A well-designed website not only can wow users, but it effectively communicates to users about products, services, and leads them down the marketing funnel. Web designers bring creative, exciting websites to life, generating clicks, sales, and engagement. If you are interested in coding, graphic design, and marketing, becoming a web designer might be a great fit for you. Read on to learn more about what they do and how you can become one!
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WHAT WEB DESIGNERS DO
Web designers, with their clients’ input, are responsible for the entire look of the website, from color scheme to font to everything else that goes into the overall aesthetics and functionality of that site. Web designers need to be both technical and creative in order to come up with a web design that best suits their clients’ needs. They need to understand what makes the website functional, yet provides optimal user experience.
Many companies have their own web designers, either on staff or on contract. Websites are constantly being updated, and doing just those changes alone can be more than a full time job. You’ll need to have knowledge of some coding, especially HTML. Websites can crash and malfunction, meaning web designers also need to be great at troubleshooting. You will also need a basic understanding of how graphic design programs like Photoshop work so you can create the imagery contained on the website.
WEB DESIGNERS AND DEVELOPERS ARE NOT THE SAME
A common misconception to believe that a web designer and web developer are the same thing. Web developers are the architects who work on either the front or back end of the website and create the coding for it. Front end web developers make websites user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing. Back end designers need to have more advanced coding skills. They focus on how the site interacts within its own web pages, as well as how the user experience works. They may also have to come up with their own coding if they can’t use a “pre-packaged” one that suits their client’s needs.
Web designers must know many coding languages available such as HTML, CSS, and Java. If you can do both web design and web development, you can handle both ends, and may be sought after by employers.
HOW TO BECOME A WEB DESIGNER
Realistically, web designers do not need more than a high school diploma or an associate degree to get started. Many web designers are self taught and advertise themselves through their portfolios. But, if you decide you want to go into web development, you will need more education.
Web designers need to know HTML, Javascript and CSS, but they also must have an eye for design. The programming languages can be learned online, and very often, you can find free tools to teach you. If you think learning these programming languages will be too taxing to do on your own, then you can visit your local community college. Many offer certificate and associate degree courses in programming as well as design.
Aside from those programming languages, web designers must know how to use graphics, design, color theory, typography, and multimedia applications. If you are a freelance web designer, you also should have some marketing skills and a good presence on social media channels to attract potential new customers.
HOW TO STAND OUT
In a competitive field like web design, there are several skills that will help you rise above the competition.
- Understand SEO (search engine optimization). SEO is a complex field and how it impacts your website's visibility on search engines.
- Keep on learning. Tech changes, and you need to be on top of it at all times. Keep studying and researching into what’s going on in all the industries that impact web design.
- Be available and communicative. Creating websites is a group effort. Whether you’re freelancing with one client at a time or employed at a company, the input of who you work for matters.
- Responsive design: how the design responds to the device the user is on. Master it.
- You're good at running your own business You can clearly communicate to your clients what it is you are trying to sell them. You can handle client requests and juggle meeting deadlines and their demands.
- The more creative you are, the better. As a web designer, you want to create a unique, functional website for each client that fits their needs.
- Do your homework. If you’re working on the website for a dental office, take a look at the competition, see what they are doing, and make yours even better.
- Know when to give and when to take. In the end, it’s about making your client happy.
WHERE YOU'LL WORK
Web designers can work anywhere. Freelancers can work right from the comfort of their favorite armchairs, local coffee shops, or pretty much any place in the world, as long as they have their computers. Others may work from a collaborative company environment. Web designers are vital in many industries. From bloggers to e-commerce businesses to corporations, the vast majority of companies need websites, so whether you’re freelance or part of a team, you’re likely to be in high demand.
HOW TO WOW POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS/CLIENTS
Your portfolio is going to be your selling point, so you need to make sure you include your best work. Also, it will show clients and employers who you are, what kind of work you do, and how you do your work. Here’s what you must show off in your web design portfolio:
- Your best responsive designs. Too often these are left out of portfolios, yet it’s an important feature of web design.
- Show your research, because most of the sites you’ve already designed included some sort of it on the way to the end point. Potential clients and employers want to see the full range of how you work.
- Be able to walk someone through your entire process. It will prove your communication and problem-solving skills are unbeatable. It’s another priority for web designers, because so much of the final project was reached through communication between you and your client.
- Include a customized theme or template. Show off your crazy coding skills.
- Supply some testimonials from satisfied clients.
WORKING FREELANCE AS A WEB DESIGNER
Many web designers start out as freelancers so they can build up their portfolio. Many decide to stay the course and be their own boss. If going freelance is what you think works best for your lifestyle, then there are some things you will need to know aside from having the skills, computer, and proper software.
- A business plan outlining your services, prices, and goals
- A marketing plan highlighting your target audience and the steps you’ll take to reach your goals
- Your own website with a portfolio page and a menu where you’ll list your services and prices
- Branded marketing materials such as business cards, brochures, pens, notepads, and other things to hand out
- A contract to send clients
Once you have all the preliminaries set up, you’ll need to start obtaining business.
- Watch out for the Request For Proposal sites. Many people are just trying to get you to do their work for free, and then they’ll turn around and find someone else to complete your idea.
- One of the best and most cost-effective tools is an email list. MailChimp, MadMimi, and many others can be installed directly onto your business site, making it that much easier to build your list.
- Focus on businesses that have a web design budget. You don’t want to give yourself away.
- Networking is one of the best way to find clients! Find local networking events and meetups and attend them.
- One way to start spreading the word is to do some pro bono work that you can place in your online portfolio.
- Join professional organizations like Web Professionals, AIGA, International Web Association, and Association of Web Design Professionals.
- Go to conferences and other design events
Sites specifically for web designers:
- Dribbble is for web designers to share screenshots of their work and get constructive feedback from others in the industry.
- Behance is an online portfolio platform for you to show off your work, mingle with others, and see what’s going on in the industry.
- Colour Lovers is a platform for all things color, trends, palettes, and more.
SALARY AND JOB OUTLOOK
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the average salary of web designers in 2023 was $108,820, with the top 10 percent making $176,490 or more. The BLS also states that demand for web designers is expected to increase 16 percent by 2032. This is due to the fact that more and more brands, bloggers, and companies need websites designed, updated, and improved at faster rates.
References:
https://skillcrush.com/2016/03/22/be-a-successful-web-designer/
https://www.thebalance.com/how-to-start-a-home-based-web-design-business-3891594
https://www.thoughtco.com/web-design-vs-development-3468907
https://getflywheel.com/layout/web-designers-need-social-media-strategy/
https://creativemarket.com/blog/how-to-become-a-web-designer