How to Make Money as a Web Designer
How to Make Money as a Web Designer
How to Make Money as a Web Designer - how to become a web designer.
Are you looking for ways to generate additional income? Do you know how to make more money as a web designer? You have already read many articles that present the same advice over and over again. Being an affiliate marketer, blogging, becoming a virtual assistant or a social media influencer – these are considered easy options. But is it really that simple?
Instead of a general list like you might find elsewhere, I'd like to focus on one specific concept - a web designer.
To set the record straight, a web designer is not the same as a web developer. Designing and building a site takes time and you won't become a pro web designer overnight. Thanks to website-building software like WebWave, this is possible. You can build a website from scratch without needing to use a programming language.
Where do you start if you have no experience? If you don't have a college degree in a field related to web development, do you have a shot in the field? What are your chances that you can actually do it? How to make money from it? What are the types of web design work? I am going to guide you through this and more so that at the end of the article, you can decide for yourself how web design can earn you extra money.
- Web Design as a Profitable Side Hustle
- Ways to earn money at home
There are two main reasons why web design is a very profitable side business. Firstly, there is a huge demand for websites and secondly, there are many types of websites, so it is easy to find your niche. And to become a successful web designer you need to find your specialty in website design.
Both reasons are connected on some level, so let's start with the latter.
Websites differ depending on how complex they are and what their main purpose is. Most typical websites consist of 4 to 5 web pages. But sometimes a simple one-pager will work.
As a web designer, you will commonly see those 6 types of websites listed below. Understanding the specifications of each of them helps you decide which project you want to be involved in in the future.
Business website
Every business needs a website to have an online presence. A website helps reach new potential clients and explains what the business is about by presenting its services As a designer, it is your responsibility to ensure that the design matches the profile of the business – a beauty salon website will be different from a financial advisor. Still, they should both have easy-to-find contact information and testimonials, including reviews from satisfied clients.
What are the types of websites - business websites
E-commerce website
An ecommerce website is nothing but an online store. Both well-established brands and small independent manufacturers can sell online. No matter the size of the business, every eCommerce website must have product cards with professional photos and descriptions and an easy-to-navigate shopping cart with an intuitive checkout process. When designing an eCommerce store, follow UX/UI rules to make everything user-friendly.
What are the types of websites - Ecommerce websites
Portfolio
A portfolio can be classified as a business website, but for a specific group - creators who want to showcase their talent and previous work. It can be made for photographers, painters, make-up artists or web designers. The most important part of every portfolio is to showcase the work. It is your job as a designer to determine which solution will be most appropriate. Put it in a gallery or a slider? Is it static or interactive? Also, don't forget to create a page specifically about the artist - introduce them, their style and their work ethic.
What are the types of portfolio websites?
Blog
How to Make Money as a Web Designer, Blogs seem to need no introduction after their global dominance over the past decade. Although a personal-journal style of blogging has been replaced by social media platforms, that doesn't mean blogs are no longer relevant. They have evolved into more professional, publishing sites with highly curated content and often top-tier aesthetics. When designing a blog, create a consistent theme that doesn't take away from the usability of the website.
How many types of website-blog
Personal website
A personal website can be described as an online business card. It is usually a one-pager with all the necessary information about a person. A personal website is a great addition to a social media profile, especially for influencers who rely on business opportunities. It's easy to explain who you are and why a brand should work with you through a website. A good, highly personalized design serves as a motivational tool in this regard.
What are the types of websites - personal websites
Landing page
A landing page is another one-page website that is typically used as part of a marketing campaign. The main purpose of a landing page is to encourage its visitors to take the desired action reflected in the call-to-action button. The action could be buying a product or signing up for a newsletter. The design of the landing page should be attention-grabbing, but not too complicated so that the visitor clicks the right button at the end.
What types of website landing pages
How to Make Money as a Web Designer, As you can see, each type comes with different requirements. Whether you're a professional or amateur web designer, you need to know what you like and do best, and keep that in mind when choosing which project to take on next.
Let's talk about another reason - demand. With every type of website comes many people who need one. And since the 6 examples you just read are the most common, all the unmentioned numbers are in your favor. According to Siteefy, about 252 000 new websites are created every day.
The truth is - everyone needs a website. And that is not an overstatement. The pandemic has changed our perspective. Many events take place online, many products offered go digital and new ideas emerge every day. All of them need online representation and their website. Why not try and deliver it?
Who can be a web designer
Well, it's time to temper your enthusiasm. You can be a web designer and earn money while building websites! Many web design skills you can learn at home by watching courses and training yourself. So I won't lie and tell you that all you need to succeed in this field is a laptop with an internet connection. You are about to enter a space that is completely new to you.
