How to Start a Web Design Business

When you have a talent for web design, you have a few options for making a living. You can offer freelance services, bidding for and taking jobs as they come. You can work for a corporation or web design company, or, you can be in charge of your artistic abilities and start your own.

Starting a business is a great way to assert your financial freedom, as well as control your most valuable resource: time. Web design is an excellent choice for business, as it’s one of the fastest growing careers in the nation. By 2022 the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects it to grow 15 percent, which is much faster than average.

Now is the perfect time to carve your niche in web design and make a profitable business from it. If you’re interested, here’s a quick guide to getting started.

Apply for a business license.

You can’t legally start a business without applying for a license. There will be specific requirements and options available depending on your state or county. You can learn more about your area by contacting your state as well as the small business administration office.

You’ll probably be presented with several options. If you’re going into it yourself, the best option is probably a limited liability company (LLC). This is the simplest business form, and it’s perfect for startups.

Decide between a brick-and-mortar shop and online.

As a web designer, it seems like online is the obvious choice for your business. It can be the simplest method of web design, as it allows you to take jobs from all over the world, not just in your location. The startup costs are often lower as well.

However, there’s a certain demand for brick-and-mortar businesses in web design. Many companies, particularly larger corporations, prefer the ability to walk into an office and meet directly with the designer, brainstorming ideas and updating the website right in the office.

If you’re going to take the brick-and-mortar approach, there are a few additional steps you’ll have to take, including renting or buying an office and turning it into a functional workspace. You’ll also want to consider insurance and liability to avoid things like personal injury claims, which will be justified if you haven’t taken proper safety and legal precautions.

Brick-and-mortar businesses tend to come with higher startup costs, but they often lead to higher payouts. The building will be advertising in and of itself, making it easier to get and keep clientele in your area.

Figure out how you’ll accept payment.

Cash won’t get you very far, and there’s a liability with accepting personal checks. Business checks are great, but they don’t work for everyone. You’ll want to explore all your options for accepting payment so that you can appeal to a broader clientele.

Electronic payments are ideal for brick-and-mortar businesses. When starting out, you can use a system like Square that connects to an iPad or iPhone to run credit cards, but as business picks up, you’ll want to switch to a commercial card reader. Be aware that this costs certain fees, but it makes your services much more accessible.

Online payments are also highly encouraged with services like PayPal or Dwolla, especially if you’re doing an online-only business. Again, there are fees associated with this, but it’s well worth it for the reduced hassle.

Create a website and portfolio.

Both online and brick-and-mortar businesses need a strong online presence. Consumers go online to make the majority of their purchasing decisions, even if they ultimately make those purchases in store—something you probably know well as a web designer.

You don’t need tips on creating a good website, as that’s your forte. Just remember that your website and portfolio will be the first impression any potential customer has of your abilities, so put your best foot and your best samples forward!

Market your business.

Once the setup is taken care of, it’s time to spread the word. Traditional forms of marketing, such as print advertising, flyers, and mailers are all great, particularly if you have a brick-and-mortar business. However, your best marketing efforts will likely come from social media.

You’ll want to master at least a couple of social platforms, but don’t take on more than you can handle. Facebook and Instagram will likely have the biggest impact on your business, although LinkedIn could be very useful in marketing towards existing companies in need of web design services. Take advantage of the ultra-targeted advertising opportunities on this platform to maximize your exposure and bring clients to your door.шаблоны для dle 11.2