Web developers and designers are the real architects of the internet that we see today. They shape the online experiences we encounter on a daily basis – whether it be user-friendly websites or captivating blogs.
The advent of internet in India has opened the floodgates for website designing in the nation. The dot com revolution has also taken place in India, giving birth to many earning avenues for budding web designers.
However, before you start to earn money as web designer – you need to know about the skills you should have.
Essentials Skills of a Web Designer
HTML/CSS Coding:
Proficiency in writing clean and efficient HTML and CSS code is fundamental for web design. This skill is essential for creating visually appealing and functional websites.
Responsive Design:
Ability to design websites that are responsive and work seamlessly across various devices and screen sizes. This is crucial as mobile usage continues to rise.
Graphic Design:
Knowledge of graphic design tools like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator is important for creating visually engaging elements such as logos, icons, and images.
User Experience (UX) Design:
Understanding user behavior and designing websites that provide a positive user experience. This involves creating intuitive navigation and considering the overall flow of the site.
User Interface (UI) Design:
Designing the interface elements of a website, including buttons, menus, and other interactive elements. A good UI enhances the overall usability and aesthetic appeal.
Typography:
A keen understanding of typography and the ability to choose and pair fonts effectively. Typography plays a significant role in the readability and visual appeal of a website.
Color Theory:
Knowledge of color theory and the ability to choose appropriate color schemes that align with the brand and create a visually pleasing design.
SEO Basics:
Familiarity with Search Engine Optimization (SEO) principles to ensure that websites are designed with SEO in mind. This can contribute to better visibility on search engines.
Now, let’s consider some of the SEO Basics that a web designer needs to know.
Know How To Do Keyword Research:
In digital marketing or SEO, keyword research is of prime importance. Every website designer should necessarily have keyword research knowledge.
Understand how to conduct basic keyword research to identify relevant and high-traffic keywords related to the website’s content. This helps in optimizing the site for search engines.
Write Title Tags and Meta Descriptions:
Website designers have to know the importance of creating unique and descriptive title tags and meta descriptions for each page. These elements not only impact search engine rankings but also influence click-through rates.
Header Tags (H1, H2, H3, etc.):
They also need to know how to properly use header tags to structure content and emphasize key points. Search engines use header tags to understand the hierarchy and relevance of content on a page.
Have Knowledge About Image Optimization:
Designers need to know about image optimization. They should know how to optimize images by using descriptive filenames and alt tags. This not only improves accessibility but also helps search engines understand the content of images.
URL Structure:
Create clean and SEO-friendly URLs that include relevant keywords. Avoid using complex and ambiguous URL structures.
Responsive Design:
Ensure that the website is mobile-friendly and has a responsive design. Google considers mobile-friendliness as a ranking factor, and responsive design enhances user experience across devices.
Page Speed Optimization:
Understand the importance of fast-loading pages. Compress images, leverage browser caching, and minimize server response times to improve overall page speed.
XML Sitemap:
Generate and submit an XML sitemap to search engines. This helps search engines crawl and index the pages on the website more efficiently.
Canonicalization:
Implement canonical tags to avoid duplicate content issues. This is important for large websites or those with similar content on multiple pages.
Basic Knowledge of SEO Tools:
Familiarize yourself with basic SEO tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console. These tools provide valuable insights into website performance, user behavior, and search engine visibility.
Structured Data Markup:
Understand the concept of structured data mark-up and use schema.org vocabulary to provide additional context to search engines about the content on your pages.
Internal Linking:
Implement an effective internal linking strategy to guide both users and search engines through the website’s content. This can improve the overall site structure and distribute page authority.
By incorporating these SEO basics into web design practices, designers can contribute to creating websites that are not only visually appealing but also optimized for search engines, improving their chances of ranking higher in search results.
Coding Frameworks:
Proficiency in using coding frameworks like Bootstrap or Foundation can save time and effort in the development process, allowing for more efficient and consistent designs.
