1st February 2022 | IN DESIGN ADVICE | BY SBID ShareTweetPinterestLinkedIn When starting a business, it is important to position yourself as an expert in your field. Customers want to know that they are working with the best of the best, so it is vital to portray yourself as such. In the world of interior design, this has become even more important. With the rise of social media and influencer landscape, there has been an increase in people positioning themselves as professional interior designers, but don’t have the actual qualifications and industry experience to back them up. This reflects badly on the profession, who were losing out on business to unqualified hobbyists. It is therefore important to make your business as attractive as possible to potential clients, so they will choose you over any competition. Read on to discover five ways to position your business as interior design experts and find out more about how The Society of British & International Interior Design can help. 1. Website Design A website is an essential tool in marketing your business. Many potential customers will instantly judge your business by the presentation of its website, losing their custom if they can’t find the key information, its too technical or difficult to navigate, or even just think it’s boring. In the world of interior design, when you’re trying to convince a client you have the skill to make things look good, your website should reflect your skills in design. Here are some top tips to think about when designing your website: Functionality The site must work as intended, with all links to pages working and the same level of design put into each page. Each page should be proofread and tested regularly for any potential problems. It should be easy to use, so visitors don’t get annoyed or impatient and leave the site. This means making navigation obvious and sticking to a consistent layout across pages to create unity. Professional Design Your site reflects your brand, so it should be polished and visually appealing. This is your chance to convery your design style and professional quality to a potential client. Include plenty of pictures of spaces designed by you so clients can see exactly how good you are and what kind of services you can provide them. Minimalism is very popular in website design, so try not to create cluttered pages with overwhelming amounts of content – keep the focus on showcasing your designs. Include a portfolio, client testimonials, an outline of your services and key information about your brand! Mobile & Tablet Friendly A lot of online browsing nowadays is not done on a traditional laptop/computer, but a mobile or tablet instead. So when designing your website, it’s crucial to take into account what it will look like on alternatives screens. Most website builders have settings so you can easily see how your site will look on other devices to make sure you don’t lose out on web traffic because your site isn’t optimised or user friendly on other devices! SEO Focused Attract customers by keeping the content on your website fresh and updated regularly, which in turn helps your website be seen and found better when potential customers are searching for queries about interior designers. A blog or social media updates are a great way to do this, or by simply updating content on your current pages. It’s important to think about keywords – develop a keyword strategy and content plan that helps you produce relevant and engaging keyword content about interior design. This is your chance to position yourself as the expert you are! Then, when people search these terms, your website is more likely to appear in search results and reach new prospects. You should also ensure to use appropriate page titles, meta descriptions and alt tags to optimise your site for internet traffic. Calls to Action Your site should be asking your customers to do something, such as sign up for a newsletter, call to arrange a consultation or follow you on social media. Websites with no calls to action fail to provide direction or purpose, which can make customers navigate away. Prompt them to get in touch and engage with your site in a more valuable way! 2. Showcase Expertise Customers may be attracted to you or your business if you have expertise in a certain area of interior design, rather than just being an interior designer in general. In this ever-growing industry, it is important to stand out the best you can, so offering expertise in a particular field will help you do this. This lets them know that the person they’re working with has a specialised knowledge above and beyond the expertise of a standard interior designer. A few examples of areas you may specialise in are: Retail or department store design Lighting design Space planning consultant Kitchen and bathroom design Sustainable design Commercial or residential interior design Boats, yacht, aeroplane, or RV interior design Set design Some specialisms have dedicated courses that you can take to gain an additional qualification in them, others you can just gain an expert understanding from repeatedly working in that field. 3. Latest Trends Trends come and go very quickly, so it’s essential to keep up with the latest in interior design trends. Some classics last forever, but bolder designs can fall in and out of popularity in a matter of months. Being out of touch with what is popular might deter a client from working with you, so it’s important to research what is currently popular, what might become popular soon and how you can incorporate that into your design approach. You can do this by searching the internet for trends, attending industry trade shows and events, or browsing interior design magazines. If you’re an accredited designer, chances are you will be very good at predicting upcoming trends, and curating designs that should never fall out of style. 