How to Become a Freelance Web Designer
If you have a flair for it and a special interest in technology, freelance web designing can be a rewarding and fulfilling profession. With an overwhelmingly increasing need for aesthetically appealing professional websites, new and skilled web designers are always in high demand. If you have the passion, commitment, and skills to strike a good business as an independent web designer, read the following guide to learn how to transform your passions into activities that can make you lots of cash.
Develop Your Skills
The first thing you should do to fit the category of a freelance web designer is to build your skills. This implies that work requirements involve designing and coding websites and basic knowledge of marketing and business developments and customer relations.
Some Fundamental Principles of Any Web Design
First, a person should get acquainted with the basic web design concepts, which include color, layout, type, and image. Over the web, there are many resources, lessons, and tutorials that will guide you when you start.
Learn HTML, CSS, & JS
Learn the essential coding languages that all web designers should be familiar with: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You could enrol in a fully online course or bootcamp to gain more depth on these languages.
Get Acquainted With Design Programs
A general understanding of available design software, including Photoshop, Sketch, Illustrator, and many others, is a must to create a visually attractive website. Use these tools and start experiencing the fundamentals of design.
Continue Learning About Current Trends and Methodologies
When it comes to web design, there is always something new to learn from new tools and techniques, to designs and emerging trends. Get in touch with the latest trends and techniques in blog posts by attending webinars or clicking on and participating in some forums.
Build a Strong Portfolio
Portfolio is the freelance web designer’s resume as you work independently for your clients. It provides the benefits of employment and allows clients to know what you are capable of doing for them.
Here are some tips for building an impressive portfolio:
Select Your Best Projects
The only work that should be present in your portfolio is your best and most relevant work. Ensure that your portfolio shows different sides of your talents and achievements, and if you had something creative in the designs.
Develop a Simple Yet Formal Website Layout
Organization-wise, portfolios should be carefully formatted, with each project having its section with clear images or screenshots. A good, professional-looking website can go a long way in helping you to differentiate yourself from others.
Effective Plan and Detailed Ideas Concerning the Design Process
Do not only offer the outcome, but also provide information on some of the decisions made during the design. This helps potential clients develop an insight into your processes of operation when making decisions.
Highlight Your Technological Tool Mastery
Let your portfolio contain examples of your coding experiences. Explain how the work is responsive or incorporates animation or other web design concerns to make a usable and functional website.
Network and Gain experience
It is clear that networking and obtaining experience are crucial factors in the development of a freelance web designer’s market reputation.
Here are some ways to expand your network and gain experience:
Join Online Communities
Participate in online web designers’ forums and groups like Behance, Dribbble or Reddit boards. Likely, other designers are also doing it and talking about it; therefore, join the conversation and learn what you can use in your projects.
Collect Demands from Other Freelance Workers
Freelancers can work on projects with volunteers, organize meetings for freelancers, or create a Freelancers’ Union that will connect freelancers and share useful information. This will help you to build your network and, at the same time, get experience.
Provide Services to Design Local Business Websites
Visit local businesses and offer to create, redesign, or maintain their websites at minimal or no cost. This could be useful for gaining first-hand experience, creating an impressive portfolio, and gathering contacts among the buyers.
Go to Other Events Like Business Fairs
Web design professionals should join conferences, workshops, or seminars in order to expand their circle of contacts, as well as to gain new experiences and acquire relevant information.
Learn to Sell Yourself and Obtain Clients
If you want to get some clients and make your freelance web design business prosperous, you should promote yourself.
Here are some tips for finding clients and promoting your services:
Create a Personal Brand
Create a personal brand that will be suitable for your kind of personality and taste. This can assist in targeting your audience and it will differentiate you from the competition, hence making it easier for potential clients to remember you.
Optimize Your Online Presence
Your website and your social media accounts must be search engine-friendly and must contain keywords that prospective clients may use for web designing services.
Establish Accounts in Social Media and Social Media Directories
Maintain an active account with LinkedIn, Twitter, and/or Facebook, post about your services regularly, and share the posts on the forum. For other freelance job openings, it is also advisable to register with freelancing sites like Work, freelancer, and Guru.
Offer Reasonable Prices and Appropriate Conditions
Prices need to be clear so that your paying customers know exactly what to expect. You may want to apply package deals to win over clients or give lower prices for massive projects.
Bonding with Potential Buyers
Contact possible customers and inform them that you can assist with the design of their webpage. Make friends with other businesses and charities/NGOs so that there is continuous business and also referrals.
The Key is Organization
To a freelance web designer, organization and time management are crucial to you; therefore, the following are the tips to follow.
Here are some tips for staying on top of your work:
Use a Project Management Tool
Utilize project management tools such as Trello, Asana, or Base Camp to arrange projects, timelines, calendars, and interactions with clients.
Prioritize Your Tasks
Make sure that you are doing the most important and urgent work all the time.
Develop Rules of Engagement and Self-Employment Work/Life Balance
Set healthy working hours, and don’t accept applications which are not productive or that delineate your values. Ensure you work smart and take time off to attend to other business outside the workplace.
Keep Track of Your Finances
It is important that you learn to document your earnings and spending, save for taxes, and have some money set aside for an emergency and for your future.
Bill Yeager, Co-Owner of High Point SEO & Marketing in CT
