Freelance Clients - Digital Marketing Journals Hong Kong

How Freelance Designers & Developers Can Be Their Own Advocate — Speckyboy

26Jan

By Eric KarkovackNo Comments

building website, creating a website, Design Clients, freelance, Freelance Business, Freelance Career, Freelance Clients, google web designer, internet design, web design, web design company, web designer, web page design, website builder, website design

How Freelance Designers & Developers Can Be Their Own Advocate — Speckyboy

Working solo is one of the benefits of being a freelance web designer. You don’t have a boss breathing down your neck or tracking every mouse click. That’s one reason why many of us choose this career path. On the other hand, no one has your back when things go wrong. There are no team members to ensure that you’re treated fairly or paid for your work. Raise your hand if a client ever skipped town without paying their bill. Yes, we see you! This also extends to mundane tasks, such as onboarding to your client’s workflow. For example, working with an agency client and being dropped in the middle of an unfamiliar website. You don’t always get the benefit of a guided tour on how everything works. It’s easy to become overwhelmed, and remaining silent only exacerbates the situation. The result ...

Reinforcing the Value of Web Designers in the Age of AI

3Apr

By Eric KarkovackNo Comments

Artificial Intelligence (AI), building website, creating a website, Freelance Career, Freelance Clients, Freelance Design, google web designer, internet design, web design, web design company, web designer, web page design, website builder, website design

Reinforcing the Value of Web Designers in the Age of AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) is coming for us all. Or at least that’s the current narrative. The technology is already changing how web designers do their jobs. We’re using it to help us debug code and generate content. And who knows what will come next? We’re also seeing prompt-based tools that promise to “design” for us. The idea is to turn a time-consuming process into one that takes minutes. Oh, and cut into our profits along with it. Yes, it’s concerning. Even so, I don’t believe that AI will replace us. However, it may require us to reinforce the message of who we are and what we do. It’s an opportunity to showcase our value to the world. It’s also a chance to re-introduce ourselves to website owners. We might even divert their attention away from these shiny new tools. How does this...

Lessons Learned in 25 Years of Freelancing

15Feb

By Eric KarkovackNo Comments

building website, creating a website, Freelance Business, Freelance Career, Freelance Clients, Freelance Design, google web designer, internet design, web design, web design company, web designer, web page design, website builder, website design

Lessons Learned in 25 Years of Freelancing

Embarking on a freelance web design career means embracing uncertainty. You’ll have to book enough gigs to keep you financially afloat. You’ll also need to weather the ups and downs. Most importantly, you’ll have to adjust to a changing landscape. Nothing is guaranteed. Thus, I was astonished and amused when the calendar flipped to 2024. This year marks the 25th anniversary of my freelance business. How time flies. I had no such milestones in mind back in 1999. My goals were relatively simple. I wanted to apply what I’d learned working for others. And I wanted to do things my way. Longevity wasn’t a priority for that 21-year-old kid. Maybe I’ve beaten the odds. But I’m still working with clients. Some have even been with me for the entire run. My goal today is to share some valuable lesson...

The Unpredictable Life of a Freelance Web Designer

13Oct

By Eric KarkovackNo Comments

The Unpredictable Life of a Freelance Web Designer

I’ve been a freelance web designer since 1999. And I know where I’ll be most days. I’m usually here at my desk, plugging away at projects. But that’s where the predictability ends. That’s because my to-do list is subject to change. One request from a client can disrupt everything. No matter how much I plan. My schedule is in a constant state of flux. I’ve learned to accept the situation. Or have I? A recent tweet made me think about how unpredictable my days are. And I’m not the only one dealing with uncertainty. Other freelancers have shared their frustrations as well. Sometimes web designers need to shift gears faster than a Ferrari. That’s just reality. So, how do we cope with it? And what can we do to lessen the need? Here are a few thoughts on dealing with an unpredictable life. No Ro...

