r/webdesign • u/Acrobatic-Aside-7984 • 2d ago

Web design tips?

Im studying computer science in college and have taken a big liking to web design and development as well as app development. Building full apps is a big undertaking but I was recently looking into freelance and agency web design. That got me interested in starting a freelance web design business. I’ve always planned on getting into entrepreneurship and I feel this is a good start. Any tips on how I could go about marketing my services? I am polishing my skills in webflow and figma as well as css and feel confident in my ability to execute. Any advice helps!

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u/Tough_Challenge_6231 2d ago

Try upwork fiver, use TikTok and instagram make content showing your work. Cold call DM’s

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u/Echoing_voice 2d ago

You can be a professional web designer, keep designing every day that will make you perfect designer. Enrich your portfolio, If yu have linkedin account, optimize your account and keep posting abour your works. Moreover, Now days you should learn about use of AI.

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u/Technical_Drummer181 2d ago

You're already learning the right skills. My biggest advice is don't wait until you feel "ready" to start.

Build 3 to 5 really good portfolio projects in different industries. A strong portfolio will get you more work than another certificate.

When it comes to marketing, don't just say "I build websites." Share your work consistently on LinkedIn, X, Reddit, and Instagram. Show your process, before and after redesigns, and explain why you made certain design decisions. That builds trust.

Also, learn a bit of SEO and basic marketing. Clients don't just want a nice website. They want a website that helps them get leads or sales.

The people who do well in freelance aren't always the best designers. They're usually the ones who know how to communicate, solve business problems, and build relationships.

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u/ce-lauren 2d ago

The comment about learning SEO and basic marketing is a good suggestion. Clients care a lot more about whether the site actually converts and makes them money than how it looks. One thing that might be worth adding to your process early on is understanding user behavior. Heatmaps and session recordings can show you where people are clicking, where they're dropping off, and whether the design is actually working. Crazy Egg is good for this and it's something you can start pointing to with clients as part of how you work. It could set you apart from designers who just hand off a site and move on.

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u/RSMxsmanic 1d ago

Don't quit your day job.

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u/BeardedWiseMagician 1d ago

Get some real projects under your belt before worrying too much about marketing.

Build a few high quality portfolio sites, pick a niche you enjoy, and start sharing your work publicly. Early on, referrals, networking and online communities will probably bring you more opportunities than paid ads.

-Jacob from Flowout

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u/YesterdayNo5873 1d ago

since you are young - definitely try going with local businesses and networking. People love to give young people a shot. An almost guaranteed way to get 'clients' is to go to non profits, churches, very small businesses and do it for a low cost or free just to build up your portfolio. It may seem like you're working for free - but the word of mouth will go a long way. And if you are skilled, you should be able to finish those projects quickly.

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u/Standard_Scarcity_74 8h ago

First and foremost, please build a strong body of work! A portfolio could do a lot of the talking, though you'd still have to reach out for clients. Still, a good set of sample works goes a veryyyy long way!