First impressions always matter. And that’s what great designs are about. But let’s be honest, not everyone is a more excellent designer. In theory, we’re great designers in mind, but not in practice. Thankfully though, if you suck at design work like me, we have great news for you. 99 Designs is your ultimate solution.
One of the most significant challenges for designers is finding clients. Besides, getting a constant flow of jobs is a problem too. Today, 99designs give freelance graphic designers a safe and secure platform to find income opportunities, showcase their work, and ultimately build a reliable network.
Therefore, in this article, we’ll present our in-depth research and answer the following questions.
- What’s 99designs?
- What’s 99designs good for?
- Is 99designs free?
- How much can you make on 99designs?
So, whether you’re a logo or web designer, you’ll have a glimpse of how the platform works, its benefits, and a few tips to help you make money.
Let’s dive in.
What’s 99 designs?
99designs is a digital graphic platform where freelance graphic designers showcase their work and find clients.
The company operates as a global community for graphic designers. Today, the company boost over one million projects for different clients.
Moreover, the platform works by taking the pain of looking for clients and marketing away from freelancers. Thus, they concentrate on their craft.
If you’re interested in graphic design freelance work, then 99designs is the best platform for you.
But how does the platform? If you’re a beginner, read along.
How does 99designs work?
Are you ready to create some fascinating designs?
Here’s how the process works.
99desigsn has a simple three-design process.
1. Content Brief
You’re required to create a brief on what you need for clients. The brief provides designers with the general of what you want. Thus, explaining every aspect of your need is critical at this moment; else, the project is bound to fail.
As you create the design brief, be as detailed as possible. Besides, the platform provides you with a wizard that guides you through the process, making it easy to follow.
First, you need to select a category for your project.
For instance, if you need a logo design to assess your style, you’re given several logos samples to browse through and choose the one you like.
Besides, you have the opportunity to either upload or provide a link to a design of your choice.
Once done, you’re asked to provide more specific details about the style. The wizard sliders help you customize the information to your liking.
The following process involves selecting a color scheme. And the last process requires you to enter some basic information about the project.
The process is straightforward and should take you a few minutes to complete.
2. Connect with Designers
If you have a subtle idea of what you want, this option is ideal for you. Otherwise, you would opt for a contest.
And since 99designs is home to over a million designers, using filters helps find the right designer.
Even more, you can use the search button to filter out designers based on;
- Industry
- Local language
- category
- Skill level.
Once you find someone, you can review their portfolios and check their uploaded designs.
If you’re satisfied with their work, you can request a quote and negotiate by messaging them or inviting them to work with you.
Start a Contents
Note that the content is only between registered designers on the platform.
Starting a contest is ideal for undecided people exploring different styles, ideas, and concepts.
Nonetheless, as a rule of thumb, we advise that you need to do your research beforehand before you run any contest.
Starting a contest is relatively easy. Once the brief is ready, what’s next is choosing your subscription package for the designers to take part in the competition.
Note that the number of designers involved in your contest depends on your subscription package (more on this later).
3. Collaborate with your “Preferred” Designer
Congratulations. Now that the brief is ready and you have found your favorite designer, it’s time to hit the ground running.
To start, you need to provide feedback to your designer if you need the project refined.
Pro Tip: The more feedback you provide, the better and more refined final product you get.
But how can you provide feedback to the designer?
The platform offers many tools to communicate with designers; here are our favorite.
Annotation Tool.
Allows you to leave a comment on a specific section or area of the design. Take advantage of this if you want to provide more granular feedback.
Messaging Tool
The messaging tool allows you to;
- Provide public feedback to all designers participating in your contest.
- Private message capability. You can use the messaging tool to provide in-depth information to your preferred designer.
Design Markup Tool
Use this tool to draw directions directly on the design canvas.
Five Tips for Using 99 designs Design Contests
While contests can be a great way to get a high-quality design quickly and affordably, there are some things to keep in mind:
- Plan ahead. The design process can take a while – it’s best to start thinking about your project well before you need the finished product.
- Be clear about what you want. It’s essential to be as specific as possible when describing your project and what you’re looking for in a design. This will help you get the most relevant submissions possible.
- Have a budget in mind. Contest costs can vary, so it’s essential to have a budget in mind before starting a contest.
- Be patient. It takes time for designers to submit their ideas, so give yourself plenty of time to review them all.
- Keep an open mind. The best designs often come from unexpected sources, so be sure to keep an open mind when reviewing submissions.
What Projects are Supported by 99 Designs?
Although 99designs provide a solution in countless industries, they’re the best known for;
- Logo designs, business card designs, etc.
- Web and app designs
- Advertisement designs such as posters, infographics, and flyers.
- Book and magazine designs
- Art and illustration designs
- Labeling and packaging designs.