Discovering the Freedoms of Freelance Web Design

17Aug

By Eric KarkovackNo Comments

building website, creating a website, Free Templates, Freelance Business, Freelance Career, Freelance Clients, Freelance Design, google web designer, internet design, web design, web design company, web designer, web page design, website builder, website design

Discovering the Freedoms of Freelance Web Design

People tend to assume a lot of things about freelance web designers. I’ve spent over half of my life being one. And I think I’ve heard them all. Among the greatest hits: “If you get tired of working, you can go watch TV.” “Wow, I bet you could hit the golf course every day.” “Life without a boss!” “You can sleep as much as you want.” I could go on. But you get the idea. The common thread is that they all relate to a perceived freedom. And you can’t blame people for assuming. Freedom is one of the big selling points of this career path. But that’s not the type of freedom I’ve experienced. It got me thinking about the realities and how they differ from the perceptions. Just what type of freedoms come with freelancing? And what are the costs and limitations? The Freedom of a Personalized Work...

How to Deal with Clients That Have Outsized Expectations

31Jul

By Eric KarkovackNo Comments

building website, creating a website, Design Clients, Freelance Business, Freelance Career, Freelance Clients, Freelance Design, google web designer, internet design, web design, web design company, web designer, web page design, website builder, website design

How to Deal with Clients That Have Outsized Expectations

Clients have big ideas for their websites. It’s an opportunity to build something special. But web designers don’t always share the same level of enthusiasm. That’s not because we don’t want to help clients achieve their goals. It’s because we understand the reality of how challenging a project can be. A great website requires skill, hard work, and resources to do things right. Clients don’t always consider this. Sometimes they don’t know what’s involved. Or they assume that we’ll figure out the details on the fly. This can result in a disconnect between stakeholders. The design and build processes become anything but collaborative. Worst of all, it puts the project outcome at risk. So, how do you deal with clients that have outsized expectations? You can start by providing a reality check...

26Apr

By Eric KarkovackNo Comments

building website, creating a website, Design Clients, Freelance Career, Freelance Clients, Freelance Design, Freelance Disaster, google web designer, internet design, web design, web design company, web designer, web page design, website builder, website design

How To Survive a Nightmare Client

Working with clients is a mixed bag. The experiences you have are valuable. But there’s no guarantee that they’ll be enjoyable. Thankfully, most clients are fair and honest. Yes, some can be difficult to work with. But it’s still possible to form a productive relationship with them. On the other hand, you’ll find the occasional nightmare client. Someone that (intentionally or not) breaks all the rules. They’ll mistreat you, argue about every detail, and generally make a mess of things. I’ve spent over two decades in the web design industry. I can attest to the damage that comes from working with the wrong person. It can turn both your business and life upside down. It can even be traumatic. There were times when I questioned my ability to move past the situation. The good news is that it’s...

Jumping Through Hoops for Prospective Web Design Clients

16Mar

By Eric KarkovackNo Comments

Jumping Through Hoops for Prospective Web Design Clients

Booking new clients for your web design business is challenging. First, you have to find someone interested in your services. Then it’s a matter of hammering out an agreement so that you can start your journey together. This sounds easy. But the process can feel like being in a reality show competition. Once in a while, you’ll run into a prospective client who plays the part of the sly host. They’ll test your limits by asking all sorts of philosophical questions and assorted odd requests. Frankly, it’s a bit unnerving. Sometimes it can feel belittling. You’re trying to land a new client but have to endure the third degree. You might start to wonder if you’ll ever just get to the project. How much of this must you tolerate? Where do you finally draw the line and say, “Thanks, but no thanks…...