4. Tools & Software Online tools and interior design software are vital to being a modern interior designer. Knowing how to use design software such as CAD will enable you to create professional digital illustrations and impress clients with powerful project presentations, which could be the difference been winning and losing a commission! Do some research on what design software and project mangagement tools could enhance your workflows and benefit your business! By joining the SBID, you receive public listing in the official SBID Designer Directory. Inclusion in the directory is a great way to elevate your professional profile, featuring alongside a database of pre-qualified design professionals and helping consumers find trustworthy designers capable of delivering a high quality and professional service for their projects. 5. Get Accredited by the Leading Professional Organisation for Interior Design The most effective method to position your business as an interior design expert is to get accredited and verify your credentials with the Society of British and International Interior Design. Providing increased expsoure, enhanced visibility and credibility among the design community. By becoming accredited, you’ll be recognised as upholding the professional standards of the industry, joining over 600 interior design practices that are now globally recognised as having the training, experience and dedication to the development of themselves and their field. To get started on your accreditation process, visit the Society of British and International Interior Design’s website to find out what membership category suits you. Or give us a call on 027 738 9383 to talk to one of our friendly team to discuss how SBID can elevate your business and help you showcase your interior design expertise to wider audiences. What is the Society of British & International Interior Design? Founded in 2009 by Dr Vanessa Brady OBE, the Society of British and International Interior Design (SBID) strives to regulate the industry of interior design and drive it forward by nurturing the talent of its members. Before SBID, there was a growing concern about consumers being misled by hobbyists with no qualifications claiming to be interior designers. SBID set out to change this, creating accreditation criteria that separates professionals from hobbyists or influencers, and distinguishes a design practice for its professional competence, training and experience. In the past 12 years, SBID has grown to be a globally recognised accreditation body, with members around the world in over 70 different countries. Its members have access to a range of benefits, from a featuring in the official Design Directory, to accessing exclusive professional resources, trade industry offers and promotional opportunities. Interior Design Accreditation Accreditation for the interior design profession means you have demonstrated the highest industry standards that it takes to become a successful and qualified professional. This will elevate your profile across the architecture & design industry and showcase to potential clients that you or your business abides by a universally recognised code of practice. The SBID welcomes a variety of trade and industry stakeholders to join its professional community, with four distinct types of membership for: Interior Designers From Associate level to full Accreditation status, you’ll get access to a tailored suite of professional trade and industry benefits – from interior design contracts and insurance advice to CPD training and events – you’ll also receive exclusive media opportunities to showcase your expertise and endorse you as a professional interior designer. To qualify for full Accreditation you must have 3 years of education, 3 and a half years of practice, acquire 24 CPD points per annum and hold professional indemnity insurance. The cost for membership starts at £350+ VAT per annum. Discounted rates are available for design practices accrediting multiple designers. Fit-Out Specialists To improve communication and collaboration across the industry, SBID also invite interior fit-out and construction specialists to join its professional network. Providing verification of professional quality and service, clients know they are safeguarded from the risks that occur from using unregulated installers, so their design projects will be executed safely and professionally. To qualify you must provide 1-year company accounts, hold valid business insurance and meet the SBID 5 point of compliance. Membership to become a Contract Partner begins at £800 per annum. Industry Partners We work closely with trade manufacturers, product suppliers and service providers to enhance visibility among the design community, endorsing best practice, quality, and craftsmanship. Interior products, fixtures and fittings are specified not only for aesthetic value, but for innovative design, performance, and impact on the planet. To qualify, you must provide 1-year company accounts, business insurance and meet the SBID five points of compliance. Memberships start at £600+ VAT per annum. Students & Universities To help nurture the next generation, SBID provides free memberships while studying to become a professional interior designer. SBID also accredits university courses so a potential student can pick a course that guarantees them the correct education and prepares them to meet the standards of the industry. Cover image credits: Interaction – GKN Aerospaces Global Technology Centre