It's Time to Up Your Game!
Freelance web designers, grow your business!
Whether you're thinking about starting your own freelance web design business, have recently started one, or you've been at it for years, the Web Pro Savvy podcast will trigger new ideas and creativity. Not just on how you approach your work, but how you RUN your business.
If you're like me, you want to work for yourself because you have the web design/UI/UX skills, knowledge and tenacity to go out on your own - be your own boss! And since COVID, there are many more doing just that.
And though you know there will be other tasks involved like billing, getting clients, and project management, the reality eventually sinks in that it's way more than you considered. Yeah sure you can do the bare minimum of the "business" aspects and just keep your head down with projects. But eventually everyone finds out that if they want to make more money, if they want to be the CEO of their business rather than someone who still trades time for money, they need to know more.
You need to learn how to run your business rather than your business running you. To work smarter, not harder.
Listen to successful freelance web designers share their own journey. You benefit from their experience!
And that's what this podcast is all about!
And that's what this podcast is all about!
What is a freelance web designer?
A freelance web designer is someone who is self-employed, either as a sole proprietor, or has incorporated as an S-corp or LLC. They take on website projects from various businesses as they see fit. They would be considered a 1099 service by their clients. This means the client cannot tell them HOW to do their work - only that they receive their finished website as agreed to by both parties by the agreed deadline.
The term "web designer" can cover a spectrum of website services. It refers to someone who graphically designs websites in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator or XD, and/or works within WordPress or other website development platforms, and may even do coding.
The key for us is the "freelance" part. You may work in any combination of website creation elements, but you are working for yourself. You get to choose who you work with and what services you want to (or don't want to) offer. You make all the decisions of how you run your business. This is the dream!
In this podcast, we talk about...
- Niching
This word, "niche" gets bandied about quite a bit. But it is a key to success for many web pros. It could be you work with a specific type of client or specific industry. Or perhaps you specialize in a type of service like eCommerce.
- Project Tools
Since we all work in tech, we know that it is in constant flux. Some tools we love today will be on the outs tomorrow. And new tools are being developed all the time. It's really helpful to hear what others use.
- Business Tools
Integrating digital tools into your business management for Customer Relationship Management (CRM), bookkeeping, time management, secure contract delivery and more, makes your business run more smoothly and makes you look good to your clients!
- Project Management
If you are like me, you didn't go to college for business. I always welcome any ideas from others about what procedures they find most helpful and when they decided they might need to hire a professional to help.
- Working With Contractors
Part of your desire to work for yourself is probably having more control over your work/play time. As your business grows, you may find it too difficult to work on all aspects of all client projects yourself. It's easy to burn out. Sometimes a contract is just the right answer.
- Client Contracts
We're not lawyers. So how do we create a contract that holds clients accountable for paying and us for delivering? Learn how others have done it.
...and so much more!