How to Become a Web Designer in 2023 – The Complete FAQ Guide

Why This Matters

Let’s be honest: the internet is relentless. Every business, charity, and aspiring influencer knows they need a sharp, functional website to exist. That means demand for web designers keeps climbing, and it isn’t slowing down.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you could swap your 9-to-5 grind, the hospitality late shifts, or the freelance hustle for something both creative and steady, web design is one of the few tech fields still open to newcomers without the need for a three-year degree. However, there’s plenty of noise (and nonsense) online about what it actually takes to break into web design, so most beginners waste weeks, if not months, spinning their wheels without progress.

Even worse, each clueless start—whether fiddling with “free” site-builders or half-finished Udemy courses—chews up precious time and dilutes your motivation. Getting practical guidance from actual professionals who’ve seen what works and what flops makes the difference between a real career and another unfinished project folder. Consider this your shortcut.

Common Pitfalls

Most people fall for at least one of these:

• Assuming you need a computer science degree and years of coding experience
• Overcomplicating things: jumping headfirst into twelve tools, five frameworks, and a pile of browser tabs
• Focusing only on visuals (“making pretty websites”) and ignoring the invisible essentials like usability and SEO
• Thinking a portfolio filled with theme tweaks and cousin’s bake sale websites will actually get you hired

Worst of all: waiting for “the right moment” instead of building real things and sharing them.

The entire industry is full of people who thought they weren’t ready until they realised everyone else was learning as they went. If you spot yourself anywhere above, you’re in good company. Time to fix it.

Step-by-Step Fix

1. Build Your Core Skills (The Right Ones)

Start with the basics you’ll actually use. Web design has a bewildering array of tools and jargon, but most pros start with a solid foundation in three areas: layout, user experience, and the fundamentals of how websites are built.

• Get comfortable with understanding page structure (think about how content is organised, not just how it looks).
• Learn essential HTML and CSS. If you’re allergic to code, breathe. You do not need to be the next Ada Lovelace. Just know enough to tweak layouts and troubleshoot.
• Pick a modern, relevant platform for real-world projects. We recommend Squarespace for starters because it’s powerful, popular, and doesn’t require you to maintain servers, databases, or take on a second coffee habit.

2. Learn Enough Coding to Be Dangerous (But Not Miserable)

Every web design job description eventually mentions coding. Most clients don’t actually care how many frameworks you know. They care that updates are smooth, mistakes are fixable, and the websites actually work.

• Tackle HTML and CSS logic one step at a time. Think of it like learning to use a recipe, not becoming a Michelin chef. Pick one tutorial, not ten. Make tiny changes and see what breaks.
• Once you’re handy with layouts and colour tweaks, explore basic JavaScript or built-in platform tools, such as Squarespace’s custom code options. You never have to dive deep if you prefer not to.
• Don’t fall into the trap of learning three new languages to impress strangers on Reddit. You only need to know enough to bring your designs to life and solve occasional problems.

3. Build a Portfolio with Projects That Demonstrate Results

A designer without a portfolio is like a chef without a menu. A portfolio built with half-finished, generic templates and three logo mock-ups won’t help you land paying clients.

• Start by making your own website. Go beyond a one-page resume. Build a full showcase that has genuine personality and a clear backstory. Use a sample business idea (real or hypothetical) and design pages as if you were your own best client.
• Next, offer to redesign a local charity’s homepage, your friend’s side hustle, or find “site makeovers” on forums. Don’t charge at first. Consider it a swap for testimonials or feedback.
• Add every project, no matter how small, but explain the problem it solved and what you contributed. Show more than just “pixel-perfect” outcomes. Employers and clients value designers who can explain their thinking.

4. Get Comfortable with Feedback and Learn from Mistakes

Even the most seasoned designers get critique. Sometimes it’s useful, and sometimes it isn’t. Learning how to handle feedback without getting defensive is one of the fastest ways to improve.

• Share your work in real communities (not just with family). Join Squarespace forums, Pixelhaze Academy’s member group, or subreddits like r/web_design_critiques.
• When someone highlights a flaw, take a breath and ask for more detail. If multiple people point out the same thing, you’ve found something to improve.
• Ask for future-focused ideas: “How could I make the navigation more obvious?” is better than “Do you like it?”

5. Learn UX, UI, and Responsive Design so You Can Communicate Value

Clients often use jargon. When you agree with a term like “UX,” make sure you understand what it means and why it matters.