To avoid disappointment, it is best to find out at the outset what qualities are required in web designers and if you tick at least a few boxes. Many web designers start out working for a web design agency. There you have the opportunity to gain experience and learn about the industry. Later you can gradually try to build websites for clients. In-house design is a profession you can practice on your own terms – where and how you want.
Creativity
How to Make Money as a Web Designer, Yes, as a web designer you have to be creative in some way. If you can use your imagination and come up with new ideas - that's a great start. You can expand your creative abilities as you go, but it's good to have that possibility.
Any creative skills such as drawing, painting or any form of DIY-ing are helpful. Bonus points if you have some experience in graphic design. However, if you don't want to build or create something from scratch, web design might be for you.
Basic computer skills
The good news is, you don't need to know how to code to design a website. But you must have some computer literacy as this is going to be your main work tool. Again, you can always improve your technical skills, but it's good to have some background.
If you're familiar with the environment of graphic design software like Canva or Photoshop or photo editing apps or programs, you'll have a head start. But the most important thing is that you are not afraid of the computer and working in front of the screen is not scary for you. The bar isn't too high if you ask me.
Willingness to learn
Now, it's time for the most important part of the process of acquiring a new skill - persistence and willingness to learn. You're not going to become a pro web designer overnight. Honestly, that shouldn't be your goal. Your websites will be more junk than great at first. And that's okay.
As long as you don't give up, there is always room for progress. As Beyoncé once said: I'll keep running, because winners don't give up on themselves. Stay focused and motivated. You want to learn and get better. Set realistic goals for yourself, find some patience and simply enjoy.
The first step in web design
Professional careers in web design require a degree. As you've probably already noticed, this post isn't like that. To start making money designing websites, you don't need to know everything about it. You need to know enough to be confident in your niche. Here's how to do it.
Step 1: Learn the basics
If you jump into a pool without knowing how to swim or test how deep it is, you're going to get hurt.
First, familiarize yourself with the terminology of design theory. What is a layout, a footer, a CTA, hosting etc.? Spend some time on Google, checking out lists of web design vocabulary. You'll find a lot of it, I promise. Try to memorize as much as you can, but don't stress it too much. The whole point of this is to avoid confusion when you read these terms.
Once you're armed with linguistic knowledge, it's time to explore. Visit web design blogs and start getting familiar with news, latest trends, case studies and some stories from the past. Scan the text and pause if something catches your eye.
The goal is not to suddenly know everything but to ignite that spark of curiosity and inspiration.
Spend some time browsing through the list of websites - look at the best, the worst, the prettiest, the craziest and try to figure out what content they all have. See patterns and rules. Try to decide what you like, what you find interesting.
When you do it all, you may feel overwhelmed, confused, and inspired, but afraid that you'll never be able to create anything like it. Now is the time to control chaos through education. again
Go to Google or YouTube and find some UI/UX guides. Again, read and try to understand as much as possible. Attach UI/UX rules to all the images you just saw Maybe take some notes or create a document with all the tips that might be helpful in the future.
When you start envisioning your first website. This means you are ready for the next step.
Step 2: Choose a tool and master it
Today, many website-building tools on the market allow you to design without the need to code. It is very common for web designers to pick their favorite and specialize in it. Every website builder is different, so sticking with one software is more time-efficient because you don't have to remind yourself how everything works when you try to build a website.
As you continue to use your favorite website builder, it won't be able to keep any secrets from you soon. Your designs will get better and better over time, not only because you develop your web design skills, but because you become more familiar with a website builder.
But how to choose the right one? Which website builder is best for beginners? What is the difference? What to pay attention to?
When you search Google for how to choose a website builder, you'll find tons of guides, lists, and rankings. However, most of them will focus on finding the right website builder for small business owners. Your needs and expectations are different from those of entrepreneurs. So… what should you look for in a website builder?
A blend of creative freedom and ease of use. There are many website builders like Wix or Squarespace that are too easy to use at the expense of design features and creative freedom. In practice creating websites with such tools means editing templates. On the other hand, WordPress and Webflow have more advanced design features but require coding skills. And then there's WebWave, a drag-and-drop website builder that works like a graphic design program and lets you create whatever you want. You don't have to sacrifice usability to create a truly unique website.
While choosing the right tool, you also need to keep in mind the functionalities required to run a web design business. A white label website builder will help you grow your career.
The best way to find out which website builder is best for you is to try them out. Although most of the tools are free to use, you will need to pay to launch your website after you design it.
Step 3: Create a portfolio
Before you sell your first website, you need to create a portfolio so that you can convince a potential client that they should work with you. Before you create a task you can think about how you are going to create a task.
Don't worry, because you will create many projects in the process of learning web design. Some of them will be good, some will be bad. However, at some point, you will be able to select the best collection that represents you and your skills.
