Are you a graphic designer or a web designer?

When I first started my web design business, I did it all.  If a client asked me for a business card, I did it.  Logo, as long as it’s simple, no problem.  Photo editing, SURE THING! Over time, this became unbelievably frustrating.  Yes, I could do these graphic design requests, but not as an expert. Not with the confidence that I had with web design.  It took quite some time for me to realize that offering true graphic design to a client was not a good fit for me.  Here’s why:

• Spreading myself too thin with tasks that varied between print and web design made me move slower through my workday
• My clients started to have unrealistic expectations about my services – thinking I could take over all their print design campaigns, too
• I got in the habit saying YES to everything I was asked to do even if I didn’t want to do it
• I was giving up my passion for web design to complete graphic design tasks I didn’t enjoy as much

I studied graphic design in college.  It’s important to have the strong understanding of graphic design when working in web design.  But since college, I haven’t practiced true graphic design in a meaningful way.  Maybe your passion isn’t web design and you are better at graphic design.  Or maybe you feel you have all the skills and in both graphic design and web design. That’s great, but ask yourself what are you stronger at?  If someone asked you to do a graphic design only project, would you say yes? Narrowing your focus will allow you to shape your skills and expertise.

Narrowing your focus will allow you to make more money. How can that be?

When you send your clients to graphic designers for logos, print design and branding, you are growing your network.  You are giving referrals and in turn, if you pick the right graphic designer to refer to, they will refer back to you.  As the old adage goes, “What goes around, comes around”.  The minute I started to respond to clients with, “I know someone that’s great at putting your branding together” and “You really need someone that can think about all your print materials to develop your logo”, I was able to focus on what I do best, and that’s web design.

When you offer what you’re best at as your main service, you are giving your clients the best you have to offer.

If you are immensely skilled at both web and graphic design, then by all means, offer packages for everything.  But ask yourself honestly, would I benefit from focusing on one thing and referring out the rest of it?

What services to you offer?  Do  you also offer print design with your web design services?  How does that work for you?

RESOURCES: Mockplus – Web Design vs. Graphic Design, What’s the Difference?