Is it worth starting a web development business in 2026?
With the rise of AI and an established web development industry, starting a new website development business in 2026 can feel daunting. You are entering a market alongside experienced developers, some of whom have spent more than 20 years refining their craft.
AI is also becoming part of the development process. In Stack Overflow’s 2025 Developer Survey, 84% of respondents said they were using or planning to use AI tools in their development work. That doesn’t prove AI is replacing website businesses, but it does show how widely these tools are being adopted.
Why I started Vertygo
I have been building websites since 2007, when slicing an image into a hundred pieces and stitching it back together again was how I built them. Don’t get me wrong, they look terrible by today’s standards, but they didn’t seem that way to me at the time.
By my teenage years, the feeling of accomplishment that came from making my own mark on the internet was too good to ignore. I already believed the internet was the future.
Until recently, making websites was something I did as a hobby or when I was bored. Then, last month, my brother approached me to make a website for his garden services business, BM Man & Van, which you can see in my portfolio.
I thought to myself: if he trusted me to make a website for his business, wouldn’t other businesses trust me too?
That was the starting point for Vertygo.
How it’s gone so far
Vertygo is nearly one month old, and I already have my third project underway. I am working with MKA ALBA LTD, a company with five brands under its name. They want a stronger online presence, having relied on Facebook so far.
Besides that, I have another project about to launch: The Spell Room. It is an ecommerce website offering tarot readings, spellcasting and other witchcraft-related products and services.
Keep an eye out for this one. It is my biggest project yet and is shaping up very nicely.
How do you get customers when you have just started?
There is no easy answer, and the first few weeks or months can be disheartening. The best approach I have found so far is to approach businesses directly and join networks and groups where they advertise.
MKA ALBA LTD is a good example. I saw them advertising their car washing business in a Facebook group and checked their profile to see whether they listed a website.
They didn’t, so I approached them with an offer to build a website for their brand, and that became the project.
But what if a business already has a website?
An existing website doesn’t necessarily mean there is no opportunity to help.
Some businesses may need a more modern, mobile-friendly website, clearer information or easier ways for customers to get in touch. Those are all things to look for when discussing a potential website design or redesign.
There are also new businesses entering the market. The Office for National Statistics recorded approximately 317,000 UK business births in 2024. That doesn’t mean every business needs a custom website, but it shows that potential customers are not limited to established companies.
Search visibility is another area to consider. Poor SEO can make it harder for potential customers to find a business through search engines.
Google’s SEO Starter Guide explains how SEO helps search engines understand content and helps people discover a website. It also makes clear that following best practices does not guarantee a first-place ranking.
For businesses that rely on search traffic, reviewing their SEO and local search setup can be a useful part of improving their website.
So, is it worth it?
In my personal opinion, yes, although I’m still early in the journey.
Internet use continues to grow. The International Telecommunication Union reported that the world’s online population grew by more than 240 million people in 2025. That provides context for the opportunity, although it doesn’t guarantee demand for any individual web development business.
I believe there is still room to help people and businesses build their first website or improve an existing one.
Some business owners also want someone to manage their hosting and website maintenance without having to handle the technical side themselves.
Starting out can be hard, and financial success is not guaranteed. But, for me, the satisfaction of completing projects and the skills I’m learning already make it worthwhile.
It’s too early to say where Vertygo will end up, but I’m glad I started.