When I finish my IT Diploma, I plan to start my own web and graphic design company. It will be a web based company, but I will put a lot of time and money into SEO and advertising.

 

Is it possible to make a decent income from design like this? I basically want to live of the money from this company, but have not got much experience with web design and business.

 

I was advised by someone at my college to move into web development with a corporation like the BBC - but I don't think I will be good enough.

 

Thank you.

 

My awesome business model. lol

If your passionate enough and work hard, anyone can start and maintain a successful web design business. The money is crap to begin with, but any good experienced designer can earn between £400 - £600 for a basic be-spoke site.

 

It's only when you start to get the large e-commerce sites the bucks start rolling in. I started freelancing two years ago and because i had only learn't from home and had no real guidance to how to run my own business, i didn't really go for it. I opted to get into the industry working as a full-time employee and learn the ropes that way. I am planning to take the plunge into full-time freelancing next summer probably going from contract to contract.

 

The thing is, there is alot to take on when running your own business as you need to wear many hats. But i was once told by a respected business owner, that you will NEVER make good money working for someone else! Just need to build up my experience and reputation before hand!

Thank you neilp, helpful stuff there.

 

I am going to work hard on an awesome company website and logo, I plan to also buy an iMac. Can't wait to launch my website and start earning money.

Thank you neilp, helpful stuff there.

 

I am going to work hard on an awesome company website and logo, I plan to also buy an iMac. Can't wait to launch my website and start earning money.

 

 

I wish you all the luck mate!

If your passionate enough and work hard, anyone can start and maintain a successful web design business. The money is crap to begin with, but any good experienced designer can earn between £400 - £600 for a basic be-spoke site.

 

It's only when you start to get the large e-commerce sites the bucks start rolling in. I started freelancing two years ago and because i had only learn't from home and had no real guidance to how to run my own business, i didn't really go for it. I opted to get into the industry working as a full-time employee and learn the ropes that way. I am planning to take the plunge into full-time freelancing next summer probably going from contract to contract.

 

The thing is, there is alot to take on when running your own business as you need to wear many hats. But i was once told by a respected business owner, that you will NEVER make good money working for someone else! Just need to build up my experience and reputation before hand!

 

 

 

“If this reply goes a bit "weird" its because I have a fat ginger cat walking all over my keyboard, eating my mouse and bouncing all over my tablet…. Grrrrrrr”

 

Anyway wanted to say nice reply “neilp” I to am teaching my self and plan to go freelance when I have “experience” I work in finance at the moment and need to keep the money stable for “mortgage wife blah blah” you know.

 

I don’t have the luxury of having a job in the industry but I put 15000% in trying to go further on evenings and weekends. (bit like now – and the mrs isn’t to happy about the time spent at my desk lol.)

 

When I first researched into freelance web design and development there is a whole mine field of things.

 

To add a little bit of info for you christian21:

 

• Research Research Research Research Research

• Keep up to date. (I don’t mean learn everything under the sun - like I tried to do and failed)

• Keep organised “from the start”. I am not even near calling myself a designer/developer but the thing I have an abundance of is business and finance knowledge and it has helped me a great deal. I don’t even have a website yet but every thought idea that may work I keep either in a file or spread sheet etc etc. It may sound a but excessive without having the main “experience” but its there to call for at a later date.

• Don’t rush. As neilp said a good designer/developer will get 400-600ish for “basic” bespoke page/s. But if you rush in trying to do more than you can and things don’t look great/fall apart, then a reputation will become your downfall rather than a helping hand.

 

Sorry if I have gone on a bit (I do have more to say – lol) but anywho im going to skin a cat…..!

 

Torrix

 

• Keep up to date. (I don’t mean learn everything under the sun - like I tried to do and failed)

 

I couldn't agree more and trying to learn everything about web design/development is what i ended up trying to do also, and is probably my biggest downfall!

 

I once read an article on the web designer magazine website from Stephanie Sullivan here about choosing to either know a little bit about a lot, or a lot about a specific area.

 

I wish i chose the latter two years ago because i would be sitting in a nice senior position by now!!

 

The prerequisite of a web designer isn't truly clear as every company has there own needs. But i would like to think (x)HTML, CSS and Photoshop would be first on the list, with flash and dreamweaver coming next. You need to get proficient at these first. Try not to get distracted by the latest Jquery tutorial or Illustrator CS4 technique.

 

I learn't Illustrator and i have NEVER even used it commercially. Get the basics learn't first as it would probably take someone(doing a few hours a day) over two years to get to a proficient level. Only then would i think about starting my own business! If your skills ain't there, nor will your reputation and you will sink fast as me and Torrix have already mentioned. Your reputation is your lifeline in this industry. Ask any freelancer how they get their work and they will most likely say "by word of mouth"!

