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SiteSwan Reseller Interview with Bill Boone
How This Former Realtor Built a $6,200/Month Web Design Business at 60 Years Old
Published on February 17, 2025
SiteSwan's Co-Founder, Justin Gerena, recently sat down with Bill Boone, a former real estate agent who successfully transitioned into web design and built a thriving business. Bill’s story is an inspiring testament to how career changes are possible at any stage of life. By leveraging SiteSwan’s platform, he transformed his entrepreneurial drive into a profitable web design business, earning $6,200 per month while serving just 30 clients.
In this interview, Bill shares his journey from real estate to web design, how he overcame initial challenges, and the key strategies that helped him scale his business. His approach to client relationships, sales, and continuous learning makes this case study invaluable for anyone looking to grow their web design agency or considering starting their own.
SiteSwan's Co-Founder, Justin Gerena, recently sat down with Bill Boone, a former real estate agent who successfully transitioned into web design and built a thriving business. Bill’s story is an inspiring testament to how career changes are possible at any stage of life. By leveraging SiteSwan’s platform, he transformed his entrepreneurial drive into a profitable web design business, earning $6,200 per month while serving just 30 clients.
In this interview, Bill shares his journey from real estate to web design, how he overcame initial challenges, and the key strategies that helped him scale his business. His approach to client relationships, sales, and continuous learning makes this case study invaluable for anyone looking to grow their web design agency or considering starting their own.
“I wanted a business with residual income and flexibility. SiteSwan made it possible.”
- Bill Boone (Cinematic Website Designs)
Overview
Bill Boone’s career began in sales and operations, where he developed strong communication and problem-solving skills. After spending 21 years as a real estate agent and selling over a thousand homes, he realized the volatility of the industry was limiting his financial stability. The unpredictable housing market and the constant grind made him seek a business model that offered more consistency and control.
That’s when he discovered SiteSwan. With no prior experience in web design or coding, Bill was drawn to SiteSwan’s white-label platform, which allowed him to create professional websites with ease. He quickly realized that he could combine his sales expertise with the power of digital marketing to help small businesses enhance their online presence.
The Challenge
Transitioning from real estate to web design posed several challenges for Bill. One of the biggest hurdles was his lack of technical knowledge. Having no background in coding or web development, he initially felt overwhelmed by the idea of building and managing websites. However, he knew that acquiring new skills was essential for success.
Another major challenge was the fear of starting over. After more than two decades in real estate, stepping into a completely different industry was a significant risk. The uncertainty of whether he could replace his previous income with web design added to his initial hesitation.
Finally, Bill faced the challenge of finding and retaining clients in a competitive digital market. He needed a solid strategy to attract businesses, establish trust, and differentiate himself from other web designers. Despite these obstacles, Bill remained determined to make his new venture work.
To overcome these challenges, he immersed himself in SiteSwan’s training resources, attended webinars, and actively engaged with the community. This provided him with the tools and confidence needed to navigate the transition successfully.
The Solution
Bill credits SiteSwan’s intuitive platform and robust support system for his rapid success. The platform’s drag-and-drop editor, pre-designed templates, and white-label features enabled him to create beautiful, functional websites without technical expertise.
His initial strategy involved niching down to specific industries. By targeting automotive window tint shops, he quickly secured six clients within the first few months. Encouraged by his early success, he expanded into tree services, dental offices, attorneys, and environmental agencies.
One of Bill’s key tactics was utilizing SiteSwan’s Local Prospecting Tool to identify businesses that lacked a website or had outdated ones. This allowed him to offer free website mockups, demonstrating immediate value to potential clients before even discussing pricing.
“I built my first website in under an hour, showed it to the client, and they immediately wrote me an $800 check. That’s when I knew I was in the right business.”
— Bill Boone
Results
Through persistence and strategic outreach, Bill’s business flourished. He successfully transitioned out of real estate within a year and built a reliable monthly income of $6,200 while managing just 30 clients, working only 3-4 hours per week. His expertise in SEO and pay-per-click advertising enabled him to enhance his service offerings and provide additional value to his clients.
