Web Designer: How to Get Started in 7 Simple Steps

 

Web Designer: How to Get Started in 7 Simple Steps

A web designer is essential for a business that wants to improve its image online. This is because around 38% of website visitors leave if they don't like the layout or navigation.

We have all visited websites; if the menu is difficult to read or if the content is impossible to find. We all do the same thing: we leave.

People also rate a business's credibility on website appearance and expect it to load in two seconds or less. This means that websites need to look good, user-friendly, and load fast enough to keep visitors from leaving.

But how can a business create a functional and beautiful website that attracts and retains users?

Among other things, they hire a web designer.

What is web design?

Web design is the appearance, layout, images, and other front-facing visual elements that affect a user's experience on a website. To create an aesthetic and user-friendly website, many businesses and website owners use web designers.

Web design vs web development

While web design involves what users see when they go to a website, web developers work on the backend to make sure the site is functioning properly.

This includes things like how fast the pages load, that users don't encounter any errors, and that the website is smartphone-friendly. Web developers generally use coding languages ​​like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to do their job.

Website owners can employ both a designer and a developer to create a site for their business.

What Does a Web Designer Do and How Much Do They Make?

Web designers use their creativity and design sense to create functional, user-friendly and beautiful websites. They work with their clients to choose the layout, colors, fonts and images of the site. They also ensure that readers can easily navigate the site on a laptop, desktop, phone, or tablet.

Web designer qualifications

Web designers often have a degree or certificate in visual design. This is not a necessity, but it helps provide a fundamental understanding of website elements such as color schemes, fonts, layouts, and proportions.

Training on the user experience (EU) is also useful for potential web designers. This training helps designers understand the types of people who are likely to use the site.

To implement design ideas, web designers often work with a programmer or learn coding languages ​​like HTML (which gives the structure of the site) and CSS (which allows you to change colors, images and colors). 'other visual aspects). Learning these languages ​​is not crucial for a web designer, but it can make you a better designer.

Average salary

According to Glassdoor, full-time corporate web designers earn an average of about $ 52,000 per year. If you prefer to work for yourself, freelance web designers can make anywhere from $ 30 to $ 80 an hour.

How to start working as a website designer

People who enjoy designing websites can start their own business with just a few simple steps. Growing a full-time income can take time, but it is possible.

1. Enroll in a web design or development course

First, think about your skills and which ones you need. Then consider taking classes to fill the gap. Udemy offers a course in  HTML and CSS for beginner web designers as  well as visual design  and  user experience courses  .

Online courses are convenient and valuable if you are trying to develop your web design skills. The cost of courses is an investment that can pay off as you grow your business.

The more skills and services you can offer, the more you can charge and the more prestigious clients you can work with. In addition, you can deduct the courses on your taxes.

2. Create your own business website

A great way to practice your design skills is to work on your first project: your own website. You can start by  creating a simple blog  or website .

If you want to grow your web design business and attract customers, you need a way to showcase your skills and abilities. Your website is your first and best advertisement to potential customers.

3. Add your portfolio to your website

Clients will hire you based on what they see, so it is essential that you showcase your design skills and personal projects on your business website. If you don't have clients, you can create sample sites to show how you would approach a particular design.

You can also contact local associations, churches, or friends of business owners and offer to work on their site in exchange for testimonials.

4. Identify your ideal customer

When you start your business, you need to think about what your ideal customer looks like. Ask yourself questions like:

What type of business do they run?

Is there a particular subject or genre that you want to specialize in?

Who manages the site you are designing?

How old are they?

Where do they live?

What is their budget?

This is just an example of a list of questions. When creating your ideal customer profile, you can add as many details as you want that will help you identify the types of sites your ideal customer has and how to market and connect with them.

5. Find customers

As a web designer, you will find work in two ways: working for someone else or as a freelance. If you are interested in freelance work, you need to find your clients.

Traditional website design jobs

Sometimes working for someone else is a great way to get your foot in the door and build your skills while earning a consistent salary. Some people prefer regular hours and other employee benefits.

To find a job at a web design company, check out jobs on LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor. You can also search for "web design companies" and browse the careers section of their websites.

Make sure you have a solid CV, even if you don't have a lot of experience. Highlight things like your relevant training, testimonials from past clients, and designs you've made.

Freelance

As a self-employed person, you will work for yourself. This means that it is your responsibility to manage your own schedules, manage your income and expenses, and find clients.

One way to find clients is to network. Find out where your potential customers might be and visit those places. It could be a Facebook group, an in-person meeting in your city, or even LinkedIn. Try to get in touch with other freelance web designers; they may have good advice on finding your first customers.

If talking with strangers is uncomfortable for you, you can start by designing a marketing campaign. Share your new services with your social media followers or mailing list, run a Facebook ad campaign, or let family and friends know what you're up to.

Ask them if they can connect you with potential clients. Sometimes that personal connection makes networking a bit easier.

Pitching

Once you are in front of potential customers, you need to convince them. Include a description of how you can help them, what makes you different, why they should hire you, and a brief summary of your experience or skills.

If you are attending an event that brings together potential clients, try to talk about your skills in your interactions and make sure you have business cards to hand out so that potential clients have a way to contact you.

6. Promote your services

Freelance web designers need to promote themselves and their services to grow there business.

Social media is a free and effective way to generate interest in your design skills, and it's also a way to stay connected with your customers. Using free platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, you can share updates on your projects, menu of services, and even ask your followers for their feedback to do better in the future.

Sponsored or targeted social media ads are another effective method of driving traffic to your design services. This expands your potential customer base as you have the opportunity to reach customers beyond your region.

If you have an email list, you can use it to share design tips and tricks, give inside information about upcoming projects or updates, or even offer discounts to new clients.

7. Build your brand

As a web designer, you will be helping businesses build their brand. But just as important is that you also build your personal brand. You can do this in several ways:

Your website. Create and update your own website to reflect your personality. Make sure you make a good impression on your ideal client.

Your social networks. Be consistent across all platforms. Use the same name, same profile picture, same tone (for example, casual or business), and website information wherever you share your business details. People will get to know you this way.

Your domain. Concentrate on a particular area, ideally the one you are passionate about. It is easier to sell to a specific audience than to everyone. Who knows, you might be the go-to person for restaurant websites or soap makers.

Your services. Work well with your customers. A happy customer will direct you to friends or family who need your services, and reviews from happy customers are the easiest way to build your brand.

Building a strong, cohesive brand builds trust, recognition, and makes potential customers more likely to hire you.

Should you become a web designer?

If you're creative, good at design, and have basic coding skills (or are willing to learn them), you might work well in website design. You also need to listen to your customers, work collaboratively with them and web developers, and if you're interested in starting a business, be able to market your services and attract customers.

While breaking into the field can be difficult, especially for those without specialized training, if you practice, and seek opportunities to develop your skills and portfolio, you can find great success as a web designer.

If you liked this article on "The Simple Steps to Becoming a Web Designer", feel free to leave a comment and ask your questions below. Thanks and good luck!