Why It Takes Commitment to Work with Clients

5Dec

By Eric KarkovackNo Comments

building website, creating a website, Design Clients, Freelance Business, Freelance Career, Freelance Clients, Freelance Design, google web designer, internet design, responsive web design, web design, web design company, web designer, web page design, website builder, website design

Why It Takes Commitment to Work with Clients

The ability to work with multiple clients is one of the perks of being a freelance web designer. You can build websites spanning an array of industries – each one providing a unique experience. Or you can go in the opposite direction and focus on a particular niche. Whichever path you choose, there is a singular common thread for each project you take on: commitment. It’s crucial to not only focus on a project’s outcome, but on our relationships with clients as well. Yet it’s not something we routinely discuss. That’s something we should change. After all, commitment is a key ingredient to a successful web design career. You aren’t likely to get very far without it. Let’s kick off the discussion with a look at what kinds of commitments web designers need to make, along with tips for managi...

Dealing with People Who Don’t Value Web Designers

25Nov

By Eric KarkovackNo Comments

building website, creating a website, Freelance Business, Freelance Clients, Freelance Design, google web designer, internet design, web design, web design company, web designer, web page design, website builder, website design

Dealing with People Who Don’t Value Web Designers

If you spend a bit of time in the web design industry, you’ll undoubtedly run into someone who just doesn’t understand the value of what you do. What’s amazing is that, even in this high-tech world in which we live, there are still people who think that anyone can build a great website. Years ago, it seemed very common. As a young designer, I can remember a few co-workers (and even my boss) having no idea what I did. But in those days, web design was a fairly new concept in the mainstream. Thus, I never took their attitudes personally. It was likely a matter of people who didn’t quite “get” the internet just yet. But now technology is everywhere. People hold the entire web in their hands. And yet, we still run into those who think we’re all hipster rip-off artists. Years ago I had an encou...

The Grumpy Designer Asks: Are You Tired?

8Nov

By Eric KarkovackNo Comments

building website, creating a website, Design Clients, Freelance Business, Freelance Career, Freelance Clients, Freelance Design, google web designer, Grumpy Designer, internet design, web design, web design company, web designer, web page design, website builder, website design

The Grumpy Designer Asks: Are You Tired?

Before we get too far, let me state that this isn’t a “woe is me” post. I may be grumpy, but I also know how to count my blessings. And I’ve been fortunate in numerous ways. It’s just that… I’m tired. You see, after 25+ years in this industry, I’ve come to realize that this job doesn’t get any easier. If anything, more layers of complexity keep being added. And the expectations from both clients and myself are higher than ever. Then there’s the unhealthy mix of a constant stream of emails, Slack notifications, and tweets. Taken together, it’s enough to wear you out mentally and physically. Surveying the web design community helped me to see that I’m not alone in this feeling. But it’s not only work-related stressors. There’s been a pandemic in our faces for years now. And each of us has st...

9Sep

By Eric KarkovackNo Comments

building website, creating a website, Design Clients, Freelance Clients, google web designer, internet design, Marketing, SEO, web design, web design company, web designer, web page design, website builder, website design

Taking a Look at Google Analytics 4

Google Analytics has been a staple in the toolbox of web designers, marketers, and SEO specialists for years. And although there’s a steep learning curve, it offers an in-depth view of who’s visiting your website and the actions they take. The massive piles of data Google Analytics provide hasn’t necessarily kept up with an evolving web, however. Privacy regulations and competitors with leaner products have forced the venerable tool to reconsider its practices. That’s why the next version is likely to surprise some longtime users. Google Analytics 4 (GA4) takes a vastly different approach, with a focus on user events rather than sessions. This eliminates some privacy concerns – not to mention user-specific data that was of interest to those of us reading the reports. And it’s also going to...

