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How to Run a Web Design Business

125-minute Professional Growth Course

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About this Course

Paul Boag, co-founder of web design agency Headscape, explains the important steps behind running a successful design business or freelance practice. Understanding the fundamentals of marketing, promotion, sales, and how to manage client relationships can allow you to get your work done and create the business that best suits your lifestyle.

Marketing and Promotion

Running any successful business means using marketing and promotion to attract the right audience and compelling them to use your services. In this stage, Paul Boag discusses how web design agencies can learn from what doesn't work, the importance of specializing your approach, and how to appeal to a target audience through social media and other channels.

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Sales and Pitching

One challenge facing freelancers and agencies alike is determining how much to charge for their services. In this stage, Paul Boag explains how to consider alternate pricing methods, write a winning proposal, and the art of pitching your services to a prospective client.

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Client Services

Freelancers and web design agencies must understand that building relationships can be just as important for their business as building websites. In this stage, Paul Boag describes how effective communication can improve client relationships along with your sales and finances.

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Growing Your Business

When a business is growing, it can be a good problem to have. However, the key to staying in business is understanding how to manage - or perhaps limit - your growth. In this stage, Paul Boag discusses issues related to personnel, office space, and planning for the future.

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A Lifestyle Choice

Businesses can only run if the people running them are happy. When a job becomes too much of a hassle, the desire to continue can disappear quickly. In this stage, Paul Boag explains the challenges of becoming your own boss and how money, people, and clients can affect your perspective on the business.

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Getting Work Done

Amidst all the project management and channels of communication to deal with, freelancers and agencies still need to get their work done. In this stage, Paul Boag discusses how staying organized is key to remaining productive, and how outside distractions - even from the client - can limit success.

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Teacher

  • Paul Boag

    Paul Boag has been working with the web since 1994. He is now co-founder of the digital agency Headscape, where he works closely with clients to establish their web strategy. Paul is a prolific writer having written the Website Owners Manual, Building Websites for Return on Investment, Client Centric Web Design and numerous articles for publications such as .net magazine, Smashing Magazine and the econsultancy.com. Paul also speaks extensively on various aspects of web design both at conferences across the world and on his award winning web design podcast Boagworld.

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