38 % of website users leave if they don't like the interface or navigation, according to Blue Corona.
Whether the menu is hard to read or the content is difficult to find, we've all clicked off a page, I know that I did.
People often judge the reputation of an organization on the appearance of the website, and they expect it to load in two seconds or less. That means that to prevent visitors from moving on, websites need to look nice, be user-friendly, and load fast enough.
But how does a company achieve a practical, beautiful website that attracts users and retains them?
They employ a web designer, among other things.
What is Web Design?
Web design is the appearance, layout, pictures, and other front-end visual elements that impact the experience of a user on a website.
Many companies and website owners use web designers to create an aesthetically pleasing, user-friendly website.
Web design vs. web development
Although web design involves what users see when they go to a website, web developers are working on the backend to ensure the proper functioning of the site.
This involves aspects such as how easily the pages are loaded, that users do not encounter errors, and ensuring that the website is mobile-friendly. To do their job, web developers usually use coding languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Website owners can hire both a developer and a designer to create a website for their company.
Related:Your First Online Business
What is a web designer doing, and how much are they making?
In designing practical, user-friendly, and beautiful websites, web designers use their imagination and eye for design. They work with their customers in partnership to select the theme, colors, fonts, and photographs of the web. They also make sure that readers on a laptop, desktop, phone, or tablet can easily access the web.
Qualifications for web designers
In graphic design, web developers also have a degree or certificate. This is not a prerequisite, but it does provide a clear understanding of elements of the website, such as color schemes, fonts, formats, and proportions.
For aspiring web designers, User Interface (UX) training is also beneficial. This training lets designers think about various types of individuals that will use the website to help them map how it would be navigated by and person.
Web designers also collaborate with a programmer to incorporate the design and UX concepts or learn coding languages such as HTML (what gives the web structure) and CSS (what allows you to change colors, images, and other visual aspects). A web designer doesn't have to learn these languages, but it can make you a better designer.
Average salary
Full-time corporate web designers make an average of about $52,000 per annum, according to Glassdoor. Freelance web designers will make from $30 and $80 per hour if you'd rather work for yourself.
How to start working as a designer for websites
With just a few simple steps, individuals who enjoy designing websites can create their own business. Growing a full-time income can take time, but it is possible.
1-Enroll in a course in web design or development
Think first of all about what talents you have and the ones you need. And to close the difference, try taking lessons. Udemy provides inexpensive HTML and CSS, graphic design, and user interface courses.
If you're trying to improve your web design talents, online courses are realistic and worthwhile. The cost of the courses is an investment that as you develop your business, will pay off.
The more expertise and services you can provide, the more you can charge and you can work with higher-profile clients. Plus, you can subtract your taxes from the grades.
2-Build a business website of your own
Working on your first project is a perfect way to practice your design abilities: your own website. By creating a simple blog or website, you can start.
You need somewhere to showcase your talents and abilities if you want to expand your web design company and attract customers. Your company website is your first and best advertising for potential customers.
3-To your website, add your portfolio
Based on what they see, customers will hire you, so you must display on your company website your design skills and personal projects. You may build mockup sites to show how you can handle a specific design if you don't have any customers.
You may also reach out to local non-profits, churches, or friends of business owners and offer to work in return for testimonials on their web.
4-Identifying the ideal customer
You need to think about what your ideal customer looks like as you begin your business. Press yourself such questions as:
What kind of business are they running?
Is there a specific subject or genre that you'd like to specialize in?
Who is running the platform that you are designing?
How old have they been?
Where are they living?
What budget do they have?
This is just a list of questions for samples. You can add as many specifics as you want when building your ideal customer profile, which will help you recognize the types of sites your ideal customer owns and how to advertise and network with them.
5-Find customers
You'll find jobs in one of two directions as a web designer: working with someone else or freelancing. If you're involved in freelancing, you'll still need to recruit customers.
Traditional work in web design
It is sometimes a perfect way to get your foot in the door and develop your skills while earning a steady paycheck to work for someone else. A typical routine and other advantages of becoming an employee are favored by some people.
Check out work listings on LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor to find a job with a web design company. You may also search for “web design companies” and browse their websites in the careers section.
Even if you don't have much experience, make sure you have a solid resume. Highlight things such as your related experience, previous customer testimonials, and the designs you have done.
Freelancing Services
You'll work for yourself as a freelancer. That means that maintaining your own schedule, monitoring your income and expenditures, and finding customers is your responsibility.
By networking, one way to find customers is. Find out where your prospective clients may be and visit those sites. It can be a Facebook group, your town's in-person meeting, or even LinkedIn.
Try networking with other independent web designers; some useful tips for finding your first customers might be available.
You can begin by planning a marketing plan if networking with strangers is inconvenient for you. Share your new services with your fans or email list on social media, put together a Facebook ad campaign, or let your friends and family know what you're doing.
Ask them if they can link you to any potential customers. Often it's a little easier to network with a personal connection.
Related: How to make money from Fiverr? (Full Guide)
Pitching with
You will need to pitch them until you're in front of potential customers. Include an overview of how you can assist them, what differentiates you, why they should recruit you, and a short summary of your expertise or abilities.
Try to distill all that knowledge into a 60-second “elevator pitch” if you are at a networking event and make sure you have some business cards on hand to give so that potential buyers have a way to reach you. As a small sample, you can use your cards.
6-Promote the services
Freelance web designers need to promote themselves and their services to develop their business.
Social networking is a free and productive way of creating interest in your skills in design, and it is also a way to remain linked to your network. You can share updates on your projects, your service menu, and even ask your followers what they would like you to learn or work on through free platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Another powerful strategy for driving traffic to your design services is supported or targeted advertising on social media networks. As you can attract consumers outside your immediate area, this increases your potential customer base.
You can use it to share design tips and tricks, provide inside information on future projects or updates, or even provide deals to new customers if you have an email list.
7-Build your brand
You'll help businesses build their brand as a web designer. But it's equally crucial that you also build your personal brand. There are a few ways in which you can do it:
Website of yours: Build your website and redesign it to reflect your personality. Make sure that the right feeling is communicated to your ideal client.
Your social networks: across all channels, be consistent. Wherever you post your business data, use the same name, profile photo, tone (e.g., casual vs. professional), and website information. This way people will get to know you.
Niche of yours: Concentrate on a small niche, preferably one that you are passionate about. To a particular audience, it's easier to sell than to everyone. Who knows, for safe recipe websites or handmade soap makers, you might become the go-to person.
Your equipment: Act with your customers well. A happy customer will recommend you to friends or family who need your services, and the best way to develop your brand is with feedback from satisfied clients.
Creating a strong, reliable brand creates confidence, awareness, and makes you more likely to be hired by potential customers.
Should you become the designer of a website?
You might do well working in website design if you are innovative, good at design, and have basic coding skills (or are willing to learn them). You will need to be able to listen to your customers, collaborate with them and web developers collaboratively, and be able to market and pitch yourself if you're interested in freelancing.
While breaking into the field can be difficult particularly for those without any advanced experience, you can find success as a web designer if you practice, network, and search for opportunities to improve your skills and portfolio.
