Framer Money

Why Framer?

Let's first address the critical question of why Framer should be chosen as the tool for building website templates, especially over alternatives like Webflow, Squarespace, or Notion templates. Here are the key reasons why I'm preferring Framer:

Freedom & Flexibility

Framer offers unmatched ease in sharing templates through its remix URL feature, a significant advantage over platforms like Webflow. It allows for a seamless sharing and transfer process, similar to Figma or Sketch. Additionally, Framer's template submission process is straightforward and accessible to anyone who is a Partner.

Technology & Momentum

In terms of technical aspects, Framer is a cutting-edge low-code/no-code web builder, gaining rapid traction in the market right now. They started as a UI design prototyping tool many years ago and have since evolved successfully. This shift provides numerous benefits for us creators, including: High-Performance Websites, Designer-Friendly Interface, Simple CMS, and Advanced Animation Capabilities.

Community & Growth Potential

Framer enjoys substantial momentum, particularly on social platforms like Twitter/X, indicating a bright future for early adopters. The Framer community is global, supportive, and offers networking opportunities that can aid in template distribution. Some of my personal experiences within this community have led to new friendships and collaborations, which I'm very happy about!

Choosing Framer for template creation offers a blend of technical superiority, ease of use, and community support, making it an advantageous choice for designers and creators looking to build and sell high-quality website templates.

Mindset

When it comes to building businesses, we got to also focus on the significance of mindset in achieving success. Creating and maintaining a solid mindset is crucial, not just in business but in life generally. Here are key aspects to develop the right mindset for growing your template business:

Consistency

Essential for success. There is no such thing as overnight success; it requires daily commitment over months or even years, as it was for me. Regular effort and presence will eventually lead to significant outcomes. But not showing up at all, will lead to nothing.

Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone

As an introvert myself, I understand the challenges of stepping out of your comfort zone. However, doing so is vital for making an impact. Whether it's recording audio, publishing a YouTube video, starting a podcast, or reaching out to people you admire, these actions, even when uncomfortable, can lead to significant changes. Start with small steps and gradually increase the challenges. Pushing past comfort zones can be transformative for your life and your business. In any way you can imagine!

Socializing & Networking

Building a social presence, especially on platforms like Twitter/X, is crucial. You need to build authority in your niche. Even if you start with a small following, consistently connecting with new people and stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to meaningful relationships and a wider network. This not only helps in personal growth but also in increasing the visibility of your products. The more people you reach, the more potential customers you attract!

Action Steps

• Post on Twitter/X every day for 20 days in a row - after, keep going.
• Do something you are very afraid of (post a YouTube video, do a podcast, ...)
• Connect with 5 new people online and meet them on a video chat

Personal Brand

Branding is important. It's a supporting pillar you can't go without. I want to emphasize the importance of building a personal brand for creators, which is distinct from corporate branding. Developing a personal brand opens new opportunities, expands your network, and showcases your strengths and skills. Here's a breakdown of how to build and evolve your own personal brand:

Defining Your Foundation

Reflect on how you want to be perceived by others. Identify your skills, values, and unique qualifications that you want to be known for. This self-reflection forms the basis of your online persona.

Developing a Brand Voice

Consider how you communicate with your audience. This includes the language you use and the tone of your communication. Be consistent across all channels, whether it's being professional, friendly, respectful, or motivating. Consistency in communication builds trust with your audience.

Telling Your Story

Share your personal journey and experiences to connect deeply with your audience. This strengthens the emotional bond and makes you more relatable. Publish your story on your website to give your audience an insight into who you are. This is important, especially when you start. Once people know you, this can also be done on social media once in a while.

Building Your Website

Your website is the heart of your online presence. It should reflect your personal brand, interests, skills, and communicate in your brand voice. Ensure it showcases your work, your templates, and is SEO friendly to attract organic traffic. Make it unique and memorable. It's the stepping stone to your online sales. Make it the best you can!

Leveraging Social Platforms

Choose platforms where your audience is most active. For designers and developers this is Twitter/X, Instagram and LinkedIn. Newly also Threads. I highly recommend Twitter. Share valuable content regularly, engage with your audience, build connections, and grow your reach.

Evolving Your Brand

Remember that building a personal brand is a long-term commitment. It requires continuous effort and evolves as you grow personally and professionally. Regularly analyze your progress, adapt your strategies, and ensure your brand reflects your current state.

Personal branding for creators is about defining who you are, how you communicate, sharing your story, and consistently presenting yourself across social platforms. It's a dynamic process that grows with you and significantly impacts your success as a creator and entrepreneur.

Action Steps

• Write down your skills, values, and qualifications on paper to get an overview
• Create an about page on your website where you tell your story
• Share a thread on Twitter/X or LinkedIn which is about your story
• Create an engaging profile with a real image of yours on Twitter/X or LinkedIn
• Greet your audience every morning with a kind hello and what your plans are
• Share one knowledge post based on your experience every evening

Build in Public

The concept of "building in public" - a marketing strategy particularly effective for startups and individual creators will be your marketing-booster. This approach involves sharing your creation process and experiences online, helping to build your brand and attract potential customers before even having your first product.

