How to Find Web Design Clients
Anyone can hang a shingle and claim to be in business, but you aren’t truly a professional until you have a paid client under your belt. Finding a client who will pay you to create their website can be hard if you don’t know where to look. This article will guide you through the process so that you can easily find someone who needs your help, for a fee, of course.
The best place to let others know that you are available as a web designer can be Craigslist. While local classifieds only reach out to businesses near you, Craigslist is available to the entire world. You can work online, so you should be open to clients in any country, as long as you speak the language. You never know who you might find, so post an ad, be sure to follow the rules and protect your identity, and wait to see what happens.
Networking is the best way to find a job in any field, and web design is no different. Your friends and family may need a website themselves, or they may know someone who does. Even your doctor, dentist, grocery store operator or local pizza joint may want a website, so be sure to let everyone you encounter know that you are available as a web designer. In fact, you may even be able to barter services in trade for what they have to offer you.
The best way to get the word out when you bump into people is by giving them your business card. There are many templates online, even specific to web designers, which you can easily print off on business card stock paper. Include your name, email address, portfolio URL and phone number, and a brief blurb about what your skill set is. If you can do flash, JavaScript programming, or have a graphic design degree, publish it on your card.
Stay on top of the latest with web design, even when you are first starting out. If you can let people know that you can provide them with the most up to date technologies, they are likely to choose you over the competition. You should understand social media, search engine optimization techniques and even marketing techniques. If you can give them the whole package, from website design to content creation to creating social media accounts to publishing their newsletter to using other online marketing techniques, you will be able to make thousands off each client by doing all of their online work for them. The more comprehensive your knowledge, the better the service you can offer those who would like to potentially hire you down the road.
Now that you know how to find a client, all you have to do is get out there and locate someone who requires your services. Use each tip in this article to be sure you check everywhere you need to look. Soon enough, you’ll be able to finance your life through your web design work.
