How I got started as a freelance web designer
When people ask me how I became a web designer, they're often surprised to learn I didn't start out in the digital world at all. My path has been anything but linear—and honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way.
From BBC to Textile Design to Web Design
In 2015, I made what felt like a massive leap, leaving my Producer role at the BBC Learning to pursue something completely different. I'd been feeling that creative itch that couldn't quite be scratched within the structure of a large organisation, and I knew I needed a change.
For the next couple of years, I immersed myself in textile design. This period was incredibly formative—it allowed me to develop my design eye and reconnect with my creative roots in a tangible, hands-on way. While I loved the creative aspects, I began noticing something interesting happening around me.
Many of the independent business owners and fellow creatives I met were struggling with the same issue: they needed a professional online presence, but felt completely overwhelmed by the technical requirements or were paying eye-watering fees to agencies for websites they couldn't even update themselves.
The Lightbulb Moment
One conversation stands out in my memory. A freelance friend was lamenting how she'd spent thousands on a website that she now needed to email the agency (and pay additional fees) just to update her new collection. The frustration in her voice was palpable, and something clicked for me.
I realised there was a gap between DIY website builders that left creative people feeling technically overwhelmed and high-end agencies that charged ongoing fees that simply weren't sustainable for small businesses. What if I could bridge that gap?
With my blend of corporate experience from the BBC and my creative background in textile design, I felt uniquely positioned to help. I started building websites for other independent business owners, focusing initially on Squarespace as a platform that offered the perfect balance of professional results and client-friendly backend.
Learning Through Doing
I won't pretend the early days were seamless. Each new project brought challenges that required late nights researching solutions and plenty of trial and error. But that's how I developed the technical expertise that now allows me to navigate Squarespace inside out.
My first clients were freebies for freelance friends (no shame in it), we've all got to start somewhere. Those projects taught me so much about the collaborative process and the importance of truly listening to what clients need, not just what they initially ask for.
Finding My Niche
As I worked with more clients, I began refining my process. I noticed that what set me apart wasn't just technical knowledge or design skills—it was my ability to blend digital expertise with analogue creativity, and my commitment to empowering clients rather than creating dependency.
I developed a process that prioritised collaboration and education. Rather than building websites that clients couldn't manage themselves, I created systems and provided guidance that gave them the confidence to maintain their digital presence long after our project ended.
Creating a Sustainable Business Model
Perhaps the most important aspect of my journey has been developing a business model that works for both my clients and myself. I rejected the agency approach of high ongoing fees and instead created transparent, fair pricing structures—whether that's full-service packages, Design Days, or Power Hours for those who've already started but need expert help.
This flexibility has allowed me to work with a wide range of creative businesses while maintaining the independence that I value so deeply. It's also meant that I can truly align with my clients' goals rather than trying to upsell services they don't need.
Where I Am Today
Today, I've built a sustainable independent business that allows me to work with interesting, creative people while maintaining the freedom I love. I've created a community of collaborators and clients that has completely changed my life from my previous corporate experience.
Each website I create is a collaboration—bringing together my technical expertise and design sensibility with my clients' vision and content. The moment when a client sees their finished website and says "this is exactly what I wanted but couldn't articulate" remains the most rewarding part of what I do.
What I've Learned Along the Way
If there's anything my journey has taught me, it's that there's immense value in taking a non-traditional path. My time at the BBC gave me organisational skills and attention to detail. My textile design experience developed my visual creativity. And working directly with small businesses has taught me the importance of creating digital spaces that are both beautiful and functional.
I've learned that web design isn't just about code or aesthetics—it's about creating platforms that truly represent people's work and save them tonnes of time in the long run. It's about empowering creative businesses to have the digital presence they deserve without the stress or ongoing costs that often come with it.
So that's how I got here—not through a direct route, but through following my curiosity, valuing independence, and recognising a way I could help other creative people stand out online.
