| Before starting my very own freelancing web design | | | | university degree or a diploma in graphic design or |
| business I had 5 years worth of web development | | | | programming. Having that knowledge is great to |
| experience. I had been employed by both local and | | | | have, but it isn't everything. And this is what makes |
| state government and had been fortunate enough to | | | | freelancing so unique. It is possible to run your own |
| become exposed to some pretty big projects, as | | | | freelancing web design business, without being a |
| well as ongoing training. | | | | technical wiz, and simply outsource to external |
| This knowledge and experience allowed me to utilise | | | | developers, or your team, leaving you to focus on |
| my skills directly towards my very own business. | | | | running the actual business. Whilst I wouldn't |
| However I had no real business experience and this | | | | encourage this for absolute beginners of the industry, |
| proved to be a pretty steep learning curve! | | | | it is a possibility. However being a developer yourself |
| Before venturing out on your own, you need to ask | | | | is for obvious reasons, a better option and will form |
| yourself. | | | | a stronger foundation for your business overall. |
| Are you really cut out for the task? Is it really just a | | | | Now don't be discouraged, I'm sure you can succeed, |
| case of finding clients, building websites and making | | | | and you will. Just be mindful and realistic of your |
| money? Will I be able to support myself financially? | | | | expectations and the implications of what's involved |
| Given the ever increasing demand for web | | | | before you quit your day job and begin setting up a |
| development and freelance designers over the last | | | | desk in the back bedroom. I mean, why exactly are |
| few years, I've found it quite amazing the number of | | | | you doing this? |
| people who label themselves as "web designers" or | | | | For most, its about freedom and doing something |
| "developers". It seems that almost everyone that | | | | you love - web design. And in turn building a |
| has a little knowledge of HTML, or at least enough to | | | | successful freelancing business. The definition of |
| be dangerous, considers themselves a qualified | | | | success however, will vary. For many, it may mean |
| designer. But this certainly doesn't mean they have | | | | making thousands of dollars a month, and working |
| business expertise. | | | | towards employing staff and having a huge office, |
| Having been self employed as a freelance web | | | | whilst others may be satisfied with earning a few |
| designer for over 9 years, I know only too well, that | | | | hundred dollars a week and the overall satisfaction |
| quitting your full time job and moving towards self | | | | that comes with being self employed. |
| employment isn't for everybody. Even if you can put | | | | In summary, becoming a freelance web designer isn't |
| up a WordPress blog in an hour, or you've played | | | | rocket science, but it can be challenging. As is with |
| around with a bit of HTML using Frontpage there is | | | | every business, there are elements of risk that can |
| still a lot more to learn. | | | | make you feel like you should have kept your day |
| Regardless of how brilliant you may be at all the | | | | job. But the rewards once you are established, far |
| technical stuff, running a business involves more than | | | | outweigh the duldrums of the daily grind. |
| just being able to build nice websites. It involves | | | | So whether you are a technical wiz, or perhaps just |
| running a real business, based on a strategic plan, | | | | a keen business minded entrepreneur, or both, have |
| establishing customer relations, generating income and | | | | a think about your current situation and ask yourself. |
| overall - management. | | | | Is this really for me? Is this what I really want to do? |
| But I need to be able to program and design | | | | If you are absolutely certain this is what you want to |
| websites don't I? | | | | do - then I wish you the best of luck. There should |
| Well having those skills certainly helps but it isn't an | | | | be absolutely nothing holding you back! Go for it! |
| absolute necessity. Forget about having to possess a | | | | |