Mistakes of a Freelance Web Designer and How to Avoid Them

Working as a freelance web designer can be tough. It is true that we are our own boss and we manage our own time. You are your own assistant, accountant, scheduler and it can be tiring. Sometimes, it seems easier to be employed in a company and work from nine to five. As a freelanceweb designer, you can and will make mistakes along the way. It’s better to know what you need to avoid and how to avoid these mistakes before you even encounter it.

Struggling to find clients

Freelance web designer’s biggest frustration is finding clients. They constantly chase clients to hire them which should not be the case. You can offer complimentary services to your previous clients or clients you already have. By offering these services, you are increasing your income, and you are not chasing clients. Word of mouth will be your biggest ally to gain clients. Make sure that you do your best and your clients will definitely promote your work to others.

Doing everything by yourself

You are your own company when you are a freelance web designer. You find clients, attend meetings, answer the phone, and prepare documents, answering email and so on. This should not be the case. You can hire someone to do these things for you. You can hire a virtual assistant. You can set a margin for the salary. This way, you can meet with your clients and find new prospects. There will be less stress on your end.

Failure to communicate

Clients would like to know what improvement can be made totheir website, how long a maintenance or tweak in their website will take. They don’t want to be guessing and left hanging. Respect your client and let them know everything they need to know. Always loop them in whatever you do.

Spend time on Testing the website

Regardless of whether you are very proud with your work, you need to put it in a ‘test phase’ just like all websites. It may be time consuming but it will definitely save you the trouble of having to having to fix the problems when the site is already launched. It’s best to make sure that the design and code of the site are both flawless.

You do too much

Some designers literally do too much that it complicates the work more rather than making it problem free. If a problem occurs, it is better to address it using basic clarity solutions. 

Slow Responsive Web Design Sites Are Bad for Business

Responsive web design not about making sites for mobile devices, it’s about adapting layouts to viewport sizes. Responsive web design means that you don’t have separate mobile, tablet, and PC versions of your site. Slow responsive web design sites are bad for business. Your customers have web performance expectations no matter what device or network they are using.

10 Inspiring Ecommerce Website Designs

The most dominant sense that people rely to and value would be their sense of sight. We are 90% visual beings wherein what we see affects what we do, what we feel, and what we are.

This is the reason why an ecommerce website designer takes designing seriously. Because they know that if the website don’t appeal to visitors within seconds of seeing it then the chances of those visitors buying or availing anything from the site would be very slim.

Though first impression are often wrong, still, it last. Hence, as a general rule, the design has to be visually appealing.

Aspiring ecommerce website designers just have to fully understand and appreciate the wonders of typography, creative navigation options and other aspect, and learn how to combine all of those. When they do, they’ll be able to creative a website that will attract clients and make them stay through the sites personality.

Here are some of the website that may inspire all the designer-minds out there:

1.    Tierra POD

2.    Redmart

3.    Skinny Ties

4.    Satchel Page

5.    Everlane

6.    Bold and Noble

7.    Stacy Adams

8.    Qrowdr

9.    Freepeople

10. Faucet Face

Since the purpose of an ecommerce website is to lure people into buying whatever the site is offering, it is but reasonable to make sure that the site alone is attractive enough. If a designer can’t do that, there’s no telling that the site will prosper.

Ways To Apply Minimalism Into The Web Design Effectively

The concept of minimalism managed to stick around until now despite the coming and going of trends in web designing. It is probably because of its classic appeal which they say never goes out of style. Which proves to be true considering its popularity in other form of art, no wonder some web designers have embraced its beauty as well.

In the web designing world, minimalism clicked because it is easy on the eyes and it enhances user experience. Busy consumers are impatient with short attention spans, that’s why they can’t tolerate overly complex designs that are confusing to navigate.

When it comes to designs in our daily living today, less is definitely more. See the beauty in simplicity and learn how to incorporate it into your design and still seduce more site visitors.

Embrace Flat Design

Apple and Microsoft are one of the brands who put skeuomorphism to shame by embracing flat design. You'll notice the bold and vibrant colors on their design but no drop shadows, 3D effects and gradients. That’s flat design for you, it catches the attention of the user but doesn't overwhelm him.

The design welcomes you with clean and clutter-free page layout, vibrant and flat icons and buttons, typography of different fonts is used for the headlines without texture for the body copy, and images are bright.

Incorporate White Space

What comes into your mind when you hear minimalism in a web design? I say more white space! Not only does it exudes sophistication and neatness, but it also allow you to lead the view’s attention to where you want more easily.

Before you scream boring into my face, take a moment to internalize how beneficial white space is for web designs.

Just take Google Search as an example, or did you not notice that Google Search is a study white space?

