About the Company

CSSAnimation.rocks is a platform offering web animation tutorials using HTML and CSS. Its resources include detailed blog posts, a free introductory ebook, and a paid 4-hour video course. Hutchinson created the platform to provide both beginners and advanced learners with comprehensive guides on CSS animation. The business operates as a side project with minimal expenses, leveraging free hosting tools like GitHub Pages and newsletter services such as Revue.  

The platform has grown to include a newsletter, CSS Animation Weekly, which has nearly 10,000 subscribers. Through consistent updates and engaging content, the platform builds a loyal audience of developers looking to enhance their animation skills. Despite modest revenue, the project thrives as a niche educational resource for web design enthusiasts.

Idea Behind Company

Hutchinson’s passion for computers and creating art led him to explore web technologies in the late 1990s. Combining his interests in music, art, and programming, he found CSS animations to be an exciting way to bring websites to life. He discovered that writing about his learning journey helped him retain knowledge while sharing it with others.  

Wanting to explore innovative animation techniques, he created CSSAnimation.rocks to showcase his findings. He began writing tutorials that received widespread attention, being shared across social media and newsletters. This feedback encouraged him to expand the platform and cater to a growing audience interested in web animation.

Hutchinson’s background in web design, development, and writing allowed him to create engaging, long-form tutorials. His love for teaching and learning continues to drive the growth of CSSAnimation.rocks, even as a part-time project.

Creating the Company

Hutchinson built the platform using Jekyll and hosted it for free on GitHub Pages, with the primary expense being the domain name registration. In his spare time, he designed and developed the website, ensuring it was user-friendly and informative. Each tutorial required thorough research, development, and editing, taking about a week to complete.

Expanding on the tutorials, he created an ebook, *CSS Animation 101*, adapted from email-based lessons written during his commute. The book was self-published on GitHub and Amazon, providing free and easy access to readers. He later launched a video course, *Level Up Your CSS Animation Skills*, dedicating part-time hours over six months to scripting, recording, and editing engaging lessons.

Building the audience involved launching a weekly newsletter and promoting content across various platforms, creating a strong foundation for the business’s growth.

Launching the Business

Hutchinson’s pre-launch efforts, including free resources and a growing email subscriber list, led to a successful debut for his video course. Within its first weekend, the course earned $5,000. The business operated with minimal costs, as he leveraged free tools and focused on organic growth through high-quality content.

To sustain interest, Hutchinson continued publishing the newsletter and contributed articles to industry platforms. These efforts kept the audience engaged and drew new subscribers to the platform. Promotional efforts on social media and niche web development sites further amplified his reach.

Despite limited marketing, his strategy of consistent content creation and audience interaction helped him maintain steady course sales, making CSSAnimation.rocks a profitable side project.

Earnings
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Currently, CSSAnimation.rocks earns approximately $500 monthly from course sales, with additional exposure through Amazon-published ebooks. The platform’s expenses are minimal, and Hutchinson continues balancing the project with his full-time job and family responsibilities.  

He attributes the platform’s revenue to his dedication to content quality and audience engagement rather than aggressive marketing. The niche focus on CSS animation ensures a steady interest among web developers. Although scaling the business further isn’t a priority, Hutchinson is open to exploring new topics and platforms in the future.  

By leveraging low-cost tools and emphasizing educational value, Hutchinson has built a sustainable and fulfilling side project that aligns with his passion for web design and teaching.