Do You need a Website if you're a Freelance Web designer?

Clients might go to bidding sites but to me, if you're a web designer, having a website makes it look like you want to be taken seriously. It gives your clients to see what you're capable of and you can post more info about service you offer, prices, previous work, testemonials etc on there to paint a clearer picture for a potential customer!

Portfolios sell web design, so having an online portfolio helps a lot, whether it's in the freelance sites or on your own site, you need to have a large online portfolio that prospects can see your work.

It's not necessary, especially if you don't want to do big projects . I am a freelancer in odesk and I earn around $2K every month, but I don't have a website

My webguy doesnt have a website, he doesnt want one. He does a lot of work for regular clients like me, which keeps him busy enough.

I think a website does help with credibility and shows what you can do, so in general I think a web person should have a website.

It is always better to have your own portfolio hosted in your own site. Your best work should be found in your own site.

Yes, it is very necessary.
Because your personal site could serve as a sample of your service.
Having your personal site is a big shot for you because you can put their all the contents that your prospect and client wanted like portfolios, services, updates, etc.

Hope it helps.

Personally, I would not hire a web site designer without first looking through their web site / portfolio.

I'd say you definitely need an online portfolio if you're a web designer. It's a place you can send potential clients to check out your work.

I wouldn't hire a homeless home builder or an Amish electrician, why would I hire a websiteless web designer?

Yes, I need. I must have a portfolio website. It will expose me over internet and also will help me to get more clients.

You can have simple portfolio page with a contact form, but you need somewhere to show off all your work if you want to be taken seriously. How do you explain to clients your a webdesigner but don't have a website yourself? Make it the best it can be and show off your talents and it will help you get more clients.

I can't imagine anyone who does business online not having their own website...ESPECIALLY a web designer.

I'm a writer - I need an online portfolio of my writing samples, and the writing on my site should be representative of the quality of my work.

A graphic designer should have a website featuring their work, and the website should be very visually appealing.

An SEO expert should have their own website, and the site should rank high for its chosen SEO terms.

In other words, if you work online, you should have a website that is itself an example of your best work.

I would be wary of a web designer who hasn't designed their own [expertly designed] website.

Dsouravs,

If you would, PM me. I've been looking for a WordPress designer who can do some quality work and didn't charge $300 for a simple blog.

Do you have any samples of your work? PM that as well if u will.

Thanks man,
Jay

If someone is outsourcing your job,either they will ask for what you have done,show some samples. Having a website in your resume will help you save time from chatting with cheap customers,I would create a website,that catches eyes of person that is looking for a website creation,you get too manny reasons why you should do so if you are looking into long term results

Every client will ask you some samples or some sites that you have alreadu build
you may make 3 websites as samples, and one website for your services
this will get you more clients and reputation

Nothing can be better than showcasing your own portfolio and everything in your own website. Take this as an example. If you were an architect or a civil engineer, how can you make others believe that you were the one who engineered other people's houses when they see that those people's houses look better than yours? It's just like saying "Do to yourself what you claim you can do for others."

The same thing applies to us. We offer content writing services. Having a website where we can showcase our skills in web content writing is way better than just showing samples.

Ya! Need own website at least to gather and collect the portfolio

Having your own website increases the chances of getting the job.
You need to present your skills, services and work so the client know what he's paying for.

So, i think everyone serious in their business, be that web design or whatever, needs to have a website.

Having your own website will serve as one of your strengths compared to your competitors. Potential clients will first judge you based on what your website looks rather than your own works.

I must say it's a must for every one who'll offer they're services online/offline.

I've been doing web dev work for years and don't have a site. I do have a portfolio PDF with working links. Examples/Portfolio is most important - then a website. Often go hand in hand. Considering you're in design, though, you should have one.

It would be good if you had something live that you can show to your clients. Your personal website is one portfolio you can show them.

I would suggest having a "showcase" website (or maybe even a portfolio of sites) that potential clients can examine before ordering.

Remember that no good writer would try to get clients without a portfolio. Or imagine a car dealer trying to sell new models without offering a demo/test vehicle!

Well it really depends on one question:

1. Will you be able to get all the work you need through third party sites that give you the ability to show off your portfolio and handle communication?

For me, when I was freelancing I always meant to set up a site for myself, but I seriously just never got around to it.

I had so much work to do and so many clients that I never found the time, and so I really didn't lose anything by not having one.

However what I did have was a long list of demo sites on my own domain that I'd set up to show clients their designs before I released them.

Whenever a prospective client asked to see my portfolio, I simply gave them a long list of links where they could look at these demo sites.

I found this to be the best way because I could make sure the demo sites reflected my quality of work, as unfortunately sometimes people might tend to load up a live site with bad content that then doesn't show your design work as it should be.

I know some won't hire from a person that doesn't have a site, but I never ever had a problem staying busy with lots of clients that didn't care about that as long as they could talk to me and see examples of my work.

I had plenty of interest generated through third party sites where people were looking for freelancers, and I was always able to easily show my skill level and portfolio through those third party sites and via direct communication with the client.

However, if you find you aren't getting enough work through third party sites alone, or you aren't able to adequately showcase your portfolio, that's when you need your own site.

You can then look to push traffic to that site as an extra way to gain clients.

My recommendation would be to shoot straight for building a client base through third party sites as it's often the most direct path to getting work fast.

Then, if that's not working for you at the level you need, get your own site going in the free time that's not being filled with client projects.

