Let’s face it: if you’re a creative introvert like me, the prospect of having to promote yourself is terrifying.
It’s especially difficult when your business is online and requires a website. If you have an existing site that you need to redesign, the thought of making changes can seem even more daunting.
But it doesn’t have to be! In this article, I’m going to show you how easy it is for creative introverts like us to create killer websites without feeling overwhelmed by having to market ourselves in the process.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| As an introverted web designer, it’s important to find a process that works well for your personality and needs. |
| Building a strong online presence can help introverted web designers attract premium clients. |
| Networking doesn’t have to be overwhelming for introverted creatives. Focus on building genuine connections and finding events and groups that align with your interests. |
| Improving communication skills is key for introverted web designers to succeed in their careers. |
| Managing energy and avoiding burnout is essential for introverted web designers to stay productive and happy. |
Personal Style And Brand Identity
Personal style and brand identity are two of the most important aspects of your visual identity as a designer, no matter what kind of design you’re doing. In this post, we’ll look at how to develop both of these things so that your website will reflect who you are as a designer, what kind of work you do, and where people can find more information about you through their browser’s phones.
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Get Clear On Your Target Audience
One of the most important things to do for your website is to figure out to who you’re marketing it. You need to know who they are, what they want, and how you can give them what they want. This part takes some research on your end and if you have a hard time doing this, I recommend hiring an expert.
Now that you know who your audience is, it’s time to figure out how they think and what their needs are. Knowing this will help inform all of the design choices made later on in creating your site including color scheme, typography, etc.
Define What Makes Your Unique
Define your brand identity; Who are you? What makes you unique? Define it. Do you have a mission statement or a tagline that sums up the essence of what your brand stands for and what makes it different from other brands in the same space? Write this down so you can refer back to it later when creating content for your website.
Target audience; Who is going to visit my website? Who do I want to visit my website? Defining this segment allows me to create content that is relevant and interesting for them—which in turn will help convert them into leads or customers!
What makes me unique as a designer/developer/creative owner etc.? This is where we dive deep into the specifics of our work experience and skillset, but also consider how these things affect our business overall.
Create A Content Plan
If you want to create a killer website, you need to include a content plan. Content is king in the world of digital marketing and graphic design. If you don’t have enough content on your website, or if it doesn’t appeal to your target audience, then no one will be able to find what they’re looking for and they won’t return.
The goal here is not only to keep visitors on your site but also to get them engaged with the services or products that you offer. Your content should help them understand their problem better than anyone else can so that they can make an informed decision about whether or not something like what you’re offering would work for them in solving those problems.
This might seem obvious but many people forget about this point when creating their websites! Make sure that everything has been considered from start to finish before launching anything onto the internet because otherwise:
Acknowledge The Importance Of Storytelling
Storytelling is an essential part of any good design. A great story can help you to establish yourself as a designer and give your work more meaning.
If you’re not sure where to start, think about the stories behind your favorite websites or apps. What kind of feeling do they invoke? Do they make you want to keep using them? If so, why? It might help if you look at some websites that don’t tell good stories maybe they’re too boring or too complicated for their good (or both).
Once you’ve got this down, try designing something that tells a story with each element on the page: from fonts and colors to images and animations.
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Be Bold With Your Website Design
So many websites are cluttered, busy, and visually overwhelming. When you’re creating a website that’s all about you, you want the focus to be on your work instead of distracting elements.
I recommend using a simple layout with bold colors and fonts so that visitors can quickly find the information they need. Think about how other websites in your industry use color palettes: what stands out? Are there any trends? If so, consider using one of those styles as inspiration for yours!
There are plenty of tools available for creating web layouts (such as Squarespace), but if you’re not at all tech-savvy or don’t have someone to help with this part (like me!), then stick to something simple like Canva. It has tons of pre-made templates for all kinds of needs and if none fit what you want exactly you can always start from scratch!
Display Your Work Creatively
This is a no-brainer, but this can be tricky because you want to display your work in a way that makes it easy for people to understand what you do and who you do it for. As an introvert, this may feel like an invasion of privacy but that’s why we’re here!
