I Built a $12K/Month Web Design Side Hustle from My Modesto Garage – Here’s Every Tool I Still Use in 2025 (and How You Can Too)

Imagine this: It's 2023, and I'm in my garage in Modesto, CA. Tools scattered everywhere from fixing computers all day. My family is asleep, but I'm up late, staring at a laptop screen. I had no idea that night would start a side hustle that now brings in $12,000 a month – all while I still run my main computer repair business.

Hey, I’m John Urquiaga, the owner of The Computer Repair Guru. I’ve been helping people in Modesto and across the USA with computer fixes since 2019. But when clients started asking for websites and SEO help, I saw an opportunity. I dove in, learned fast, and turned it into serious income. This guide shares the real story – the ups, downs, and every tool I still use in 2025. If I can do it from a garage, you can too.

Why a Web Design Side Hustle Works So Well in 2025

Web design isn't dead – it's booming. Every small business needs a site that looks good on phones and ranks on Google. AI tools make it easier than ever to build pro sites fast. Here's why I love it:

• Low startup cost: $100–$500 for tools and hosting
• High margins: Charge $1,000–$5,000 per site, costs $100–$200
• Recurring revenue: Add monthly maintenance ($199–$499/mo)
• Remote work: Clients anywhere in the USA
• Flexible: Work evenings/weekends around your job

In 2025, with AI helping, you can finish a site in 5–10 hours. I started with one client per month. Now I do 6–8, plus ongoing SEO.

Step 1: Set Up Your Toolkit and Learn the Basics

You don't need to be a coder. In 2025, tools do 90% of the work. Here's exactly what I use and how to get started.

Core Tool #1: Elementor Pro – The Best Website Builder

Elementor is my #1 tool. It's drag-and-drop, so no code. I build full sites in hours.

Why I love Elementor:

• Thousands of templates for any business
• Mobile-ready from the start
• Popups, forms, and e-commerce built-in
• AI features in 2025 help generate layouts
• Integrates with WooCommerce for shops

Price: $59/year. I started with the free version, upgraded after my first client.

➤ Get Elementor Pro (My Affiliate Link – Free Trial Available)

Core Tool #2: Rank Math Pro – SEO Made Simple

Every site needs SEO to rank on Google. Rank Math is better than Yoast – it's my daily driver.

Why Rank Math?

• Content AI writes SEO-friendly text
• Automatic schema markup for rich results
• Local SEO tools for Modesto businesses
• 404 monitor and redirect manager
• Integrated with Google Search Console

Price: $59/year. It pays for itself with one client site.

➤ Get Rank Math Pro (My Affiliate Link – Beats Yoast)

Core Tool #3: GoHighLevel – All-in-One Client Marketing

This is my secret weapon for recurring revenue. GHL lets me add marketing features to client sites.

Why GoHighLevel?

• Funnels, email, SMS, bookings in one tool
• White-label for clients
• AI chatbots and automation
• Easy to upsell as monthly package

Price: $97/mo. I charge clients $299/mo for it – big profit.

➤ Get GoHighLevel (My Affiliate Link – 14-Day Free Trial)

Core Tool #4: TubeBuddy – Grow Your Portfolio on YouTube

I use YouTube to show my designs and attract clients. TubeBuddy helps me grow fast.

Why TubeBuddy?

• Keyword research for videos
• Thumbnail A/B testing
• Bulk editing tags/cards
• Best time to publish

Price: $9/mo. It helped me get 10K views on my first design video.

➤ Get TubeBuddy (My Affiliate Link – Grow Your Channel Fast)

Core Tool #5: vidIQ – YouTube Analytics & Growth

vidIQ complements TubeBuddy. It's great for competitor research.

Why vidIQ?

• AI title/description generator
• Daily video ideas
• Channel audit tools

Price: $7.50/mo. I use it to find what videos rank high.

➤ Get vidIQ (My Affiliate Link – Best Offers)

With these tools, I build sites in half the time. Start with Elementor and Rank Math – they’re the foundation.

Step 2: Land Your First Paying Clients (From Zero to $1K in Weeks)

The first client is the hardest. Here's how I got mine:

1. Built 3 practice sites (one for a fake coffee shop, one for a plumber, one for a lawyer).
2. Posted in local Modesto Facebook groups: “Free website audit for small businesses – let's chat!”
3. Offered discounted “starter sites” to friends ($300–$500).
4. Used Nextdoor: “Modesto web designer – affordable sites for local shops”
5. Asked for testimonials and referrals right away
6. Listed on Craigslist, Upwork, and Fiverr for remote clients

My first client was a local Modesto restaurant. I built a 5-page site with menu, contact form, and Google Maps – charged $750. They referred two more.

Client Pricing Table in 2025

Package	What You Get	Price
Starter	5 pages, basic SEO, mobile-friendly	$750
Pro	10 pages, advanced SEO, forms, e-commerce	$1,500
Premium	Unlimited pages, full marketing setup with GHL	$3,000+

Add monthly maintenance ($199/mo) for updates and SEO.

Step 3: Scale to $12K/Month and Beyond

Once you have 5 clients, focus on scale:

1. Create templates for common niches (use Elementor to save time).
2. Upsell SEO with Rank Math and marketing with GoHighLevel.
3. Build a portfolio site—show before/afters.
4. Use YouTube: Film “how I built this site” videos with TubeBuddy and vidIQ.
5. Outsource tasks to Fiverr (graphics, content).
6. Get referrals—offer a $100 credit for each new client.

My biggest jump came from YouTube. One video on “How to Build a Website in 1 Hour with Elementor” got 50K views – landed 8 clients in a month.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake	Why It Hurts	How to Fix
Free or low-price sites	Undervalues your work, attracts cheap clients	Start at $750 minimum
No contract	Unlimited revisions, scope creep	Use free template from PandaDoc
Ignoring SEO	The site looks good but gets no traffic	Always include basic SEO with Rank Math
Not marketing yourself	No new clients	Use GoHighLevel for your own funnels

Final Thoughts

This side hustle changed my life. It can change yours too. Start small, use the right tools, and be consistent. The first $1,000 is the hardest—after that, it snowballs.

Tools I Use Every Day

These are the exact tools that helped me build this business:

👉 View My Ultimate Growth Toolkit

Disclosure: Affiliate links—I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Want a website built for your business?

📞 Call (209) 315-5505 – Free Quote

Written by John Urquiaga, Owner & Lead Technician
Last updated: January 2026