What You’ll Need to Start a Web Design Agency

Are you thinking of putting your design skills to work and becoming your own boss? Creating a web design agency is a great source of income, and it can be a lot of fun as well. However, you can’t just jump into the fun parts right away. Starting the design agency will take a lot of work, but we will be walking through what you need in order to do it.

Invest in Equipment

Starting your business will be tricky if you do not have the proper equipment to do so. Some of the tasks that you will be doing require the use of high-powered machines. Save up for a little while, and then invest in computers, monitors, a scanner, and a printer. All of these need to be able to handle the workload and type of work that you are going to be providing to clients. You will also need to figure out a foolproof method of backing up your data so that nothing ever gets lost.  

Create a Team

Working as a freelance web designer is appealing, but it can only earn you a limited amount of money. If you really want to expand your horizons and create an agency, you will need a team around you that you can trust. Consider areas of the business that you are weaker at, such as the marketing or financial side. This is where you will need the most help. This is why you shouldn’t just hire an entire team of web designers, find specialists in different fields who have the same vision as you.

Make your Website

You may already have a website for yourself, but now is the time to spruce it up. You will need to update your website to show your clients what you will be offering them. Your website is an opportunity for you to show off your skills to prospective clients who are browsing through. Upload your portfolio onto your website and make it easy for visitors to the site to find. Now they know who you are, what you offer, and what your work looks like.

Test your Website

Whether you are creating an entirely new website or updating your old one, you will need to test it before it is put into action. You will need to check that all the features are working and that images have been uploaded properly. Look to see if all the fonts are uniform, and nothing is out of place. There is nothing worse than losing a prospective client over a messy or incomplete website.

Offer Hosting

Often, a web design agency will include hosting as part of the cost to make the site a ‘turn-key solution’. When web designers offer to host as well, they are setting themselves up for a much larger payout than they otherwise would have received. You will also be receiving reoccurring revenue, rather than just a one-time payment. Hosting their websites will also get you a much better relationship with your clients. You are not simply setting up their website and leaving them to it, you are helping them along with every step of the way.

Agency hosting involves setting up multiple accounts for different clients. With each account, you can host numerous websites. You’ll want to use a site with dedicated agency hosting, like Greengeeks.com. This type of plan will be perfect for you as you get into the swing of agency hosting.

Keep on Top of Your Finances

It is important to always stay aware of the financial situation of your business so that you don’t lose track of things. You will need a system of creating invoices, tracking business expenses, and receiving payments, among other things. The easiest way to keep track of everything is by using accounting software. There are many different options available online, so take a look and see which one will best suit your business. At tax time, you can give a copy of your business records to your accountant, and they will be able to complete your corporate tax return for you.

Wrapping Up

Creating a web design agency is a great business idea, particularly if you already have some of the skills required. Once you have your products and services ready to go, just reach out to a few clients who you have worked with before. The word will spread, and soon clients will be specifically requesting your services!