Freelance Web Designer - Quick Start Guide Summary

January 30, 2008

Starting a Web design business is not as complex as you may think. As businesses start to get back into the Web game, small and solo niche businesses will see more value in getting online. While design skills are important, your clients will expect you to deliver a simple, reliable and affordable solution.

Be available for your clients and they will see you as effective and professional-critical to your reputation in micro-niches.

To recap the steps to start your successful Web design or hosting business:

1. Choose a Niche, Choose a Name

The key to Web design success is the niche you choose to market to. Pick a niche early, focusing on one, not several. Your business name and domain name should be identical. Consider finding a domain name first and use it as your business name.

2. Register Your Domain Name

Get acquainted with the registration process and how you will offer this service to your clients.

3. Choose Your Site Template Design

Don’t design your site from scratch. There’s a mass of top-quality templates on the Web, designs that will far exceed your clients’ expectations.

4. Customize Your Template/Add your business information

Test the design, making sure it flows and, more importantly, all the links work.

5. Build Your Design Template Stockpile

Find one or two templates sites that offer yearly subscriptions. Key in on designs that will appeal to your target market. Choose ten templates as your initial supply. Research new templates one to two hours per week to build your stockpile.

6. Choose Your Service Offerings

Don’t offer too many services. Your value is in being the one-stop shopping resource and in your ability walk your clients from offline to online as simply as possible.

7. Choose Your Web Host

Find a reliable host that will answer your questions. If you’re planning to offer hosting as a service, choose a reseller. They will usually give you significant discounts as you sign up clients.

8. Go Live

You have your domain, you’ve chosen your template, you’ve customized your template, you’ve built your template resource, and you’re setup with a host. Now, you’re ready to go. Be sure to test your site extensively before you start marketing. It’s worth the extra effort.

9. Plan Globally, Market Locally

You may think the world is out of reach but it’s not. But, your first marketing steps should be locally. Get a few local clients under your belt to get a feel for this business and build your confidence.

Related posts:

1. Freelance Web Designer - Quick Start Guide Step 2
2. Freelance Web Designer - Quick Start Guide Step 4
3. Freelance Web Designer - Quick Start Guide Step 5

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