Web Design - an Industry Outlook

January 22, 2008

The Web design market is crammed, no doubt. But, finding and focusing on a niche market will increase your chances for success. Most—if not all—small businesses have been solicited by unsrupulous Web designers. Your best bet is to start with people you know…your “warm” market.

I acquired my first 5 clients this way. This will be the start of your local referral base. You’ll be surprised at how many people contact you because of the work you did for someone else.

I live in a small town—less than 10,000 people—in a predominantly blue collar market. Five years ago, Web design work was non-existent. But, I’ve managed to build my local client base steadily, even though most of the work I do is long distance.

Thousands of new Web pages are created and posted everyday, by thousands of designers. A search in Google’s directory lists more than 18,000 Web designers. From basic site services to religious site designers, these companies are serving every industry.

Now, consider those who remain unlisted, those who work under the radar, and prefer it that way. The total number of designers could easily top a quarter million, maybe more. No doubt, this is a tough industry to crack.

The tighter you can niche yourself, the better your odds. Check out these Web design niches:

1. Literary (author) designer
2. Law firm designer
3. Medical/hospital designer
4. Boutique craft shop designer
5. Real estate designer
6. Church/religious designer

Another option is to concentrate on graphic design elements like icons and logos. Many Websites are riddled with poorly designed graphics. How many times have you seen Microsoft Word clip art scattered all over a page? Not pretty.

The Web design industry looks good. Businesses are demanding more than just “brochureware”. This demand requires designers to have more than basic knowledge. By learning—mastering—new skills, you can stay ahead.

Tags: web design outlook, web design industry, freelance web designer, freelance web design