Hello,

I want to start my own web design services. Unfortunately I don't have a portfolio. Without portfolio it's really hard to get clients. I know that is there a way to make a website for free. I can try that but need to know where I can get these clients. I don't have a website. Without portfolio it doesn't make sense to create one.

I need advice from experienced web designers.

Thanks.

Make a website to demonstrate what you can do. Show off your skills.

Yoy then need to get in contact with people and market yourself. This could be cold callings, actual visitors, email, advertising and so on.

its not easy and will probably take a while before you land your first client.

Are you a designer or a developer or both?

I know it is not easy. Website without portfolio? I'm a designer.

Thanks for your answer

Yes, build a website without a portfolio. Use it to showcase your skills. It should become something people admire make them say ‘I want one of those’.

Could you write more what should I have on my website? How to impress potential clients? Thanks.

35 minutes ago, fisicx said:

Yes, build a website without a portfolio. Use it to showcase your skills. It should become something people admire make them say ‘I want one of those’.

 

Show me what you can do.

Show me examples of how you display images, contact forms, ecommerce, local business  info etc.

Show me how you can build a fully responsive site (that doesn't use a crappy bootstrap grid)

Show me how you would structure a site with navigation, trustmarks, CTA, content etc.

Show me your expertise in the use of colour and fonts.

Create something you can show to prospective clients.

On 11/17/2018 at 6:28 PM, fisicx said:

Show me what you can do.

Show me examples of how you display images, contact forms, ecommerce, local business  info etc.

Show me how you can build a fully responsive site (that doesn't use a crappy bootstrap grid)

Show me how you would structure a site with navigation, trustmarks, CTA, content etc.

Show me your expertise in the use of colour and fonts.

Create something you can show to prospective clients.

Some of those are developer related.  If the OP is a designer like has been suggested then knowing how to build a responsive site is irrelevant.  I am interested in their UI/UX abilities and how well they could pair with a developer to build out a UI with an iterative process.  While it's sometimes useful if a designer can code it's by no means necessary.  I prefer to have teams of specialists so the designer wouldn't have to worry about code, the front-end dev can do that.  A team of specialists tend to outperform a group of generalists because they will each have deep knowledge of the relevant areas.

I really wouldn't care about how good their website is.  I'd be happy to see some design ideas on a service like Dribble.  I'd also want to be able to talk to some past clients to get their feedback.  If there are no past clients then I'd be open to a discussion but would expect some kind of discount on the work because I'd be taking a punt.

Edited November 19, 20187 yr by rbrtsmith

All good advice except they want to start a web design business. Which means they need to know how to build a responsive site as that's what their clients will want.

Maybe they do need to team up with a developer but they still need something to show Bob the Builder when he asks for a website to market his new roofing business.