The Complete Guide to Freelance Web Design and How to Get Clients: A blog that talks about designing and how to get clients as a freelancer
Introduction
You’ve been working in the field of web design for a while now, and you’re ready to take the next step: becoming a freelance designer. You know how to build websites, but do you know how to find clients? How do you get people to hire you instead of one of your competitors? If you’re asking yourself these questions, this article will give you some tips on how to become a successful freelancer.
Pursue clients that want you, not the ones you think you need.
“Pursue clients that want you, not the ones you think you need.”
This is one of the most important pieces of advice I can give to you about freelancing as a web designer. For example, if a potential client approaches me and says: “I just want to pay my bills, so I don’t care about design at all! Just make it look ok and get in here as cheap as possible!” That’s probably not going to be a very good fit for me because that’s not something I’m passionate about or excited about doing. It also doesn’t really align with my values as a designer or person in general – it doesn’t align with who I am or what makes me happy.
I would much rather work with someone who is asking questions like: “Ok so this is our brand identity…how do we take this visual identity and make it come alive on our website?”. That’s someone who understands that design is more than just making something look pretty – design goes far beyond that; it’s branding, marketing strategy, user experience etc..
Don’t be afraid to say no.
You are in charge of your life. You get to make all the decisions and answer to no one, except yourself. This is a great feeling, but also a hard one to grasp at first. You have to be able to say no when you need/want/feel like it. It’s important to protect your time and reputation as well—you can’t be everything for everyone!
Start with your own website, then branch out from there.
- Start with your own website. If you don’t already have a website, then you need to get one up and running as quickly as possible. Your website is the first thing people will see when they’re looking for a web designer, so make sure it’s professional looking and has some samples of your work on it. You can easily build your own site in WordPress or go with something like Squarespace if you want something less complicated and more visually appealing than WordPress.
- Fill out your portfolio. It’s important to have an extensive portfolio that shows off everything from small projects (like designing a logo) to large in-depth websites that took months of effort to complete. You should also include examples of print design if you do any work in print design as well—this could include business cards or postcards used by clients who hire you for web design projects but also need printed materials such as brochures or advertisements.”
Always have a good portfolio.
A portfolio is a collection of your best work that shows off your skills, experience and knowledge. It’s important to have a good portfolio because it’s the first thing potential clients will see when they look at your website or talk with you about what you can do for them.
Your portfolio should be easy to navigate and easy to find on your website. It should also be updated regularly so that people can see how much work you’ve done in the past month, year or two years if possible (depending on how long they’ve been visiting).
Specialize and do whatever it takes to get noticed.
Specialize
You can’t be a jack of all trades and expect to get work. You have to choose something that you’re passionate about, so that you’ll be the best at it. If possible, try making a list of resources on your chosen topic and see if any of them are missing what you can offer. It might be time for you to create an ebook or article series that no one else has created yet!
Another thing I like about specializing is that there are fewer competitors in this space—people who do the same thing as me don’t have too much competition either. This means they’ll be more willing (or eager) to hire someone like myself who knows exactly what they’re doing compared with someone who’s marketing themselves as being good at everything but isn’t particularly good at anything.
Be Unique
Solve their problems so they will come back again and again.
As a freelancer, you need to solve your client’s problems so they will come back again and again. Don’t be afraid to say no if something sounds too complicated or the client just doesn’t sound like the right fit for you.
Start with your own website, then branch out from there. Keep it simple and easy to navigate because people don’t want to spend hours looking at pages that are full of content but make no sense. They’ll leave quickly and never come back! Make sure all of your work is well organized on a portfolio page that showcases everything that you’ve done as a freelancer over time (this should include websites, logos, flyers/brochures etc.).
Specialize in something specific (like logo design) or become an expert at something specific about websites such as coding HTML5/CSS3/.Net – whatever it takes to get noticed so people recognize what YOU do best!
Use your network to find new clients and get referrals.
You know your friends and family, right? They might be good sources of new clients for you. You just have to ask them. There’s no reason not to ask for a referral—references are important, so don’t be shy about asking for them. If a client isn’t happy with their current web designer, make sure they know that there’s someone else who can help them if they need it down the road.
You might also want to consider joining some local networking groups or conferences where people in your industry gather: That’s another great way to get new leads and referrals!
Use online directories to find new clients looking for freelancers.
You should also search for directories that are relevant to your niche. Make sure you are listed on the most relevant directories, and make sure that your profile is well-written and professional.
You should create a unique profile for each directory where you list your services. Each website will have its own set of questions and fields to fill out, so it’s important to go through them carefully before submitting any information or work samples.
Post on boards and websites where freelancers can connect with clients looking for their services.
- Post on boards and websites where freelancers can connect with clients looking for their services.
- Get involved in the community.
- Be helpful and participate in discussions. If you have any questions, ask them! Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you don’t understand something, and don’t be afraid to promote your work if it’s relevant and appropriate (for example: “Hey, I noticed that you’re looking for someone who can design logos — here’s a link to one of my logos”).
There are many ways to find freelance work, even if you don’t have a big network or an extensive client list yet. Just keep at it!
There are many ways to find freelance work, even if you don’t have a big network or an extensive client list yet. Just keep at it!
- Online: You can find clients and opportunities on websites like Fiverr, Freelancer and Upwork. These sites allow you to bid on projects and set your own rates. However, these sites tend to pay less than offline gigs (more on this later).
- Offline: You could also try approaching companies directly through cold emailing them with your portfolio and asking if they need someone with your skill set. This is the most effective way of getting started as a freelancer but it takes more time and investment (more details below).
- Through Your Network: If you already have a network in place after working at a job for some time or graduating from university, then you may want to reach out within that network first before moving onto other options (online or offline). Reach out by sending emails or making calls; maybe even attend some networking events! The key here is establishing relationships first so when people hear about your new business venture later down the road, they remember meeting up with someone who was just starting out but seemed really passionate about their work.”
Conclusion
So there you have it—the complete guide to finding freelance web design clients and making money as a freelancer. If you’re looking for more information on how to get started, feel free to check out our blog. We have tons of posts about getting clients and designing websites, as well as some great resources like directories and directories for freelancers looking for work.