Content Creation and Sharing

Regularly post content related to your business on platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, or Threads. This content could be daily stories, behind-the-scenes glimpses, work-in-progress updates, concept scribbles, walkthrough videos, screenshots, clickable demos, prototypes, interviews, or written visions of your projects. The quality of these posts is crucial for better performance and increased views.

Importance of Frequency

Post several times a day with high-quality, valuable content. This not only engages your current audience but also attracts new followers.

Building vs. Stealth Mode

Unlike stealth mode often used in industries like AI, the creator economy benefits more from being built in public. This method helps in creating a transparent, relatable, and humanized image of you, the creator, fostering trust and connection with your audience.

Advantages of Building in Public

1. Rapid, free feedback on your work, allowing for immediate improvements
2. Growing a follower base that aligns with your product and brand
3. Understanding which content resonates best with your audience and focusing on that for further growth

Goal of Reaching 1000 Followers

Aim to build a following of about 1000 people before launching your first template. This number is a good starting point for gaining momentum and visibility.

In essence, building in public is an ongoing strategy that should be kept in mind throughout the creation process. It's about sharing your journey from day one, engaging your audience, and growing your social presence in alignment with your product development. This approach not only garners interest in your upcoming template but also establishes a solid foundation for your personal brand and online presence.

Keep this method going, also after your first product.

Action Steps

• Share one post of a work in progress - every day. (Notes, screenshots, ...)
• Share your challenges you are facing
• Got a success while building? share it!
• Share sneak-peeks of the template with your audience

Find your Niche

There's a common concern of finding a niche in the creative industry, specifically in the context of designing and selling Framer templates. For myself, it's pretty straight forward:

You Are The Niche

The core idea is that you don't necessarily need to search for a niche because your unique skills, experiences, and interests inherently define your niche. Embrace what makes you special and focus on that.

Leverage Your Existing Skills

If you are a designer, creative, or creator, especially in the no-code or design sphere, you are already operating within a niche. The use of specific tools like Framer further narrows down your niche. So make sure you are not limiting yourself to it.

Share What You Love

Focus on sharing your passion, whether it's template creation, website design, or design in general. Your enthusiasm and expertise in these areas naturally carve out your niche.

Avoid Overthinking the Niche Concept

Don't fall into the trap of over-focusing or trying to find the "perfect" niche. Your distinct perspective and skills set you apart.

Consistency and Focus

Maintain consistency in what you share and stay focused on your area of interest or expertise. This approach helps in establishing your unique space within the broader creative community.

Action Steps

• Share things you like, the work you do currently, and thoughts you have atm
• Don't look what others do, just be yourself

The Only Shortcut In Business

Before we start building, I want to explain the single shortcut that exists in business: Create something that you would personally use yourself. This approach ensures high quality and a level of detail that resonates with others. Here are the key points:

Build What You Would Use

The principle of creating something you would use yourself is crucial. It ensures that the quality and attention to detail are maintained at a high standard. This approach not only caters to your preferences but also makes the product appealing to others, because it is also to you. My most successful Framer templates were born out of real personal projects of mine. I've used them myself first and liked them. So it was clear, that others might like them, too. And turned out this was true. This way, Dashfolio made over $40K in sales.

Focus on Quality & Detail

When building your template, focus on quality and simplicity. The goal is to make your template the best usable product possible, with every detail reflecting your commitment and care. Your customers will feel how much time went into the craft.

Avoid Rushing

Good things take time. Rushing through the process can compromise the quality of your template. It's important to take the necessary time to refine and perfect your product.

The importance of creating a product that you would find useful and enjoyable yourself can make your life in finding product market fit way easier. This personal investment ensures a higher quality and more appealing product for potential users. It's about crafting with care, attention to detail, and not rushing the process, ensuring the end product is something you're proud to offer and others are excited to use.

Action Steps

• Have built something for yourself others could benefit from as well?
• Turn it into a product.

Template Niche

Let's focus on choosing the right niche for your template, which is important for financial success of your business on a long-term. A template must meet a real need in the market to be successful. Here are my strategies to identify and select a profitable niches:

Find an Unsaturated Niche

Look for categories or niches that are either underrepresented or have no existing templates. This could be specific industries like gear shops, bike shops, etc. An unsaturated niche offers a greater chance for your template to stand out. However, it could happen, that Framer's target audience isn't as broad enough yet, to make your template seen by such niche audiences. That's why, it can also happen that your very niche templates are used by other designers who exactly have such a niche client. So why not try it and see how it goes?

Improve on Poorly Designed Templates

If you find a niche with existing templates of low quality, create a better one. A high-quality template in a niche with poor options can quickly become popular and take on the lead.