Google Search used this design to allow users to focus on searching information instead of distract them from it with loud colors or irrelevant 3D effects.

See how clever it is? It instantly draws you on the search bar without a lot of fuss. 

Limit Choices

No matter what you say, you cannot deny that your priority in establishing that e-commerce website is to convert. Sounds simple but definitely not easy. But if you limit the choices that you present to the user or visitors it’ll be easier for you to turn them into buying customers.

Take it from the company called Gengo that has almost nothing on their landing page except a bar where you type in the text or upload a file for translation. For a professional caption translation company, it’s easier for their potential clients to understand the purpose of the website and how to proceed with the service that the site is offering. 

Focus On Bold Typography

Another basic aspect of minimalism that you may find a little too plain but no doubt effective are bold typography and single-column layout. Here’s how it works:

ü  Using a single-column layout lets you go straight to the point which is, inform who you are, what you do and how you can be of service to people. Plus you won’t hear hard-to-navigate complains for sure.

ü  Using contrasting font color with varying size and style and background color is a great way to keep things simple yet interesting.

Simplify Your Navigation

In order for your minimalistic web design to come around well, every part of your site has to blend with each other. Especially your navigation menu which can be crucial, because you want it to be simple for your visitors to understand but not too bland that it may be completely overlooked.

Make the color blend with the rest of your design but in a way that it still stand on its own. Put it in the upper right corner of the page where most people look at when their searching for it. Forget whatever sliding effect or tricks that you’re trying to incorporate, not adding any different layers of navigation on it keeps it functional and simple.

Use Color In Patches

If you’re not so crazy about a lot of white space, then using patches of color maintain your minimalism concept and still makes site visitors pay attention to information or action that you want them to see. This is taking emphasis to a simple yet effective level.

Like the 960 Grid System website, they used splashes of yellow to highlight internal links such as “download” and “view demo”, and blue for the Twitter logo. Doing this subtly but efficiently lead the visitors to your goal, which is to convert and build traffic.

Minimalism Works If You Know How To Use It

Some designers assumes that minimalism is way too plain and boring that’s why they keep on doing those complicated designs. Contrary to their belief, the examples above just proved them wrong. You just have to know how to work its beauty and your site will shine more than all the colors in the rainbow. Moreover, if this concept increases conversion, and makes things easier for users what more excuse do you have not to embrace this approach?

Besides a true artists can seduce people into his art no matter what the concept is, right?

8 Tips to make you the best Web Designer!

It will not only make you a better web designer but a better employee and person. With these tips also apply to anyone. Read down to the bottom of it and rethink of your ways and Improve it MIGHT as well.

Be a researcher not just a bookworm

Bookworms are avid readers but readers are researchers and discoverers. They test the waters and confirmed it themselves. Do not limit your readings to books, explore blogging sites, watch tutorials, read newspapers and magazines purchase.

Find treasures and save it!

A brilliant article from the internet? Something you have read in the bookstore? An idea that struck you while on the subway? Have a journal and have a habit of writing down ideas and inspirations. Bookmark the articles that you have read or have a Pinterest account and hit "Pin it!" after reading a worthy piece.

 Be neat and organize!

Have a place for everything and put everything in its place. This works on your computer and office or working area. organize file folders, bookmarks, delete unnecessary documents, and uninstall programs that you do not really use, likewise, have a filing system, Organise your desk and have a trash bin. More importantly, have a planner, easiest way to track down things that you must accomplish and dates to beat. 

Be more productive!

Do you have a passion for writing aside from web designing , why not Become a freelance writer? earn from the things that you love doing.   earning Passive be surprise as you have a feel more fulfilling and less stressful than your real job where you will benefit greatly.

Become a pioneer!

You have already heard about be updated and follow the trends. Do you have great ideas and strong foundations of web designing principles, go and be the one to set the trend!

Believe more to your capabilities!

You have done a great job. What stopping you to showcase your talent? Critics? Do not worry They come and go. Being who you are is awesome. Share your works through social networking sites and you'll be delighted with the praises that you 'll get.

Do relax and enjoy!

Do not just prioritize your work. Prioritize your health, too. Go out! Have some 'me' time or enjoy the weekend with your family and friends. Find time to exercise and never skip meals. What's the point of being wealthy if you are a sickling?

Explore life!

So, you have been slammed with your schedule and barely seeing sunlight these days. Which only prove the love affair that you've been having with your computer as a web designer . T here's nothing wrong with that as long as it does not get in the way of actually having a life outside your job. do not bury yourself to your job and enjoy life.

What time is it? Are you still sitting in front of your computer? Do stretch and rehydrate. Care to leave a comment and share your tips before you take some time away from your computer.