10-Step Guide To Getting Started As A Freelance Web Designer

A growing number of students and college graduates are venturing into freelancing to earn extra income during their spare time. This guide is for individuals of all ages who aspire to become freelance web designers and need an effective plan of action to jumpstart their careers.

This article presents a straightforward, uncomplicated, and structured approach to secure freelance web design gigs, accompanied by valuable advice on how to attract clients and generate considerable income. Indeed, it is the same course of action that paved the way for my successful web design agency. Keep reading to discover how I accomplished this feat.

How Much Do Web Designers Make?

If you are hesitant about delving into freelancing as a web designer, take comfort in the fact that it is one of the most lucrative categories in the freelance market. There are even freelance web designers who can earn upwards of $5000 building simple WordPress websites, proving that success is attainable for anyone with the right skills.

However, it is important to note that web design is a highly competitive market. With the prevalence of basic HTML and CSS knowledge, it has become common for individuals to declare themselves web designers. To set yourself apart, it is wise to specialize in a niche within the industry, like designing landing pages or product pages for businesses.

By identifying a profitable niche, your chances of achieving success are greater. With that said, let's dive into our

Step 1: There Are No Shortcuts To Freelancing Success

To begin with, it's important to acknowledge that freelancing demands significant effort and a substantial duration before you can earn an income. Allow yourself ample time, perhaps a few months, to learn the ins and outs of freelancing and establish a profitable career. Cultivate your freelance mindset and brace yourself for the challenges ahead.

If your only aspiration for freelancing is to earn quick cash, you'll likely run out of steam soon. Instead, cultivate patience and unwavering dedication toward your work to succeed as a freelancer and navigate the long and often strenuous path.

Step 2: Web Designer or Web Developer?

There is often confusion between two roles in web development.

Web Designers are responsible for the front-end or visual design of a website or web application. They arrange website elements, and code style sheets, and design the user interface.

Web Developers, on the other hand, focus on the back-end or technical side of website development. They develop algorithms for functionality such as checkout systems and other user interactions.

Web Design requires a unique creative approach, and simply copying other websites is not enough. Research by FastPrint found that 72% of participants believed most websites look similar. To succeed as a web designer, you must have a creative mindset and learn user experience design.

Becoming a web developer is the complete opposite. You need to have an analytical mindset to create accurate algorithms and have the ability to make systems according to user workflows. Be clear about which path you want to take.

Step 3: Assume You Know Nothing

After exploring various "learn to code" resources and completing several HTML/CSS courses, you may feel confident about your coding abilities. However, it's important to ask yourself how well-versed you are in User Experience Design (UXD) and Web Usability.

While there are numerous online tools available for free, building up your coding skill set doesn't necessarily equip you to work as a freelancer. Website design, unlike web development, demands creativity and ample knowledge of how the internet operates.

To excel as a web designer, it's crucial to master key skills such as User Experience Design and Web Usability. Mastering these proficiencies enables you to design engaging websites and grasp the psychology driving web design.

For instance, ever wondered why almost all websites locate their main menu at the top of the page? Or why do many landing pages position their Call-to-Action (CTA) at the page's top half? The answer is simple: It’s all part of the UXD.

Step 4: Learn About Domains, Web Hosting, and Servers

If you are entrusted with creating a business website, your clients will typically anticipate that you procure a domain, obtain a hosting package, and implement the setup of their site.

It is incumbent upon you to provide comprehensive services to your clients. Choosing a hosting platform that furnishes both domain registration and hosting is a savvy course of action.

Moreover, it behooves you to familiarize yourself with purchasing and configuring domain names through an external registrar, as well as managing web hosting and working with FTP clients. Developing competencies in handling and upholding servers is also advisable.

Step 5: Learn A Little Bit Of Graphic Design

Nowadays, it's essential to incorporate visuals, like logos and animated characters, on websites, and it's something clients will expect you to handle. One option is to collaborate with another freelancer to handle the design work for you. However, mastering these skills yourself can be even more profitable. By taking tutorials on Photoshop and logo design, learning to design icons, and taking a course in UX design fundamentals, you'll set yourself up for the future.

Step 6: Build Your Portfolio

When a potential client requests your website design services, their primary inquiry will be to view your past projects. This is your chance to display your exceptional designs. In the event that you do not have any previous work to show, dedicate yourself to crafting outstanding websites. Offer to design a website for free or create an impressive theme and make it available online at no cost.

Step 7: How To Price Your Services

Determining the appropriate pricing for web design projects can be challenging as it varies depending on the project's scope and the necessary time investment. To gauge a ballpark figure for your services, consider the following tip:

Begin by researching competing web design companies and locate their email or phone contact information. Reach out to them and pretend to be a potential client seeking a quote for a fictional website. It's essential to remember that large design firms charge more because they generally employ teams of designers, whereas independent designers like you have more flexibility.

Calculate a reasonable price for your project that falls within a sweet spot that's not too high or too low. You want prospective clients to find your rates reasonable enough to say yes but not suspiciously.

Step 8: Best Freelance Sites To Find Work

Avoid online freelance platforms if you can. These sites are too competitive and winning a client will be extremely difficult. In situations where there are no other options, go for a freelance platform that has a lower amount of competition. For web designers and developers, UpMyChain and Toptal are two of the best choices.

Step 9: Go Offline

If you focus on your local market, your chances of finding clients will increase. It's surprising that more than 58% of small businesses don't have a website yet. Traditional methods such as going door-to-door and cold calling can be more effective than searching for work online. In fact, I was able to secure multiple clients using this approach.

Here's what I did:

I walked around the neighborhood and noted down the names and contact information of small businesses and shops that didn't have a website.
I then verified that those businesses didn't have a website by conducting an online search.
After that, I created a brief document that highlighted the advantages of having a website.
I printed out the document and mailed it to the addresses of those businesses.
I waited for a week to see if they would respond to my letter and then called them, mentioning my letter, and asking if they were interested in meeting for further discussion.
This method was successful 40% of the time.

Recommended: How To Start As A Freelancer?

Step 10: The Next Level

After taking off, former clients and fresh project opportunities will start rolling in through referrals. Establish yourself as a recognizable brand by promoting your work's quality. Consider expanding your freelancing empire by employing a few interns if demand surpasses your capacity.

Consistency in your work ethic will lead you to reach all ten milestones, even if it takes a while. Web design is an ever-growing giant of the industry, continuously transforming. Stay informed and keep learning by subscribing to as many web design blogs as possible.

Easy Answer

Step 1: There Are No Shortcuts To Freelancing Success
Step 2: Web Designer or Web Developer?
Step 3: Assume You Know Nothing
Step 4: Learn About Domains, Web Hosting, and Servers
Step 5: Learn A Little Bit Of Graphic Design
Step 6: Build Your Portfolio
Step 7: How To Price Your Services
Step 8: Best Freelance Sites To Find Work
Step 9: Go Offline
Step 10: The Next Level

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