// 5 Steps to Kickstart Your Web Design Business
// Mar 8th, 2008 & filed under Business
So, after considering the vital aspects of pricing as a designer, maybe we should consider how we’re going to approach the execution of offering your services?
As a web designer, you know you’ve got skills that others haven’t. You also know many people are willing to pay for what you have, but how do you get that across? What must you keep in mind as you try to get yourself out there, and begin your business? Here are five steps to help get you going.
#1 Creating an online identity
If you’re a web designer, this shouldn’t too hard on the practical side. I mean, you make websites, so make one for yourself. However, how are you going to present yourself? Will you advertise your services just using your own name at www.yourname.com, or will you go for something generic?
There are advantages and disadvantages for both, and maybe I’ll weigh them up here some day. I went for something generic, as it gives me the opportunity to grow, sell it on if I ever had to, and the name is slightly better for SEO and branding purposes.
The other thing you must decide when creating your site, is what you want it to do. Do you just want it as a portfolio, or will it be a fully fledged site, with articles and resources? I wasn’t sure what was best, and in the end I went for the David Airey approach. Have a blog, write intriguing articles, get to know people, win respect, and talk about your work in order to give people confidence in your abilities.
#2 Being Honest
Do not, I repeat, do not offer yourself as the all round solution to web design needs, unless you are, or have easy access to those who can do what you need as and when required. For example, I do not have any knowledge of Flash, and using it to create a website (although I do have the program, and could probably learn it if I put my mind to it), therefore I don’t advertise myself as a Flash web designer.
However, I know how to design purpose built layouts, and code them with CSS/XHTML, and I specialise in creating functional, effective blog designs, so that’s what I offer.
#3 Getting the clients
Ah, so this is where it gets difficult, yeah? Well, maybe. There are so many factors in this, that any advice has its limitations. One aspect is the same no matter what though — people are never going to hire you if they don’t know you exist! So, the primary objective is to make sure people know about you, and in order to do that you need to have money, or creativity, or both.
The only limit is yourself. If you’re good (although in the world of web design, at times it seems like you don’t even have to be good), and people know about you, you shouldn’t have any problems getting clients.
#4 Under-promising; over-delivering
This is where you need to be careful. Whatever happens, try and keep your word. If you say it will be done by the end of the month, have it done by the end of the month. Don’t think it’s cool to say you’ll have it done in three days, in order to get the clients. If you’re not going to have it done by then, then don’t say you will.
Leave yourself room to breathe. Remember, if you’re creating someone a website, they’ll soon be in possession of a medium which will enable them to tell the world just how bad, or good your service is.
If you’re outsourcing, be careful. You may be handing your reputation into the hands of another. If they tell you they will have your psd coded up in three days, don’t fall into the trap of telling your client that it’ll be ready in three days. You may be left disappointed, and it’s your reputation that’s hanging in the balance.
#5 Working hard
Be prepared to work hard, and be frustrated. I may not be the most experienced designer in the world, but I’ve learned enough to say that things don’t always go to plan. You have to work at it. Work hard at marketing, work hard at learning, and work hard at working. Success will come — you are the only hindrance!