All You Need to Know Before Starting Your Interior Design Business

Interior design is a beautiful career, but it can be a bit tricky to stand out from the sea of other designers and score some great jobs. So, before you actually start your interior design business, here are some things you need to know and take care of.

Impress your clients with a stylish website

If you want to be taken seriously as a designer, you have to have a website that will impress your clients and show your creative side. Try to create a website that is unique and memorable, since your potential clients will probably check out a lot of web pages before and after they find you. Also, make sure your website reflects your design approach and style. Since this page will make or break many potential jobs, don’t hesitate to employ an experienced web designer to create a page that will certainly make a good impression.

Have a good portfolio

Aside from the general look, your web page needs to be filled with your projects that will show your style and approach to design. So, make sure to include as many of your finished designs as you can and put them in your gallery. If you’re just starting and don’t have any completed projects yet, you can find some clients that are willing to let you work for free. If you can, find people who will allow you to express your style and creativity.

Find a professional photographer

Even the most beautiful of designs will look unimpressive thanks to bad photography. If you don’t have professional photos to put on your site, don’t even launch it. Also, unless you have a lot of experience and confidence as a photographer, better hire a pro to shoot your work. Pros know all the best angles and lighting and editing secrets that will make your photos will look amazing. Don’t forget to tell your photographer about the purpose of your images, since this will dictate their size and shape.

Know your target audience

You also have to know your target audience. Without getting to know your clients it will be much harder to communicate with them and convince them you are the best candidate for the job. You might be focusing on rich clientele in a wealthy area of your city, or you’re much better working with “young money” and edgy people from up-and-coming neighborhoods. In order to attract your target audience, you need to stay true to your brand and style. If you’re not yet set on your ideal clients and style, you might want to postpone launching your designer business.

Advertise your business

However, if you’re pretty confident in your style, clientele and website, you can start shaping your marketing plan. Even though most people today use social media for all sorts of things, your safest way to attract clients’ attention is via recommendations and search engine optimisation. After all, someone who is serious about finding a good interior designer isn’t really relying on Facebook and Pinterest. In most cases, they will search for keywords on Google, or phone their friends and ask who renovated their beautiful home.

Get in with the law

This is probably one of the most important parts of your new business. You need to understand all the regulations, taxes and licenses and you need to follow them properly. Also, there will be plenty of papers you will need to obtain. You can do your research yourself, but you can also consult with the lawyer and accountant in order to confirm that you have understood everything and you have obtained everything you need. You can even take a step further and educate yourself on the important aspects of your business. For example, you can take up a financial planning course and make it easier for yourself to understand the business plan of your firm and how the money should flow. Besides this one, you can take other courses related to law and conducting of business and make an easier start of  your business.

Work with real estate agents

Real estate agents will become your best friends. You can try to do what the Australians are doing. In Australia, interior designers are frequently engaged by real estate agents on behalf of vendors and buyers. A good buyer’s agent in Brisbane always keeps a number of an interior designer on speed dial. So, find an agent and work with him. Stage homes for sale, or decorate peoples’ new homes. Bring that whole package together, earn money, and improve your design portfolio.

Dress the part

This advice might sound quite shallow, but it’s true that you must look the part all the time. So, if you want to leave a good impression, make sure to invest in your wardrobe! If people are investing in you to design a stylish and modern interior for them, they want to see that you have a strong eye for aesthetics. Of course, your portfolio is the best way to show that, but your wardrobe, nails and even the quality of your clothes can influence your clients. Of course, you don’t have to spend a fortune on designer clothes, but make sure to avoid wearing old-fashioned clothes and tasteless accessories, especially when you’re meeting with clients, taking photos for social media or attending events.

All of these tips will help you start and grow your interior design business. Just don’t rush things. Wait and prepare carefully, and once you’re satisfied with everything, your business will certainly thrive even if you come across occasional ups and downs.