How To Make Money With Freelance Web Design [12 Friendly Advice]

Freelance web design is no longer the best-kept secret in internet marketing. It’s a business model that anybody can use, and it’s one of the fastest ways to make money online today. However, freelance web design also has its challenges and you will eventually have to deal with clients. You will have to market your services, find new clients, and keep your existing ones happy.

There are a handful of ways you can make money with freelance web design. It all depends on who you are, your skills, your job experience, and what your goals are. I want to teach you how to build a freelance web design business by focusing on a few key topics that are important when getting started.

Key Takeaways
Freelance web design is a lucrative career option for those who possess the necessary skills and are willing to put in the work to build a successful business.
Building a strong portfolio, networking, and developing a niche can help freelance web designers stand out in a crowded market.
Pricing web design projects can be challenging, but it’s important to consider factors such as the scope of work, the value provided, and the client’s budget.
Communication and project management skills are essential for success as a freelance web designer, as is the ability to balance multiple projects and deadlines.
Continuously learning and staying up-to-date with industry trends and technologies can help freelance web designers provide top-notch services and stay competitive in the market.

1. There Is A Demand For Freelance Web Design

We all know that the internet is growing at a rapid pace. This is why there is an increasing demand for freelance web design work. As more and more businesses realize the importance of having a website, they seek professional assistance to make this possible. There are many opportunities available for freelance web designers.

In the United States alone, the amount of money spent on web design services is over $20 billion annually. Combine that with the fact that there is a growing number of online entrepreneurs and businesses, and it is easy to see why there is such a demand for freelance web designers.

As a freelance web designer, it’s important to constantly improve your skills and knowledge. Our guide on expert tips to improve your web design freelancing career offers valuable insights and advice from seasoned professionals in the industry.

2. The Startup Cost Is Low For Freelancing In Web Design

One of the great things about freelance web design is that, unlike many other types of freelancing, you don’t need a lot of startup capital to get going. Although it’s hard to predict exactly how much money you’ll need based on your individual situation, there are a few standard costs associated with freelancing as a web designer: the domain name and web hosting.  

If you have your own website, a domain name can cost anywhere from $1–$50 per year and hosting can cost anywhere from $5–$250 per month depending on what kind of site you’re running. Many freelancers opt to use their personal websites for freelance work as well in order to cut down on costs.

Web design software. Depending on what kinds of coding languages you feel comfortable working with, there are plenty of free options out there (such as WordPress and Wix). You also may be able to use free trial versions before purchasing the full product.

Membership in freelance platforms. Most sites charge between $0–$20 per month for premium membership packages that allow you access to certain tools and services, or even just the ability to bid on jobs at all! It’s worth looking into different platforms’ payment plans so that you know what your options are and which ones might work best for your needs

3. You Have The Freedom To Work From Where You Want

As a freelancer, you have the freedom to work where you want. You can live wherever you want; in a city, on a farm, or somewhere in between. You don’t need to get dressed up every day maybe not even put on pants! And no matter where you are, as long as there’s an internet connection and your computer has enough battery power, you can work.

Even if your current job is remote-friendly meaning that it doesn’t require becoming a digital nomad and moving to an entirely new country you likely still have the requirement of getting into an office at some point during the week.

 If this is the case for you (and I’m assuming it is since web design is such a popular field), then that commute time and associated expenses are going to be something that will affect how much money goes into your own pocket and how much goes back into being able to perform your job well.

Starting a web design freelance business can be challenging, but it’s crucial to consider key factors to ensure success. Our article on things to consider when starting a web design freelance business covers essential aspects such as branding, pricing, and legal considerations.

4. You Are Your Own Boss

Freelance web designers can work as much or as little as they want. You can work from your home, a coffee shop, an RV, or the beach wherever you have Wi-Fi. There are no limits to what you can do while freelancing, and that’s because there’s nobody telling you when or where to do it.

If this sounds appealing to you, it’s important to remember that being your own boss also means having fewer options for sick leave (or none at all), vacation time, and insurance coverage. That doesn’t mean those things aren’t available to freelancers; there are ways of creating a safety net if that’s something you’re interested in having. But some of these options will likely cost more than if you were working for an employer that provided benefits for their employees.

It won’t just be the employer who is depending on your schedule either clients will expect you to be able to deliver their project by the predetermined deadline and within budget. If an emergency comes up that causes a delay in getting their project done on time, it could damage your reputation and make them less willing to recommend your services to others (which could also result in losing other businesses).

