Say NO to unlimited subscription web design (don’t copy DesignJoy… do THIS instead!)

I'm not usually this ranty 🤣Do you agree? Disagree? Let's discuss!

I agree. Saying unlimited and we only have 24 hrs in a day where one works only 20 days a month, not counting the weekends. If you were to ask for revisions every 2 days that puts you conservatively only at 8-10 a month, not unlimited. I would definitely stay away from this. I want to keep a good working relationship with my clients for the long run.

The fact that Brett created a one man 1M business just blows all the doubters out the water. When/if he decides to create a team I assume turnaround times, work quality etc will be improved, if that is currently a problem. The fact is , his system currently works and is proven while no system is perfect.

Okay, I'm going to preface this by saying I love what you're doing, and helping freelancers and small design agencies, so the following comes from a positive place:

I find it odd you don't have the courage to charge what you're worth. $5000 a month is nothing. I charge $195 AUD per hour. We have roughly an 80% utilisation rate. That's 6 hours per day, or $5,850 per WEEK. $5000 is a bargain.

The designjoy business model isn't open to anything, there are set services you can have designed. They're listed on the website.

It's unlimited, but the client is the limitation, not the plan. You can only have one task in the queue at any time. If the client takes a week to get back to you, then that's on them, not you.

You mention helping plan your customers journey. That's great, most clients won't come to you with any idea of where to start, or how to being with scoping. That can be a task to work on if you use the unlimited model. I'd recommend an onboarding meeting beforehand to outlay the best way to get started, and even create card templates in Trello for the client to get started with.

You say that you're simplifying everything by having clearly defined terms and conditions, and charging for specific things, adding or updating the retainer, etc, however, that's massively overcomplicating it. The designjoy method is this: You pay for "unlimited designs", but no additional work will start until you've approved the latest design, or move the design to the backlog and replace it with another task.

There are no hidden caveats. The service offering is clearly outlined in the list of things they do.

If the client leaves 4 months in, and the website still isn't done, you, as a designer/developer haven't lost anything at all, except a client who isn't willing to put in the time into their OWN project. If you use the designjoy pricing, you've just made $20,000 for an incomplete project. Sure, that's not the best result for the client, but that's on them.

"don't undervalue your work with unlimited subscription services" – it's 100% the opposite. It's taking pride in your skills and abilities to create designs, or web dev on a short turnaround, to the level of quality the client expects (or hopefully, if you're on this model, achieving).

If you use the designjoy model for web design/development/digital strategy, and have some templated cards to guide their journey, then there is no reason the unlimited model can't work.

I've been using it on two clients over the last month (just started) and it's drastically reduced my workload, and one of them just purchased another subscription. They love it.

I appreciate your comment where you say you're open to changing your opinion. I'm keen to know what you think about his model 7 months after posting your video 🙂

I'm a freelancer, but I'm working under pages, like upwork , I want to learn to get my own clients, I know what to offer, and how to offer them, but I don't know hot people get clients.

Hey man I love your attitude. Was looking for a webdesign and marketing all in one package. What kind of online marketing do you do? In case I want to buy a package where can I contact you? I run a small Belgian construction company.

DesignJoy is capitalising on very specific things. Its a freelance retainer model. It won’t work for everyone. His ability to turn fast good designs around, getting clients, communicating and picking clients very very carefully so none of them are too needy or niche. Most will be fairly generic and have basic needs. It’s a novel take on being a freelancer for a few who have those management skills and the willingness to work like a service robot.

I don’t see how this is supposed to be convincing. “Gets dicey”, “unlimited everything”, you aren’t substantiating your claims against or for what you’re suggesting. Even worse, several of your claims misrepresent design joy. It’s not everything and his first listed feature is actually a pace making limitation:
“One request at a time
Unlimited brands
Unlimited users
Unlimited stock photos via Shutterstock
Easy credit-card payments
Pause or cancel anytime”

Has anyone started that web design subscription model inspired by Design Joy? Does that work for you?

Yet another "buy my course" grifter with zero value to speak on.
Don't take this turds advice

EnvyJoy would be a nice productize service. Think about it, you might crush it and reach 1M/year revenue in no time

I don't think that you've grasped the logistics that make the model work.

Designs are requested in a queue and completed one at a time, with a turnaround time of around 2-3 days depending on the size.

Brett from DesignJoy has spoken about the incident you're speaking about and I recommend you check out his response – it might change your mind.

Nothing against you say, totaly agree but here is a tip, change you camera lens or f/stop, 😁 you are almost out of focus , your mic is not important as you 🤣 we are steel humans , like to see humans when talking face to face, the rest congrats great video tips there 👍

Hi Steve, thanks for the video. I don't know DesignJoy personally, but I think his model is where a vetted client (who knows how this model works and liked it enough to sign-up) puts a project into the queue. Each project can be revised until the client is satisfied, but the project goes back into the queue each time. At first blush, one might think that it drags the revision project out. But after listening to several podcasts featuring DesignJoy, it seems his work hours are extensive and he meets his deadlines. As for the poor PR from a prior client released on Twitter, in my opinion, DesignJoy has been truly gracious in his response, taking responsibility for what happened while he had COVID, poor communication, during that time, and he didn't meet his usual 2-day promise. I agree, DesignJoy's business model might not be for everyone. But when you dive deep, much of it is about business and design studio organization, getting the work out on time, and getting paid for that push service. As solopreneurs, things like getting sick and family emergencies nearly always impact our business, and some models are designed for a better cover-up of these events. Congratulations on finding a business model that works well for your business.

Such an interesting topic. Loved this video.

I agree with you entirely. I feel you could never manage customer expectations with this business model. It would only set your client and yourself up for a massive fall. However, and this is a huge however. What if you started learning design 3 years ago. Became pretty much an expert in web and graphic design, but never invested the right time in marketing yourself. Suddenly, this option becomes a lot more endearing to a struggling new designer. The temptation to use this business model to possibly kickstart your journey. By doing this you really are making premium design available to the 'little guys'. But, as you mentioned, at what cost? Do they honestly get what they expected? Do they get what you know can move their business forward? Do you deliver a service worthy of success for both you and client? Again I'm not sure this can be accomplished. But I think I might still try. As at this point, I love design, have ZERO clients, and simply, have nothing to lose!

Hey Steve, I get your concerns and I think what designjoy is offering is not actually unlimited designs. In their website they're making it clear that every design request takes 2 days, so at best you can ask for 15 designs per month. So instead of saying:" up to 15 designs per month" they're telling customers unlimited which is more attractive and converts more. I'd love to hear what you think about it.