Leverage Personal Experience

If you have experience designing in a specific niche, like SaaS startups, use that to your advantage. Your expertise and understanding of the niche's needs can help you create a highly relevant and effective template, compared to template creators who are new.

Research High-ROI Niches

Focus on niches with high potential for returns. For example, startups often need quality web designs but may lack the budget for agency-level services. Offering well-designed, problem-solving templates at an affordable price can be a lucrative opportunity.

My Category Tips

Go for a Personal, Portfolio, Agency, and Business template. These are currently still the biggest target audiences of Framer itself. However, niche categories like hotels, real-estate are also something worth to look into, since designers might grab a template to create a client project in these categories. Also do your own research.

Scope & Structure

Setting the scope for your template is a critical stage in the concept phase that significantly influences why customers will choose your product.

Identify Customer Needs

Start by thinking about the specific needs and use cases of your target audience within your chosen niche. Understand what they require from a website template. For a personal website template targeted to busy designers, developers, marketers, and online creators, the focus might be on showcasing their person, work, articles, tools used, products, and contact options. This guides the creation of a sitemap tailored to these needs. Make your customer's life as easy as possible. Give him the full package that is needed so they can succeed.

Conduct Customer Research

To ensure clarity on your scope, consider reaching out to potential customers for interviews. This helps in understanding their specific needs and refining your template's concept. Just ask some of your followers who are interested to join a call with you where you can talk with them about their needs (this also works via chat).

Creating a Sitemap & Feature List

Based on your research and assumptions, create a sitemap. For example, the sitemap for a personal website template could include a homepage, project overview, case study, store overview, product page, blog with article page, a stack page, about page, contact page, and a 404 error page. This example results in approximately 11 page types, offering a comprehensive range of content display options which ends up with lots of value for your customer. Try to overdeliver here. The bigger the better. They can still delete stuff they don't need. But better offer more than not enough. Then, start to list the specific features and section per page to complete your concept.

Page Structure and Wireframes

Once you have a sitemap and feature list, the next step is to bring both together in some visual form. This can be done through wireframes or sketching on paper. Maybe you also have a long-year process for that. Personally, I prefer a mix. Sometimes I just sketch and hop into Framer, sometimes I do wireframes in Figma first when things are more complex.

Action Steps

• Do research to find out the needs of your audience
• List your pages and features
• Create a wireframe or sketch based on these pages and features

The Design

this article won't show you how to design a template, since this would be a whole course by itself. I want to provide you insights on how I'm designing my templates and what I think about uniqueness, trend adoption, and animation use.

Creating Unique Designs

Your template must stand out from others. This uniqueness can be achieved through various means like special navigation patterns, unique layouts, off-grid designs, or distinct visual styles like brutalist design or you having a certain design style through all your templates, like I do. Incorporating unique typography, motion, background videos, animation, or AI-generated imagery can also make your template distinctive. The idea is to brainstorm, seek inspiration, and develop something uniquely appealing. Make it stand out!

I can't help you with that, but I'm sure you will find a way. Research existing templates and find a way to make yours truly unique.

Design Trends are Useless

While trends can be attractive, they are transient. My recommendation is to create a template that's always relevant rather than just trendy. Develop your unique design style and maintain consistency across your templates. This consistent style helps in building a recognizable brand that customers will recognize without even seeing your name on it.

Better keep it simple and timeless, than too fancy. My opinion.

Animation and Motion

There's a tendency to overuse animation, especially with tools like Framer making it just too easy. My advice here is to focus on meaningful animation. Use animation purposefully to draw attention or guide users, but avoid overdoing it. Good animation is about enhancing the user experience, not overwhelming it. If you are not sure about a certain animation, better leave it away.

Action Steps

• Create a timeless template design that lasts
• Don't overuse animation
• Ignore design trends

CMS-Power

Using the CMS (Content Management System) in your template will increase it's value dramatically, since it makes adding and editing content so much easier for your customers. Let's have a look on effectively integrating it into your Framer template. Here are my key strategies for utilizing the CMS to enhance the functionality and user-friendliness of my templates:

Dynamic and Replicated Content

Use the CMS for content that is dynamic and consistently formatted, such as blog posts, product listings, team member profiles, services, and more. This allows for unified presentation and data consistency across similar types of content and pages.

Related Content and Navigation

For dynamic pages like blog posts or project pages, include a section that links to related posts or those in the same category. This enhances user engagement and navigation.

Filters, Offsets, and Limits on Collection Lists

Implementing the CMS as a feature enables the creation of more specialized functionalities, like filtering content or displaying a limited number of items in a list. This can lead to more organized and user-friendly builds, so you should implement that as well.

Conditional Elements, Transforms, and Pagination

Utilize conditional settings to hide elements that are not mandatory in the CMS (if the corresponding CMS field is empty), maintaining a clean and uncluttered design.

