How to expand your freelance UX/UI design business

If you’re fortunate enough to be skilled and trained in User Experience, User Interface design or coding, you’ll likely be benefiting from the boom of client interest in this area. There’s certainly no shortage of new apps, websites and online services being launched weekly — and it’s common that the teams behind these new businesses aren’t digital designers themselves, meaning they require the input of a professional.

While you may be enjoying a steady stream of freelance work, it’s possible there are more clients out there waiting to use and benefit from your services. Here are some top tips on how you can find — and win — new customers.

Create a strong portfolio

When working within any kind of creative or design field, your portfolio of work will be a crucial tool for attracting and securing new business. Plus, as you’re a digital designer, your online presence and personal website will be an extension of this — no-one is going to hire a UX/UI professional whose website isn’t user-friendly and engaging!

Ensure you only show off your very best work; it’s preferable to display only five fantastic projects versus ten, only a few of which you’re truly proud of. Think about how you can use your website design, functionality and interactivity to stand out from the crowd.

Reach out to potential clients

Networking doesn’t feel comfortable for everyone. However, as a freelance designer, you’ll need to be open to approaching clients and offering your services to them.

Rather than sending out vague, non-personalized emails, be more considerate of who you are propositioning and why. If you come across a website — perhaps of a brand you buy from as a customer, or a new startup you’ve read about in a blog — and feel that you’d have some creative input to make their UX or UI more effective, that’s a great opportunity for you to tap into. Be cautious not to give away too much free advice, as you want them to contract you for the work, but offering some early ideas in your initial contact can be a great way to get new clients on-board.

Before sending out your email though, ensure you have the right contact information. Use an email address verifier to check the address you have for them is still valid, and if it isn’t, do a domain search to find their contact information.

Make your offer competitive

Digital design is a booming industry, and as such, there’s a lot of fierce competition in the marketplace. You should look for ways to make your offer more attractive than the next supplier’s. This doesn’t always mean dropping your prices or offering promotions or discounts; instead, you can appear more convincing through added skills and experience.

Make it clear in your CV or portfolio what other associated talents you have, or qualifications and certifications you’ve achieved — you don’t have to be a UX unicorn, but the more you can offer, the more likely you’ll be hired.

Expanding your business quickly and easily

Luckily, these are quick and easy actions. Revisit your current website, and analyze your own work from a UX and UI perspective — remember clients will be judging you on the design of your own site, so make sure it sells your ability. Don’t be nervous to approach new business, and tell them what it is you could do for them and why they need it. Freelancing requires you to be your own salesperson, so get selling!