How To Move From Freelance Web-design To Profitable Business Consultancy
Do you ever feel like you have more work than you can handle? Have you thought about taking your freelance web design business to the next level without committing to a big company or agency? Do you find that for the most part, you do the same types of projects over and over again?
If you’re an experienced web designer who can relate sensitively to the questions above, then you’re not alone. After a few years in the business, many web designers are looking for ways to expand their business. Often they immediately think about developing a big business, such as their own agency. But there are other ways to go about this.
You don’t have to expand your business while accumulating a host of new responsibilities and accounts. You can go from doing design work to web design consultancy. In this article, we’ll tell you how you can do that.
What is the role of a consultant?
You may already think of yourself as a consultant, or perhaps you already provide some sort of consultancy service for your clients. But you’ve probably also done web design or web development for those same clients.
Usually, a consultant doesn’t do design or web development. Instead, he or she gives the client detailed, strategic advice on web design using mockups (like a unique iPad mockup from ls). The consultant may also work closely with web designers and developers to ensure that the advice given to the client is implemented properly. He can even partner with the web designer who will directly handle the project.
Examples of five projects that a web design consultant could work on:
- Analyze the current website design and determine why it is not as effective.
- Helping the company decide how to incorporate their image into the website.
- Working with the client and demonstrating how abstract ideas become reality.
- Training and consulting less experienced web designers or web developers.
- Demonstrating to the client how they can improve their website to increase traffic.
The main difference between a consultant and a freelance designer is that one is paid for smart advice and the other for work on the project.
Often web designers provide consulting services to clients without realizing how valuable their advice really is. Professional advice costs money!
How do you make the transition?
Do you think consulting could be a good career for you! Here are 3 tips to help you make the transition:
Start by offering consultancy services to existing clients. You can’t do consulting work if no one knows you’re doing it. Contact former and existing clients and let them know about the consulting services you offer. Be specific! For example, you might say that one hour of consulting to increase traffic to a website costs X $$.
Target large companies. Medium and large companies, understand the need for a consultant’s services than solo business owners. If most of your current clients are sole traders, then you should change your target group to large businesses. There are two ways to do this: social media or direct mail.
Be aware of all trends and technologies. Don’t rely on your past experience as a designer or developer. As a web design consultant, you need to keep up with all the new developments, trends, and styles. This can require a lot of time, as well as extra courses and reading the latest articles in your field.
