Working from home is now a way of life for many web designers. Whether it’s the desire to be alone or the pandemic, more of us are avoiding the traditional office setting.
But being a remote worker comes with unique challenges. It changes the way we communicate. The rules about when we are in the office, as well as how things get done, are more flexible.
Productivity can be hard to come by. In some ways, the freedom this arrangement provides also causes us a lot of stress. Therefore, it is easy to feel stuck or isolated.
And it’s not just newcomers who are struggling with this way of life. Even those of us who have been working remotely for years run into roadblocks. No one is immune.
If you need a little pick-me-up, we’re here to help! Today we will be offering some tips and techniques to help you be successful as a remote web designer.
Make Sure You Have The Right Tools
Web design is always challenging. But it’s even more so when you don’t have the right tools to do your job.
It all starts with a powerful and stable computer. This will allow you to run apps without frequent crashes or long waits for tasks to complete. It doesn’t have to be the most expensive setup known to mankind, just enough to handle your needs.
Speaking of apps, all the basics should be available to you. Software for writing code, editing images, running a local hosting environment, and a standard office suite come to mind. There may be other requirements, depending on your particular niche.
There are also cloud services that can make your life easier. For example, cloud storage can allow you to transfer and share large files efficiently. And online design apps like Figma are perfect for creating and collaborating on project mockups.
Equally important – get the fastest internet connection you can afford. Skimping in this area will cost you valuable time.
Organize Your Clients and Projects
If you happen to have a colleague who is dedicated to managing your projects and/or billing you, you’re in luck. For the rest of us, keeping track of these items is often a significant task. However, it’s also essential to getting things off your to-do list and keeping clients happy. Oh, and you’ll probably want to get paid for your work too.
What’s that – don’t you have a to-do list? That should probably change. By using a project management app you can see where you stand, along with how much you still have to do.
Trying to manage handwritten notes or (even worse) things through email threads is a disaster. Data is likely to be lost, hurting project results.
The same applies to financial matters. There are many options available for keeping tabs on what clients owe and sending invoices.
As awesome as web designers are, we’re still only human. And our minds can only remember so many things. By taking steps to organize what you’re doing and who you’re doing it for, you’ll have more brainpower to devote to design and coding.
Keep a Regular Schedule
Remote work is required discipline. There is no boss walking by your desk every hour to “motivate” you. And there are so many potential distractions to deal with.
In addition, there is a temptation to work all kinds of odd hours. Sitting at your desk when the mood strikes has a certain appeal. But not everyone can get used to such a habit mentally.
That’s why we recommend keeping a regular schedule of office hours. This gets your mind and body into a routine. Having some consistency in your day is a big step towards being productive.
A schedule also benefits your clients and colleagues. They will know the best times to contact you and when to expect projects to be completed.
If you find yourself falling behind or having trouble concentrating, look at your schedule. Is it consistent? If not, this is an area where you can improve.
Take Plenty of Breaks
Whether you’re on a creative roll or stuck in a buggy code, it’s easy to get a little too anchored to your chair. Before you know it, hours have passed, and your vision may be a little blurry.
Working out is great – but it shouldn’t come at the expense of your health. Sitting for long periods is not good for you mentally or physically. Not to mention that the quality of what you produce may suffer.
Absent a real emergency, there is nothing wrong with taking regular breaks. Step outside for a few minutes or play with a pet. Anything that involves some physical movement outside of your office is fair game.
Your brain will be refreshed, and your body will feel better. So, make it a point to take a break every hour or so.
Find Connection Opportunities
Did we mention that remote work can be lonely? The point is worth hammering home as it can affect work and life.
Thankfully, there are ways to connect with the outside world—ones that go beyond social media. For example, the web design community is full of in-person and virtual events. They cover niche topics like WordPress, but also broader ones as well.
Still, no rule says you’re participating in something work-related. Activities in which you are personally interested are equally important. They are a way to escape the stresses of being a web designer.
Being confined (willingly or not) to a home office can lead to a loss of human connection. It’s perhaps the biggest difference from going into a centralized workplace every day. Therefore, we have to make an extra effort to fulfill that part of our needs.
Whatever the subject, find something you enjoy and make a point to participate.
Become a Pro at Working Remotely
Web design is well suited for remote work. You don’t have to go into an office every day or live by the old standards. It was one of the first careers to break the mold – and continues to do so.
Still, this lifestyle requires some adjustment. Even if you’ve been working remotely for years, every day is a learning experience. But it gets better with time.
Success requires attention to detail and an awareness of your needs. It starts with having access to the right tools. From there, it’s about being organized and developing a routine.
Along the way, it is important to consider your health and well-being. Stay active and don’t be afraid to get away from your desk. And find activities outside the office that allow you to connect with others.
Remote work can be a rewarding experience. We hope the ideas above help you on your journey!
