Freelancing is a common career choice for full-stack developers. Freelance work allows developers to work from home, set their own hours and rates, and complete projects for a wide range of clients.
But when you’re just getting started as a freelancer, it’s not always clear how to make money on a project-by-project basis. In this article, we’ll outline 14 proven tips to help you make money in the freelance space.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Freelance web development can be a lucrative career choice. |
| Developing a strong portfolio and cultivating a professional online presence can help attract clients. |
| Building a network of contacts and seeking out referrals can lead to new business opportunities. |
| Keeping up with the latest technologies and trends in web development is crucial for staying competitive in the field. |
| Managing time and setting realistic expectations for projects can help ensure success as a freelance web developer. |
1. Create a website for yourself
You absolutely need to create a website for yourself. It doesn’t have to be complicated, but it should show off your strengths as a developer. Employers will want to see what you can do in order to consider hiring you.
If you don’t already have some coding experience, it may be difficult for you to create an impressive portfolio site from scratch, which is why we recommend starting out with one of these great WordPress themes.
As a freelance web developer, it’s important to constantly improve your skills and stay up-to-date with the latest trends in the industry. Our guide on 22 expert tips provides valuable insights and advice from experienced professionals to help you succeed in your career.
2. Leverage Your Network
Recognize the fact that you have a network, and leverage it to get new clients. Social media is an excellent way to stay in touch with people who are or could be in your network, which means you can use Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to find your next gig. Build a network of connections you can call upon when you need to find new clients.
You already have connections; the trick is to make sure those connections know about your freelancing business and what you do for a living. Stay in touch with them through social media, email, or phone calls. Let them know what’s going on in your life, such as when there’s a big change in your career or business, and ask how they’re doing too! Maintaining contact will help keep you top-of-mind if someone needs web development work done quickly.
Leverage those connections by asking them directly if they know anyone else who might need website work done recently (or soon). They’ll be happy to refer you because that shows their friends are taking care of them well enough that they want others’ experiences with those friends’ services or products to be good too! And don’t forget about asking current clients for introductions: This makes things easier for everyone involved since there won’t be any awkward introductions necessary.
3. Build Up A Portfolio Of Work You Can Show Others
You need a portfolio. A portfolio is the most important thing you can have as a freelance web developer. It’s what will determine your success. Your portfolio should show off all of your skills and experience. It should be easy to find, easy to share, and most importantly, it should make people want to hire you.
This means your website needs a way for people to contact you or get a quote from you quickly and easily. If your site has this feature then everything else becomes irrelevant because the person who found you will be able to work with you immediately, which is what they are looking for in the first place!
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4. Start Small
It’s natural to feel a little intimidated about landing your first freelance client. But don’t worry: there are plenty of small projects you can work on at the beginning that will help you build confidence, gain experience and develop your portfolio.
For example, let’s say you want to become a web developer but have no paid experience yet. You might take on some small jobs like building static landing pages or adding simple functionality to existing sites in order to get started and build up your portfolio while practicing your skills.
As you complete each project, ask for testimonials from happy clients and referrals whenever possible (you may even need to ask directly). It also helps to know what types of projects are best suited for you; maybe you’re strongest at front-end development or back-end development—or perhaps you enjoy working with certain technologies more than others. The goal is not only to land the first freelance job but to make sure it’s something that fits with your skillset so it’s easier for you to deliver great results.
5. Go To Networking Events And Workshops
Getting out there and meeting potential clients is an important aspect of the job. In order to do it right, you should know where to go and how to behave when you’re at these types of events.
For example, online meetup groups are one of the best ways to find clients. They’re a great way for web developers with similar skills (and hiring managers looking for them) to meet up and exchange ideas about what they do, who’s good at it, and how they can help each other get better.
If you have a local chapter of your local user group, that’s even better: Meetups tend toward networking opportunities that aren’t focused on developers as much as they are on users and business owners but every bit helps! Every conference or event may not be ideal immediately after graduation, but if you keep an open mind then most will provide opportunities to find work later in your career and that’s a huge benefit.
6. Be Upfront With Your Rates Early On
In your early days as a freelance web developer, it’s OK if you start small. It takes time to build up your confidence and the experience needed to command high rates, so take your time. However, once you’re comfortable with your ability to deliver high-quality work on time and on budget, it’s important that you don’t sell yourself short by charging too little for your services.
7. You’re In Business To Make Money
After all, there are only so many hours in the day and if you’re not charging enough per hour for freelance web development work or simply taking too long to complete projects due to inexperience or poor project management skills, your profits will suffer.
It’s much better, in the long run, to be able to confidently set high rates without fear of losing clients because they consider them unreasonable than it is trying unsuccessfully, again and again, to raise those rates later on.
