Are you a web developer looking for a new challenge in your life? Do you want to be able to work from home and set your own hours? Are you tired of being an employee who is always waiting for the next paycheck? If so, becoming a freelance web developer might just be what you’re looking for. In this blog post, we’re going to show how easy it is to get started as a freelancer. We’ll cover topics like: how to get started, where to find jobs etc.
Okay, finally you’ve decided it’s time to take the plunge and become a freelance web developer. Incredibly bold step – and a smart one too.
A freelance web developer can work on his or her own schedule and decide which projects to take. This is a great way to manage your time, as well as create income for yourself.
In order to be successful as a freelance web developer follow these steps:
Step 1: Research
Research the industry in which you want to work. What are the recent trends?
Look at what other sites of freelance web developers do and figure out how to use them for yourself.
It’s important to know which skills are relevant so you can keep up with them over time. This will also make your skills more valuable when applying for jobs, because programmers who know multiple languages can always find jobs.
Read blogs and articles about web design, coding, or freelancing in general to get a sense for what’s going on in the industry. This is an excellent way to stay informed of trends so you can make sure that your skills are up-to -date with current needs.
You also want to know what it would cost you to start a freelance business as well. For example, marketing and website cost, as well as costs of acquiring new designing and coding skills for whatever programming languages you want to work with.
Step 2: Pick a Niche
Next, if you’ve not picked a niche, make sure to do that too. You want your freelance business to be focused on the type of work you can handle, otherwise it will be hard to make a name for yourself.
For example, backend developers are professional web developers that work on the back end of a website. They mainly work with databases, server logic and programming languages like PHP or Ruby. On the other hand front-end developers are web designers that create attractive user interfaces for websites to interact with customers in order to make money from advertising revenue through their design skills by using HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Then full-stack developers that tend to “do it all.”
Also you can “niche down” based on your tech stacks and framework – for example you can specialize in: Ruby on Rails, Django, Angular JS etc. Or, you can become a specialist web developer by industry- for example, ecommerce web developer, financial applications web developer and so on.
After you’ve picked your niche, jump to the next step.
Step Three – Set Up Your Freelance Business
The next step is setting up your business and completing all necessary paperwork. This includes registering your business, getting a tax identification number and local permits/licenses (where applicable). It also includes creating legal documents like a contract, copyright and non-disclosure agreement.
It is important to note that you don’t necessarily need to do this from the onset or need them to get started in all cases, however, we strongly encourage you to.
This includes creating a “brand” of yourself. It’s important to know who you are and what you want to represent, in order for clients to feel confident hiring you and trusting.
Step Four – Fix pricing
Pricing is tough. You can charge a monthly flat fee, but this may not be feasible for many projects. One-time fees are also a possibility, but they can deter people from your services. You may want to charge hourly rates or per project fees as well. To determine what you should charge for your freelance web development services, think about how much time will be spent on the project.
- Charge more: If a project will take a lot of time, you can charge more.
- Charge less: If it is a very quick project or if the client is family or friend or has limited funds when you are trying to build your portfolio.
- Charge per project: Some clients prefer to pay for the amount of work completed rather than for a set amount of time.
If the client provides you with an estimate for how much work they plan to do, you can negotiate to charge a flat fee that is based on the estimate.
One thing you should be careful of when setting your rates is to not price yourself out of the market. If you are charging too much for your services, clients will go elsewhere and someone more affordable may swoop in.
Step Five – Find your first client
Now that you’re a freelancer, how do you get a client?
After you’re done setting up shop, it’s a good idea to start marketing yourself through your own blog, social media accounts, portfolio or try to get into the top lists which are often released by various freelancing platforms to highlight the best developers in different niches. Here’s an example of a list of top backend developers by HIremotely. The key takeaway is once you get into the top developer’s list you will get more visibility and projects.
The key to success in this stage is marketing – make sure your friends and family know about what you can offer them!
Join Freelance Sites
You should also consider joining freelance platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, SolidGigs, etc., as well as pitching to clients on LinkedIn.
Create your portfolio website
It’s important for freelancers to build their own website- this will be how clients can find out more about you and your work. You should also make sure that you have a good portfolio of previous projects to show potential clients, as well as any awards or credentials to back up what it is you do.
Tips for creating a freelance web developer portfolio website:
- Choose a clean, simple theme. The best themes are optimized for SEO so that your site will be found by search engines and visitors to your site.
- Use a nice, clean layout and design–but do not use too many graphics or colors as it will clutter the page.