- Clothing and merchandise
Above are the most common design. However, at 99designs, you can find pretty much any design project of any industry.
How Much does 99 designs cost?
There’re four pricing options. The prices on this platform start from $299. The four options include;
- Bronze service starting from $299
- Silver Services starting from $499
- Gold services starting from $899
- Platinum services starting from $1299
Note that each category offers a different service. However, the quality of work provided in each service category doesn’t mean quality is compromised.
Notably, each category depends on the experience level of the freelance designer. If you sign up for the higher package, it means the most experienced designers will work on your project.
How Much Does 99design Pay?
Once a contest is guaranteed in step 2 above, the client cannot withdraw from it. They have to go on with the process and select the winner. By design, the platform has set up a mechanism to lock in payments; thus, making the cash and the customer can’t take it back.
You need to request a payout as a designer to receive your money.
Typically, the minimum amount you can cash out from 99design is $25. Besides, you have three different payment gateways you can use;
- Skrill
- Paypal
Is 99 designs Free?
The simple answer is NO. The platform charges both designers and clients.
However, it’s worth noting that it’s FREE to join the platform.
The pricing for clients includes a 5% platform fee besides what designers charge. And the designer rates are in line with the typical industry rates.
99 Designs Features
Some of the main features of 99Designs include:
- A wide variety of design templates to choose from
- Easy payment process – you only pay when you’re happy with the final product
- Advance customer support
- No contracts or hidden fees
What are the Benefits of 99Designs?
The main benefits of using 99Designs are its unique design contest approach, a vast selection of professionally crafted graphic designs, guaranteed quality, convenience, and cost-effectiveness.
1. The Contest Approach
The unique design contest approach sets 99Designs apart from other online design services. With this approach, businesses post a design project and select the best submissions from a pool of designers. This allows companies to get multiple design ideas from different designers and choose the best one that fits their needs.
2. A Wide Selection of Designs
99Designs also has a massive selection of professionally crafted graphic designs. This means that businesses can find any graphic design they need, whether for a website, logo, or brochure. And since all of these designs are created by professional designers, businesses can be sure that they’ll be happy with the final product.
3. Quality Work
Another great benefit of using 99Designs is guaranteed quality. Our team of experts reviews all of the designs submitted to a contest, so businesses can be sure that they’re getting high-quality designs.
4. Convenience
Convenience is another significant benefit of using 99Designs. With this service, businesses can get their graphic design projects done quickly and easily without leaving their home or office.
5. Cost-Effective
Finally, cost-effectiveness is also a significant benefit of using 99Designs. This service is much more affordable than hiring a freelance designer or an agency, and it’s an excellent way for businesses to get high-quality designs without breaking the bank.
Tips on How to Land Clients on 99Designs
So, you’ve decided to start selling your services on 99designs. Great choice! But how do you go about getting your first clients?
1. Create a Great Profile
The first step is to create a great profile and portfolio. Make sure to showcase your best work and be specific about what you can offer clients.
2. Be Innovative
To stand out from the competition, you need to be innovative and offer something new. Think about what makes you unique and how you can use that to your advantage.
3. Network
The best way to find clients is to network with other professionals. Attend industry events, meetups, and webinars, and connect with people on social media.
4. Market Yourself
It’s essential to market yourself effectively if you want to attract clients. Make sure your website and social media profiles are up-to-date and regularly share your work.
5. Offer a Free Consultation
One of the best ways to get new clients is to offer them a free consultation. This gives them a chance to see what you can do and how you can help them.
6. Be Clear and Concise
When you’re marketing yourself, it’s critical to be clear and concise. You want to make sure potential clients understand what you do and what you offer.
Clients are an essential part of any business, and finding new ones can be a challenge. But with the right marketing strategy, you can attract clients and grow your business.
7. Be Authentic and Consistent
When marketing yourself, one of the most important things is to be authentic and consistent. Make sure your branding and messaging align with who you are as a designer.
8. Use the Right Tools
You can use several tools to market yourself, including social media, websites, and portfolios. Make sure you’re using the right tools for your business and target market.
9. Get Involved in the Community
Another great way to market yourself is to get involved in the community. Attend events, meetups, and online forums related to your industry. This will help you build relationships with potential clients and colleagues.
10. Stay up to Date
The design landscape is constantly changing, so it’s essential to stay updated with the latest trends and technologies. Read industry blogs, attend workshops, and subscribe to newsletters.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a designer looking for the best opportunity to land clients without having to spend tons of money in marketing, then 99Designs is the best place for you. Not only does the platform connect you with the clients, but it also protects you from unscrupulous people from the online world.
As a rule of thumb, if you want to make it on this platform, you need to provide quality work and be a top-tier designer. You can also check other good business opportunities and get started
