Data-Driven Success: A Kickstart for Web Design Freelancers
If I still was a young guy, I would for sure invest time in learning the skills of a Freelance Web Designer.
As you should already know if you have been here for a while, at wannbethebest.me we do our best to provide the most actionable informations coming from direct experience, my own and/or that coming from any player in our team…
I personally understand the struggle of the guy trying his best to design his future and facing the ocean of infos provided on the web.
What I can do today is to support you, sharing what i learned from decades of dealing with clients in the corporate environment, and facing every day the challenge of standing out against the competition.
So, did you stumble on the concept of Web Design as a profession and are interested to know more??
Or maybe you have already started a freelance web designer career, but you are struggling to find clients and grow your business?
Then read on, this guide is for you!
Understanding the Industry As a Freelance Web Designer
This is a sector that has strongly performed over the last years, since more and more companies have realized the value of a strong online presence. And consequently, this growth has created a rising demand for skilled and experienced web designers who can deliver top-quality designs and assist different businesses in gaining more visibility and market-share.
How do you enter this game? Well, in the end the only mission of a freelancer is to help his clients grow their businesses…right?
So you will need first of all to learn to communicate effectively with them, understand their needs and preferences, and then have the technical skills to turn their ideas into creative and functional solutions .
So, to be straight and clear : here is a massive opportunity to carve a niche for yourself in this industry.
Hey, this market is skyrocketing right now and it should grow even further for years to come!
Some interesting data
- According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the level of employment of web developers and digital designers is growing by 8% per year since 2020, which is way much faster than the average of all other types of employment….
- In a survey conducted by Upwork, a leading freelance platform, web design was ranked as the fourth most in-demand skill for freelancers in 2021.
- The global web design market size is projected to reach the value of $45.6 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 10.2% from 2020 to 2027 (data from a report by Grand View Research).
Wow, quite interesting, isn’t it??
Ok great! But now, how do get your piece of the pie in such a strongly competitive environment?
In this article we are going to explore together the key strategies and the best professional practices you need to apply to walk your path to a succesful freelance web designer career.
The freelance web design industry is also booming, because more professionals are seeing the opportunity to work for themselves rather than being employed by a company.
According to a survey by Freelancer’s Union, there are an estimated 57 million freelancers in the United States alone, and 47% of them is working in creative fields such as web design.
Yes, you read it correctly : 57 millions freelancers in the US only…the face of the work industry is changing forever.
…Ok, enough data for now, let’s do it…
What Is Web Designing?
Web design consists basically in the process of creating visually appealing and user-friendly websites.
So, you will be designing the layout of the website, his color schems and typography, as well as creating interactive elements such as for instance buttons, menus, and forms. A well-designed website can improve the user experience, increase engagement, and drive conversions (this last one being obviously the point of the whole matter…).
What Are The Skills Of A Web Designer?
Web designing requires a range of technical and soft skills to create effective and engaging websites.
The basic skills to start out include:
HTML and CSS: A strong understanding of HTML and CSS is essential for creating and styling web pages.
JavaScript: A working knowledge of JavaScript is necessary to create interactive and dynamic websites.
User experience (UX) design: Your effort here is to understand the user behaviors and designing solutions with a focus on user experience.
(Please note : This is an ongoing task, since the different possibilities offered by the Internet are going to evolve in time, and with that the tastes and habits of the users…)
Graphic design: A strong sense of graphic design and typography is obviously necessary for creating visually appealing websites, but this is a skill that can be learned and cultivate.
Competence in Sales
Communication: Often undervaluated by beginners, effective communication and collaboration with clients and team members is important for delivering projects on time and on budget.
And even more important of that, your comunication skills are going to make or break you when it comes to build a respectful reputation in your sector.
Even more important is your work ethic in building your personal brand.
It happened to me personally many times : As a sales professional in the Electrotechnical Branche I was often behind my competitors in regard to deep technical knowledge (I had no schooling at all !!).
And still I was able to win many times over them thanks only to my outstanding work ethic and the straight, honest comunication I always used with my clients.
They knew very well that if I made a commitment I would honor it no matter what.
(And still today this is my main weapon as an Immigrant in a totally new work environment).
I warmly Incourage you to do the same!
Project management: Strong project management skills are necessary for keeping projects on track and ensuring that they meet client expectations (While also holding your costs down…).
DevelopING Your Skills, Knowledge And Expertise
The first stone for making a living as a freelance web designer is to focus on improving your skills and knowledge.