• UX (User Experience) is about making websites easy to use. UI (User Interface) refers to the look, but also buttons, forms, fonts, and anything the user interacts with.
• Responsive design ensures your layouts look right on a phone, a tablet, or even your cousin’s ancient PC monitor.
• Start small. Explore well-designed sites in your industry. Consider: can you navigate it on your phone with one thumb? Do important elements stand out? Is it obvious what to do next?

6. Get to Grips with SEO Basics so Your Work Gets Found

SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) determines whether anyone actually finds your website. No one expects new designers to master Google rankings, but knowing how to avoid the most common blunders is vital.

• Use logical heading structures (H1 for the main title, H2/H3 for sections). Don’t paste everything as “Paragraph text.”
• Write meaningful page titles and descriptions. “Home” is useless for Google or any human.
• Compress images. A ten-megabyte PNG will drag down your site speed and hurt your search ranking.
• Learn how to add alt-text for accessibility. This helps both humans and search bots.

What Most People Miss

Most would-be web designers behave as if they’re only building websites for clients. In reality, you just as often create sites to establish your own brand, credibility, and personal growth.

The best designers treat every project, even their own, like a live case study. They reflect on what works, what fails, and what nearly had them ready to throw their laptop out the window. Mistakes are part of the feedback loop and drive improvement.

You do not need to master every facet before launching. The designers who thrive are the ones comfortable updating their own sites regularly, showing work in progress, and joining communities where taking action is valued over perfection.

The Bigger Picture

If you follow these steps, you set yourself up to pay your bills and gain access to remote work, freelance gigs, full-time company roles, collaborations, and a steady stream of word-of-mouth referrals—provided you keep showing up and shipping work.

You also become someone with both creative and technical skills. Clients appreciate someone who can handle design and practical fixes. When you have the confidence to say, “Yes, I built that, and here’s how I solved their problem,” you’ll find opportunities coming to you instead of always having to chase them.

Quick-Start FAQ

Can I become a web designer without a degree?
Absolutely. No one in the real world asks for your diploma. They want to see what you’ve built and how you think.

How long does it take to learn web design?
It depends on your time and attitude. Complete a structured course, build your first three websites, and you could land paid projects within 6 to 12 months, sometimes sooner.

Do I really need to know how to code?
Some basics are non-negotiable (HTML, CSS). Advanced coding is optional for most, especially if you use platforms like Squarespace.

What goes in a strong portfolio?
Showcase 3 to 5 real projects, each with a before-and-after, a brief, your process, and outcomes. Projects that solve real business challenges stand out.

How do I get my first paying client or job?
Network in web design communities, share your work publicly, and reach out to businesses with outdated sites. Your initiative matters more than applying to job boards cold.

What tools should I learn beyond Squarespace?
Basic photo editing (Photoshop, Canva), wireframing (Figma, Sketch), and document sharing (Google Docs) are essentials. Take on one new tool at a time.

Is web design really a stable career?
Yes. Virtually every industry needs websites. Even during downturns, firms still require websites to be updated and maintained.

Can web design be a side job?
Yes. Many professionals started by working on web design alongside another job and transitioned to full time as their client base grew.

How can I keep my skills sharp?
Follow modern design blogs, join online challenges, complete regular projects, and stay active in design groups. Stagnation is the only real threat.

Where does Pixelhaze Academy fit in?
We built the Moonshot course to help you on this journey. The programme is structured, based on real-world scenarios, and includes business skills as well as technical craft.

Jargon Buster

UX (User Experience):
How user-friendly a site is. If people get lost or leave quickly, your UX needs improvement.

UI (User Interface):
The look and layout of all interactive elements: menus, buttons, forms, and images.

SEO (Search Engine Optimisation):
Steps you take to help search engines understand and prioritise your site.

Responsive Design:
Websites that maintain their appearance and function on a variety of screen sizes and devices.

Wireframe:
A rough sketch (digital or on paper) showing the structure of a website before applying detailed visual design.

Alt-text:
Image descriptions read by screen readers and search engines. Essential for accessibility.

Wrap-Up

Web design isn’t exclusive or mysterious. It is a craft and a skill open to anyone willing to learn, experiment, and accept feedback—awkward moments and all. The key is to start with clear steps, document your work, and gradually build out your toolkit rather than chasing the “next big thing.”

If you’re ready to become a designer instead of a spectator, stick to the basics, take on real projects, and welcome feedback. Your skills, achievements, and access to new opportunities will come as a result.

Want more helpful systems like this? Join Pixelhaze Academy for free at https://www.pixelhaze.academy/membership.