A good practice is to create websites for fictitious clients. Take the scenario of a law firm or a music band approaching you and asking for a website. Pick a few features, understand their occupation and try to design for them. It will be a matter of time before your portfolio appears naturally. You will also understand what kind of website and clients you want to design for.
Once you've collected your best designs, you need to decide where you want to display them There are platforms like Behance or Dribbble where talented designers go to inspire each other and present their work to potential clients. You can go for good old social media like Instagram or Pinterest to post your designs.
However, you should not forget about your own website. This is not only going to build your credibility as a web designer and a service provider. Your website is the first argument for a potential client to work with you. If you do it right, it can be your leverage. Spend some time creating a unique and professional website that reflects your style and skills as a web designer.
Step 4: Start making money
Once you've gained the necessary skills and confidence and built your portfolio and website, you're ready to start making money. At this point, you probably have a million questions running through your head. How to make money as a beginner web designer? How much should a beginner web designer earn? Where did you get your first freelance job? How to reach potential clients? Answer me all these questions below.
If you want to build a professional website yourself, check out WebWave's offering. In our offer you will find more than 100 free website templates that will significantly help you create the one of your dreams.
How to make money as a web designer
I would like to recommend you two ways to earn money as a web designer. You can become a freelance web designer and/or start selling website templates. Being a freelancer is more for those who want to make web design their full-time job. Selling website templates is more than a side hustle.
Freelance Web Designer
Becoming a freelance web designer is probably the first career option that comes to mind when you think about web design. You get all the benefits of freelance work, such as the opportunity to choose projects that interest you, your work schedule and general freedom.
Along with all these benefits, you also need to be prepared for some problems. Sometimes, especially when you are a beginner web designer, you may have some trouble finding clients who can navigate to designers with already established brands and reputations. In this case, consistency is key. Find out as well and focus on your niche.
After deciding what kind of website you want to create, you can go for a more targeted search for clients. You can search for job opportunities not only on websites like Upwork, Fiverr, or Designhill, but also in community groups of professionals below you. If you decide you want to create a website for trainers, you can join their various Facebook groups where they often ask for advice on how to start their practice. I can assure you, there will be many questions about website building. Make sure to be the one to answer them.
Also, don't forget to create websites for good old word of mouth and friend of a friend. Chances are your first website will be for someone from your circle.
Clients can also come to you, which is why it's important to have a professional website and some SEO strategies. Competition is high, but so is the demand for websites, as I said earlier. That's why you should have a more strategic approach to landing gigs, especially if you want it to be your main source of income.
Now it's time to talk about money. How much can you earn as a freelance web designer? According to a survey conducted by Paige Brunton, more than 35% of freelance web designers charge $2500-$5000 for a project. For a beginner web designer with less than a year of experience, the most popular price range is $1000-$2500. Not bad, if you ask me.
Selling website templates
If you want to make web design yourself more affordable, you should consider selling your website templates. This is a great way to generate passive income.
Website templates are very popular among small business owners who want to have a website but don't have the skills to create their own. They usually browse the website builder's template library and decide to use or purchase templates from independent developers.
There are many ways how you can create and sell templates. One of the options is to create a website sketch using a graphic design tool like Figma. Your design is not a functional website, it's a project. When your client buys it, they need to rebuild it in a website-building software of their choice. This can be unnecessarily complicated.
A way better option is to create the template in a website builder so that the process of using it is easy for your client. You can create a template in the WebWave drag and drop website builder and then sell it as a digital product in your online store or through a platform like Etsy.
The process of giving your client access to the template is very simple, and you can see it in the video below.
As I said before, it's not complicated. All your client needs to do is change content such as logos and text to get a ready-to-publish website. And done.
When it comes to how much you can charge for a template, it's usually around $40. This is significantly less than a custom website you can build as a freelancer. However, multiple people will buy a template, which allows you to earn much more without requiring additional work. A passive income, indeed.
You can create just a few website templates in your spare time and enjoy some extra money. Maybe you already sell digital products like planners, Instagram templates or printables? If you do, you should consider expanding your offering and start selling website templates.
Conclusion
As you can see, becoming a web designer is not difficult. As long as you want to create and have a vivid imagination, you can be a great web designer. It doesn't matter if you decide to become a freelance web designer or sell templates as a side hustle, as long as you are strategic about it, you will be successful.
Remember, the first thing you must have is web design skills. Be realistic about it and set realistic goals and expectations. Choose your tool and niche. Study them, understand them and become the best - using your tools and tailoring to your niche.
Don't rush anything and prepare before withdrawing money. Refine your online presence - both on social media and on your own website. Spend some time on SEO and finding the right keywords.
When you're ready, choose the path that speaks to you the most and start making money. Become a freelancer or sell templates. Or, maybe, do both. It is entirely up to you. As long as you enjoy the ride.
