Is Web Design Still a Good Career Choice in 2025? (And How to Become One)

I still remember the first website I built—clunky, slow, and somehow green on green (it was a website for a tree surgeon in Cornwall). It looked like someone had vomited a forest across the screen. But bless him, the client loved it. Fast forward to 2025, and web design looks nothing like it did back then. Fewer bevelled buttons, more Figma files.

But one question keeps popping up like a dodgy pop-up ad: Is web design still a smart career move? And if so… how do you actually get started without selling your soul to HTML?

This post answers both — lock in...

Part 1: Is Web Design Still a Good Career Choice in 2025?

1. The Web Isn’t Going Anywhere

Despite the internet being mostly cat videos and cookie banners, it’s still essential for businesses. Everyone needs an online presence.

Plus, we’re designing for more screens than ever... phones, tablets, watches, that weird smart fridge your mate bought after one too many Tesco lagers. It’s not just about “making it pretty” anymore. Web design is all about user experience, performance, and strategy.

Not convinced? I broke it down in a bit more detail in The Future of Web Design: What You Need to Know. Have a nosey. Spoiler: it’s not dead.

2. The Role Is Evolving, Not Dying

Yes, AI and no-code tools have entered the chat. And no, that doesn’t mean we all need to retrain as underwater basket weavers. It just means less faffing about with div tags and more actual design thinking.

Templates are nice. But businesses still want branding, user journeys, and websites that don’t look like they were built in a panic at 3am on Squarespace.

The clever designers are adapting...specialising in niches, collaborating with devs and marketers, and letting AI do the boring bits (cheers, robot).

3. Demand Is High — But So Are Expectations

Bad news: people expect more now. “Make it look nice” has evolved into “make it fast, mobile-first, SEO-friendly, accessible to everyone, and oh yeah, can it triple our sales?”

Good news: if you can deliver that, you can charge for it. This isn’t Fiverr £30 logo territory. This is real value. Real results. And yes, real invoices that don’t make you cry.

4. Freelance, Full-Time, or Found Your Own Thing

Want to work at a fancy agency? Go for it. Want to freelance in your pyjamas with a dodgy coffee machine as your co-worker? Living the dream. Want to launch your own thing and pretend you're the next big SaaS mogul? Why not.

Web design still gives you freedom, creativity, and a job that constantly changes. One week you’re designing a dog grooming site, the next you're building a landing page for a crypto startup run by a guy named Kev. Never a dull moment.

Part 2: How to Become a Web Designer in 2025

1. Learn the Foundations (Yes, Even in 2025)

Before you start redesigning Apple’s homepage in your head, master the basics:

• Layout, colour, contrast, spacing, typography — it’s design, not decoration
• UX fundamentals — because your nan should be able to find the “Contact” page
• Tools — Figma, Webflow, Framer, and yes, even good old Wordpress

It’s not about having all the tools. Just knowing how to use the right ones without rage-quitting.

2. Get Comfortable with No-Code (or Low-Code)

Webflow, Framer, Divi, WordPress — they’re not just trendy. They’re powerful.

You don’t need to know how to code...unless you enjoy that sort of pain. These platforms let you bring your designs to life faster, with fewer breakdowns and less crying into your laptop.

Speaking of Divi... if you’re starting with it (solid choice), there’s something coming just for you. I’m launching DiviSuite in Summer 2025. Think:

• Pre-built layouts
• Sleek headers and call-to-actions
• Fancy icons
• Zero faff

Basically, all the building blocks you need to make stunning Divi sites without spending five hours adjusting padding. Bookmark it. Your future self will thank you. (Ps DIVI is what I started with and still use for many client websites!)

3. Build Real Projects (Not Just Pretty Dribbble Shots)

It’s cute that you’ve made a gradient-filled fake portfolio for a coffee shop that doesn’t exist, but let’s get real.

• Redesign a local takeaway’s website (bonus points if they pay in chips)
• Create a mock SaaS landing page
• Share your process — sketches, wireframes, why you made that one button pink

Clients don’t want “vibes”. They want solutions.

4. Share Your Work & Start Freelancing (or Apply for Roles)

Portfolio > Degrees. Every time.

Start a blog. Post on LinkedIn or Twitter. Put your work out there, even if it makes you cringe a bit. It’s how people find you and trust you.

Freelancing on the side? Brilliant way to build confidence! I first started sharing my work on Instagram and Linkedin! I've gone one to work with big companies like Coaching Focus Group and Leading Charities in the UK! 

5. Keep Learning (Because It Never Stops)

The web changes faster than your nan changes the subject when you bring up technology! (I chuckled when I wrote that)

Follow smart people. Try new tools. Read! Listen to Podcasts! Break stuff and fix it again. That’s the job. And honestly? That’s the fun bit.

A few people I learnt from:

Flux Academy (Webflow stuff)

Josh Hall (Divi Stuff)

Signing off...

So, is web design still worth it in 2025?

If you’re into creativity, solving problems, and never doing the same thing twice....then absolutely. It’s about building things that work (and don’t look like they were made in 2007).

And if you're thinking of jumping in? Honestly… why not now?

The internet’s not going anywhere. Might as well make it look good.