SketchUp For Woodworkers
About the Company
Zack Hall launched "SketchUp For Woodworkers," an online platform teaching woodworkers how to design their projects using SketchUp, a 3D modeling software. The company originated from his passion for woodworking, a hobby he pursued at a local makerspace. Initially, Zack started using the software to create detailed plans for his woodworking projects and discovered that existing resources for learning SketchUp were outdated.
Spotting a gap in the market, Zack decided to create a modern resource for woodworkers interested in using SketchUp. He combined his skills in software development, woodworking, and website management to provide an educational product aimed at beginners. The business focuses on offering courses that help woodworkers design projects with precision, offering plans, cut lists, and printable designs.
Idea Behind Company
The idea for "SketchUp For Woodworkers" came when Zack began searching for tutorials on how to create woodworking designs using SketchUp. Although there were resources online, they were mostly outdated and lacked relevance for modern woodworking. One particular site offering old tutorials still managed to attract traffic despite being built around a 2009 version of SketchUp.
Realizing the potential, Zack envisioned updating the site and revamping the tutorials to make them more current. His plan was to offer a user-friendly, valuable learning resource for woodworkers that would teach them how to design their projects digitally before starting the actual woodworking process. He was inspired to purchase the website and saw it as a unique opportunity to apply his skills in a new domain, updating it to match today’s software standards.
Creating the Company
Zack reached out to the owner of the old SketchUp site and successfully negotiated its purchase for $5,000. Although the site had substantial traffic due to organic SEO, it wasn’t generating any revenue, making the acquisition a bit of a risk. However, Zack believed he had the right combination of skills to grow the website and create a valuable product for users.
After acquiring the website, Zack began designing and recording the content for the course himself. He also partnered with David Heim, an author and experienced woodworker, to create professional-level tutorials. The collaborative effort ensured the course material was high-quality and credible, addressing a gap in the market for updated SketchUp tutorials tailored to woodworkers.
Launching the Business
The course was launched after careful planning and website design. Zack opted to build the website himself, using a static website generator and a member management plugin to minimize ongoing costs. With a focus on maintaining the site's existing SEO authority, Zack ensured the transition from the old site to the new one didn’t lose any valuable traffic.
The business launched quietly, with Zack flipping the switch to the new site one evening. Within 24 hours of launching, the first sale came in, marking the start of what would become a steadily growing business. Zack used tools like Ahrefs to identify new SEO opportunities, improve rankings, and build backlinks to the site.
Earnings
"SketchUp For Woodworkers" has grown steadily, generating approximately $1,000 in revenue per month. Zack’s main strategy for customer acquisition has been through organic SEO, which drives most of the traffic and sales to the site. Due to the low overhead costs—thanks to his use of affordable hosting and simple member management tools—the business is profitable with just a few sales each month.
Zack plans to grow the business further by exploring affiliate marketing, creating relevant social media content, and expanding his SEO efforts. Despite focusing mainly on improving the course for existing customers, Zack sees significant potential in expanding his reach to a broader audience through content marketing and partnerships with woodworking bloggers and influencers.
