When it comes to finding a freelancer, clients will typically research ahead of time, not only following up on networking leads but also doing the rounds across the websites of professionals who best fit their brief. This is just one of the reasons why a strong web presence is a prerequisite for any successful freelancing career, but as more people than ever consider branching out into full-time self-fuelled sidelines, a basic website simply isn’t enough to seal the deal anymore.
Now, your website is, in many ways, the first stage of an interview that determines whether you even get a look-in. For freelancers who want to continue competing, quality, relevant, and detailed website solutions either offered by outsourced providers or simplified platforms like Wix are the only way to make that happen. Further to that and in true interview style, the chances are that clients will be looking to answer a few key questions as they browse through your online content. Here, we’re going to consider three surprising ways that you may be failing to provide the answers they’re looking for.
# 1 – A seeming lack of commitment
As freelancers become ever-more crucial to the ongoing success of countless companies, commitment is increasingly a priority ahead of hire. A no-name WordPress site with a basic template and very little flourish sends a clear and negative message about a lack of commitment to even your own brand, and that could immediately see your name struck off the list. Instead, you must answer the commitment question right by spending a little upfront on quality determiners like dedicated servers, a personalised domain, and even a self-commissioned web design. That way, clients will be able to see at a glance that you’re committed to your business and are therefore more likely to be committed to theirs.
# 2 – Progression that’s obviously stalling
It’s essential that you display examples of your past projects on your website, but if all of your sample pieces are from a few years ago, these displays can quickly backfire where progression is concerned. Instead, regularly updating both your website and your portfolio to within at least six months, stretching back to a few years (or as far back as you can remain confident of quality,) is essential for showing clients how you’re moving forward, and what your future might look like if you work with them.
# 3 – Project overwhelms
If unanswered queries sit in your inbox for weeks, then it sends a clear message about either your lacking commitment, or your ability to juggle all the freelancer balls. To avoid this, it’s essential to install either chatbots or software that enables you to manage, highlight, and prioritise client work that best fits with your freelancer priorities, and the direction in which you ultimately hope to take your career.
Even if your website seems to give people what they need, freelancers are increasingly having to make their case for hire online. So consider, is your website sending the right message to see you picked from the bunch?
