Web design is an incredibly lucrative field — in the world of the Internet, it is web design that underlies all the other functions. Not only is it imperative for mere function, but the aesthetic and design considerations that are up to an experienced web designer often have a direct effect on visibility and sales. A site usually has about 10 seconds to leave an impression on customers and tell them what they’d be getting out of the site, the company, and the product — after that time, and often before, they’ll leave.

But, the role of an experienced web designer is more complicated than just coming up with a great design — check out these tips on how to become a successful web designer and do great things for your clients:

Be a Team Player
Although the actual design of the site is important and helps other parts of a digital marketing campaign function, the fact is that you are a part of a team that is dedicated to helping a particular site succeed. Working with PPC services, understanding the importance of search engine optimization, and reaching out on social media are all important aspects of a greater digital marketing campaign.

Before You Design — Plan
Although “waiting for inspiration” can be a fruitful tactic when designing a site, just a little bit of research and preparation can really make all of the difference when it comes to designing a website. Take the time to do your research, talk to the client and really figure out what they want from the site, and take a look at competitors’ websites.

Be a Web Designer, Not a Graphic Designer!
It is a common misconception that these two are mutually exclusive terms, which they are not necessarily. While graphic design principles and techniques may be important to consider when designing a website, they are two different skill sets and don’t always achieve the same outcome.

Some things might bridge the gap — for instance, it is helpful for both type of designers to learn how consumers and potential clients behave on sites — 70% of people looked at bullet point lists over the 55% of people who read lists without bullets. Something like this might govern how both a graphic designer and an experienced web designer decide how to format site pages.

On average, we conduct 12 billion searches per month on the web in the United States. How will you make the website you are designing stand out from the rest?