How Web Designers and Developers Can Earn More From Their Existing Business Clients

 

A web designer or developer can finish a website project, send the final invoice, hand over the credentials and move on to the next client.

But what if the website client could generate additional income opportunities after the website itself has been completed?

Every business website you build represents a business with other technology needs.

A company that needs a website may also need customer notifications, Bulk SMS, WhatsApp Business, email communication, payment integration, USSD, APIs, surveys or automated customer alerts.

This creates an opportunity for web designers and developers to expand the value they provide to existing clients while potentially earning additional income through referrals.

One option worth exploring is the MSpace Affiliate Program.

MSpace provides services including Bulk SMS, WhatsApp Business, Bulk Email, USSD, Short Code, M-Pesa Integration, Survey, Service Desk, APIs and other communication technologies. Its developer resources also include APIs for SMS, WhatsApp and USSD integrations.

For a developer, this means you don't always have to create every communication system from scratch.

You can identify the client's requirement, recommend an appropriate solution and refer the business to MSpace.

The Real Opportunity Is Already in Your Client List

Web designers and developers often underestimate the value of their existing client base.

Consider the businesses you have already built websites for.

You may have worked with:

• Schools

• Hotels

• Restaurants

• Real estate companies

• Online stores

• Clinics

• SACCOs

• NGOs

• Professional firms

• Logistics companies

• Retail businesses

• Financial organisations

• Event companies

• Travel businesses

• Membership organisations

• Startups

You already have relationships with these businesses.

You know what they do.

You know how their websites work.

You may know some of their operational challenges.

That knowledge gives you an advantage over a random affiliate marketer who has never interacted with the business.

The question is:

What other technology problems can you help your existing clients solve?

A Website Is Often Only the Beginning

A business website can provide information, generate leads and support online sales.

But the business may eventually need to communicate with the people who interact with that website.

For example, imagine that you build a website for a school.

The school may eventually ask:

"Can we automatically send parents SMS messages?"

Or imagine you build an e-commerce website.

The client may ask:

"Can customers receive order notifications?"

A real estate company might ask:

"Can we automatically follow up with property leads?"

A hotel might ask:

"Can we send booking confirmations?"

A SACCO might ask:

"Can we send members reminders?"

A software company might ask:

"Can our application automatically send SMS?"

These questions create opportunities to introduce additional technology services.

How MSpace Fits Into the Developer's Business

MSpace can be relevant when a client needs communication or integration services.

Its current developer documentation provides an SMS API that allows applications to send messages, check SMS balances and retrieve delivery reports.

MSpace also provides a WhatsApp Business API for sending text messages, approved templates and media, with delivery-status functionality and webhook support for inbound messages.

Its USSD API allows developers to connect applications to interactive USSD menus using callback URLs.

This gives developers several possible directions when discussing technology requirements with clients.

1. Offer Communication as Part of Your Website Projects

Instead of selling a website as an isolated product, think about the client's broader digital system.

For example:

Website

• 
  

Customer communication

• 
  

Lead follow-up

• 
  

Notifications

• 
  

Payment integration

• 
  

Automation

This creates a more valuable technology conversation.

A restaurant may need a website and customer notifications.

A school may need a website and parent communication.

An online store may need a website and automated order notifications.

A real estate company may need a website and lead follow-up.

A membership organisation may need a website and SMS communication.

The website becomes the starting point rather than the entire project.

2. Audit Your Existing Clients

You don't need to immediately search for hundreds of new prospects.

Start with the clients you already have.

Create a list of every business you have built a website or application for.

Then ask yourself:

• Does this business communicate with many customers?

• Does it send regular notifications?

• Does it collect leads?

• Does it use WhatsApp heavily?

• Does it need automated SMS?

• Does it accept payments?

• Does it have a customer database?

• Does it need USSD?

• Does it have an application?

• Does it need API integration?

• Does it send marketing messages?

• Does it need customer support tools?

You may discover that some of your old clients have technology needs you never discussed.

3. Look for Businesses Sending Repetitive Messages

One of the clearest opportunities is repetitive communication.

Consider a school sending hundreds of messages to parents.

A property company following up with hundreds of leads.

A logistics company updating customers about deliveries.

An e-commerce company notifying customers about orders.

A SACCO communicating with members.

A hotel communicating with guests.

These businesses may have legitimate reasons to investigate automated messaging.

Instead of telling them:

"You should buy Bulk SMS."

Ask:

"How are you currently communicating these updates to your customers?"

That question starts a much better conversation.

4. Connect Website Forms With Business Communication

Web developers frequently create contact forms, registration forms, quotation forms, booking forms and lead-generation forms.

What happens after somebody submits the form?

In many businesses, someone manually checks an email or spreadsheet and then contacts the customer.

That can create an opportunity for automation.

