Tim Berners-Lee published the first website back in 1991. Undoubtedly, web design has evolved dramatically since then. Three decades ago, websites were made up of text-only pages. Fast forward to today and it’s easy to see web design has reached an impressive level of sophistication that’s hard to miss.
Most websites today are not only functional; they are practically works of art. Just like digital marketing strategists, web designers have come a long way. They have witnessed different kinds of business, technical, and creative changes and have learned many things from their experiences.
If you are new to the industry, below are seven of the most notable web design lessons you will find of value:
1. Have the courage to say “no.”
If you have a team of web designers at your disposal, taking in as many clients as you want should come easy. However, if you are just starting and working on your own, don’t hesitate to say no to clients you can no longer fit into your schedule.
Similarly, you must also learn to say no to demanding clients who have unrealistic expectations, don’t respect your time and efforts and micromanage your work. Often, the stress they bring is not worth the money you are getting.
2. Know how much your expertise and services are worth.
If you have exceptional web design skills, don’t sell yourself short. Don’t opt for bargain-basement rates if you know what you can offer. Charge what you know is fair and don’t compromise when it comes to your professional rate.
Remember that web design is a sought-after service and will require specialized knowledge, skills, and experience. For clients who cannot afford your services, let them know what you can offer that’s within their budget.
3. Don’t follow web design trends blindly.
Web design trends come and go so it makes sense not to rely on them completely. If you rely mainly on web design trends, your clients can get stuck with websites that are dated in terms of design.
However, it does not follow that you should ignore all the web design trends you encounter. The idea is not to blindly follow any trend that comes along. Rather, pick the ones that are great and use them accordingly.
4. Don’t say yes to everything your client wants.
While it’s true that the client is paying you to design a great website for them, you will not be doing them any favor if you blindly agree to everything they require. Keep in mind that you were hired because you are the expert.
Understandably, you must not disregard everything the client suggests. However, you need to let them know if their suggestions will work or not. After all, you are the expert and know what will work best.
Be honest and let them know what you think about their suggestions. If you can’t implement their ideas, try to meet them halfway and provide better alternatives. While listening to their ideas, let them know you will implement what you know is best.
5. Update your portfolio.
Prospects typically ask for your portfolio once they decide to work with you. In line with this, make sure you can show them an updated one. If your last update was five years ago, they might think twice about the kind of service you can provide.
6. Ensure you can adapt to the changes in the industry.
It’s safe to assume web design will continue to evolve through the years. To become one of the best web designers in the industry, you must learn how to adapt to the changes. Case in point: the rise of mobile has paved the way for responsive web design. If you don’t adapt to those changes, you won’t be able to keep up with all the others in the industry and you won’t be able to compete with them.
7. Ensure you are more than just a web designer.
Web designers have exceptional technical abilities so make sure you have other qualities that make you stand out. Remember that your ability to offer more can be a huge advantage.
In line with this, ensure you are also adept in other areas besides being technically proficient. For example, ensure you also develop great project management and problem-solving skills.
Final Thoughts
As web design continues to evolve, you will learn other valuable lessons along the way. For now, the ones laid out above should help you be a step ahead of the pack and help you become one of the best in your field.