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When it comes time to come up with a freelance web design idea, you may feel a bit overwhelmed. The best way to make sure that you don’t waste your time is to come up with an idea that will be effective and useful for your clients.
If you want to get started, here are eleven tips for coming up with a freelance web design idea that will help you get started:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Building a successful freelance web design business requires a combination of technical skill, business acumen, and effective communication. |
| Setting realistic goals and developing a solid business plan can help you achieve long-term success as a freelance web designer. |
| Building a strong online presence and leveraging social media can help you connect with potential clients and grow your business. |
| Networking with other professionals in your industry and seeking out mentorship opportunities can help you improve your skills and build your reputation as a freelancer. |
| Providing exceptional customer service and delivering high-quality work on time can help you build lasting relationships with clients and earn repeat business. |
1. Identify Your Niche
You may think that narrowing down your market to a niche is limiting, but in fact, the reverse is true. The more you narrow your focus to one specific audience or type of business with a single goal, the more successful you will be. A freelancer who can effectively target a niche audience and meet their needs enables themselves to stand out from the crowd and become an expert in that field.
So how do you identify this niche? Begin by making a list of all the skills and services you have to offer as well as any areas of interest or expertise. Next, think about your potential clients and how they are different from each other. What makes them unique? How can you use these differences to focus on solving a specific need they have?
For example, if web design is something you enjoy and want to pursue further, look for companies that are in need of web designers within that field such as restaurants looking for new websites as opposed to lawyers looking for new websites.
This will enable clients who know nothing about coding languages like HTML/CSS but want an attractive website with great content management systems (CMS) like WordPress or Joomla!
Whether you are a seasoned web designer or just starting out, there is always room for improvement. Our article on expert tips to improve your web design freelancing career provides valuable insights and advice from experienced professionals in the industry.
2. Do Your Research
This is the most essential aspect of the whole project. Do not underestimate its importance. You will be doing a lot of research and analysis, so you need to have the mindset that it’s going to get done, and it’s going to get done well.
How do you do your research? You look for things that stand out as common themes across multiple themes in the theme store. For example, does every single one of your competitors use a contact form on their homepage at the bottom? Then it would behoove you to include one too, as customers are used to seeing it there and may even expect it without realizing they’re expecting it. What fonts or colors do they all use heavily? How much text can you find in their demos? Are there any patterns that show up repeatedly in different demos from different vendors?
What should you look for during your research phase? Look for what stands out about each demo—what elements make each demo unique, and which elements are ubiquitous across almost all demos (in terms of color usage, placement of content blocks on certain pages or templates).
Why is this important? Because those are the features people like best about other themes—the ones that make them want to buy! You need to know what those features are before building them into your own design so you can build something people will want!
3. Find Inspiration Based On Your Research
Now that you’ve gathered some inspiration, it’s time to use your research to narrow down the types of ideas your client is looking for.
Look for any patterns and similarities between all the websites in your inspiration pool. What do they all have in common? What separates them from one another? By comparing these sites to each other and setting aside any striking differences, you can begin to form a framework of what your client likes.
When coming up with a freelance web design idea, you’ll want to stay within this framework while still being original and true to yourself. There’s a fine line between using inspiration and copying it exactly as is—but as long as you keep it in mind, that line won’t be crossed.
Starting a freelance web design business can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Our article on 19 rules for starting freelance web design outlines the key steps to take and common mistakes to avoid when launching your own business.
4. Brainstorm
Brainstorming is a great way to generate ideas. Brainstorming helps you find what you are looking for.
When brainstorming, it really helps if you have done your research. The more information you have, the more ideas you will be able to generate. For example, if you know what kind of website your client wants, then that will help determine the kind of ideas that you should be brainstorming.
One way to start is by doing a mind map (or spider diagram). In this method, create a diagram that has all your keywords in it. For example, if we were doing brainstorming for a restaurant website design, we would do something like this:
Restaurant
|_ Indian Food
|_ Main Dishes
|_ Chicken Tikka Masala
|_ Recipe by Sanjeev Kapoor (Indian Chef)
Another way of generating ideas is by talking to people about them. These people could include friends and family and other freelancers like yourself who have experience in the field. The goal here is not necessarily to come up with ready-made solutions but rather with new ways of thinking about the subject at hand.
5. Narrow Down Your Ideas
When it comes to freelance web design, the best idea wins, so be ruthless. Don’t worry about what you lose; focus on what you gain.
Relate your ideas to the target audience. Find out who they are and match your ideas to them. Relate your idea to the research that you’ve done in relation to both niches and audiences as well as more general information about them (psychographics can be very useful here).
As a freelance web designer, your time is valuable. Learn how to make the most of your hours and maximize your productivity with our guide on getting the most out of your freelance web design work.
6. Stay Open-Minded To New Ideas
But don’t settle for the first idea that catches your eye. Stay open-minded to new ideas and inspiration. It could be the perfect piece you were looking for.
To stay open-minded, make sure to take breaks from looking at other websites. Go outside, read a book or do something else you enjoy. Take some time to clear your mind of all the ideas and inspiration you’ve been exposed to so far. This way when you return to your research, you’ll find it easier to discover new ideas that are better suited for your design concept.
7. Be Organized With Your Ideas
The best way to come up with a great idea is to go through each step of the creative process methodically. I organize my ideas in a spreadsheet or notebook, and I do this as soon as possible after having them. Then, I’ll group my ideas together based on themes of sub-categories.