5. You’re More Likely To Get Noticed By Tech Companies For A Full-Time Job

As a freelancer, you’ll get to build your portfolio and reputation in the tech industry. This will be especially valuable if you’re looking for a full-time job.

Having multiple companies on your resume is great for getting noticed by other companies. For example, one of my previous employers even told me that I got the job because I was able to show them a project that actually launched.

On top of that, you’ll have the opportunity to network with people from different fields and industries. You never know where your next client or job might come from!

6. Work Is Slow In The Beginning

One of the biggest hurdles you’ll face as a new freelancer is getting clients. This can be tough if you don’t have a huge network of potential customers, and it can be discouraging when you’re not landing jobs right away. It’s important to keep in mind that things will probably be slow at first, but there are still plenty of things you can do to prepare for when business starts to pick up:

Build your portfolio. A portfolio is one of the most important tools in a freelancer’s repertoire—it shows potential clients what your work is like and helps them see why they should hire you over someone else. Your portfolio doesn’t have to include only paid work—include personal projects or even fake client websites (more on these later).

Market yourself. Marketing yourself means making sure people know who you are and what you do. If people know that web design services are available from someone they trust (you!), they’re much more likely to hire that person than look elsewhere for help. 

This can mean everything from handing out business cards at parties to creating social media accounts dedicated to showing off your work. Just make sure any marketing materials come across as professional and appealing.

Freelance web design work can be both rewarding and demanding, but with the right approach, you can make the most out of your projects. Check out our guide on getting the most out of your freelance web design work for tips on time management, communication, and client relationships.

7. It’s Easy To Get Overwhelmed With The Number Of Tasks Required Of You As A Freelancer

Let’s be honest: Web design isn’t the most exciting thing in the world. It’s not even funny. It’s just extra-boring, a tedious task that requires you to sit at a computer for hours on end and then make sure each page looks the same (with maybe a few minor changes here and there). That doesn’t mean it can’t be rewarding, though. 

The act of creating something new every day is an experience in itself a way to feel like you’re contributing to society by putting your own twist on something that has existed for years before you picked up your pencil, put your design skills to work, and made it an improvement.

But first things first: If web design is more “work” than “fun,” shouldn’t you start with something simpler? Like, say, creating a logo or designing a website’s home page? If those tasks are too simple for you now and they seem like they’d take too much time away from more exciting jobs say, writing articles or creating ads you might want to consider starting with those instead. 

And if they’re still too challenging, think about outsourcing them to someone else! You can find plenty of freelancers online who will gladly work on projects that interest them while leaving all the boring stuff like reworking images and dealing with CSS formatting up to you.

8. You Need To Be Able To Market Yourself And Sell Yourself

Your first and best marketing tool is your portfolio. It should be online, and easily accessible to anyone who wants to view it. Make sure you have a full list of the projects you’ve worked on, as well as client testimonials. Provide as much information about the work you did for each project and what exactly you were able to achieve. Your portfolio is where potential clients will see whether or not they want to hire you, so make sure it’s polished and up-to-date!

Your second-best marketing tool is word-of-mouth; if someone likes your work, they’ll tell their friends about it. To create something great for your first client (or even a friend), and then ask them if they know anyone else who might need some freelance work done!

To get more clients, start by defining your target audience; this could be local businesses that need a website or larger companies that need help with their social media accounts. Think about what kind of services these businesses offer, how big they are and which industries they’re in! Then start reaching out – schedule meetings with them over coffee or send emails introducing yourself along with links to examples of similar projects that would be suitable for their business needs (and budget).

9. Put In The Time And Effort 

If you’re willing to put in the time and effort, freelancing as a web designer can be very rewarding and profitable! You need to be dedicated to it and work hard. And it’s not just about making money; you have the freedom to work from where you want. However, there are certain things you need to consider before getting started.

For example, some people don’t like working remotely because they prefer face-to-face interaction with their clients or coworkers. Some feel isolated at times, while others like being alone because they have difficulty focusing on other people.

Also, if the nature of your freelance work is repetitive or monotonous (such as creating websites using templates), then you might find yourself losing your motivation over time since there isn’t much variety in your day-to-day activities.

Hiring a freelance web designer can offer numerous benefits for businesses of all sizes. Our article on why hiring a freelance web designer may help you outlines advantages such as cost savings, flexibility, and specialized expertise.

