Guide: How to Write for WebDesigner Depot (and Earn Money) — Step by Step

Always check the newest “Contact” / “Write for us” signals first

Before you write anything, check:

• Contact page
• Contributor page
• Legal page (for rights and reuse context)
• The latest posts on the homepage (to see current style)

If “guest posts are not accepted” is clearly stated, respect that and use the Plan B route below.

If they accept contributors (or hire writers): apply like a professional

The contributor page mentions contributing as a blogger and suggests sending writing samples plus a short summary. Treat that like a job application, not like a random guest post email.

• Send 2–4 strong links (published samples).
• Propose 3 topic ideas matched to their categories.
• Show you understand their voice and readers.
• Ask about pay/rate politely (don’t demand; be professional).

If submissions are closed: still use this guide to earn money

Here’s the smart part: even if you cannot publish on WebDesigner Depot today, you can still:

• Write “WebDesignerDepot-style” articles on your own blog (and build a portfolio).
• Publish the same type of content on open platforms like Medium and DEV.
• Pitch other paid sites (you can reuse the same outline + samples).
• Turn your writing into client leads and product sales.

So you still win: you become a writer who can earn — with or without one specific website.

Write “decision help” topics

The easiest topics to monetize are topics that help someone decide: what to do, what to avoid, and what to choose. Decision-help writing attracts clients because clients pay for decisions.

• “When friction improves UX (and when it kills conversion).”
• “When you should use Webflow vs custom code.”
• “What a good design system actually needs (not what tools promise).”
• “How to price design work without undercharging.”

Choose a “repeatable” theme so you can build a series

One article is good. A series is better. Pick a theme that you can write about 6–10 times:

• UX tradeoffs (cards, navigation, forms, onboarding, dashboards).
• Design system truth (tokens, components, documentation, governance).
• AI for design workflows (research, prototyping, writing microcopy).
• Freelance systems (onboarding, proposals, retainers, boundaries).
• Modern dev choices (no-code vs low-code vs code, performance, accessibility).

Series = faster writing + bigger portfolio + more income opportunities.

Use their existing popular posts to find angles

A smart beginner does not “copy topics.” They copy topic patterns. Study a few examples:

• Vertical vs. Horizontal Cards (UX tradeoff framing)
• UI Design in 2026 (big guide framing)
• Why Webflow Isn’t the Future — Yet (opinion + nuance)
• Make Money on Gumroad (career monetization framing)

Now create a new angle: different audience, different constraint, different use case.

Prepare a “pitch pack” (one document)

Create a simple pitch pack in Google Docs or Notion that includes:

• Short bio (2–4 lines): who you are and what you build/write about.
• 3 topic ideas: each with a one-line promise and why it matters.
• One detailed outline: headings + bullet points + examples.
• 2–4 writing samples: published links (not Google Doc drafts).
• Optional proof: portfolio, GitHub, Figma, client work (if public).

Match your topics to categories (make it easy to say “yes”)

Write topics that clearly fit one category:

• UX & Usability — tradeoffs, patterns, usability frameworks
• Visual & UI Design — design systems, UI clarity, typography
• AI & Tech — AI tools, AI workflows, tech shifts
• Freelancing — pricing, proposals, client workflows
• Web Development — platform choices, performance, accessibility

Editors love when your idea “clicks” into their existing structure.

Send a short, respectful message (and don’t attach huge files)

Use the contributor page instructions and keep your message tight. Use links (samples) instead of attachments unless they request otherwise.

Follow up once, politely (then move on)

If you don’t get a reply after a reasonable time, follow up once. Do not spam. Editors are busy. While you wait, publish another sample on your blog — that improves your chances next time.

• Follow-up example: “Just checking if you saw this. Happy to adjust topics or provide more samples.”
• Then move on and pitch other outlets too (your portfolio is never wasted).

Headline + hook (first 6 lines decide everything)

Start with a headline that has an angle. Then write a hook that promises a clear benefit. Example hook formula:

• Claim: “Most design advice fails because…”
• Reason: “It ignores the tradeoff between…”
• Promise: “In this guide you’ll learn a simple framework to…”

Beginner tip: write 5 headline options before you write the article. Use tools like AnswerThePublic, Google Trends, and the WDD Sitemap for inspiration.

Body structure (use 4–7 sections)

Choose one of these “winning skeletons”:

• Tradeoff skeleton: Context → Side A → Side B → Decision rules → Examples → Checklist
• Framework skeleton: Problem → Framework → Step-by-step → Mistakes → Examples → Wrap-up
• How-to skeleton: Setup → Steps → Screenshots → Common errors → FAQ → Final result
• Opinion skeleton: Thesis → Evidence → Counterpoint → Nuance → Practical takeaways

Use short paragraphs, bullet lists, and small tables (like this guide).

Links: the “trust engine” of your article

Good links make you look serious. Use three types of links:

• Internal links: link to relevant WDD category pages and related posts.
• Official links: docs and standards (most trusted).
• Deep learning links: high-quality references to learn more.

Example official links to use often: MDN Web Docs, web.dev, WCAG 2.2, Nielsen Norman Group articles, Smashing Magazine.

Finish with a “reader action”

End with:

• 3–6 bullet summary of key points.
• A mini checklist the reader can copy.
• A simple “try this next” step.

This makes your article feel complete and professional (and improves shares).

Paid writing fees (direct)

This is the direct model: a publication pays you per article. If WDD is open to contributors, you can potentially earn per post. If not, pitch other paying publications — your samples are reusable.

• Build samples in WDD style.
• Pitch multiple outlets (don’t depend on one).
• Negotiate respectfully after acceptance.

Clients from authority writing (indirect)

Many designers and developers earn more money from clients than from writing fees. Your article becomes a “proof page” you show clients. Example: if you write about UX audits, you can sell UX audits.

• Create a simple “Work With Me” page on your portfolio.
• Link your best articles there.
• Offer one service connected to your writing theme (UX audit, landing page redesign, design systems help).

Digital products and templates

WebDesigner Depot itself has content about monetization, like: How Designers Can Make Money on Gumroad. That topic is powerful because templates are easy to create:

• Proposal template
• Client onboarding checklist
• UI audit checklist
• Design system starter kit

Sell on Gumroad, Ko-fi, or Payhip.

Repurpose one article into 10 assets

One WDD-style article can become:

• LinkedIn carousel + 3 posts
• A newsletter issue (use Substack or beehiiv)
• A short YouTube script
• A checklist PDF lead magnet
• A portfolio case study

Repurposing multiplies your income chances without writing from zero every time.