A Day in the Life of a Website Designer
What It’s Really Like to Build Websites That Convert
A Day in the Life of a Website Designer: What It’s Really Like to Build Websites That Convert
Ever wonder what a website designer actually does all day?
Forget the image of someone lounging in coffee shops or endlessly tweaking color palettes. My reality is a little different: I live and work in the mountains about an hour north of New York City, where the days start early, the views are unbeatable, and the Wi-Fi powers a growing digital business that brings in clients from across the country.
I spend my time designing high-converting website demos, writing SEO-optimized blog posts, building backlinks, and generating leads through cold calls and content. It’s a one-man operation powered by a custom-built PC, a good playlist, and the kind of daily structure that keeps goals aligned with action.
One of my favorite recent projects was a complete website overhaul for Fusion Systems Engineering, an Albany-based engineering firm run by Mark Cambria. It started with a free website demo and turned into a full redesign that dramatically elevated his brand’s online presence. Mark was kind enough to leave a detailed testimonial, saying the site exceeded expectations—and you can see the finished version here.
I also filmed a before-and-after transformation, breaking down exactly how I rebuilt their website from the ground up—including speed upgrades, layout improvements, and messaging changes.
A separate behind-the-scenes video of the actual live launch is currently processing and will be linked here once available.
Until then, here’s a real look at what it’s like to run a web design business solo—from the mountains of Upstate NY to inboxes across the country.
3:00 AM – The Quiet Hours That Build the Future
My day starts early—really early.
By 3:00 AM, I’m sitting at my custom-built PC with a cup of black coffee and a blank page in my journal. I begin every day by writing down five things I’m grateful for—big or small—and then I review my 90-day goals across four areas: health, wealth, relationships, and personal growth. That simple habit keeps me grounded and focused on what actually matters.
After that, I dig into my self-paced MBA program. I take notes in Notion while studying topics like digital strategy, consumer behavior, and growth marketing. It’s like business school, but on my terms—and directly applicable to my daily work.
By 5:00 AM, I’m already reviewing site analytics, drafting my next blog post, and outlining my website demo builds for the day. The world’s still asleep, and I’m deep in creation mode.
7:00 AM – Outreach and Opportunity
As the rest of the world starts to stir, I shift into outbound mode.
I create targeted cold call lists—businesses with outdated websites, missing contact forms, slow load times, or no online presence at all. Then I start dialing. My pitch is simple and honest: Let me build you a free custom website demonstration so you can see what your business could look like online—before spending a single dollar.
This outreach isn’t glamorous, but it’s powerful. It connects me with real people, in real industries, who need real help. Some calls turn into demos. Some into follow-ups. And every single one sharpens my skills.
I also post to LinkedIn during this block—sharing insights, small wins, or tips on digital growth. It’s one of the quietest but most effective ways I stay top of mind with leads and past prospects.
10:00 AM – Refuel, Reset, Reconnect
Mid-morning is my pause button.
I’ll head into town for breakfast—usually a no-frills spot where the coffee is strong and the bacon’s crispy. If the weather’s nice, I’ll take a quick hike up one of the nearby trails. Living up here means I can trade traffic lights for tree lines. That reset is critical—creativity needs space, and so does clarity.
Sometimes I’ll stop by a few local businesses, chat with owners, and leave a card or two. When you live in a small town, a good reputation travels fast—and face-to-face connections still matter.
12:00 PM – Design in Motion
Back at the desk, the deep work begins.
I design custom website demos every day—tailored to specific industries and client types, never using templates. My goal is always the same: make it clean, make it fast, make it convert.
For example, when I built the site for Fusion Systems Engineering, I focused on three things: professional presentation, technical clarity, and trust. Their services—like LEED consulting and commissioning—needed to be clearly explained without overwhelming the user. I structured their homepage to guide visitors intuitively while reinforcing their expertise at every scroll.
This kind of design work is equal parts layout, psychology, and business thinking—and it’s my favorite part of the day.
2:30 PM – Demo Time: At Home or in Cold Spring
This is when I switch gears and start presenting live website demos.
Some days, I’ll present from my home office—just me, my custom-built PC, and a full-screen walkthrough tailored to the client. Other days, especially when I want a change of scenery, I’ll head into Cold Spring and grab a seat at my favorite local coffee shop. With headphones in and espresso nearby, I’ll walk a potential client through their custom website preview right from the corner of the cafe.
There’s something powerful about showing a business owner exactly what their website could look like. Seeing their brand come to life, with clean layouts and conversion-focused messaging—it builds trust instantly. Whether it's a contractor in Peekskill or a new startup in NYC, every demo is built to solve real problems and move their business forward.
3:00 PM – Polish and Publish
Afternoons are for optimization.
I go back through my demo builds and blog drafts, checking every line of copy and image placement. I write SEO metadata, adjust layouts, double-check responsiveness, and make sure each element is driving toward a result—whether that’s a call, form submission, or appointment booking.
I might publish a blog post targeting long-tail keywords like “website designer Peekskill NY” or “website design Westchester County NY.” These aren’t just good for ranking—they help small business owners find me when they’re actually searching for solutions.
It’s not uncommon for me to post five blog entries in one afternoon or build three demos back-to-back. Momentum is everything.
6:00 PM – Reflection and Tomorrow’s Playbook
As the day winds down, I review what moved the needle.
What outreach worked best? What blog topics got the most impressions? What parts of today’s demo builds felt the strongest?
I update my CRM, sketch out next steps for follow-ups, and add any sudden ideas to my Notion brain dump. Some nights I’ll fit in a second hike, just to unplug and clear my head before bed. Other nights, I’ll wind down with a podcast or read a few pages of something old-school.
When you work for yourself, the job doesn’t end—but the wins are sweeter, because you built them yourself.
This Isn’t Just Design. It’s Growth Engineering.
Being a remote website designer isn’t just about pixels—it’s about people.
I help small businesses all over the country show up online with confidence. Whether you’re a contractor in Peekskill, a restaurateur in NYC, or an engineer in Albany, you deserve a website that works as hard as you do.
Every project starts with understanding, strategy, and a willingness to solve real problems—not just throw up a template.
Want to See What’s Possible for Your Business?
If your website is outdated, confusing, or just not pulling its weight, I’ll show you what’s possible. I’ll build you a free custom website demonstration that reflects your business, your goals, and your market—no commitment, no cost.
👉 Schedule Your Free Custom Website Demonstration
Let’s take your business online the right way—just like I did for Fusion Systems Engineering.
Testimonials
Here's what our customers have to say:
I enthusiastically recommend Brian Grill for any web design project. He recently completed a total redesign of my consulting engineering firm’s website and exceeded all my expectations. From the outset, Brian was highly responsive and professional. He listened carefully to my needs and delivered a stunning, highly interactive website that truly showcases my portfolio and the full range of services I offer. The site features detailed explanations, pristine images, and smooth animations that work flawlessly across tablets, mobile devices, and desktops. What impressed me most was his ability to complete the project in just a few days, all while maintaining excellent communication and working seamlessly with my IT staff to ensure a smooth launch. His fee was also more reasonable than any other web developer I’ve ever worked with, yet the quality of his work is truly exceptional.
I highly recommend Orbital Marketing to anyone seeking a professional, creative, and reliable web designer.
— Mark Cambria Fusion Systems Engineering