By consistently refining his sales approach and focusing on long-term relationships, Bill cultivated a loyal client base. Many of his clients referred new business his way, contributing to his growth and stability.
Most impressively, Bill set a new goal of exceeding $10,000 per month in income to achieve complete financial freedom. His dedication to continuous learning and adapting to industry trends positioned him for long-term success. By prioritizing results-driven strategies, he ensured that his business would continue scaling while maintaining high client satisfaction.
Bill's and Justin's Collaborative Tips for Success
Building a successful web design business requires strategy, commitment, and the right tools. Bill Boone’s journey offers several actionable insights for those looking to break into the industry or scale their existing business. Here are his top recommendations:
1. Niche Down and Dominate
Start by focusing on one industry before expanding. Bill found early success by targeting automotive window tint shops before branching out.
Actionable Tip: Research local industries with high demand for digital services and tailor your approach to their specific needs.
2. Offer Free Mockups
Instead of just talking about what you can do, show potential clients a live website demo. This immediate value builds trust and increases conversion rates.
Actionable Tip: Use SiteSwan’s Local Prospecting Tool to identify businesses without a website and create personalized demos to showcase your work.
3. Master the Sales Process
Being a great listener and problem solver is more important than being a “salesperson.” Bill focuses on understanding clients’ needs and offering tailored solutions.
Actionable Tip: Develop a script that prioritizes asking questions and addressing potential clients' pain points rather than hard-selling. For guidance, you can use SiteSwan’s templated sales scripts.
4. Leverage SEO Knowledge
Educating clients on SEO and how a well-optimized website can generate more business helps differentiate you from competitors.
Actionable Tip: Learn the basics of on-page SEO and integrate it into your service offerings to add more value to your clients.
5. Always Be Learning
Stay updated with industry trends, attend webinars, and engage with the SiteSwan community to refine your skills and expand your services.
Actionable Tip: Set aside time each week to learn a new web design or digital marketing skill to keep your services competitive.
Conclusion
Bill Boone’s journey is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to start something new. His transition from real estate to web design proves that with the right tools, dedication, and mindset, success is achievable at any age. By leveraging SiteSwan’s easy-to-use platform, focusing on client relationships, and continually improving his skills, Bill built a sustainable and profitable business.
For those considering starting their own web design business, Bill’s journey highlights that success isn’t about where you start—it’s about taking action and staying committed.
"I thank God I found you guys. I was a real estate agent, and even though I was successful, it felt like once you sold a house, you were broke again. After 21 years, I got tired of that cycle and realized I was going to make this work— and I’m going to do it with SiteSwan." - Bill Boone
Bill Boone’s career began in sales and operations, where he developed strong communication and problem-solving skills. After spending 21 years as a real estate agent and selling over a thousand homes, he realized the volatility of the industry was limiting his financial stability. The unpredictable housing market and the constant grind made him seek a business model that offered more consistency and control.
That’s when he discovered SiteSwan. With no prior experience in web design or coding, Bill was drawn to SiteSwan’s white-label platform, which allowed him to create professional websites with ease. He quickly realized that he could combine his sales expertise with the power of digital marketing to help small businesses enhance their online presence.
The Challenge
Transitioning from real estate to web design posed several challenges for Bill. One of the biggest hurdles was his lack of technical knowledge. Having no background in coding or web development, he initially felt overwhelmed by the idea of building and managing websites. However, he knew that acquiring new skills was essential for success.
Another major challenge was the fear of starting over. After more than two decades in real estate, stepping into a completely different industry was a significant risk. The uncertainty of whether he could replace his previous income with web design added to his initial hesitation.
Finally, Bill faced the challenge of finding and retaining clients in a competitive digital market. He needed a solid strategy to attract businesses, establish trust, and differentiate himself from other web designers. Despite these obstacles, Bill remained determined to make his new venture work.
