online Business Ideas: web designer

An aspiring web designer who doesn't know HTML from JavaScript is probably starting the wrong business unless the aspiring entrepreneur has a partner to code pages based on a design. Building websites is an exploding industry with abundant opportunities for the technically driven and curious. Just remember that the competition in these work at home jobs & businesses is fierce. Designing a simple template can net a web designer around $1,000, with more complicated projects boasting animation and other attention-grabbing features pulling in as much as $8,000. A work at home business as a web designer can take a while to build. Charge a fair price -- but offer discounts or consider freelancing sites to get started.

Because innovations happen so fast and there is enough coding and software possibilities to make even pros woozy, experts recommend web designers and developers specialize to stand out. Not everyone can be a great copywriter and a genius in site architecture. The self-employed can get in on the ground floor with the basics, but reaching the top requires constant self-education through website tutorials and other downloadable materials; the good news is, most of it is free. There is no consensus on whether formal education helps web designers -- some say the industry moves so fast, it doesn't matter; others claim a degree or certificate can cinch the deal. Web design often bleeds into graphic design, which invites a whole other industry into the competition for these work at home jobs & businesses.

Pros of Web Designer Work at Home Jobs & Businesses

The basic tools of the trade -- a computer, a flatbed scanner, printer and a digital camera -- literally can fit on your desktop.
You don't need to go to school to learn the basics of web design. Most of what you need to know is available online through user groups, tutorials and open-source software.
The Internet isn't going to disappear. Computer-related occupations, which lend themselves well to being work at home jobs & businesses, are expected to mushroom by up to 37% through 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Cons of Web Designer Work at Home Jobs & Businesses

The web is constantly evolving; you'll need to stay current on coding and software.
A lack of business sense can doom even the most artistically and technically gifted.
Establishing credentials as a web designer takes time.

What You Need to Get Started in Web Designer Work at Home Jobs & Businesses

Hardware, including a PC, quality monitor, scanner, printer and digital camera
Software for graphics, photos and video, which may be free or cost hundreds of dollars
A high-speed Internet connection and perhaps server space for site hosting and testing
A website of your own to showcase a portfolio of your work
Advertising online and in print to promote your business
Relationships with other web designers, developers and copywriters to subcontract work that you cannot do yourself, as well as to pick up extra work when business is slow and attract customers who want one-stop website shopping
Bookkeeping skills to manage your operation

Web Designer -- Real-Life Example

Freelance designer Darjan Panic indicates on his website (darjanpanic.com) that he charges an estimated $1,300 for a basic web design package that includes the design with up to eight pages, one year of web hosting, one year of domain name registration and up to three e-mail addresses. His estimated time to finish the job is between 10 and 15 days.

Freelancing as a Web Designer

Becoming a web designer is also something that works well on a freelancing basis. See theFreelancing Guide for more information.

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LifeWire, a part of The New York Times Company, provides original and syndicated online lifestyle content. Ron Dicker is a New York-based freelance writer who covered sports for the New York Times from 1996 to 2005.