For example:

Customer submits form

↓

Business system receives information

↓

Application processes the request

↓

SMS or WhatsApp notification is triggered

↓

Business follows up

MSpace's API documentation provides developers with mechanisms for programmatic messaging and delivery reporting.

This means the developer can discuss communication automation with the client rather than treating the website as a standalone product.

5. Help E-Commerce Clients Go Beyond the Website

E-commerce businesses are particularly interesting because the website is often connected to a series of customer events.

A customer may:

1. Browse products.

2. Submit an order.

3. Make a payment.

4. Wait for confirmation.

5. Receive dispatch information.

6. Receive delivery information.

7. Contact customer support.

Communication can be important at several points in that journey.

A developer building an online store can therefore ask the client:

"How do you currently notify customers after they place an order?"

That question may uncover a need for automated communication.

6. Real Estate Websites Can Create Multiple Opportunities

Real estate developers and agencies often have websites containing property listings and lead-generation forms.

A potential buyer may submit:

• Name

• Phone number

• Email

• Property of interest

• Budget

• Preferred location

The next challenge is follow-up.

A developer can discuss how the business currently handles these leads.

Could the sales team receive alerts?

Could customers receive an acknowledgement?

Could follow-up communication be automated?

Could the company use SMS or WhatsApp as part of its customer journey?

These questions can lead to an MSpace referral where appropriate.

7. Schools Are Another Strong Client Category

If you build websites for schools, don't stop when the school website goes live.

Schools may need communication systems for:

• Parent announcements

• Fee reminders

• Examination notices

• Event reminders

• Meeting notifications

• Emergency communication

• Transport updates

• General school information

A developer can introduce the idea of connecting communication technology to the school's broader digital operations.

This is particularly useful when the school already has a database or management system.

8. Hospitality Clients Can Need Automated Communication

Hotels, restaurants, tour companies and other hospitality businesses communicate with customers throughout the customer journey.

Communication may involve:

• Booking confirmations

• Reservation updates

• Event announcements

• Promotional campaigns

• Customer follow-up

• Special offers

• Service updates

MSpace also provides WhatsApp Business functionality with rich media and interactive templates, which can be relevant to businesses that use WhatsApp as a customer communication channel.

A developer working with hospitality businesses can therefore discuss communication alongside website development.

9. Build a Technology Referral Package

You don't necessarily need to sell every MSpace service yourself.

Instead, create a simple process.

Step 1: Build the website

Complete the client's website or application.

Step 2: Conduct a technology review

Ask what happens after customers interact with the website.

Step 3: Identify gaps

Look for manual communication, missed follow-ups or disconnected systems.

Step 4: Recommend a solution

Explain what type of technology could address the problem.

Step 5: Refer the client

Use your MSpace affiliate referral link where appropriate.

Step 6: Track the referral

Monitor your affiliate dashboard.

This turns an ordinary website project into a potential long-term business relationship.

10. Developers Can Refer High-Value Technology Requirements

The opportunity isn't limited to small SMS purchases.

MSpace's current affiliate page gives examples including Bulk SMS, WhatsApp Business API, M-Pesa Integration, USSD and enterprise bundles. The current standard affiliate commission is 7% on approved sales.

For example, the published examples show:

• KES 5,000 Bulk SMS package → KES 350 commission

• KES 15,000 WhatsApp Business API package → KES 1,050 commission

• KES 20,000 M-Pesa Integration → KES 1,400 commission

• KES 36,000 USSD package → KES 2,520 commission

• KES 100,000+ enterprise bundle → KES 7,000+

These are MSpace's example calculations rather than guaranteed earnings; actual commission depends on the approved sale.

The important point is that developers can encounter clients with substantially larger technology requirements than a simple website.

11. M-Pesa Integration Can Be an Important Conversation

Many developers build websites and applications for businesses that accept payments.

A client might ask:

"Can we connect payments directly to our system?"

That is an opportunity to investigate payment integration.

Rather than immediately building a custom solution, the developer can discuss available integration options and, where appropriate, introduce MSpace's M-Pesa integration service.

This is particularly relevant for:

• E-commerce

• Schools

• Membership organisations

• Service businesses

• Property businesses

• Subscription businesses

• Digital platforms

12. USSD Can Expand What a Developer Offers

Some businesses need customers to interact with a service without downloading an application.

USSD can provide an alternative interface.

MSpace's USSD API documentation describes a setup where a service code is connected to a callback URL, allowing applications to process user interactions and return menu responses.

For developers, this is another potential service conversation.

A client might need:

• Account enquiries

• Customer menus

• Surveys

• Service requests

• Information access

• Transactions

• Membership services

The developer can identify the requirement and connect the business with an appropriate provider.

13. Create Recurring Value After the Website Launch

One of the biggest problems in web development is that projects can be one-off.

You build the site.

You get paid.

The relationship becomes inactive.

A better strategy is to keep asking:

"What does this business need next?"