To overcome these challenges, he immersed himself in SiteSwan’s training resources, attended webinars, and actively engaged with the community. This provided him with the tools and confidence needed to navigate the transition successfully.
The Solution
Bill credits SiteSwan’s intuitive platform and robust support system for his rapid success. The platform’s drag-and-drop editor, pre-designed templates, and white-label features enabled him to create beautiful, functional websites without technical expertise.
His initial strategy involved niching down to specific industries. By targeting automotive window tint shops, he quickly secured six clients within the first few months. Encouraged by his early success, he expanded into tree services, dental offices, attorneys, and environmental agencies.
One of Bill’s key tactics was utilizing SiteSwan’s Local Prospecting Tool to identify businesses that lacked a website or had outdated ones. This allowed him to offer free website mockups, demonstrating immediate value to potential clients before even discussing pricing.
“I built my first website in under an hour, showed it to the client, and they immediately wrote me an $800 check. That’s when I knew I was in the right business.”
— Bill Boone
Results
Through persistence and strategic outreach, Bill’s business flourished. He successfully transitioned out of real estate within a year and built a reliable monthly income of $6,200 while managing just 30 clients, working only 3-4 hours per week. His expertise in SEO and pay-per-click advertising enabled him to enhance his service offerings and provide additional value to his clients.
By consistently refining his sales approach and focusing on long-term relationships, Bill cultivated a loyal client base. Many of his clients referred new business his way, contributing to his growth and stability.
Most impressively, Bill set a new goal of exceeding $10,000 per month in income to achieve complete financial freedom. His dedication to continuous learning and adapting to industry trends positioned him for long-term success. By prioritizing results-driven strategies, he ensured that his business would continue scaling while maintaining high client satisfaction.
Bill's and Justin's Collaborative Tips for Success
Building a successful web design business requires strategy, commitment, and the right tools. Bill Boone’s journey offers several actionable insights for those looking to break into the industry or scale their existing business. Here are his top recommendations:
1. Niche Down and Dominate
Start by focusing on one industry before expanding. Bill found early success by targeting automotive window tint shops before branching out.
Actionable Tip: Research local industries with high demand for digital services and tailor your approach to their specific needs.
2. Offer Free Mockups
Instead of just talking about what you can do, show potential clients a live website demo. This immediate value builds trust and increases conversion rates.
Actionable Tip: Use SiteSwan’s Local Prospecting Tool to identify businesses without a website and create personalized demos to showcase your work.
3. Master the Sales Process
Being a great listener and problem solver is more important than being a “salesperson.” Bill focuses on understanding clients’ needs and offering tailored solutions.
Actionable Tip: Develop a script that prioritizes asking questions and addressing potential clients' pain points rather than hard-selling. For guidance, you can use SiteSwan’s templated sales scripts.
4. Leverage SEO Knowledge
Educating clients on SEO and how a well-optimized website can generate more business helps differentiate you from competitors.
Actionable Tip: Learn the basics of on-page SEO and integrate it into your service offerings to add more value to your clients.
5. Always Be Learning
Stay updated with industry trends, attend webinars, and engage with the SiteSwan community to refine your skills and expand your services.
Actionable Tip: Set aside time each week to learn a new web design or digital marketing skill to keep your services competitive.
Conclusion
Bill Boone’s journey is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to start something new. His transition from real estate to web design proves that with the right tools, dedication, and mindset, success is achievable at any age. By leveraging SiteSwan’s easy-to-use platform, focusing on client relationships, and continually improving his skills, Bill built a sustainable and profitable business.
For those considering starting their own web design business, Bill’s journey highlights that success isn’t about where you start—it’s about taking action and staying committed.
"I thank God I found you guys. I was a real estate agent, and even though I was successful, it felt like once you sold a house, you were broke again. After 21 years, I got tired of that cycle and realized I was going to make this work— and I’m going to do it with SiteSwan." - Bill Boone