If you are really serious and motivated to build your business in this industry, then I strongly suggest attending workshops and training programs.
As I always say, investing money in yourself is the smartest you can do overall, especially as a beginner, when you don’t know what you don’t know”, or is going to cost you way more money and time in the long run…
“YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW”
And, as a professional, you also cannot afford to be obsolete : it is your duty to stay constantly up to date!
This involves constantly researching and diving into the latest trends and technologies, learning new design techniques, and mastering various web design tools of your choice.
You have to develop a strong foundation in web designing through understanding how different design elements work together to create the ultimate user experience.
For the same reason you can’t leave out, for example, the booming market of mobile applications in the web development branch:
The demand for mobile-optimized websites has increased significantly, due to the fact that over 70% of all website traffic is coming from mobile devices nowadays, according to Statista.
(Hey did you know? One of the best ways to develop skills is by taking on challenging projects that push the limits of your abilities : you can develop your problem-solving skills while gaining a deeper understanding of the web design process).
Establish Your Niche
Again, you are dealing with a very competitive environment…
A critical ingredient to make it as a web design freelancer is to carefully establish your niche.
This means defining the types of projects you specialize in and the specific target market you are going to serve.
Whether it is creating custom WordPress themes, designing e-commerce websites, or developing mobile apps, find your niche and strive to be your very best in it.
By focusing on a specific niche you DO NOT shrink your market!
Instead, you give yourself a much better chance to build a strong reputation and thus attract more clients who are looking for someone with specific skills and expertise like yours.
A Must in today’s business world…
The competition for skilled web designers is high, with over 1.88 billion websites currently live on the internet at the end of 2021, again, according to Statista
The demand for web designers is not limited to any particular industry, with businesses of all sizes and sectors requiring an online presence.
The demand for web designers with specialized skills such as UX design, front-end development, and SEO optimization is booming, with the modern online marketplace pushing for professionals capable to offer a full range of services to help companies stand out from the competition .
www.statista.com
Build a Strong Portfolio
A strong portfolio is critical to your success as a freelance web designer.
Your portfolio showcases your skills and expertise and gives potential clients a glimpse into your design style and approach.
So, it’s essential to have a portfolio that reflects your best work and includes a variety of projects, such as websites, logos, e-commerce solutions, and other design assets.
Your portfolio should demonstrate your ability to satisfy different needs and industries within your niche and highlight your problem-solving competences.
Consider also including a range of different styles and techniques, such as responsive design, parallax scrolling, modules autoresponders and animations, to demonstrate your versatility as a pro designer.
Your portfolio is your calling card to build your personal brand and objectively prove your skills, showcasing your abilities and creativity to new potential clients.
So make sure it is always up-to-date, professional made, and showcases your best abilities.
Additionally, if possible include testimonials and case studies to demonstrate the results you have achieved for previous clients.
The importance of good web design for user experience and engagement cannot be overstated.
In fact, in this article by Linkedin ( https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/people-judge-credibility-business-based-its-website-dipesh-savani ) you can read that 75% of users judge a company’s credibility based on its website design (data courtesy of Stanford University…) .
Establish a Strong Online Presence
As a freelance web designer, your online presence is your digital storefront. It’s essential to have a professional website that showcases your portfolio, services, and pricing.
And, as appropriate for a professional, your website should be visually appealing, easy to navigate, and optimized for search engines. It’s also essential to have a strong social media presence and be active on relevant platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Behance, and Dribbble. (As a bonus, these platforms can also help you network with other professionals in the industry, promote your work, and reach a wider audience).
Price Your Services Competitively
It is your responsibility to define your niche, identify your target audience, and set realistic financial points of control to monitor the growth of your business.
Your pricing structure will then have to reflect your skills and experience, while being competitive with other freelancers in the market. Setting clear goals and pricing ensures that you have a simpler time monitoring your streams of income, so that you can focus more on delivering high-quality work to your clients.
Again, pricing your services competitively is essential for success as a web design freelancer. This means researching the going rate for similar services in your area, taking into account your experience and skills, and expertise.
And be sure to include your overhead costs, such as office expenses, equipment, and software in your calculation…
But don’t get me wrong : of course it is important to be competitive, but you should not compromise the financial stability of your business!
Listen, there is no other way to maintain the quality of your work : if you steadily undervalue your services you will soon have no more “fuel” to mantain your business up and running.
Though an aggressive price strategy can make sense in the very beginning, the reliability and quality of your offer must make you emerge, not price. Never underestimate this.