Learn to Prioritize Your Web Design Work

6Jul

By Eric KarkovackNo Comments

building website, creating a website, Design Clients, Freelance Business, Freelance Career, Freelance Clients, Freelance Design, google web designer, internet design, productivity, web design, web design company, web designer, web page design, website builder, website design

Learn to Prioritize Your Web Design Work

So much of being a freelance web designer is about balance. Make sure to take time for yourself. Create efficient processes or even outsource tasks to ensure that you have time for your projects. But what about the projects themselves? When you have multiple clients to please, finding balance can seem impossible. And perhaps it’s not even necessary. Truth be told, each web design project is a unique entity. And while it’s wise to be diligent in your efforts, not every task carries the same level of importance. That’s why the ability to prioritize your work is so valuable. This is a skill I’ve struggled with over the past couple of decades. Life’s a journey, as they say. But even if we don’t always get it right, there are some things to keep in mind when it comes to prioritization. Let’s ta...

How To Handle Ethical Disagreements With Your Clients

3Mar

By Addison DuvallNo Comments

building website, creating a website, design, Design Clients, Freelance Clients, Freelance Design, google web designer, internet design, web design, web design company, web designer, web page design, website builder, website design

How To Handle Ethical Disagreements With Your Clients

Sometimes, you may get a client who wants you to do something that you’re just not comfortable with. We all want to please our clients, but how do you please a client who, say, really wants you to directly copy another company’s logo design or sales copy? Or who wants you to do something malicious to a competitor’s online reputation, Google ranking, et cetera? It doesn’t matter what the unethical thing is or your reason for not wanting to do it – it’s always a pain to deal with and handle in a professional and courteous manner. Luckily, there is a reliable process many freelancers can use to stop these types of clients from getting out of control, and often prevent ethical issues from coming up in the first place. The Web Designer Toolbox Unlimited Downloads: HTML & Bootstrap Template...

How Passion Can Help (Or Hurt) a Design Project

2Feb

By Eric KarkovackNo Comments

building website, creating a website, Design Clients, Freelance Clients, Freelance Design, google web designer, internet design, web design, web design company, web designer, web page design, website builder, website design

How Passion Can Help (Or Hurt) a Design Project

Designers love to speak about passion. And, in such a creative line of work, it seems natural that this would be a driving force behind what we do. Not to mention that virtually every aspect of design can elicit strong feelings among both creators and consumers. However, passion can be a double-edged sword. On one side, it spurs creativity and can lead to outstanding results. But it can also run a project right past the guide rails as well. There are situations when a dispassionate approach is beneficial. This often means putting ego aside and looking at things through an objective lens. The challenge is knowing when passion should play a role – and when to let it go. Let’s look at some ways that passion can both help and hurt your projects. The Web Designer Toolbox Unlimited Downloads: H...

Are Low-Cost WordPress Projects Worth Your Time?

12Jan

By Eric KarkovackNo Comments

building website, creating a website, Design Clients, Freelance Business, Freelance Career, Freelance Clients, google web designer, internet design, web design, web design company, web designer, web page design, website builder, website design, WordPress, WordPress Plugins, WordPress Themes

Are Low-Cost WordPress Projects Worth Your Time?

If you’re a freelancer looking for new clients, you’ll likely find plenty of opportunities to take on low-cost WordPress projects. But pairing the term “low-cost” with WordPress seems like an oxymoron. Sure, it may accurately describe what a client is willing to pay. That doesn’t speak to the challenges involved, though. These projects always tend to be more than meets the eye. I’ve spent over a decade working in the WordPress space. And I can’t recall a single project that didn’t involve multiple revisions and at least some customization. Even a website that uses a third-party theme and a few select plugins will need some tweaks. This process encompasses projects at every pricing level. It begs the question: are low-cost WordPress projects worth your time? The answer depends on what exact...

