Customer care till the door step seems to be the mantra of most of the businesses. The businesses vie with each other for satisfying the customer. This is because the businesses have realized the importance of every customer for the survival of the business. The internet not only takes the business to the door step of the buyer but also within the house. This makes the graphic web design all the more relevant.

What are the critical issues for a successful graphic website design?

Competition: The advantages of the virtual internet market over the conventional market, has brought into focus the necessity of having a website. The businesses now want their website to be the first to be accessed by any prospective buyer. If one business does not have a website, this does not mean that others will not have the website. On the contrary the competitors will try to take disadvantage of being able to be first accessible by your buyer.

Time: First impression is the last impression. Those who purchase products or services through the internet usually run short of time. The front web page has got only a few seconds to impress the visitor and make him/her purchase the offerings. The graphic content that includes images, animations and videos is always more effective than the only text content.

Emotions: Let your business be governed by professionalism and not by emotions. If you know web designing you may be tempted to design it yourself. Usually in these sorts of situations the website maker cum web owner gets carried away without taking into consideration the preference of the buyers. This can adversely affect the efficiency of the website. It is better to hire the professional services of a website maker who know the relevance of graphic content as well as the text content.

Investment: For a small business, having a website means incurring reasonable amount of investment. The business should stress for a graphic website design because the buyer is going to believe in what he/she sees, not just what he/she reads. For optimizing the returns from a website, graphic web design is very crucial.

Technology: Having a graphic web design does not mean that the website should be stuffed with images, videos and animations. One needs to embed these elements intelligently on the website such that the downloading speed is not affected. This is only possible when the Website maker uses appropriate technology.

Search engine optimization: While highlighting the advantages of graphic web design, one should not forget the text content. The text content is vital for ranking on the search engine list. The traffic to any website can be maximized through applying the strategies for search engine optimization. One should remember that the graphic web design is useless if the visitor does not click or enter the website.

When I was considering what to write about for my first post, I thought why not write about something that I have learnt, so I can share with yourselves. Setting up as a web and graphic design freelancer is not easy. Some people think it is the easy option, but they are wrong. The easy option is getting a standard salary and getting sick pay and nice holidays here and there. When you are stood on your own two feet – it is tough. You must consider, if you are ill you need to make up the hours at another time and if you would like a holiday – you do not get paid.

Whilst there are a couple of negatives, we must not forget the positives. You may choose you hours, so you think you fancy a lie in this morning? Have one! Fancy finishing an hour earlier, then do it! Got an appointment or need to take someone to the airport, be flexible! You world is your oyster and that is the most important thing. You choose your destiny.

I always have a glance at the island. Yes the island. What island, I here you say? The island in which Richard Branson created. He worked hard and he has a lot to show for it. So every Monday morning, I will watch the short snippet and that my friends, is my motivation. You may be comfy on what you are earning, but some of you may push yourselves. Being an extremely ambitious person, I like a challenge, hence the freelancing situation.

I could potentially earn as much as I want. How you ask? Well if the work is not coming to you, then you shall go to the work. Here are 8 tips as to what I would recommend doing before starting out as a freelancer and when you do actually start out.

1) Be organised.

You cannot get anywhere by being messy and unorganised. Use a diary to jot down appointments and schedule in your work. I always make a to-do list when I start the day and put times next to it (1hr, 2hrs etc) so my day is planned out.

2) Create your identity

You must consider who you are and what you want to be. You can’t just be a designer who is like everyone else. Basic logo. Basic Website. What makes you different? What do you like working on? What is your graphic style? What makes you unique? When you can answer those questions, you can then form a completely new identity for yourself. Then there is the exciting part – your logo and stationary!

3) Get yourself known

Whether you go leaflet dropping, business card handing-out, phoning potential clients. Whatever you THINK needs to be done, needs to be done. Remember, you are not just any old harry. As a designer, you need to think outside the box. What will get you noticed, what will make people want you to work for them? I know from just starting out as a freelancer that the funds are not there. They don’t have to be, you can create a design concept on the cheap side and still look quality. What you put in, you will get out.

4) Portfolio

Ok, so you need to organise your print portfolio into a nice clean leather folder, A3 is usually a good size. No hairs though and everything nice and shiny. If you show you can take pride in you work, your client will know that you will take pride in ‘their’ work. Which is always a good thing!

I would say 8-10 good pieces, you don’t want to bore people with your 50 average projects – choose only the best! Start with a good piece and end with a good piece, don’t let your folder go from amazing to absolutely stinking awful!

An online portfolio is also important. I usually send a link in an email as many people will ask you to email them your work. I also include a PDF digital portfolio with 8-10 pieces of the best ones on my website. A PDF is always good as this will be stored on the computer and you never know when they may need you!

5) From home, not from home….

A lot of freelancers enjoy working from home, which is great if you have kids, get to spend more time with your partner etc etc. However, this actually put me off going freelance. I knew I would get sucked in to Jeremy Kyle or start cleaning or my partner would ask me why I have not done anything as I have “been at home all day” (not realising that I have been working).

I like routine and I like getting up and going out, meeting people and I guess I thought it may be a bit lonely. Whilst I did not have the funds to buy an office I decided I would find somewhere for FREE.

You have lots of options, there are many cafes that setup wireless connections, the library, the park on a nice day. I managed to find a scheme called the ‘Northern Lights’ which was based at the University I went to. They help start up businesses and you can use their facilities FREE of charge. So a desk, telephone, printers, internet, hire a meeting room etc. It was great. You must look into this, you find you can focus more and get more done! Especially if it is open 24/7.

6) Website

Make sure you have one! Even if you are more a graphic designer than a web designer, it is important you get your work online. Keep up to date with what is going on! Everyone has a website nowadays, you need to keep up with the times. Create a website that reflects you and your personality. Show people what they are going to get!

7) Advertising

There are various options from paid advertising to free. Let’s start with paid, you can put some money on google AdWords or facebook advertising. There are hundreds of websites. Print advertising, promotional advertising. The free ones are options like Gumtree, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn. You must network. You must chat to people. Remember! You cannot be out there for yourself. You have to help one another and you have to be keen to learn. If you are not interested in networking with other people, then why would they recommend you to someone when they haven’t even spoke to you… your just on their friends list on facebook? They’re not! Chat chat chat. Help help help. Blog blog blog. It’s a lot of hardwork, but worth it in the long run!

8 ) Enjoy

Lastly, remember….enjoy! You must enjoy being a freelancer. I find graphic and web design as more of a hobby I love it that much. I go to sleep at night dreaming about the next exciting project, I don’t find it sad. I find it rewarding. Reward yourself when you do something good and don’t forget that even though there maybe some mountains to claim, you will only see bright things when you get to the top!

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