Self-Made Web Designer
We talk to real people who took the not-so-traditional route to make it as web design freelancers or business owners. Plenty of helpful tips and tricks along the way. If you’re looking to start a side hustle or just up your game as a web or UX designer, this podcast is for you.
Episodes
I'm sharing 10 lessons that took me a decade to learn while building my web design business. From avoiding the niche trap to understanding the importance of marketing, these are real, battle-tested tips to help your business grow. I've experienced the highs and the lows, and now I'm sharing all my notes with you.
🛝 Grab the slides!
https://selfmadewebdesigner.com/10tips
👨🏼💻 Watch Next!
💸 14 Ways to Land High Paying Web Design Cli...
🛝 Grab the slides!
https://selfmadewebdesigner.com/5skills
📝 Check out the free/cheap fonts selection
https://selfmadewebdesigner.com/fonts
👨🏼💻 Watch Next!
💸 14 Ways to Land High Paying Web Design Clients
https://youtu.be/jGDrKhaLWyw
🖼️ 50 Web Design Tips and Tricks to Level Up Instantly
https://youtu.be/rRFD6tENX2U
📩 Sign-Up for the SMWD and Get Client Opportunities in Your Inbox Every Week
https://selfmadewebdesigner.com/newslet...
In this episode, I'll share the five most common sales objections faced by web designers and how to effectively overcome them in just five minutes. From credibility and price objections to commitment, scope, and comparison objections, I'll provide actionable strategies to handle each one. Learn how to reframe weaknesses as strengths, build trust with your process, understand the true value your client is looking for, and keep the m...
In this episode, I give you the exact script I used to land a $10,000 web design project through a sales call. This is the first video in a series aimed at diving deep into every step of the web design process to secure high-paying clients. I discuss the importance of using an outline to maintain control during sales calls, breaking the call into four sections: discovery, solutions, process, and close. I emphasize asking heart and ...
In this episode, I share 50 web design tips, tricks, and hacks to elevate your web design skills in just 15 minutes. From mindset and design fundamentals to user experience and technical skills, you'll learn everything you need to create stunning, effective websites. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned designer, these rapid-fire tips will help you improve layout, color schemes, typography, and image use. Plus, I cover essential...
In the third and final video of this series on website layouts, I share unique layout ideas to elevate your web design projects. Whether you're just starting out or looking to add some flair to your current designs, this video is packed with practical tips and examples. I'll take you behind the scenes of my work on a nonprofit project and show you how to use Figma to organize your inspiration. Learn about three, four, and five-colu...
If you really want to stand out as a web designer, mastering website layouts is essential. In this episode, I break down how to create effective one and two column layouts using visual hierarchy, variation, and balance. Learn practical tips and see real-world examples of layouts that guide attention, engage users, and elevate your design game. Don't forget to check out the Figma file linked in the description, and stay tuned for th...
In this episode, I dive deep into the crucial role of layouts in web design. From the psychology behind why clear and purposeful layouts matter, to practical tips on setting up columns and grids in tools like Showit and Figma. Discover how understanding and using layout variations can enhance user experience, keep your designs engaging, and ultimately make your web design projects stand out. Plus, get ready for a series of videos s...
Over the past 10 years, I've experimented with TONS of strategies to get high-ticket web design clients, and I've compiled the 14 best methods that have consistently worked for me. Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow your business, these strategies are designed to attract $5,000 to $10,000 clients on autopilot.
Resources Mentioned:
📩 Sign-Up for the SMWD and Get Client Opportunities in Your Inbox Every Week
https://se...
In this episode, I share the exact steps I took to start a successful web design business while juggling a full-time job and the responsibilities of being a single dad. Learn about crucial strategies such as creating a time budget, systematizing tasks, and cutting out unnecessary steps to make the most of your limited time. Whether you're struggling to find time, or figuring out how to optimize your workflow, this episode is packed...
You shouldn't be guessing to know exactly what to charge for your next website project. There's actually a really simple process that I walk you through in this episode.
