tools & Resources That Helped
- ManageWP – My main tool for updates, backups, and monitoring
- MainWP & WP Umbrella – Good alternatives for managing WordPress care plans
- Care Plan Education – Great courses from Josh Hall and Kristina Romero for building your own program
Lessons Learned
This habit reinforced how grateful I am to have built this system. Come September, it’ll be ten years since I began rolling out my care plan services—and they’re still growing. I’ve learned that staying consistent in what I offer is what keeps clients enrolled.
Moving Forward
I’ll continue offering a free month of care after every website build and make annual billing options available for those who prefer it. I’ll also keep my plans simple and focused: no bundled design time, just pure maintenance and support.
How You Can Implement This Habit
Start by offering a basic website care plan that includes backups, updates, and restoration. Don’t overpromise. Use tools like ManageWP to scale as you grow. Be clear about what’s included—and what’s not. And if you’re on the fence? Just start small. A few monthly clients can quickly turn into steady, reliable income.
Some links in this post are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase—at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools I personally use and trust. See my full disclosure here.
about the author
Cami MacNamara is a web designer and owner of WebCami LLC, a Seattle-based agency since 2002. She created Web Designer Habits to help web designers build smarter systems, stay productive, and run a business that works for them.