But if you're busy and earning at the right level, then if it ain't broke don't fix it. :-)

Yeah get a website and market yourself on the freelance sites online. You want as much exposure as possible for your work - so do both.

I believe that it is a need because it hard to persuade and build trust with customer if you do not have a website that help you to make money .
It hard for people to trust on you that you can design a great website to earn money if you do not have one.
Your website do show your skill and it would be great that you show your noted client in your site which will actually help you increase trust and confidence towards your visitors to take your services.

Yes you do.

Most designers I know not only have their own sites, but offer hosting to their clients as well.

This is an assumption.

Most small business owners and those looking to have websites developed have no idea of these services.

I think everyone above agreed that you do in fact need one. And it only makes sense to have an online portfolio in this day and age regardless of whether you're using odesk or freelancers as well. It's all about credibility. And who knows what kind of offers you'll get without even having to try that hard?

You really need to have one - to present your portfolio of references. Identify yourself with your client - would you rather hire someone that has his own website with portfolio references on it, or someone who will just write you emails?

For me, the choice is clear... :-)

For me, it is really needed because some freelance designers want to show their portfolia and other designs to online viewer. Sometimes designers can get freelance jobs easily because of their websites...

Well having site will not hurt your business do you? you will look more reputable with website. And who knows hat one of your client will become your long time business partner. They will be happily order directly from your site. Think of it as a long time investation.

If you plan on selling your services on odesk then just a portfolio of sites you have built is enough. But why sell yourself short because you are competing against every tom dick and harry on odesk.

If you are good go offline and get the low hanging fruit with big pockets. In this case you definitely need a website of your own to be taken seriously. Going offline vs odesk is thousands of dollars difference. I have charged offline clients $30k for websites. Go where the money is.

I think having an online portfolio helps even if using bidding sites like odesk or PPH. It gives people more to consider than just your bid if you can show them a fancy online portfolio to go online with it.

I think sometimes it can work against you though, I specialise in WordPress sites and one client wanted his website moving to WordPress but keeping the existing look, so although the job was delivered well and to client expectations, the site didn't have the "wow factor" because the original site was only basic...

Guess that's a different point of "should I include everything on my portfolio" lol.

It's like the 1.50am girl in a nightclub you don't want any of your friends to know you snuck off with

I would say you certainly need an online portfolio if you are a web designer. It's an area you may send clients to think about your do the job.

i'd never hire anyone without a site

You can have a very successful freelance business without ever having a website.I have worked with many highly successful freelancers who make six figures a year and don't have a website.

Most of the freelancing sites have enough in-built features to showcase your skills and capabilities and impress your potential clients.

However,having a website can be helpful in getting repeat business from the same customers and clients.

If you are a web designer, it is much better if you will going to have a website since you need a place to showcase your work.

I think it's not necessarily for you to have a website. Although it would be wise decision to have site that promotes you as a web designer, beside your profiles on outsourcing sites. In this way you ca get more exposure and more potential clients!

Its the first thing I look for and I usually pass a lot of judgement about the designer based on the quality of their own site. After all, if your site sucks then why would mine wind up any better?

As a web designer, it is just a great help that you have your own website. Why?

1. You know you have the best training ground for your designs. You can tinker with your website, hosting, cpanel, platforms, etc. whenever you want, making you more effective in your craft. Free services can be helpful but not when you have your own domain and hosting. Knowledge that you will gain from your own site will be far wider than free services.

2. You will look better online, making you more attractive to prospect clients. Through your site, you can show them what you can really do. The appearance of your site will reflect your ability as a designer.

3. You can have your opportunity to earn by ppc, ads space, adsense, etc. While marketing yourself through your site, you can also do the "sideline", this can give you at least $5 a day if you would like to (without giving out so much effort- just keeping it updated with content everyday). This will not be an instant goal. It will take months for you to attain this so be patient. Just let time do its work too.

4. Confidence will be your profit. As years go by, you will develop your skills. Year by year, you will see a more professional YOU.

5. Remember that there are millions of web designers there whom you are competing with (professionally speaking). So make a healthy competition, by not messing up with them but by making a better "you".

Best wishes to you buddy!

For Any Freelancer Web Designer your work portfolio / Reference is very important.
How you expect that client give you order without seen your work / web skills

Yes it's necessary because your site will serve as your calling card to your clients, having your own site also enables you to post all your portfolios there.

it will help to build one as you will look more professional

I know that this question has probably been answered before but I felt I still had to add my 2 cents worth.
If you're a website designer, the first thing that any potential client is going to ask you is what's your URL? They want to see if you can truly design a site.

Now your site may be nothing like theirs but you can use it to establish credibility, show off a portfolio, build a list, list your prices and other services which they may not have considered and much, much more.

I know if I wanted a site and needed someone, if they had no site of their own, there is not a snowball's chance in hell that they would get one cent of my money.

A website can increase your online presence, obviously. Sometimes, and I know this is not recommended by sites like odesk, elance, etc. but, sometimes people like to find freelancers on these sites, and then find them off the site. (you know to avoid the fees on these sites).

You don't really need a website, but I think it would come in handy if you wanted to ever promote your services via email to local businesses in your area...

Yes, it is very necessary.
Because your personal site could serve as a sample of your service.
Having your personal site is a big shot for you because you can put their all the contents that your prospect and client wanted like portfolios, services, updates, etc.