After launching the website, you might provide:

• Website maintenance

• SEO

• Analytics

• Hosting

• Security

• Automation

• Messaging integration

• Payment integration

• Customer communication solutions

The MSpace affiliate opportunity can fit into this broader ecosystem.

You are not replacing your core web-development business.

You are expanding the range of solutions you can connect your clients to.

14. Turn One Client Into Multiple Opportunities

Suppose you build a website for a logistics company.

The website project is worth KES 50,000.

But during the project you discover that the company also needs automated customer notifications.

Then you discover that its internal system needs SMS API integration.

Later, the company needs WhatsApp communication.

Instead of viewing the original website as the end of the relationship, you have created a longer technology journey.

The same principle can work across industries.

One client does not have to mean one invoice.

The goal is not to pressure clients into buying unnecessary products.

The goal is to identify legitimate needs and connect them with appropriate solutions.

15. Partner With Other Developers

You can also create opportunities outside your own client list.

Consider partnering with:

• WordPress developers

• Software developers

• Mobile app developers

• UI/UX designers

• Digital agencies

• IT consultants

• E-commerce developers

• SEO agencies

• Hosting providers

• System integrators

A developer who builds an application may discover that the customer needs SMS.

An SEO agency may work with a business that needs WhatsApp automation.

A digital agency may have clients requiring M-Pesa integration.

A WordPress developer may have an e-commerce client that needs automated notifications.

Your professional network can therefore become another source of referrals.

16. Use MSpace APIs When You Are the Technical Implementer

There is another route for developers who want deeper involvement.

Instead of simply referring a client, you may be involved in implementing the integration.

MSpace's API documentation currently includes SMS endpoints for sending messages, checking balances and retrieving delivery reports. It also provides WhatsApp API functionality and USSD API documentation.

This means a developer can potentially occupy a valuable position between the business and the technology provider.

The developer understands the client's application.

MSpace provides the communication infrastructure.

The business gets a more connected technology solution.

17. Don't Present Yourself as an MSpace Employee

There is an important distinction between being a developer and being an affiliate.

You are referring a client to MSpace.

You should not imply that you are an MSpace employee or make promises about pricing, approval, delivery or technical capabilities that you cannot guarantee.

Your role can simply be:

"I recommend that we explore MSpace for this requirement."

Then provide your referral link and allow the appropriate MSpace team to handle the relevant sales or onboarding process.

This protects your professional credibility.

18. Avoid Spam

Affiliate marketing should not turn your client database into a spam list.

Do not send unsolicited bulk promotional messages simply because you have phone numbers or email addresses from previous projects.

Instead:

• Contact clients with whom you have an appropriate relationship.

• Make the recommendation relevant to their business.

• Explain why you think the solution may help.

• Give them the choice to investigate it.

• Use your referral link when appropriate.

The MSpace affiliate terms prohibit spam, misleading claims, artificial traffic, cookie stuffing, impersonation and other forms of abusive referral activity.

19. A Simple Message Developers Can Send Clients

You don't need a complicated sales pitch.

If you discover that a client needs automated communication, you could say:

"While reviewing your website and customer workflow, I noticed that some of your customer notifications are still handled manually. There are communication solutions that can automate part of this process through SMS or WhatsApp. I can connect you with a provider that offers these services so you can assess whether it fits your business."

If the client is interested, you can provide your referral link.

The conversation remains about solving a business problem.

20. Join the MSpace Affiliate Program

If you are a web designer or developer, you already have an advantage over many affiliate marketers.

You have direct access to businesses.

You understand websites.

You understand applications.

You understand integrations.

You often understand the client's technology problems better than an ordinary salesperson.

That makes you well positioned to recognise situations where a client may need additional communication or integration services.

The current MSpace affiliate program offers a 7% commission on approved sales, provides a 30-day referral cookie and offers tracking through an affiliate dashboard. MSpace says payouts can be made through M-Pesa or bank transfer, subject to its program requirements.

Join Here

MSpace Affiliate Program:

https://mspace.co.ke/affiliate?join=C3D8071C4D

Once you join, you can use your unique referral link when introducing eligible new businesses to MSpace.

Final Takeaway

Your existing clients are more valuable than the website project they originally hired you to build.

A business that needs a website may also need:

• Bulk SMS

• WhatsApp Business

• SMS API

• WhatsApp API

• USSD

• M-Pesa integration

• Bulk Email

• Customer notifications

• Communication automation

Instead of constantly searching for completely new customers, look at the businesses you have already served.

Ask better questions.

Understand what happens after someone visits their website.

Identify repetitive processes.

Find communication gaps.

Look for integration requirements.

Then recommend relevant solutions when there is a genuine need.

For a web designer or developer, the MSpace affiliate model can turn existing business relationships into another potential revenue channel without abandoning the work you already do.

Build the website. Understand the business. Identify the next problem. Connect the client with the right solution.