One of the most common questions among freelance web designers is how much they can expect to earn. Our comprehensive guide to freelance web designer salaries provides a detailed breakdown of average rates, factors that influence pay, and tips for negotiating rates with clients.
8. Learn How To Market Yourself
Marketing yourself is an essential skill for any freelance developer. Rather than rely on word of mouth, it’s important to actively promote yourself and your skills, especially since the web development field continues to grow at a rapid pace.
Social media can be a great way to get your name out there and market your services as a developer. Starting with platforms like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram will help you reach more people than simply relying on word-of-mouth recommendations.
In addition to using social media effectively, you should also consider creating business cards that highlight all of the work you’ve done so far. These will come in handy when networking with other developers and potential clients. They’ll give these people something tangible and memorable that they can take away from the interaction.
Another thing you can do is attend conferences where there are plenty of opportunities to meet other developers who might be able to refer clients or offer advice on how they got started in their careers as software engineers themselves. If possible, try giving talks at these conferences.
This will not only build up your confidence but also increase awareness among attendees about who you are and what kind of work interests them most (and therefore might result in more referrals!). You can even put up flyers around town advertising yourself as available for hire if that’s what works best for getting new projects coming into your inbox!”
9. Take On Internships Or Apprenticeships In The Field
Internships and apprenticeships are a great way to gain experience in your chosen field. For example, you might want to do an internship with a company that specializes in web development so that you can gain hands-on experience and build up your portfolio.
There are many different kinds of internships and apprenticeships out there, so do your research to find one that will be the best match for you.
In order to have the best chances of being offered an internship or apprenticeship position, it is important for you to showcase your skills and knowledge about the profession. For example, if you want to pursue a career as a freelance web developer, then you should make sure that you have some kind of portfolio available online that demonstrates your expertise in building websites.
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10. Ask Friends Or Family Members
You can also ask friends or family members who work in this field if they know any companies that are looking for interns or apprentices at this time. You could also contact local businesses directly by sending them an email with information about yourself as well as samples of previous projects which demonstrate how qualified and talented you are.
11. Find A Mentor Who Is Already Working In The Industry
Join a community. If you don’t already have a network, build one. Take part in communities on social media such as Twitter, Facebook, and Google+. Ask questions and share your knowledge. Follow industry leaders (try out the #devfollow hashtag) and retweet their tweets if they are helpful to you. Don’t be afraid to ask those at the top of their field for advice. These people generally like helping others who are passionate about the industry.
12. Get Used To Being Uncomfortable
I know, I know. You don’t like the word “uncomfortable”, but it’s what makes you grow.
It’s the same way bodybuilders build muscles. They do it by lifting more weight than their tired muscles can support. We have a built-in mechanism that prevents us from hurting ourselves. It’s called discomfort and pain (the bad kind). It must be good for something because we evolved with it, right?
What I mean is that you must get used to taking risks and not knowing all of the answers. You will always be learning new things and making mistakes as you go along if you want to grow your business.
13. Figure Out What Clients Are Looking For And Provide It To Them.
Before you even bring up the subject of price, make sure you have a clear understanding of what your client is looking for. The more information you can get about the client’s project, the better you will be able to sell yourself and set your price for the job. “It’s about setting expectations early and being proactive along the way,” says Val Geisler from ValGeisler.com.
The key here is communication with your client. If they don’t know how to express exactly what they are looking for, explain to them that it will help if they can provide some examples of websites they like this will give you a general idea while also showing them that you need their input to provide them with exactly what they want.
One of the biggest challenges for freelance web designers is finding clients and promoting their services. Our guide on where to advertise your freelance web design services provides a comprehensive list of online platforms and resources to help you reach potential clients and grow your business.
14. Keep Learning New Skills – And Keep Up With Trends In The Industry
Learning is crucial to being great at your job. Just like with any other career, skills naturally become obsolete as times change and new technologies are developed. Keeping up with these changes can help you progress in your career and keep you from becoming complacent.
The best way to do this is by learning a new skill every year. Take courses or read blogs on the latest trends in web development you’ll be surprised how much you can learn about a single topic through the Internet.
Another way to stay informed is by being aware of what your competitors are doing, too. Check out their websites and see if there’s anything they’re doing differently that stands out to you (in a good or bad way). This can also give you ideas on how you can improve your own website so it stands out against them.
It’s Not Easy, But There Are Steps You Can Take To Become A Successful Freelance Web Developer
Let’s be clear about one thing: becoming a freelance web developer is not easy. There are no hard and fast rules, and you will need to be resilient and determined if you want to turn this into your full-time career. To become a successful freelance web developer, you need to work hard to achieve your goals, be adaptable and flexible in order to overcome challenges, learn what it means to fail, and learn how you should learn.
If the above doesn’t sound like something you can do or don’t believe in doing the necessary work that comes with being a successful freelancer, then stop reading now—it’s not for you. But if you want it enough (and I mean really want it), then keep reading.
