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Starting your own web design business can seem
as simple as creating your own website and advertising, but
there is far more to it than that. Before you even think of
drawing in clients, you must have the basics in place.
1. Planning
You must start off with a business plan that is workable
and realistic. You need to identify your target market based
on the skill-set you possess, and your ability to fulfill
the projects that may come your way. You need to think about
whether larger projects are the best to start with considering
that starting your own web design business may mean your finances
are in limbo for a while. A longer project may mean you have
to wait longer to get paid, unless you can organize staged
payments. You must also consider whether to aim for a niche
market that suits your particular abilities, or identify the
services most sought-after by clients, and tailor your skills
to fit the bill.
2. Business Acumen
Around half of all businesses fail within the first five
years. Just because you do not have a shop or rented office
or any stock does not mean you are not running a small business.
Starting your own web design business makes you every bit
as susceptible to failure as the next person if your business
head is not screwed on right. You must know how to deal with
clients, accountants, bankers, and know how to keep your business
records in good order. Time-management and conflict resolution
are required skills, and you must be able to cope with stresses
and deadlines. The right temperament is crucial.
3. Web Authoring Tools
Web designers must be able to create a simple web page by
coding in HTML, but you need to find the web authoring tools
that best suit the way you work, and the requirements of your
operating system. Starting your own web design business without
the correct tools for the job is jumping the gun.
4. Graphics & Copyright Issues
You need to remember that images and graphics cannot just
be culled off the internet and used without thought. This
could cause you to be in breach of copyright laws and lead
to possibly costly legal trouble. If you are not prepared
to shell out on royalty payments for images, you must have
a ready source of free-to-use images, such as iStockPhoto,
Royalty Free Photos, or Photos.com.
5. Graphic Design Tools
As images and graphics play such an important part in web
design, when starting your own web design business you must
have suitable graphics editing software. This should be fit
for purpose in that you must be able to create the effects
you want whilst not being fazed by a host of applications
that are too complex or unnecessary for your personal needs.
Adobe Photoshop may be in this latter category, and it is
expensive, so you could look around for an open source option
instead.
6. Legalities & Book-Keeping
This takes in such matters as drawing up contracts for your
various projects that cover both parties, to managing your
accounts. Starting your own web design business without getting
your paperwork in order leaves you open to all sorts of legal
and financial shenanigans further down the line. If this is
an area you are unsure about, you are better off paying lawyers
and accountants to cover these jobs. It is a false economy
to skimp on these, go the do-it-yourself route, and find you
overlooked something essential. Remember also that you should
form a legal business entity to protect yourself and create
the most tax-efficient situation for yourself.
Best of luck to you.
John
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