The best way to make sure potential clients get the point is by displaying your portfolio alongside simple text that explains exactly what each project was and how it fits into the grand scheme of things (i.e., “We designed this website to help small businesses grow”).
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Showcasing Your Work Online
The most obvious way to showcase your work is on a portfolio website. A portfolio site is an online resume that showcases your credentials and offers prospective clients the opportunity to see what you can do.
If you don’t have a portfolio website yet, creating one should be your immediate goal as soon as you start getting clients. The first step in building a killer portfolio website is choosing the best platform for displaying your work:
Pick one! You’ll want either WordPress or Squarespace because they both offer free templates with lots of customization options in terms of colors and fonts, which makes it easy for even non-designers like me to create beautiful websites without having any coding experience whatsoever!
An Easy-To-Use Navigation System
The navigation system is the part of your website that helps visitors find the content they want. It can be as simple as a menu at the top of your page, or it could be a complex navigation system with dropdown menus, tabs, and more.
Regardless of which way you choose to do it, make sure your navigation system is easy to use and understand. Make sure your navigation system is discoverable on every page of your website so that users can easily navigate around it without having to hunt for it every time they visit a new page.
You should also make sure that each link has an accessible name (like “About us”) so that users know what they’ll get when they click on it; this helps people who have difficulty using visual cues like sight and hearing find the information they need quickly by scanning through lists of links instead of trying to figure out what each icon means independently
It’s important not just because people hate hunting around aimlessly when looking for something specific online – but also because search engines like Google will penalize sites with poorly organized content unless there are clear ways for visitors to find what they’re looking for!
As a freelancer, it’s important to stay organized and efficient to manage your workload effectively. Our guide on freelancing apps provides a list of helpful tools and apps that can help you stay on top of your tasks and streamline your workflow.
Add Great Copy To Your Website Design
The words you use on your website can be just as important as the images, colors, and fonts you select. Your copy should be clear, concise, and easy to read. Use short sentences and paragraphs that are easy to scan.
Use simple language that’s free of industry jargon or fancy words (unless you want to come off as pretentious). Try not to use too many adjectives; instead, focus on getting straight to the point with an active voice: “We do this because…”
You might think that all websites need lots of text; but in reality, less is more when it comes to writing content for a web page. So don’t feel obligated to fill up every inch of space with words; keep things concise by using bullet points and numbered lists whenever possible!
Have Contact Information On Every Page Of The Website Design
Contact information is important for more than just SEO purposes. It also gives your website visitors a place to go if they have any questions, comments, or concerns about your business. If they can’t find out how to contact you, they might leave and not come back.
If you want people to trust that their privacy is safe with you, then having clear and accessible privacy policies will help build that trust. You can include a link to these policies on each page of the design so that users can read them at their leisure if they are interested in doing so.
Make Sure Your Website Loads Quickly For Visitors
Use a fast-loading website design, hosting service, theme, and template.
Use pages that load quickly – like single-page sites (if you can pull it off) or pagination if you need multiple pages.
Use backgrounds that are lightweight and don’t have too many elements in them (which will affect page load speed).
Make Sure Your Website Looks Great On Mobile Devices And Tablets
If you’re creating a website, it must work well across all devices. A lot of people use their smartphones or tablets to look at websites and if they can’t see or navigate the site well enough then they’ll leave straight away. You need to make sure that your site looks good on mobile phones, as well as laptops and desktops too (desktop computers are still the most popular way of browsing the internet).
Make It Super Easy For People To Contact You
You will be surprised at how many people don’t include their contact information on their website. Don’t be one of those people!
Make sure you have a contact form (WordPress has a great one). If you have an email address or phone number, make sure that is visible too. Also, don’t forget about social media: if someone wants to reach out over Facebook or LinkedIn, make sure your page has links there too!
A great logo can make a big difference in the success of your creative freelance business. Our guide on how to make a good logo for creative freelancers offers tips and advice for designing a memorable and effective logo that represents your brand.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, I hope that this article has been informative and helpful. If you are going to be creating a website for your business or personal use, make sure that you consider these tips. The more time you spend on it, the better off it will be when it comes to looking professional. I wish you luck!
