Web Design: Work at Home

You want to be a Web Designer and work at home, too. Are you crazy?

Let us assume, for a minute, that you have talent. That your desire to do web design is not based upon doing a couple pages for friends, or even worse, your experience is based on MySpace designs. The first thing you will need to do is create a portfolio that shows your diversity in web design. Can you design using Java, Flash, Perl, and most especially HTML?

Oh thou sarcastic one, you snicker at my introduction. You laugh at my derision of your abilities. That is fine. I implore you not to allow me to have the last laugh. Why do you need such a portfolio? Quite simply because do not expect to get serious jobs unless you can show an ability to affect the design of a website in multiple ways. Maybe you can develop a very good-looking website, however, if your talent is maximized at just changing the colors of your already created website, then throw in the keyboard and mouse now, friend. Pack up your laptop and find an employer.

Must I be so harsh, you ask? Believe me, future self-employed web designer, you will thank me for my harshness and consider it a kindness. Your clients-to-be will demand your time; they will suck your talent dry and seek to do so with minimal expense to them. A Work At Home Web Designer can be one of the most fulfilling experiences you will ever have. However, without the proper knowledge and I do not mean in web design, you will be taken for a ride and wonder why Uncle Sam wants his payday at the end of the year.

So, what do you need to know? Hold on to your monitor, friend, because I am about to give you a foot in the door. As I said, the first thing you need is a portfolio of your different designs. This does not mean you will not attempt new designs at your clients' request. However, any decent client worth the money you will charge is going to want to see previous designs.

Work experience is a great thing. Previous clients and references will definitely make the process smoother, but it is not altogether necessary. The key factor in attracting a client is what you can do for them, not what you have done for others. Therefore, make a ton of websites on your own computer. Take snapshots of the sites to put into your portfolio. If you have your own website, then posting example designs on your website is also a great way to go. Whichever you choose, all I can tell you is - Do it.

Doing work at home, web design will involve minor tax knowledge, a little paperwork to set up your business, and a whole lot of grind work on getting customers. Taxes and business set-up will be discussed later. One point to note is that friends and family will always expect work done free. As much as you love them, I highly recommend that you resist the temptation. This is your business and you must keep it separate from personal.

Many a computer tech or web design professional have seen their income dwindle rather than grow due to their propensity to "be nice" or go beyond for family and friends. Never cut your rates just to get more business. Lower those rates to be competitive, but never to be nice and create repeat business. The truth is that more often than not, you will not get repeat business unless it is for a problem that arises. This is what we, in the field, call maintenance. Be prepared to have a fee schedule for that as well. Most times, this should be included in the original contract for hire.

As short as this article is, what point does it make for Web Designers working at home? Simply put, the hardest parts to web design include two things: Having a design portfolio to show your creativity and getting those customers.

MySpace Designers need not apply. Getting a client is going to take a lot more than the ability to localize tables and apply gaudy backgrounds. Every website should have a purpose. That purpose needs to be met in the easiest and simplest ways. Most web designers will tell you that flash is over rated. The truth is that it is. However, you may have a client that wants a full flash website. The question is do you have the knowledge of Flash to not only design that website but to suggest to your customer an alternate route that does not use Flash? Clients are not always right. That is the first rule you need to learn.

Alright, I know what you're thinking. The rule is the customer is always right. However, you are not running a fast food restaurant here. This is your business and you are highlighting your skill while putting a "face" on the internet for your client. It is your responsibility to point out client wish that might not best coincide with their purpose.

Knowing these quick and easy steps in your thought process on doing web design from home will certainly get you started in the right direction. By no means are these tips the only thing you need to understand, but assuredly understand them you must, if you want your business to thrive.