This post is a continuation of graphic design tip #18 in our article “101 Graphic Design Tips for Business Success.”

Don’t have your own website yet?

As a Graphic Designer, a website is essential. You need a way to advertise your work and quickly direct potential clients to your portfolio. Most clients conduct research via the Internet. If you don’t have a website, you are missing out on a lot of opportunities.

Having a website will help you market your abilities, services and talent. It is a fast way to build credibility with current client work and testimonials. The power of the web can never be underestimated. Having a website is the easiest and fastest way for someone to make an informed decision about hiring you. It’s available 24/7 and easy to keep current and updated.

Getting a website is easy. But before you start it’s good to go through and thoughtfully prepare your content. Assemble your website with as much care as you would prepare your portfolio for an interview.

Ask yourself a few questions before you begin:

What are your goals with the site?

What do you want to focus on and advertise?

What kind of audience are you targeting?

Creating the content for the site before you build will help for a smooth and cohesive presentation – which is essential for an effective web presence. Collect images for the portfolio section and then roll up your sleeves and begin building.

Simple steps to a graphic design career success

A few simple steps and you are on your way to maximizing your web potential.

1. Obtain a domain name.
Whether you are using your personal name or your designated company name; pick the closest, shortest, easiest way for people to remember your website. Remember that you will have to pay an annual fee to keep the rights to that domain. It’s an investment. Also a domain does not guarantee a website but there are several providers that will offer that as part of a package deal.

2. Select a web hosting company.
There are many options to choose on based on your needs and programming skills. Many hosting companies will offer one-click installations to free and open Content Management Systems (CMS) like drupal and joomla that you can use for framework publishing content. Choose wisely, if you don’t need the bells and whistles you can opt out and spring for it later as it comes up.

3. Design your site.
Keep in mind that you want your site to be quick to load. Optimize your images, make sure you keep your portfolio as brief and diversified as a portfolio you would take to an interview. Keep it simple and easy to navigate with your contact information the main focus. The main goal of your site should be to educate your client and get them to contact you.

You can obviously spend a book or more on web design; these are just the basics to get you started.