How Much Can I Expect To Make As A Freelancer Web Designer?
Yeeeaahhh!! let’s talk about Moooneeyyy!!!
Well, in a survey conducted by Upwork, the average hourly rate for a freelance web designer in 2021 is $50.
A survey by Glassdoor in 2022, shows that the average base salary for a web designer in the US is around $62,943 per year, ranging from $43,000 to $88,000.
I know most of you were reading this whole article just for these numbers alone (or even worse skipped right to this paragraph using the “table of contents” facility…I understand why, but I have to blunt a bit : the money is only a byproduct of your committment in becoming a top-notch artist of web-design. nothing less, so stop dreaming right now…
Do not expect to rise that much money in your first year of activity. It won’t happen. Focus on the process instead : it is your best chance to make it work!
You will thank yourself later. DO IT!
Manage Your Time Effectively
Believe me Bro’, you will find that being able to manage time effectively is an extremely valuable asset to have for a web design freelancer…
This means setting clear priorities, avoiding distractions, and working efficiently.
I managed the time of my sales team for years : You will find a lot of good material about time management on this website, with no BS insights and very practical tactics to boost your productivity while efficiently managing stress and motivation.
Try this one for example, specifically designed to dramatically increase speed when accomplishing things!
The correct management of time is something more holistic than preparing and filling to-do lists (though they are better than nothing), so take care of including time for your well-being and personal development in your long-time schedules.
Why? Because obviously a smart management skills will let you increase your productivity, reduce stress, and improve overall the quality of your work (= Your reputation in the workplace is going to rise…).
Read more : The First (And Most Important) Step in Time Management!
…and now my friends it is time for the real Ninja-weapon :
www.wannabethebest.me
Provide Exceptional Customer Service
This is a topic for a complete blog per se!
I cannot stress this concept enough : providing exceptional customer service is the real key to your success as a freelance web designer.
You should communicate effectively with clients, listen carefully to their needs and concerns, and provide timely and professional solution.
Though quality is essential in this industry, your clients expect from a skilled professional clear expectations and deadlines. And furthermore, your job is to deliver work that always exceeds client expectations.
By providing outstanding productions and exceptional customer service, you are going to build long-term relationships with clients and increase your chances of receiving repeat business AND referrals (by far the most effective form of advertising!) .
More about this topic in more posts to come.
FAQs
Q: Is there a difference between web designing and web development?
A: Yes, web designing is focused on the visual and user experience aspects of creating a website, while web development involves the technical implementation of a website’s functionality.
Q: What are some common design tools used in web designing?
A: Some popular design tools used in web designing include Adobe Photoshop, Sketch, and Figma.
Q: What are some essential skills for web designers?
A: The essential skills for any web designers should include HTML, CSS, JavaScript, UX design, graphic design, communication, and project management.
Q: What are some current trends in web designing?
A: Some current trends in web designing include minimalism, dark mode, bold typography, micro-interactions, and 3D elements.
Q: Well, How then do I become a web designer??
A: Let’s recap : you need a combination of technical and soft skills, First learn the basics of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and build your skills in your own projects experimenting with different design elements. Then be smart and “niche-down”: specialize in a particular area of web designing, such as UX design or front-end development, and create a strong portfolio to showcase your skills and experience in that specific area to potential clients.
Ultimately, a healthy dose of networking and collaborating with other professionals in the industry will also help you find opportunities, spread your reputation and advance your career.
Conclusion
A career as a freelancer is the dream of many.
The freedom to work on your terms, pick and choose projects, and set your prices can be empowering.
But this comes at a price : the challenge lies in building a steady stream of clients and standing out in a very competitive market.
This is particularly true in web designing, where the competition is fierce, but the demand is also high, And is likely to increase further in the future.
So all you need is the right approach, a strong strategy and plenty of humbleness and patience,
Stick to the process without getting bored or discouraged and I guarantee your success in web designing as a freelancer and in building a thriving, durable business.
Yes, becoming a successful freelance web designer is no easy win and takes time, effort, and dedication. But by approaching it as a real business straight from day one, focusing on developing your skills and knowledge, building a strong portfolio, establishing a strong online presence, setting clear goals and pricing, and providing the ultimate customer service, you can actually make it and thrive.
So, start taking action today and take your web designing skills to the next level!
Try following the steps outlined in this guide : build a professional and extremely profitable business as a freelance web designer and grab your success in the digital space.
Thanks for being here. Feel free to write any questions or personal experiences in the comments!