 

Anyway, enough rambling on......

Just thought I'd say 'Hi' as I'm new here. I'm seriously considering becoming a freelance designer and I need a target market for my business plan.

 

I'm at a loss as to know what industry sector or niche to pick as I don't know what types of small businesses are in need of quality websites. I just thought, in light of the economy, there might be certain 'hot trends' that would stand out from the crowd. If anyone has any ideas I'm 'all ears!'. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Thanks!

Hi Keith, welcome to the forum

 

Not sure what niche to target at the moment, but i would suggest asking friends and family or even charities first if you haven't already done so? You won't make much money but filling up your portfolio is whats important!

 

Nowadays, freelance web designers are starting to get treated like the salesman. If your reputation is low and you can't afford big advertisements(which goes for all of us) then cold calling is your only option. Some people seem interested and ask for more info by post or email just to get rid of you and some are just plain rude. And if your not any good at being a sales rep then this will become even more difficult to get work!

 

My advice would be to get a few websites and other designs into a simple(not to flashy) portfolio and let all your local businesses know that your in business by creating a hundred or so FREE! business cards. Every time you go to the barbers, corner shop, DIY store, just hand them your card. But for most freelancers the best way of getting work is from word of mouth. That's why you should ask all your friends so they can ask their friends who then will most likely mention you to their friends........i think you've got the idea!

 

Also, get yourself recognized IN the industry. If you've got a decent portfolio, why not show it to people like the web designer magazine and you might get published(which i did, if you look in issue 161 )

Neil, I like your idea of building a portfolio, I hadn't really thought about it much but it certainly makes sense. I have a small portfolio set up on Elance but I know I need to add more to it. There are some local charities in my area I think so I'll start by contacting them to see what they need. I'm not afraid to do cold calling. I've done it many times before in my life so I'm accustomed to rejection on a big scale, lol.

 

I have business card software that I can use to make inexpensive cards so I'll start on that as well. I know I need to spread the word around but I think I just need to get organized. The last full-time job I had was almost eight years ago and I'm a bit rusty when it comes to being a self-starter. I have it in me but I just have to tap into my creative nature.

 

I looked for Issue #161 on that site Neil but couldn't find it. Is this accessible free online or do I have to subscribe to the magazine? If so, what is the cost? In any event I think it's a good idea to have my work published if it's appreciated.

 

Thanks for your advice.

 

Keith

I looked for Issue #161 on that site Neil but couldn't find it. Is this accessible free online or do I have to subscribe to the magazine? If so, what is the cost? In any event I think it's a good idea to have my work published if it's appreciated.

 

 

The mag is in most good newsagents at a price of £6.99, but subscribing to it will always be cheaper. I highly recommend it as it's a really good way of keeping updated on whats going on in today's web design world. It's also full of good tutorials and other resources.

 

I am glad you realize how important it is to have a portfolio and i couldn't stress that anymore, it's a must if you want to get noticed. Even if your looking for a permanent role your gonna need a portfolio because every single employer or contractor i have applied to, they always, always ask for my portfolio. If you haven't got one then it's highly likely you will get turned away. I don't think it's any different when freelancing!

 

Keith, if you need any help at all with anything, like logo design or flash animations? anything, i don't mind helping you out. Just as long as it isn't to big as i am pretty busy at the mo

 

All the best

 

- Neil

I'm living in the wilds of northwest Ontario and 'newsagents' are few and far between in these parts Neil, lol. When I visit Thunder Bay, my nearest big city (pop. 110,000), I plan to check out 'Chapters' one of our biggest book stores - maybe they'll have a copy of the magazine there?. Meanwhile I'll see if I can subscribe to it, like you say, it'll be cheaper most likely. In any event I would like to read a copy of the mag, I'm sure it will be interesting albeit a bit pricey by the sounds of it. If it's a UK magazine it may not be readily available but I'll look into it.

 

I've emailed a couple of people in town to see if they know of any charities in the area that might like a web site designed. It's Sat. so I don't expect any responses 'til Monday. Oh well, them's the breaks! As for your offer, I appreciate that Neil, I'll keep it in mind - Hey, I need all the help I can get.

 

FYI: I'm from Essex also, well technically London but I was brought up in Chingford (and at that time it was in Essex) and I used to cycle quite a bit back then, in Essex and Herts. I left there in '76 to come to Canada.

 

Take care,

 

Keith