How Novice Designers Can Improve Their Client Rosters

2Jan

By Addison DuvallNo Comments

building website, creating a website, Design Clients, Freelance Career, Freelance Clients, google web designer, internet design, Marketing, web design, web design company, web designer, web page design, website builder, website design

How Novice Designers Can Improve Their Client Rosters

Ever feel like you’re getting passed over constantly for new and exciting work by other designers who aren’t quite as, well, good as you are? Don’t worry, you’re not alone – and you’re not a bitter jerk for having those thoughts. It’s something that most young freelance designers face, especially as they improve their skills and become better designers, yet their client roster is still as uninspiring as ever. Today, I’m going to give all you young designers out there some tips on what you can do to stop feeling like yesterday’s news, and get in on more of the exciting, high-paying action going on in the design industry. The Web Designer Toolbox Unlimited Downloads: 1,000,000+ Web Templates, Themes, Plugins, Design Assets, and much more! Gaining Entry to the Clubhouse I hate to break it...

How Web Designers Can Cope with Situations Out of Their Control

26Nov

By Eric KarkovackNo Comments

How Web Designers Can Cope with Situations Out of Their Control

Everyone wants to control their own destiny. For web designers, that means layouts that look great, code that works as intended, and clients who pay on time. While we may wish for each of those things, reality usually plays out differently. Layouts aren’t always pixel-perfect, code breaks and clients – well, they’re human. But it goes even further. The deeper you look, the more situations you’ll find that are out of your control. This is especially tough for those of us who keep a tight grip on both our business and projects. When something is out of our sphere of influence, it’s easy to become frustrated. And that can harm virtually every aspect of your work. It may even creep into your personal life as well. That’s why the ability to cope with these situations is vital. By saving yoursel...

The Grumpy Designer’s Cure for Massive Expectations

18Aug

By Eric KarkovackNo Comments

building website, creating a website, Design Clients, Freelance Clients, Freelance Design, google web designer, Grumpy Designer, internet design, Learn Web Design, responsive web design, web design, web design company, web designer, web page design, website builder, website design

The Grumpy Designer’s Cure for Massive Expectations

Ever since the beginning of time (or the mid-1990s), much has been expected of web designers. In those early days, we were not only focused on learning HTML, but mastering graphic design as well. There weren’t a lot of official learning paths. Thus, our skills were often developed on the job. What’s changed? Well, we still need to know HTML and graphics. Oh, along with CSS, JavaScript, MySQL, PHP, responsive design, accessibility best practices and how a Tesla works. If there’s time left over, it might also be useful to know SEO and social media, too. As if that weren’t enough, there’s the whole issue of dealing with clients. We’re expected to soothe the panicky ones, teach the technophobes and resolve issues surrounding design politics. It seems we’re stuck in a dimension somewhere betwee...

The Right Way to Add Recurring Revenue to Your Web Design Business

4Mar

By Eric KarkovackNo Comments

The Right Way to Add Recurring Revenue to Your Web Design Business

Booking new projects is a key revenue driver for any freelance web designer. But a lot of time and effort goes into both finding projects and getting the details hammered out. Then you still have to do the actual work. It’s not always an efficient process. And, unless those projects are quite large, you might also need to find other ways to boost cashflow. Constantly chasing that next opportunity can be tiring – and may not be enough to sustain your business. That’s why recurring revenue is so attractive. As the name suggests, it’s money that comes in regular intervals – weekly, monthly or yearly. It’s something you can depend on and, once a client is signed up, won’t require repeated sales pitches. Ideally, it will allow you to better focus on design and development. Sound like something ...

Freelance Situations You Need to Fix Right Away

27Dec

By Eric KarkovackNo Comments

Freelance Situations You Need to Fix Right Away

As a freelance web designer, you’ll have the opportunity to work with a wide variety of clients. And it’s likely that some of them will want to enter into different types of working arrangements. One common example is billing. You may run into a client that prefers to pay a flat monthly fee rather than be charged hourly. Some might even aim for a yearly invoice. But it can go well beyond a unique invoicing schedule. Client preferences can be all over the map. They may include how you communicate, when you work, and how quickly things get done. Anything and everything are on the table. This calls for a certain level of flexibility on your part. The willingness to work with a client on such issues can be beneficial to your relationship. But the opposite can also be true. With certain clients...