Transforms such as prefix and suffix can be used for adding text before or after a dynamic field, offering more flexibility in content presentation. This tiny but at the same time huge feature is a big differentiator to other platforms like Webflow who don't have that.

In June 2024, Framer finally introduced pagination for CMS collection lists. Make use of it!

Limit the default amount of visible items to increase performance and decrease information overload.

Action Steps

• Create a simple CMS structure with replicated content
• Describe the CMS fields as simple as possible while using the least amount possible
• Make use of advanced CMS features like filtering, transforms, and pagination

Content is King

I see so many website templates just containing crappy Lorem Ipsum placeholder content. Don't do this! Framer even is not allowing it anymore because it's useless. Instead, use high-quality content in your templates.

Avoid Placeholder Content

Use AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini to generate text for longer sections like case studies. Ensure to rewrite the generated text to avoid legal issues and maintain uniqueness. Personalized, well-written content is key to making your template stand out.

Selecting Imagery and Video

High-quality images and videos are crucial. Utilize resources like Unsplash or Pexels for images, and Pexels for videos. Avoid choosing the most common ones; instead, dig deeper to find unique visuals. Consider using AI-generated imagery from tools like Midjourney or DALL-E for originality if you are into that. If possible, capturing your own photographs adds maximum uniqueness, but also needs the most time. Every one of the three works.

Icons and Vector Illustrations

If you're skilled enough, create your own icons and illustrations. If not, use free resources like Feather Icons, Iconmonstr, Icons from Craftwork Design, and Tabler Icons. You can also use premium icon libraries if you want to invest the money, as I do. Avoid using Framer's native libraries for icons due to performance decrease. Instead, opt for normal SVGs (for max. performance, @2x PNG's would be even better though. But sharpness lacks a little but on that one. So SVG is a good middleground.

Using Lottie Animations

Lottie offers animated illustrations based on vectors, which can make your template unique and engaging. However, be mindful of their size and impact on performance. Follow the principle of minimalism for the best balance between aesthetics and functionality. If you use Lottie animations, make sure you are using their new file type .lottie which is way better in terms of performance than the original json file type.

Action Steps

• Remember, the content is as important as the design, and it should reflect the same level of creativity and attention to detail.
• Leverage AI for content creation
• Create custom icons or use premade ones, not Framer's integrated ones
• If you use Lottie animations - don't overuse it

Polishing

Now, let's nail down the final 20% of your template development to ensure top quality before launch. Here are the things to be aware of:

Aim for Completion, Not Just Progress.

While it's tempting to go public with 80% completion, strive to reach 100%. This extra effort in quality and scope makes a significant difference in the final product. Plus, I recommend you keep improving the template also after its launch.

Reach for an MAP (Minimum Awesome Product)

Unlike software startups where an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) might be released early for market research, template development, demands a higher initial quality. The aim is to launch a well-crafted, thoroughly tested product.

Learning from Successful Companies:

Take inspiration from companies like Apple, known for their meticulous attention to detail and high-quality standards. Apply similar care and thoroughness to your template design and functionality. Imagine Apple would launch a half-done iPhone. Not gonna happen, right?

Building in Public for Continuous Improvement

If you're building in public, use the ongoing feedback to refine your template throughout the development process.

Checklist for the Final 20%

A checklist will be provided on the next page to guide you through the final polishing stages. This checklist is a tool to ensure no aspect of quality or functionality is overlooked in your pursuit of excellence.

Polishing Checklist

Layout

• Interactive elements should disable user-select
• Don't use too much blur effects, those slow down your site. If you do, go with something less than 10px blur.
• Decorative elements should disable pointer-events
• Use Framers native Theming feature to enable a dark and light mode to your template
• Style the document selection state (::selection with custom CSS)
• Font weight should not change on hover or click
• No font weight below 400 should be used to ensure contrast
• Interactive elements that only contain an icon should define an explicit aria-label

Interactivity

• Interactive elements should all have a hover and pressed state
• Animate micro interactions to level up the quality
• Disable Hover States for Mobile Devices and add Pressed instead

Performance

• ALL images should be uploaded as a .JPG or PNG if transparency included in max. @2x of their actual size (for iOS retina screens)
• Where possible use custom .SVG for vector graphics (PNG @2x for even better performance)
• I recommend using your own icons as SVGs and importing them into Framer instead of relying on Framers built in icon libraries. Those need longer to load and make your site slower
• Run a Google Lighthouse test and try to reach at least 90 points in each category before you launch at all. If you can, reach for a 4x 100 score!
• Add SEO Title and SEO Description to all your pages
• Choose the right html tags on all layers, frames and elements
• Add a simple ALT Text on your images (although they are just placeholders)

Naming

There is a high significance of choosing the right name for your template, as it's often an underrated yet crucial factor in its success. Here is what a good name should be about:

Availability & Subdomain

Research both the Framer template marketplace and subdomain availability to ensure the name is available. You don't want any other characters in your subdomain than your name, 1:1. So, not dashfoliotemplate.framer.website, but rather just dashfolio.framer.website.

