Web design is a career path that lends itself well to working solo. You don’t necessarily need a huge office or a team of colleagues. A resourceful designer can usually find ways to effectively manage their business.
That’s probably why so many of us have chosen to work as freelancers. The opportunity to take on projects that appeal to us and do so on our terms is attractive. For some, it’s the perfect alternative to being stuck in a cubicle all day.
Still, working alone doesn’t mean you should feel alone. Having helpful and supportive people in your life can make all the difference – and that extends to your professional journey.
This is where the greater web design community can play an essential role. Here are some ways it can benefit all freelance web designers.
A Resource for Business Advice
By participating in the web design community, you’ll open the door to a world of possibilities. For instance, you might connect with someone who has a positive impact on your career.
This is critical because, let’s face it – running a freelance web design business is challenging. It can be difficult to distinguish yourself from competitors or even figure out the best services to offer. Add to that an ever-changing array of tools and technologies and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
The advice of a seasoned professional can be invaluable. Look around and you may find one or more designers who have faced similar scenarios. They could be at a local get-together or active on social media.
Regardless, there’s comfort in having a conversation with someone who understands. It’s a chance to talk about the successes, failures, fears, and realities of freelancing.
And while we can’t expect anyone to fix our problems, getting another person’s perspective can point us in the right direction.
Finding Help for Your Projects
Have you ever felt stuck in the middle of a web project? Maybe it’s a bit of code you can’t figure out or a layout that doesn’t work as you expected. It’s something all of us have faced.
Likewise, some projects are simply too much for us to handle alone. There are too many things to do and not enough time. Again, a universal struggle among freelancers.
The web design community is well-equipped to help. There are plenty of experts who are ready and willing to pitch in. And this type of assistance comes in many forms.
For instance, you might make a connection with a developer who can help get a code snippet in working order. Or you may stumble upon a tutorial that explains the exact issue you’re working on.
Even better is expanding your network by building relationships with other web designers. These are the people you can call on to help rescue a project or lend a hand from the very start.
And it goes both ways. The result is a mutually-beneficial relationship that makes it easier to handle the ups and downs of project work.
Keeping Up with New Technology
The web design industry moves quickly. And keeping up with what’s new can be a mind-numbing experience. After all, there is only so much time in the day to dedicate to reading up on the latest buzzworthy technology.
This is another reason why the connections you make within the community are so valuable. You can cut through the hype and have conversations with those who have real-world experience.
It’s a perspective you can’t get from press releases or news articles. Is that fancy new tool worth your time? Talking with someone who has used it is a great way to find out.
The bigger your network, the more varied the opinions will be. But this allows you to see the benefits and drawbacks of a given technology. It can form a basis for deciding what is right for you.
A Guide to Your Freelance Journey
No matter how much experience one has in web design, there are still things we don’t know. Whether it relates to freelancing or the technical aspects of our job, none of us have all the answers.
Thankfully, we can find a helping hand in the form of a massive, worldwide community. And many of its members are incredibly smart and generous with their time. It’s a resource worth contributing to and learning from.
This is especially important for freelancers. It can be a lonely gig and one where you might feel that you have to do everything on your own. Finding some camaraderie among other designers provides both an emotional and professional boost.
Therefore, don’t be afraid to reach out to the web design community. The odds are that you’ll find the support you need – regardless of the challenges you face.