Communication and Client Management:
Strong communication skills are crucial for understanding client requirements, presenting design concepts, and managing client expectations. Building and maintaining good client relationships can lead to repeat business and referrals.
So, these are the skills, when combined, make a well-rounded web designer capable of creating visually appealing, functional, and user-friendly websites, which in turn can contribute to a successful and lucrative career.
How To Earn Money as A Web Designer
There are many ways to earn money as a web designer. You can choose a way you are comfortable and like.
Work for a Design Agency
Embracing the role of an employee within a big design agency offers a structured environment where your primary focus remains on crafting exceptional websites. Web designers will have to collaborate with a team to design websites for clients, eliminating the need for client acquisition and management. One can expect a steady salary, along with benefits like paid time off and health insurance.
Pros:
- Stable income as a salaried employee
- Engagement with various client projects
- Collaboration and learning from co-workers.
Starting Your Own Agency
Individuals who are passionate about entrepreneurship and web designing can consider launching their own web design agency. They will have the autonomy to hire designers and developers and build a brand from scratch. Starting small and scaling up as more projects come is a very low-risk approach.
Pros:
- Potential for substantial income
- Control over client selection and project choice
- Freedom to establish and grow a business
Be a Freelancer
Those who enjoy their craft but don’t want to get tied down to a particular agency or company can go for freelancing. This not only provides a lot of autonomy regarding the projects one wants to take up, but also flexibility. This lets web-designers be their own boss.
- Immediate compensation without any middleman.
- Supplementary income to design work
- Networking within the industry.
Here is a list of freelance websites where website designers can find opportunities:
- Upwork:
- Freelancer:
- Fiverr:
- Toptal:
- Guru:
- PeoplePerHour:
- 99designs:
- DesignCrowd:
- SimplyHired:
- Crowdspring:
- Upstack:
- Crossover:
Work as an In-House Designer
As an in-house designer or developer, your creative journey unfolds within the confines of a single organization. You will have to focus on designing and maintaining the company’s website, delving deep into one project to create a seamless online presence.
Pros:
- Reliable income as a salaried employee
- Immersive involvement with a single project at a time
- Possibility of a deep understanding of the company’s mission and vision
Creating and Selling Online Courses
Develop your online course on design or development topics. Individuals can offer the course on their own website or through online marketplaces like Skillshare or Udemy.
Pros:
- Diverse possibilities for course topics
- Sharing expertise with a global audience
- Flexibility in work schedule
Participating in web design contests or platforms
This option involves competing with other web designers for prizes or exposure. One can join websites that host web design contests or platforms that connect web designers with clients. This way, individuals can showcase their skills and portfolio, get feedback and potentially win money or clients.
Pros:
- Amazing prizes on offer
- A chance to get exposure
Conclusion
The above are some of the way to make money as a web designer. Whether you thrive in traditional employment, embrace the autonomy of freelancing, embark on entrepreneurial ventures, share knowledge through blogging and writing, or educate others through online courses, the digital realm offers endless opportunities.
However, before embarking on such an affair, one should have a concrete concept of web designing. Therefore it is advised to enrol in a dedicated web designing training institute to grasp the core concepts before starting to earn through web development.
Frequently Asked Questions on Web Designer
Is web designing a good career?
Yes, web designing can be a rewarding career with opportunities for creativity, growth, and a high demand for skilled professionals. However, as one gets started, there is a need to work hard and consistently. You cannot succeed in a day.
Are web designers in high demand?
Yes, web designers are often in high demand as businesses and individuals seek to establish or enhance their online presence.
Is web designer a high demand job?
Yes, web design is considered a high-demand job due to the increasing reliance on websites for various purposes, including business, information, and entertainment.
How much do web designers make per website?
Web designers’ earnings per website can vary widely based on factors such as experience, complexity of the project, and location. Freelancers may charge anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per website, while salaried designers may receive a consistent income depending on their employment terms.