Four Key Aspects of a Good Name

The template name should be memorable, unique, describable, and short. This makes it easy for customers to recall and associate with your template.

Using AI for Naming Inspiration

If you're struggling to come up with a name, tools like ChatGPT can help generate ideas and provide inspiration. You can also mix them up with your existing ideas. I do that pretty often.

Examples of Effective Naming:

• Dashfolio: A portfolio template styled like a dashboard
• Cyberfolio: A dark, polished portfolio template with a cyber aesthetic
• Supply: The first e-commerce template on Framer for selling digital products
• Linx: A template for a link tree or link-in-bio site
• Billify: An invoicing or billing template
• Updates: A changelog template
• Vitae: An online CV template
• Browse: A curation template

Avoid Saturated Names

Stay away from overly common names like those ending in "Folio," as they have become saturated since I have started using them first. Originality in naming helps in differentiating your template in a crowded market.

Action Steps

• Name is available as a short subdomain and is not taken on the marketplace
• Keep it short, memorable, unique, and describable
• Use AI as a brainstorming partner

File Preperation

Let's cover the final steps to ensure your Framer template is polished and ready for launch. Here's a list of key areas to focus on:

Layer Structure

Maintain a clear layer structure within your pages, with each layer named according to its function. Remove any unnecessary frames to simplify the design and facilitate easier maintenance.

Component Structure

Organize your components in a structured way, typically categorized into elements, components, sections, and other relevant groups if needed. Ensure each component within these folders is descriptively named.

Incorporate relevant SEO keywords in your meta title and description to enhance your template's discoverability on Google, beyond the Framer marketplace.

Favicon and Social Image

Customize the favicon to match your template's design. More importantly, add a social image that serves as an advertisement or introduction to your template, crucial for social media sharing. I see so many templates showing the default Framer favicon and having no social image applied. They are all missing out!

Framer Submission Checklist

Review the comprehensive checklist provided on the Framer template submission page. Ensuring all criteria are met will help avoid rejection and expedite the approval process.

Work towards being a Top Creator of Framer, this will ensure a faster review process and many more perks. But it's a long way to get there. Stay patient and make sure you check all the elements from their list!

Grow Your Audience

Effectively sharing your template development process and personal insights are key to engage and grow your audience even further. We are doing this for the long term, not short term, always remember that. It's very easy to sell a product a few times, but the very hardest part with a distance is, to keep this up for years.

Share Your Sawdust

Consistently share updates about your template's development on platforms like Twitter/X. This includes sneak peeks, design details, animations, micro-interactions, and early sketches. These posts should be of high quality, reflecting the quality of your work.

Share Learnings and Experiences

Beyond just showcasing your work, share valuable lessons and experiences gained during the template creation process. This not only provides insights to your followers but also builds trust and establishes you as a knowledgeable source in your field.

Make Friends Online

Network with other creators online to support each other's journeys. This networking can lead to network effects, where not only your followers but also those of your new friends see your content, significantly increasing your reach.

Platforms for Networking and Reach

Twitter/X and LinkedIn are excellent platforms for leveraging network effects through reposting and sharing content within communities. If you are starting, go for one of those.

Giving a Glimpse Behind the Scenes

Share personal moments or aspects of your life, such as holiday pictures, inspirational quotes, or videos of your creative process. This humanizes your online presence, strengthens connections with your audience, and can attract like-minded individuals.

Action Steps

• Share your design work in progress on X or Linkedin
• Share an insight or thought while building
• Reach out to 5 new people per week and connect

Pricing Your Template

The hardest part of launching a template is to think about it's pricing. Here are my very own key factors to consider when defining your template's price:

Scope of the Template

The broader the scope, such as the number of pages and complexity, the higher the potential price.

Design Quality

High design quality justifies a higher price. Ensure your template is executed with excellence.

Template Features

The complexity and uniqueness of features, especially those important to your niche, can increase the template's value.

Time Spent on Creation

The more time invested in developing the template, generally, the higher its value. (If you add value)

Geographical Considerations

Your living expenses and the economic context of your country can influence your pricing strategy. Starting with lower prices in less expensive countries can increase sales volume.

Comparative Analysis

Look at similar products in the market. High-quality, feature-rich templates with multiple pages, innovative features, and good SEO optimization can be priced higher, such as above $80.

Value Delivery and Target Audience

Consider the value your template provides to customers and the budget of your target audience. Templates for individuals might be priced lower, while B2B-focused templates can command higher prices due to larger budgets.

Don't Undersell Your Work

Like Apple's approach to product quality and pricing, ensure your template reflects the effort and quality you've put into it. Don't be afraid to price your work higher.

Pricing: The 50x Rule

I love to stress-test my pricing and have proof that it's fair as well. And you might know me as someone who has pretty high prices compared to the whole industry. Ask yourself if your customers can reach an ROI of at least 50x if they buy your product. Ideally even more. You can calculate it very easily with the 50x rule:

Your price x 50 = Your customers' potential revenue.