The organization is key to an efficient creative process. There are many ways you can organize your freelance web design ideas:
- Grouping ideas into themes
- Grouping ideas into sub-categories
- Grouping by priority
I’ve been using this approach since the start of my career. When you create solutions for clients, it helps to have enough options until you find one that fits their needs well and makes everyone happy (remember: more choices = happier clients).
Curious about freelance web designer salaries? Our ultimate guide to freelance web designer salaries and FAQs covers everything from average rates to how to negotiate your pay as a freelancer.
8. Don’t Be Afraid To Let Go Of An Idea
Realize that not all ideas are created equal. Your job is to come up with good, implementable ideas. So if you’re struggling to come up with a good idea, you might need to let some ideas go.
It’s okay to have a lot of ideas when you begin brainstorming—it can be fun and exciting, but don’t get attached to them. Not everything will work out the way you think it should; that’s just the nature of trying new things.
9. Keep A Notebook And Pen On Hand At All Times
You may think you’ll remember a great idea when it comes to you, but you probably won’t. If it happened to me, the concept would likely come to me in the shower or on my bike ride home from work. Unless I jot down what I was thinking about immediately after getting out of the shower or buying dinner, I would have undoubtedly forgotten about it.
The same thing can happen when you are doing anything else – driving your car, taking a walk and so on – so have something you can easily write with and take notes in as soon as possible!
10. Never Stop Brainstorming!
I’m sure you’ve heard it before… and I’ll say it again: brainstorming is an essential part of the creative process. It is essential to the success of your freelance web design business.
It’s not just a good idea—it’s a must!
When designers don’t think they’re “creative enough,” that’s when I tell them to brainstorm. Brainstorming can trigger some incredible ideas you never would have thought of otherwise.
There are so many elements to web design, from color choices to typography treatments, from call-to-action buttons to navigation bars, from full-screen videos and parallax scrolling effects—the list goes on and on!
Never stop brainstorming for your next project! You never know when inspiration will strike. Carry around a notebook with you everywhere you go (but don’t let anyone see it!) because you never know when your muse will visit!
Hiring a freelance web designer can be a game-changer for your business. Check out our article on 15 reasons why hiring a freelance web designer may help you to learn how a professional web designer can take your online presence to the next level.
11. Identify Your Target Audience
Your target audience is the group of people you are designing the website for. You should have a clear understanding of who your audience is so that you can create a site that will appeal to them.
Your target audience is not you, so don’t just focus on what you like. Think about your audience and what they might like. For example, if your target audience is kids and teenagers, then bright colors with fun animations might be something they will enjoy. If your target audience is older adults, then use more subdued colors and less animation.
You may have more than one target audience for a website depending on the content and purpose of the site. For example, if you are creating an online clothing store for women’s fashion, then there would be two groups of people who will visit this site: customers who want to purchase clothing (your primary target) and potential investors (your secondary target).
If this were the case with our client’s website, I would choose different design features based on these two audiences’ needs/wants: One thing a customer wants when ordering clothes online is simplicity; they want it easy to navigate through pages quickly so they can find exactly what they’re looking for in seconds flat! In contrast, potential investors are more interested in flashy graphics that catch their eye immediately; these features would show off how beautiful or unique our designs are while also showing them why investing in us pays off!
Wrapping Up
In the end, coming up with a good freelance web design idea is no easy task. But hopefully, with these eleven tips, you can come up with something you’ll love and that your clients will love as well. When you’re starting out, it’s tempting to pick a niche because you feel like at least you’d have an area of expertise—but don’t do it! You’re better off being versatile and more of a “full-service” designer. Only when you’ve established yourself as a freelance designer should you start specializing in certain areas.
Further Reading
Here are some additional articles to help you improve your freelance web design business:
- How to Start a Web Design Business: The Ultimate Guide – This comprehensive guide covers everything from creating a business plan to setting your prices and finding clients.
- Actionable Social Media Tips for Freelance Web Designers – Learn how to leverage social media to promote your web design business and connect with potential clients.
- How to Get Web Design Clients: 15 Tips for Freelancers – This article provides practical advice on how to attract and retain clients as a freelance web designer.
FAQs
How do I find clients as a freelance web designer?
There are a number of ways to find clients as a freelance web designer, including building a strong online presence through social media and a professional website, networking with other professionals in your industry, and leveraging job boards and freelance marketplaces.
How do I set my prices as a freelance web designer?
Setting your prices as a freelance web designer can be challenging. It’s important to consider factors such as your experience level, the scope of the project, and the client’s budget. Many freelancers opt to charge hourly rates or project-based fees.
How do I manage my time as a freelance web designer?
Managing your time effectively is essential for success as a freelance web designer. Consider using time tracking software to monitor your work hours and stay on top of deadlines. It’s also important to set boundaries and establish a regular schedule to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
What should I include in my freelance web design contract?
Your freelance web design contract should include important details such as the scope of the project, payment terms, and deadlines. It’s also important to include clauses related to intellectual property rights and dispute resolution.
How can I improve my web design skills as a freelancer?
Improving your web design skills as a freelancer is an ongoing process. Consider taking online courses, attending industry conferences and workshops, and staying up-to-date with the latest design trends and tools. Additionally, seek feedback from clients and colleagues to identify areas for improvement.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.