10. Build A Portfolio

Once you have some experience under your belt, it’s time to build a portfolio a collection of your best designs that shows off exactly what kinds of things you’re capable of creating. Having a portfolio is essential when trying to attract new clients and make money as a freelance web designer. 

11. Find Clients

This is the most important step in starting any business. You need to find clients who will pay you for your services, and get them to hire you! Finding clients is one of the hardest parts of starting up any business, and it can take a long time. 

If you’re lucky enough to have friends who want to hire you, then by all means go for it! But if not, you’ll have to get lucky with referrals and word-of-mouth marketing.

Start by contacting local businesses. The first thing you should do is make a list of every business in your area that doesn’t have a website or hasn’t updated its site in years. Reach out to them and offer to build a new website for free in exchange for the opportunity to work with them on an ongoing basis as their website needs to change over time for example when they want to add e-commerce capabilities or blog posts about what’s new at the company store. 

12. Set Up A Website And Blog

Create a website that showcases your work and tells prospective clients what services you offer and how much they cost. Include testimonials from satisfied customers so potential clients will be encouraged to give you their business! Also, start blogging about topics related to web design this will help attract more traffic (and potential customers) to your site over time!

Determining your rates as a freelance web designer can be tricky, but it’s crucial to establish fair and competitive pricing to attract clients and sustain your business. Our guide on how much should I charge for my freelance web design work offers valuable insights on setting rates based on factors such as experience, skills, and market demand.

Final Thought

I hope we’ve been able to shed some light on how to make some money with freelance web design, particularly if you’re a beginner. Making money can be difficult, but it’s certainly not impossible. Sometimes all it really takes is that first client.

Follow this advice on how to make money with freelance web design, and you’d be surprised what opportunities will come your way. To sum up: focus on providing the best design possible, maintain a professional attitude, and don’t forget to charge accordingly.

Further Reading

The Freelance Web Developer Guide – A comprehensive guide that covers everything you need to know to start and grow your freelance web development business.

How to Start a Web Design Business – A step-by-step tutorial that provides practical advice on how to start a successful web design business.

How to Make a Lot More Money Online Doing Web Design – An informative article that explores various ways to increase your earnings as a freelance web designer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s The Easiest Way To Make Money With Freelance Web Design?

Websites are integral parts of any marketing strategy, and they often require a variety of skills, including designing and developing a website, writing copy, and optimizing the site for search engines. 

Freelancing allows you to work on multiple projects without getting tied down to one client or one type of project, so if you have multiple skills you can use them in a single job! You’ll be able to take on more projects as your business grows.

How Do I Find New Clients?

The best way is to start networking! First, make sure that anyone you know has your contact information (including all your social media handles). Next, try reaching out to friends and acquaintances who might need freelance services. 

Many people don’t like talking about money with friends or family members so make sure to be respectful when asking for their business! Also, consider joining local professional organizations or groups related to design if you’re interested in meeting other freelancers who specialize in similar areas.

Where Can I Find New Clients Online?

Some places where I’ve found success include Facebook groups for freelancers – there are many groups dedicated specifically to web design work and many post open positions regularly

How Do I Get Started?

First, you’ll want to register for a freelance web design account. You can do this by heading over to [freelance site].com, clicking “Get Started” and filling out the form. Once you’ve registered, you’ll be able to log in and start creating projects.

How Much Do I Make?

The amount you can make as a freelance web designer depends on a lot of factors, such as how experienced you are, what types of projects you take on, and how much time you spend marketing yourself. In general, though, the average hourly rate for this type of work is around $20-$75 per hour.

How Should I Set My Rates?

It can be hard to know where to start when it comes to setting your freelance web design rates. If you don’t charge enough, you’re not doing your business any favors—but if you charge too much, you run the risk of losing clients. Here’s how to figure out what to charge:

• Figure out what your expenses are and how much income you need to make. This will give you a baseline for how much you need to charge.

• Do some research on other designers’ rates in your area. Check out various job boards and freelancer websites—find the average rate for web design in your area, and set your rate based on that amount.

• Set your rate based on the value you offer as a freelancer; don’t just do it by the hour! When you work as a freelancer, people pay for the experience and expertise that come with hiring someone who works in their field every day, so think of yourself as an expert who is providing valuable advice and guidance—not just a worker who is putting in time at a desk.