Let's have this article you are reading right now as an example: At the time I'm launching this article, it costs $99. The knowledge and skills it provides, let you build a Framer template business with a revenue of $10,000+ if you apply everything right and are patient.

This means the ebook has a ROI of 101x (10,000 / 99 = 101) of the entry price. And $10,000 is just the revenue I communicate on my landing page where I sell the course and ebook. I did over $100,000 until mid 2024 and going to double this by the end of this year. While taking action on the steps that are mentioned and explained in detail in this course.

If we look at it from this angle, this ebook is MASSIVELY underpriced, isn't it?! It's even twice the 50x rule. This means, the price is more than fair, I'm even selling under it's value. But thats okay, the playbook is strategically priced lower than the course.

Anything that enhances earning power is a worthwhile investment. So build products that earn people more money. Pretty simple!

Don't Undercharge Yourself

Many template creators who have much to offer often undervalue and undercharge for their products. Why is this? Seek for pricing your work high. There are various reasons why. Firstly, you invested so many years in learning this skill. Maybe you even paid for university. You already paid so much money by yourself. Also, the time you needed for all this is now gone. Don't make the mistake of not taking enough money for this. You deserve it if you get better every day!

Believe in You(r template)

The price of your template directly reflects what you think of its value. So make sure to create a high-value template of which you can be proud!

In summary, pricing your template involves balancing various factors like scope, design quality, features, value delivery, target audience, time investment, and geographical context. The goal is to set a price that reflects the quality and value of your work without underselling it. Be open to experimenting with pricing, and adjust based on market response and your analysis.

Point of Sale - POS

Make sure your template is available for purchase across various platforms and is spread all over your online presence.

Framer Marketplace Submission

Submit your template to Framer's template marketplace at framer.com/templates/submit. Ensure you meet their checklist requirements to avoid rejection.

Other Marketplaces

Consider listing your template on additional marketplaces like Creative Market or UI8. This isn't essential for success but can broaden your reach. Make sure you are a fan of their commission models. Certain ones have subscriptions in place, that will sell your templates for not even a dollar. That's why I strictly don't sell on marketplaces that have memberships.

Your Own Website

Your website is a decisive point of sale. It should be visually appealing, user-friendly, and optimized for SEO. Clearly display information about your template, including features, scope, design, pricing, and provide a demo link. Ensure the call to action for purchase is visible and consider offering free trials or samples of your template.

Offering Free Trials or Samples

This strategy can attract customers and build trust, potentially leading to more conversions. For example, offer a single page of a multi-page template as a free sample. This allows you to capture leads you can use later to turn into paying customers. This is an optional step. I never had a free template that I've used as a lead magnet, and I did over $100K still. But if you want to grow your email list, it's a great way to do so!

Excellent Customer Service

Provide accessible support channels and respond promptly to customer queries. Satisfied customers are more likely to recommend your products, leading to increased sales. This is one of the most underrated marketing types.

Action Steps

• Put your templates on your personal website
• List your templates on the Framer marketplace
• Provide excellent customer service

Getting Paid

Now, let's explore various payment platforms to distribute your Framer templates, ensuring a smooth payment process for your customers.

Gumroad

Initially a popular and simple payment platform with Framer integration. However, recent changes have led to higher fees and a less straightforward user experience, making it less favourable for me at least. But, they have certain features that make it better than its competitors, such as built in Reviews.

Lemon Squeezy

Currently my preferred choice, it offers a user-friendly checkout experience and Framer integration. Features include analytics, email broadcasting for new product launches, and the ability to build an affiliate network. Lemon Squeezy acts as your merchant of record, beneficial for tax purposes. They have a fresh team and a continuously evolving roadmap.

Other platforms

There are other names such as Stripe, Payhip and Paddle, but since Framer supports Gumroad and Lemon Squeezy only on their marketplace, these two are recommended, with a preference for Lemon Squeezy due to Gumroad's increased fees.

However, you could split your revenue from the Framer marketplace with your own sales by having two sales platforms. Although this would need double maintenance.

Action Steps

• Compare Gumroad to Lemon Squeezy and choose your go to
• Open an account on Lemon Squeezy, better earlier than too late, your account will need to go through a verification process and can take a few days to be active and up and running

Affiliate Power

Affiliate marketing has a huge impact on your sales as a Framer template creator: Joining Framer's own affiliate network and creating your own affiliate network.

Framer's Affiliate Program

As a partner in Framer's affiliate network, you can earn additional income. Framer pays you 50% of the hosting costs paid by customers using your template, for the first 12 months. This can significantly increase your earnings, especially if your template sells well. As context, I'm doing $2-4K+ per month alone with affiliate commissions after two years in building this part up. To participate, sign up at framer.com/partners.

