Are you visually creative, and tempted to work remotely for yourself? Then you might be looking to become a freelance web designer. And it’s an attractive option if you’re thinking about getting started with a full or part-time self-employed career. But while there are few barriers to entry, it’s tougher to build a worthwhile income with so much competition for work.

Many people are tempted to skip research and planning to dive straight into a new career working for themselves. But while it’s understandable you’re excited about your new web design business, getting the right information early in the process can save you time and money. And it can also increase your chances of success.

An interest or passion for design is obviously a key reason for many freelancers. And as with freelance writing or virtual assistants, there are no real barriers to entry. All you really need is a computer, and an internet connection.

If you have design experience or qualifications, switching to a self-employed career has a number of attractions. It means you can be more flexible about your working hours, and choose your own working environment, or the tools and software you want to use.

It’s also a great option for anyone looking to trial freelancing part-time around an existing day job, or to offer it as a side-hustle to supplement your income.

But probably the biggest reason is the potential to choose your work and clients. You may want to specialise in a particular industry, or focus on one specific area of web design. This can be an advantage over other freelances, if you can build a reputation as the expert for that particular subject.

Alternatively, it may allow you to utilise other skills, as delivering a website can include graphic design, user experience, interface design, search engine optimisation, content creation and more. If you’re a designer who also loves to write, code, or any other interest, then you can combine it in your freelance business, or run it alongside your design work.

And finally, it can also mean you have the ability to turn down clients which aren’t suitable for any reason. Being able to say no to work you’re uncomfortable with, or projects which will cause headaches, is a big part of being your own boss.

The amount you can earn from freelance web design can vary a lot. The rates for an experienced designer with in-demand skills will be vastly higher than anyone competing on price via a freelancer marketplace.

Glassdoor estimate an average UK salary for freelance web designers around £28,395, while Indeed suggests around £27,120. But it’s possible to earn much more, or less, depending on the rates you set, and how you charge for projects. (Freelance Corner members can access a guide on How to set your freelance rates, here)

This is where your business plan will be useful, as it should include your business and personal expenses, how many billable hours you can offer, and what you need to charge to make a profit. Keep in mind that you’ll also need time for business administration, finding clients, staying up with design trends and possibly training, so not all of your working week will be chargeable to clients.

It’s also worth factoring in supplemental income that may be achievable by offering your own training courses, design resources such as font and icon packs, or website themes and templates. This has the benefit of offering a relatively passive income alongside your client work once sales start to take off.

You will also be responsible for setting payment terms, issuing invoices and chasing late payments. Many designers will insist on a partial deposit before starting work to minimise future issues, and then bill the remainder on agreed project milestones, or upon completion.

Some web designers are talented and lucky enough to be spotted via their portfolio. But most will need to do some work to attract new clients, especially in the early stages of freelancing.

Setting up your own website, and sharing your work on design networks is a good start. But don’t overlook more traditional methods of finding work. Local business meetups and social events for freelancers can be valuable in finding both clients and collaborators. And if you want to specialise in a particular area, why not research websites which need issues fixed or a design overhaul, and contact the relevant company?

Social networks are also a great way to make contacts within the industry and freelancing in general, as well as potentially showcasing you to new clients. Alongside maintaining any profiles, it’s worth looking for relevant groups to join (you could start with our own Creative Freelancers UK Facebook group).

As you build up your knowledge and experience, more options will become available. These can include writing articles about design for your own website, or as guest posts for other publications. Or volunteering to be interviewed on podcasts or videos about design and freelancing to start getting more name recognition.

One key area many freelancers overlook is the onboarding process for new clients. Once you’ve got initial interest, it’s important to turn that into an agreed project as smoothly as possible. So having a clear workflow for securing good clients (and filtering out bad ones) will save you time and money.

Contracts and legal agreements are important for any freelancer. You can find useful templates and resources via membership of Freelance Corner or IPSE.

• Contract: These provide clear guidance and protection to both parties by giving a concise definition of the project, tasks and responsibilities involved, payment, copyright, and what happens if the work is cancelled or terminated early.
• Terms and Conditions: It can be useful to have a more in-depth document outlining your standard practices. This helps future clients know what they can expect before contacting you.
• Copyright agreement: This is particularly key for creative freelancers, as you want to ensure your work isn’t stolen, miscredited, or re-used outside of the original agreement without further discussion or payment. Copyright law can vary a lot between different countries, especially if you’re working with overseas clients, so it’s a good idea to get specialist advice where possible.

• IPSE – the UK’s only not-for-profit association dedicated to the self-employed.
• Creative Freelancers UK – our Facebook group to network with other novice and experienced self-employed business people.
• Behance and Dribbble – useful design-focused networks for sharing your work.
• Freelance Corner – our site filled with advice on all aspects of starting your freelance career and finding more success, along with resources, tools and practical benefits for members. Including a range of freelance guides including getting work and being paid, here.

Researching other freelance careers? Why not check out our other guides:

• How to become a freelance photographer
• How to become a freelance virtual assistant
• How to become a freelance writer
• How to become a freelance SEO consultant
• How to become a freelance event planner or organiser
• How to become a freelance business analyst
• How to become a freelance coach
• How to become a freelance structural engineer
• How to become a freelance proofreader