Further Reading
Introvert-Friendly Web Design: A Conversation with Kelly Barr: In this interview, Kelly Barr shares her tips and advice for creating a web design process that works well for introverts.
How to Get Premium Web Design Clients Even If You’re an Introvert: This article offers tips and strategies for introverted web designers to attract high-paying clients and grow their businesses.
Networking Tips for Introverted Creatives: In this blog post, you’ll find practical advice for introverted creatives on how to network effectively and build valuable connections.
FAQs
What is introvert-friendly web design?
Introvert-friendly web design refers to a design process and website that caters to the needs of introverted designers and users. This may include features such as clear and concise communication, minimal social interaction, and a focus on functionality over flashy design.
How can introverted web designers attract premium clients?
Introverted web designers can attract premium clients by focusing on building a strong online presence, leveraging social media and online platforms, and providing exceptional service and value to their existing clients.
What are some networking tips for introverted creatives?
Networking tips for introverted creatives include finding events and groups that align with your interests, focusing on building genuine connections over sales pitches, and using online networking tools such as LinkedIn to build your network.
How can introverted web designers improve their communication skills?
Introverted web designers can improve their communication skills by practicing active listening, using clear and concise language, and preparing in advance for client meetings and presentations.
How can introverted web designers manage their energy and avoid burnout?
Introverted web designers can manage their energy and avoid burnout by setting boundaries with their clients and scheduling downtime for themselves, prioritizing projects that align with their interests and values, and using tools such as meditation and exercise to manage stress.
How Do I Get Started?
If you’re interested in exploring how a website can help grow your business, please get in touch. We’ll talk about what you need and how we work together so that we can find the right solution for your needs.
Where Do I Begin?
The first step is to make sure you have the right tools. You’ll need a computer, software, and an internet connection. If you don’t have a website yet, I recommend getting one set up with Squarespace (it’s easy and free). Other options include WordPress or Wix both great choices for beginners.
How Much Should I Charge?
This is another question that comes up often when starting in any new field especially if it involves creating something from scratch (e.g., websites). The best way to determine your rate is by talking with other creatives who have similar skill sets as yourself and seeing what they charge for their services
How Long Does It Take To Build A Website?
The answer to this question depends on the scope of your project, but in general building, a website can take anywhere from 1-4 months.
How Much Does It Cost To Build A Website?
The answer to this question depends on various factors such as the complexity of your project design and development needs, as well as what type of hosting you want (web hosting is separate from web design services). A typical price range for web design services starts at $1,000 per month and goes up from there depending on how elaborate you want your site to be.
What Is The Difference Between A Cms And A Website Builder?
A content management system (CMS) is software specifically designed for managing websites while creating them through code rather than using an application like WordPress or Wix which allows users without any coding experience to create their pages through drag-and-drop options.
What’s The Best Way To Create A Website?
A: You can either hire a web designer or use a drag-and-drop platform such as Squarespace, Wix, or Weebly. There are plenty of other options out there as well, so do your research and pick something that suits your budget and skillset.
What’s The Difference Between A Website And A Blog?
A: The easiest way I can think of explaining this is that blogs are usually focused on one topic while websites tend to cover multiple topics (although I’ve seen some great blogs). Also, WordPress is used primarily for blogging purposes while Squarespace and other platforms offer both options if you wish to create both types of websites under one account (though it may cost more).
How Do I Know If My Website Is Effective?
Good question! The best way to determine whether or not your site meets its goals is by asking yourself these questions: Does my website communicate who we are at all times? Is our message clear throughout every page? Are we attracting visitors from relevant keywords in search engines like Google Analytics tools?
What Is The Difference Between A Website And A Brochure?
A brochure is something you print out, while a website is something you publish online. Brochures are more like physical flyers or pamphlets, but websites can also be used to deliver information about your company or organization.
Websites tend to have more information than brochures, which may include: contact information for your business; news about what’s happening in your industry; links to social media accounts.
A blog where people can read about new products and services offered by the company; photos of work done by the company and anything else that might help potential customers learn more about what makes this business stand out from its competitors!
A lot of companies also use their websites as an online store where customers can order things without having left their home computers (or tablets).*
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.