Building Your Own Affiliate Network

Also make use of creating your own affiliate army who is advertising your templates for a certain percentage of your sales. Utilize platforms like Lemon Squeezy, which allow you to set up your own affiliate network within their system. This approach helps broaden your template's reach and can substantially boost your revenue.

For maximum effectiveness, consider using both methods. Leverage Framer's affiliate network for additional earnings from hosting fees and build your own network to increase template sales. By using these strategies, you can significantly enhance your income potential from selling Framer templates.

Launch Campaign

What you want for your template launch is a massive jumpstart! Sales are usually the highest when launching, compared with time after. So how do we get a successful launch campaign for your Framer template on platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn? Here's a step-by-step guide to creating an effective launch post:

Create Engaging Launch Posts

The goal is to make your launch post highly shareable to maximize views and engagement. Use a structure that encourages retweeting and sharing among your audience.

Structure of the Launch Post

1. Start with an attention-grabbing emoji and announce the new template drop.
2. Briefly describe what the template is for in a concise, engaging manner.
3. Highlight the top features of your template.
4. Include a call to action that they can find the product link in the thread.
5. Add a thread where you have first, your product link, and then further explanations about your template's features.

An example provided is a tweet announcing the launch of "Dashfolio+" which garnered over 53,000 impressions without spending a single dollar on ads. This demonstrates the effectiveness of the suggested post structure and using social channels to promote your templates.

Dashfolio+ for @framer is now finally available!

Incorporate a Promotional Video!

Creating an appealing promotional video for your template can significantly boost engagement compared to static images. Mines perform 10x better when they got a video compared to just images. These are good invested dollars if you can't do it on your own.

Analyze and Optimize

Continuously analyze the performance of your launch posts. Make adjustments based on what works and what doesn't to improve future launches.

Email Marketing

If you have grown an email list already, I highly recommend to leverage this email list and promote your products through it. It much more effective than a tweet, since you reach this person 100%.

Post-Launch Strategies

After the template launch we are actually just getting started. Your business won't be successful and not bring you sustainable income if we just stop now. Let's focus on strategies for ongoing promotion of your Framer template post-launch, emphasising the balance between effective marketing and avoiding spam.

Twitter/X and LinkedIn Marketing strategies:

• Giveaways: Occasionally offer your template for free to create buzz.
• Limited-Time Discounts: Temporarily reduce the price to attract buyers.
• Partnerships: Collaborate with bloggers or influencers for promotions.
• Customer Testimonials: Request and share positive feedback from users.
• Free Copies for Reviews: Give your template to influential users in exchange for reviews.
• Host Challenges: Engage your audience with creative challenges for a chance to win a free template.

Promotions Outside Social Media

• Framer Community: Post in the official Framer community for exposure.
• Affiliate Networks: Leverage affiliates to increase reach.
• List on Digital Product Platforms: Add your template to platforms like UI8, Creative Market, etc.
• Newsletters: Send updates about your template to your email list.
• Advertisements: If you have the know-how, consider running ads for broader reach.

Grow an Organic Audience

Focus on building an organic following over relying solely on ads. This is more sustainable and cost-effective in the long term. When you made your first $100K, you can think about ads and invest some parts of your revenue into them. But don't do this too early. It's a very cost intensive way of distribution. Preferably, your distribution you should be as organic as possible.

Avoid Becoming a Spammer

Maintain a balance between promotional and educational/inspirational content to avoid alienating your audience.

Action Steps

• Try different post-launch strategies that work for your audience
• Repeat these working strategies once upon a time and with new launches

Make Friends

Engagement is key. Networking and building connections within the Framer community and beyond is a must do gain success. Here's how I did it:

Connect with Framer Users

Actively seek out and connect with other Framer users across various platforms, including Twitter and Framer community forums.

Schedule Calls and Meetings

Don't hesitate to reach out for calls or meetings with fellow creators. These interactions can lead to meaningful connections and friendships.

Support Each Other

Building relationships in the community is not only about expanding your network but also about mutual support. Helping and getting support from peers can significantly benefit your business and personal growth.

Personal Fulfillment

Networking with like-minded individuals can be a fulfilling experience, leading to lasting friendships and professional collaborations.

Positive Business Impact

Establishing strong connections can have a positive impact on your business, leading to collaborations, increased exposure, and shared learning opportunities.

Action Steps

• Reach out to 5 new people in the community every week
• Keep up the conversations

Analyze Your Progress

Once your business is running, I recommend analyzing and optimizing your social media strategy over and over again to maintain and boost sales of your Framer template.

Expect Sales Fluctuations

Understand that it's normal for sales to slow down over time. Trends and customer interests change, affecting the demand for your template. Stay consistent and be patient.

Analyze Social Media Performance

Regularly review the performance of your posts. Identify the types of content that resonated well with your audience, not just viral posts, but those that provided value and received significant engagement.

