Web designers are the unsung hero of web marketing. They are usually depicted as quiet individuals w...

1. 8 Things Web Designers Should Add to their Bucket List
Web designers are the unsung hero of web marketing. They are usually depicted as quiet individuals
working hard in a corner of their respective offices, creating the single most important marketing
tool businesses need online. Without web designers, the entire world of internet marketing will be in
shambles. The Internet itself won't exist.
Every web designer has his or her own bucket list or things that he or she envisions to accomplish.
For those who don't have one yet, here are eight recommendations that will help you stay on top of
your game.
Engage in Everyday Learning
Web designers are only as good as their last designs. The best practices of today may not be relevant
tomorrow. Everyone involved in internet marketing should be aware that obsoleteness is always just
around the corner. Web designing is a profession of life-long learning. It does not stop. Technology
evolves and the needs of businesses evolve as well. Make it your commitment to dedicate at least
two hours a day to learn what's happening in the industry.
Earn Your Badges
Trust indicators are powerful tools in conversion marketing and one way for web designers to push
forward with their careers is to earn certifications from reputable third party organizations such as
IBM, Adobe, Microsoft, Oracle and Google. Given all things equal, it will boil down to trust and
businesses will most likely trust web designers who are affiliated with trusted organizations. It's like
earning your own testimonials that will testify to the quality of your work.
Be a Master of All Trades
Online marketing practices that were once exclusively mutual are now converging. Internet stands
for interconnectedness so it really comes as no surprise that the different fields of digital marketing
are now converging. Looking forward, there's no other way but to embrace synergy. That being said,
web designers need to learn the basics of the marketing practices that are closely tied to web
designing. Web designers should have basic web development knowledge, they should be SEO
savvy, and they should know the basic of content development and should be attuned with the recent
developments in social media. It may sound daunting at first, but there's really no way to move
forward but to learn all these skills.
Strive to be a Team Leader
This is especially true if you're aspiring to have your own web design firm. More heads are better
than one, right? If you want to learn new skills, leading a team composed of the best in their fields is
the best way to do it. You'll get to sharpen your leadership skills and at the same time, learn
technical knowledge while growing your business.
Enhance Your Skills as a Persuasive Marketer
Whether you're running your own independent design agency or employed in one, you need to
develop your capacities as a persuasive marketer. For those running their own firms, you need to

2. learn how to win over clients, especially with the cut-throat competition in the market today. For
those who are employed in agencies, while your job may be stable right now, a financial crisis is just
around the corner and nobody knows what will happen tomorrow. Secure or not, you need to learn
how to package and sell yourself. Given all skills equal, knowing how to persuasively market yourself
can spell the difference between success and failure.
Walk the Talk
Fashion designers look fashionable. Religious leaders look saintly. Politicians look honorable. In the
same line of thinking, your own website should show your clients that you are putting into practice
what you preach. You will be surprised how many web designers don't have responsive website
designs while convincing their clients that mobile internet is the next frontier. There are numerous
web designers tell their clients to simplify their web properties when they themselves have cluttered
and unfocused websites.If you want your clients or prospective clients to believe you, you have to
show them that you walk the talk and the things you are telling them are not only lip service.
Learn to Speak the Language of Businessmen
Oftentimes, what causes friction between businessmen or marketing executives and professional
web designers is faulty communication. Web designers speak in the jargon of designs while
entrepreneurs speak in the language of business. Here's a reality check: gone are the days when
web designs are created for web designing's sake. In the beginning of this discussion, it was
mentioned how a website is the single most powerful tool in online marketing. Hence, your web
design should be aligned with a set of business objectives that your client sets. At the end of the day,
your clients won't care if your design looks like a piece of art. What they care about is results. Did it
generate leads? Did it increase subscriptions? Did it boost sales? You have to appreciate your client's
business and the things that are important to them.
Go Out There and Network
The stereotypical mental image the people have of web designers are cold, quiet, unsociable
individuals who like to be alone while working. While no one wants to be pigeonholed, a lot of
designers are guilty of this assumption.
Well, it's time to move out of your comfort zone and start networking. Be active on LinkedIn. Sign up
for seminars not just on web design, but internet marketing as a whole. Form intimate groups with
like-minded others and go out with them frequently. Break away from the stereotype and you'll be
surprised how much better of a designer you can be just by socializing and networking with people.
You don't have to do all of these and you don't need to go all out immediately. Take baby steps and

3. think about your own goals. Ask yourself: where do I see myself as a web designer a few years down
the road? What are my current challenges and what can I do about them? As you answer these
questions, you can form your own bucket list, taking into consideration a few of the suggestions
above.
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