What is involved in the job when it comes to web design?
First of all it’s not enough to just be able to use a web constructor where anyone can drag and drop anything to the page, save it as an html file, and upload it to the web. There are some serious skills and experiences involved in this kind of job, such as: strong knowledge of HTML and CSS, design principles, typography, color balance, web graphics formats, understanding of visual balance, ability to edit graphics, understanding how web server works, knowledge of usability, logic, and more. These are just basic skills every web designer, even a beginner, must have.
How important is a good website to an eBusiness (online office only) and to a regular business with an internet presence?
In the world of marketing (and website is a marketing tool) it’s extremely important to have a professionally looking representation. Internet marketing is one of the most effective tools. Every company has to have perfect and nicely looking website. But it also has to work properly. Why would one have a website at all if it’s not going to be a good one? There are lots of ways to reduce costs, if, for instance company doesn’t have enough money, to get a web site. But if you got a site, make sure it looks good and works good, otherwise it actually may hurt a company image and business.
Is there a good demand for your products and services? Has the market grown in recent years?
I have started this business of my own not so long ago, and didn’t have enough time to analyze the market. But considering huge amount of amateur web developers I assume, that the number of clients who will choose professional web services will continue to grow at an exponential rate in the nearest future.
Do you have a specific degree or training – or are you self-taught?
I have a degree in journalism with a certification in Internet Project Management, but I used to be a web designer before I’ve got it, so, pretty much I am a self-taught.
How do you market your services?
Internet marketing tools, references, business cards, flyers…
What are some reasons a business owner would want to hire a professional web designer instead of trying to do on their own?
Unfortunately, there are lots of people who think that making a web page is very easy and every one can do it without any kind of training – just save a Word file with text and graphics as HTML file. But there is a lot to it besides saving a file in .html format. It’s hard to explain to the clients web development in detail, because usually they just wouldn’t understand. I may give only one advise – of course, it is important how much you pay for marketing, but in web design “cheaper” very often means unprofessional. Why do we outsource cleaning, mail service, records management, catering, security service? Because there are professionals who do it better. Why do people think that web development is something one can do without any special skills?
Web development has to be outsourced for one more reason: there are very few professionals you may hire as a full time employee, who can be all in one: do graphic design, good coding, content management, search engine optimization, internet marketing, and the rest – all which is required for constructing of a really good working website that will help raising your profits. If there are such people, they have their own businesses. Outsourcing of web-services is better, cheaper, faster, and just reliable.