Freelance Website Designer | Umar Payne

What are the benefits of hiring a freelance web designer? Could a freelance web designer be a suitable fit for my business? I will attempt to clarify.

Essentially, a freelance web designer is someone who works with multiple companies on a project basis, rather than being an employee of one company. As for web design, it refers to the process of creating a website.

What does a freelance web designer do?

Throughout my career as a freelance web designer, I have taken on a diverse range of projects. While some freelance web designers may specialize in a specific area such as design or development, I have found that many of my clients require both skill sets in one person. In today’s competitive market, it is essential to possess knowledge and understanding of code, even if the focus is on design.

When I was in my 20s working as a freelance web designer, I provided my clients with simple static HTML websites, which were suitable for the time. However, as technology has progressed, websites have become more sophisticated, and my services have evolved accordingly. As a freelance web designer, I now offer a variety of services to my clients.

Freelance Web Design

I use software like Photoshop and Sketch to create a website design that encompasses elements such as color schemes, typography, and information architecture. To ensure that the website functions smoothly, I typically begin by creating a sitemap and wireframes. The complexity of the website determines the extent of these initial steps.

Freelance Web Development

Web development involves transforming the website design into a functional site through coding using HTML, CSS, and Javascript. The aim is to create a website that adheres to modern web browser standards and is compatible with mobile platforms. Additionally, web development includes incorporating the design into a CMS (Content Management System) like a WordPress or Drupal theme. This enables clients to modify content and generate new pages as required.

Why hire a freelance web designer?

People usually opt for hiring a freelancer for the following reasons:

 

  • Cost-effectiveness: Freelance web design rates are typically lower than those of large web agencies, resulting in a 60% to 70% reduction in costs for a standard web project.

 

  • Undivided attention: A freelance web designer can devote exclusive attention to a project, whereas an agency with multiple big clients may divide their attention among all their projects.

 

    • Personalized support: Clients of a freelance web designer can directly reach out for assistance and get their issues resolved, instead of waiting in line for a generic support team.