Focus on Effective Content Pieces

Concentrate on creating more content similar to your successful posts. This could include walkthroughs of your template, showcasing features, or sharing useful information related to your niche.

Continuous Template Improvement

Treat your template as a living artifact. Continuously iterate, improve, and add features to it as Framer's feature set also grows. Share updates about these improvements with your audience, which will eventually end up in sales again on the long-term.

Utilize Analytics Tools

Use platforms like Typefully or Hypefury for automating and analyzing tweets. These tools can help you track engagement metrics, allowing you to make data-driven decisions on what content to post.

Engage Your Audience with Updates

Regularly sharing progress and updates about your template can increase traffic to your product page and enhance your following. This continuous engagement helps keep your template relevant and in the minds of potential customers, that turn into buying customers.

Share Your Success

Leveraging the success of your template to build credibility and trust within your community and even extend your reach massively. Here's how you can do it effectively:

Gather and Share Customer Reviews

Collect reviews from your customers who have used your template and share them with your audience. Positive customer feedback builds trust and establishes a good reputation.

Share Financial Success

Transparently sharing your financial success can enhance your credibility as a creator. Posts showcasing revenue figures can attract significant attention, leading to increased traffic and exposure. For example, sharing screenshots from your Lemon Squeezy dashboard with sales figures can be impactful. Just don't go too far with this, it quickly can turn around negatively. But sharing your biggest milestones in revenue, like 1K, 5K, 10K, 50K and 100K, can do good! Successful financial posts have the potential to be featured by influencers or in videos, further amplifying your reach.

Be Humble and Grateful

While sharing your success, it's crucial to remain humble and express gratitude to your audience for their support. Avoid sounding arrogant; instead, acknowledge that your success is a collective achievement with your community.

Action Steps

• Thoughtfully share revenue numbers on X or Linkedin if you feel comfortable with - but don't go too far here and keep it in a healthy balance

Maintenance

Now we wanna keep up the momentum of your template sales through continuous improvement and engagement with your audience, by keeping it in front of your audience's eyes.

Regularly Update Your Template

Continuously add new features, optimize the design, and simplify the editing experience for your customers. Regular updates can keep your template fresh and appealing.

Engage with Customers for Feedback

Reach out to your customers for suggestions on improvements or new features. This not only helps in tailoring your template to user needs but also shows that you value customer input.

Share Updates Online

Document and share the process of updating and improving your template on social media. This consistent sharing generates ongoing interest and traffic to your template.

Leverage Content for Visibility

Use the content related to your template updates as a tool to keep your product in front of potential customers. Sharing interesting and relevant updates can attract more attention and keep your template top-of-mind.

Action Steps

• Ask your customers for feedback
• Maintain your template actively and often, not only when Framer drops new features, take the initiative yourself

What's Next

You now have your first template out and made a few sales. Congrats! But, we're not done yet. To consistently earn a living from template creation, you should extend your lineup, which hopefully will result in increased revenue, as it did for me. Actually, only my 4th template (Dashfolio) landed a massive financial success. So keep going! Here are a few actionable steps to get you going:

Expanding Your Template Lineup

While a single template might not be enough to cover all living expenses, having multiple templates can significantly increase your potential earnings. The more templates you create, the greater the opportunity for passive income. Just make sure to keep a pace that ensures you produce of good quality. Quantity is less important than quality. Four good templates can actually already make you a living. So still focus on less is more.

Replicate and Scale

Apply the strategies and steps outlined in this article to develop additional templates. By replicating your successful approach, you can scale your income.

Future Goals

Set goals to expand your template lineup. For instance, try to double the monthly income in the next six months. It's possible if you keep going. Most people won't reach this goal because they give up earlier. It took me over 2 years to reach 100K. But in the end I made it, and now I scale it up to 1M. Keep your goals high!

Diversify Your Offerings

Diversity in your product lineup can lead to a more stable and sustainable income stream. Quality templates that meet market needs will continue to sell over time. So make sure your templates match the most popular and in-demand niches.

Action Steps

• Repeat the process
• Keep going and never stop

Closing Words

To give this article an ending, I want to encourage you and give you a few important reminders onto your way as a top template creator.

Success may not come immediately. Good things take time and consistent effort. Keep pushing forward and don't be discouraged if initial results don't meet expectations. In the creator economy, your online following and engagement are closely tied to your sales.

Work on consistently growing your social media presence. Make it a habit to share something every day. Regular posting can significantly help in growing your account.

Launch your first template or product priced under $50 once you have a modest following. Then, use the strategies from this article to scale up your efforts and potentially earn thousands of dollars by increasing your prices.

Remember that giving up is not an option. Stay positive, committed, and determined to overcome challenges and achieve your goals. I'm confident in your potential to succeed, because I once was at the same position as you are now. The sky is the limit.

Now, I want to say thank you for your trust, your commitment and effort in completing this article. If you keep going and apply everything you've learned from it, I am 100% sure, you will succeed.