Starting a Home-Based Web Design Business: 3 Things to Set Up

Web design is big business these days, with lots of companies looking to invest in a professional online presence for their brand. If you have web design skills, a good eye for detail and the ability to make any business look professional and polished, then you may have considered starting your own web design business from home. Whether you are planning to do this full time or design websites as a side hustle, there are lots of different things to think about before you get set up.

Business Address

Starting a business as a web designer can be a great option if you want to work from home. There are very few overheads in terms of setting up somewhere to work, as you can easily use your home office or even your living room if you prefer. However, bear in mind that if you are registering as a new business, you will need to provide a contact address for your official mail to go to, and to list as your address on your own website and in business directories.

Since most business owners who work from home don’t want their home address available for all to find, a virtual address is the best idea. Use an online post office box service where you can use a different address as your registered business address. You can have your mail sent there and then forwarded to your home address and use the PO Box as your official address to keep your home address private.

Website

Once you’ve got all the paperwork out of the way, it’s time to get started on your own online presence. As a web designer, your own website is one of the biggest advertisements you have for your services, so spend some time on this getting it just right. You will want a website that looks great and demonstrates your skills to your potential clients. Use the platform that you are going to be using for clients in the future and consider adding a blog to your website so you can provide valuable, useful information that helps to build your reputation and authority.

Marketing Strategies

Once your website is set up, the heart of your future marketing strategies is ready. Now you will need to make sure that you have set up ways for potential clients to contact you such as a business email address and telephone number. Once this is in place, it’s time to plan out your future marketing options. You can pitch potential clients directly, use online ads, perform SEO and more. A combination of different marketing efforts is the best way to ensure that you put your web design services in front of a wider audience. Consider starting with social media advertising – it’s affordable and easy to do. LinkedIn is a good place to find business owners and professionals looking for web designers, along with Twitter, Facebook and even Instagram.

If you have web design skills and want to start your own business from home, covering these basics will help you build a solid foundation for your new venture.