Watch Next:
📄 My Complete Web Design Project Process:
https://youtu.be/T5JglDcd54A
📈 38 Resources of Web Design Inspiration
https://youtu.be/llYWhiB6LMU
💻 Over a Decade of Web Design Knowledge in 7 Minutes
https://youtu.be/1NTKwpAVcHg
👨🏼💻Check out Showit and get you...
There are 4 simple but very powerful things you can do to level up your web design skills fast. No, you don't need a degree. No you don't need to buy an expensive course. BUT, you do need some grit and a little bit of guidance.
Watch Next:
📈 38 Resources of Web Design Inspiration
https://youtu.be/llYWhiB6LMU
💻 Over a Decade of Web Design Knowledge in 7 Minutes
https://youtu.be/1NTKwpAVcHg
📄 My Complete Web Design Project Process:
https...
If you want to make sites that no one else is making, you have to look places no one else is looking. Check out these 38 resources to do just that.
Watch Next:
📈 Build a Web Design Business in 2025
https://youtu.be/m6HC_o4Cvko
💻 Over a Decade of Web Design Knowledge in 7 Minutes
https://youtu.be/1NTKwpAVcHg
📄 My Complete Web Design Project Process:
https://youtu.be/T5JglDcd54A
👨🏼💻Check out Showit and get your first month free
https:/...
This is my step-by-step process to starting a web design business in 2025. Things look a lot different from when they did just 5 years ago. Here's a practical roadmap to start a web design business in 2025.
💻 Check out my free Web Designer Starter Kit course and get your web design journey started on the right foot!
https://selfmadewebdesigner.com
👨🏼💻Check out Showit and get your first month free
https://selfmadewebdesigner.com/sh...
I'll share a step-by-step strategy that helped me secure my first three web design clients without needing a portfolio, website, or cold calling. The key approach is leveraging personal connections through my 'First 100 Framework.' I'll explain how to list potential contacts, what to say during outreach, handle different types of responses, and tips for the initial client phone call. You'll also learn how to navigate budget discuss...
I get personal on this one and share my story. It was a struggle to leave full time ministry but looking back I think it was the right decision.
Check out the episodes web page!
https://selfmadewebdesigner.com/how-to-make-a-career-change-in-your-30s-my-personal-story/
📄 My Complete Web Design Project Process:
https://youtu.be/T5JglDcd54A
🏁 If I Started a Web Design Business in 2025
https://youtu.be/glzsMuOPOUU
🔎 Finding Freelance Clien...
If you're building websites for clients without a clear, repeatable process, it's only a matter of time before things go south in a bad way. Here's my exact process for high ticket web design clients.
Resources Mentioned:
📄 Free Project Process Template:
https://selfmadewebdesigner.com/trello-template
🙋🏼♂️ Free Client Questionnaire
https://selfmadewebdesigner.com/questionnaire
👨🏼🎨 Ruttl
https://selfmadewebdesigner.com/ruttl
Check o...
In just 7 minutes, I'll share over 10 years of web design expertise, focusing on three core principles: layout, color, and typography. I'll explain the importance of visual hierarchy over the outdated F-pattern, show you the 60-30-10 rule for picking color palettes, and highlight the significance of readability in typography. I'll also provide insights into good conversion practices that go beyond aesthetics to drive user engagemen...
Will AI take over web design? Should I learn to code? Is there too much competition for me to have a chance?
I answer all those questions as I lay out 5 things I'd do differently if I was starting over with web design in 2025. You get all the juicy details of the mistakes I made along the way and the importance of adapting to changes in the industry, building efficient processes, developing a refined design taste, nurturing real-wor...
Web Designer Starter Kit Course
Here are some links to the equipment I use for my podcast and videos. These are affiliate links. Clicking on these will help me keep the channel and podcast running
Camera - Panasonic Lumix G7
https://selfmadewebdesigner.com/camera
Lens - Samyang 12mm F2
https://selfmadewebdesigner.com/lens
Audio Interface - UA Apollo Twin Duo
https://selfmadewebdesigner.com/interface
Microphone - Shure SM7B
...
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