You’re starting a UX Design business. What are the most important things to consider?

Starting a UX design business? Here's the condensed wisdom: 1. Understand Your Users: Dive into their needs and challenges. 2. Craft a Strong Portfolio: Show your problem-solving prowess. 3. Stay Agile: Adapt to the rapidly evolving tech landscape. 4. Network: Forge connections for feedback and opportunities. 5. Always Learn: Keep up with UX trends and techniques. Success is about delivering real value to your users.

Another layer to finding a niche would be locating an undersaturated niche. For example, most businesses wish to consult products that are trending and have established ecosystems like AI, finance, e-commerce, etc. Nothing wrong with that approach but be mindful that as a new business, you would then be competing with the established giants in the business, whoever they are. Locating untapped markets for UX innovation like websites for small businesses, broking websites, real estate agencies, etc will allow you to get your foot in the door and raise the product experience well above its existing state. This will help you build credibility and momentum in the ecosystem.

You must also consider aspects such as defining your niche, establishing your brand identity, and developing a robust business strategy. Identifying your target market and understanding their specific needs and pain points is essential for tailoring your services effectively. Additionally, you need to think about pricing, marketing, and networking to attract clients and grow your business. Building strong client relationships and delivering exceptional results will be key to sustaining your business in the long run. So, while a portfolio is essential, it's just one piece of the puzzle in building a successful UX design business.

Your portfolio can no longer just be a website or a PDF document. Being a UX designer, let alone being in tech in 2024 requires you to make the internet your portfolio. "Build in public" is a movement that encourages people to document their learnings, mistakes, and progress consistently on the internet. Every other person is going to have a better portfolio, with a sharper website design and extensive case studies. Humanizing and documenting your 0-1 journey towards building a portfolio or rather just adding value to the algorithm will help you build a network that has seen your growth and believes in your work and ability to build things.

I've learned a great deal about setting rates and pitching to clients from the OG @Chris Do. As a UX designer, your leverage is assisting businesses to influence their customers. Aligning business requirements with user behaviors has a direct impact on how much money the business makes. Pitching your skills and quotient smartly will separate you from being a designer who has to keep on sending "revised quotes" to a designer who collaborates with businesses for their success.

Finding the clients related to your working niche is really important. If you do not have any client , no matter how good you are, your design business is going nowhere. Thus, networking is a must. You can choose to network via social media or any online platform or even if meeting inperson helps. Meet people, talk, build relationships, get business, do good work, get recommended that can be a basic mantra for any business.