Final Thoughts
There are many ways to make money as a web developer, some of which have been discussed above. However, simply put, the key to making money as a freelance web developer is to build an outstanding portfolio and get your name out there so you can land more work. The more work you get, the easier it’ll be to make more money.
If you want to earn a full-time living freelancing, all you need is determination and hard work, not a college degree or even specific skills. The Internet has blown the model for finding freelance work right open, and anyone with ambition can find success.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to help you learn more about making money as a web developer and freelancing:
Coder Champ – A comprehensive guide to making money as a web developer, including tips on finding clients, setting rates, and managing projects.
Blog Tyrant – A practical guide to making money from your blog, even if it’s new and doesn’t have a large following yet.
Study Web Development – A step-by-step guide to starting a freelancing career as a web developer, including tips on building a portfolio, finding clients, and managing finances.
People Also Ask
How much money can I make as a freelance web developer?
The amount of money you can make as a freelance web developer varies depending on factors such as your experience level, the type of projects you work on, and the rates you charge. According to PayScale, the average hourly rate for freelance web developers is $31.48, but this can range from $15 to $99 per hour.
How do I find clients as a freelance web developer?
There are several ways to find clients as a freelance web developer, including networking, job boards, freelance marketplaces, and referrals from past clients. It’s also important to have a professional website and portfolio that showcases your skills and experience.
How do I set my rates as a freelance web developer?
Setting your rates as a freelance web developer can be challenging, but there are several factors to consider, including your experience level, the complexity of the project, and the client’s budget. It’s important to research industry standards and consider your own financial needs when setting your rates.
How do I manage my time and stay productive as a freelance web developer?
Managing your time and staying productive as a freelance web developer can be challenging, but there are several strategies that can help, such as setting realistic goals, creating a schedule, minimizing distractions, and using productivity tools.
How do I handle taxes and finances as a freelance web developer?
Handling taxes and finances as a freelance web developer can be complex, but it’s important to stay organized and keep accurate records of your income and expenses. It’s also a good idea to consult with a tax professional or financial advisor to ensure you’re meeting all legal and financial obligations.
Is It Worth Doing For Free?
Maybe! If you’ve got a talent for it, then it can definitely be worth your time to put some time into projects without being paid upfront. Just make sure you have a backup plan if the client decides to use someone else or the project gets canceled.
If you don’t have the skills, don’t try to fake it! Start learning from other developers and build up your portfolio. Then, once you’ve got a great set of skills, start looking for clients.
How Much Should I Charge?
Charge enough that you’ll actually make money but not so much that your clients won’t want to work with you again. There’s always another freelance developer who will be willing to take the job if they think they can do it cheaper.
I want to make money as a freelance web developer, but I’m worried about being underpaid. How can I ensure that clients are willing to pay me what my work is worth? A: This is a common concern among freelancers. The good news is, that there are ways you can help ensure you’ll get paid fairly on every project.
As a freelance web developer, you have the opportunity to choose your clients and projects, so don’t be afraid to turn down jobs that don’t pay enough. When negotiating your rate, it’s also important to be realistic and make sure your expectations are aligned with the value of the work you’re doing. And in the case that a client does end up not paying what they promised, consider reaching out to other freelancers for help or making an official complaint through a freelancer’s association.
What’s The Best Way To Find Freelance Web Design Jobs?
The best way to find freelance work as a web developer is through an online job board. Popular choices include Indeed, Upwork, and Craigslist. Simply search for “web development” on these sites, and you’ll likely be presented with a list of relevant jobs. How much can I make as a freelancer?
How much you earn depends on your location, experience level, and how much time you’re willing to dedicate to looking for jobs. On average, though, you can expect to make anywhere from $30-50 per hour. That equates to $60-100k annually if you work 40 hours per week.
What’s The Best Way To Get Great References?
How you ask for references will depend on how well you know the person in question. You could send out emails or call each of your references individually and ask them if they’d be willing to serve as a reference for you when asked by potential employers. If you don’t know them very well though, it may be easier to simply ask them in person before starting any projects with them.
How Can I Become A Freelance Web Developer?
You need to have a few important skills. You should be able to do coding and know how to use the Internet. If you don’t already have these skills, though, there are ways to learn them! First, check out Codecademy and other sites that offer courses in coding.
They’ll help you learn the basics of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Then, when you’ve learned those basic concepts and have some projects under your belt, try reaching out to local businesses in your area.
Offer to build their sites at a low cost in exchange for the experience! Reach out to local small businesses and offer them website design services for example, if you’re a vegan baker who needs a website, reaches out to small vegan restaurants in your area and offers them website design services. Just make sure they have plenty of time to work with you you definitely don’t want to rush this process.
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