- Don’t forget to showcase your projects (this is the very essence of the site)
- Add your contact information so that people can get in touch with you
- Include a section about your past experience and skills–this will be the most important part of the website since it will help potential customers decide if you are the right person to hire.
- Add an bio/ “About Me” section that includes your experience, skills, and professional goals.
- Include a link to your resume if you have one available.
- Add testimonials from past and present clients.
- If you have multiple skills, break each skill down into a specific section on the website and list all of your experiences and skills under that section.
Network
Networking is a huge part of being successful in freelancing. There are plenty of networking events for web developers, such as conferences and meetups. These are great opportunities to network with others in the industry – both other freelancers looking for work or people who have more job openings. You can also be a part of online communities, such as forums and mailing lists to network with others on topics that you’re interested in.
Stay Connected
In order to stay connected and keep yourself up-to-date, read blogs and articles about web design, coding, or freelancing in general to get a sense for what’s going on in the industry. For example you can sign up for a newsletter to get the latest news on technologies, events, and other happenings in the industry.
Use social media
You can use your personal account or create a unique account or use both strategically (most preferred) to promote your services and the projects you’re working on.
Step six – Organize your business processes
Organizing your business processes is essential for freelancers. To stay productive, you need to have a plan in place and have the right tools for the job. This includes a system for tracking your time and invoices, as well as ways to connect with clients, including managing all communications and setting clear expectations.
One of the most important things you can do for your business is to create a system and process. For example, you can create a spreadsheet that tracks your time and invoices, then assigns the invoice to an appropriate category. Another example would be creating folders for your work that are divided by clients. You can also set up a system of rules for how you handle invoices, such as when to send them and when to follow up.
When it comes to tools, you need a system that’s helpful for your business. For example, if you’re a developer, you might want to use project management software so that there’s one place for everything. If you don’t have the resources or time to create a system and process on your own, there are plenty of tools available for freelancers.
If you’re just starting out as a freelancer, you might not need the most robust system. However, as your business grows and changes so will your needs for a system to support that growth.
Freelance web developer: Where can you find jobs to apply for?
Benefits you have if you become a freelance web developer
- Finding high paying jobs from a variety of clients
- Establishing your own rates for projects and working on the terms that work best for you
- Creative freedom, the ability to choose your own hours and be able to work from home or another place of business
- You can work from any location with internet access
- You can work for multiple clients at once without having to worry about getting too busy or not being able to deliver on time
- No more payroll taxes, no employment paperwork to fill out, and the ability to work independently.
Once you register and create your profile on different freelancing platforms, make sure to update it with any relevant experience or work history that is not already listed. This way employers will be able to find you easier when looking for a freelancer who can do their project successfully.
From zero to 100 clients: Tips on for becoming a successful freelance web developer
You’ve come to the realization that freelancing is where you need to be. There are so many benefits of being a freelance web developer, from the flexibility to working with a variety of clients and projects. But, it takes some adjustment. You’ve got to learn how to be your own boss, which requires self-discipline in order for you not fall into bad habits that can get you off track or even lead down a path where you’re no longer freelancing (due to poor habits, not enough work or because you’re no longer interested in the lifestyle).
Here are some tips on how to survive your first year as a freelance web developer:
- Define and follow processes for all aspects of freelancing – get organized! Projects can take up more time than you anticipate. Don’t let those precious hours slip away. Get everything set up ahead of time so you’re ready to go when a project comes your way.
- Set boundaries for yourself and work – don’t let freelancing consume 100% of your life! You need to make sure that you take care of yourself, too (and also have time for family). Make sure that you are clear about how much time you can allot for each project.
- Look in the mirror – are you happy with what you see? If not, it’s time to make a change! You’re your own boss and as such have complete control over your life and business decisions. Be honest with yourself; if something isn’t working out or feels like it’s not the right path for you, make a change.
- Be brave and try new things! The key to being successful is constant learning – from taking classes to reading blogs on industry trends or following industry leaders on social media channels. Don’t be afraid of continuing education; instead embrace it and grow your skills with every opportunity that presents itself.
- Plug into the community – don’t be a hermit! There are a wealth of online communities for freelancers, and many also have local chapters in major cities where you can meet others who share your interests. Find what works best for you (joining just one or all) and get plugged into the web of resources, information and peers that will help you succeed.
- Remember why you started – stay committed! This is your chance to be the master of your own destiny; don’t let any opportunity pass by just because it seems scary or daunting. You are capable of anything with hard work and determination; what have you got to lose by trying?
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