It’s no secret that freelance web development is a booming industry. But if you don’t know much about it, it can be hard to figure out if it’s the right career choice for you. Here are 13 reasons why you should think about freelance web development:
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| Freelance web development can offer flexibility and autonomy, but also requires self-discipline and business skills. |
| Building a strong portfolio and establishing a network can help freelance web developers attract clients and build a successful business. |
| Freelance web development may not be the best fit for everyone, and transitioning to a full-time position can offer benefits such as stability and benefits. |
| Learning web development can lead to a rewarding and lucrative career with opportunities for creativity and continual learning. |
| Strong problem-solving and communication skills are important for success as a web developer. |
1. Being Your Own Boss Is Awesome
One of the best things about this industry is that you get to be your own boss. You decide what to work on, when to start and end, whether or not to work weekends and how many hours a day you want to dedicate. You get to be creative in a way that helps you reach your fullest potential while being recognized for your efforts.
There are hundreds of techniques out there on how to achieve your goals, but it’s important that whatever method you choose specifically addresses the problems that are holding us back from reaching them.
We often aim too high or set goals with no real deadlines in mind – we hear “I’m starting a blog” but never actually create one; we say “I need more education” but never find the time nor resources to pursue it; we tell ourselves “I’m going out tonight” but then procrastinate till morning only because our friends don’t want us around so late at night anymore.
The list goes on… The bottom line is – that having clear goals makes it easier for us all (you included) when working towards anything else along those same lines – such as building our skillset up further with each new thing we learn.
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2. Managing Your Time Is Really Enjoyable
When you’re in a standard 9-5 job, it becomes very difficult to have time for your friends and family. If you have a special event or even just want to take the day off for no reason at all, there are many hoops that you will have to jump through, and sometimes your request may be denied. Being a freelancer allows you the freedom to manage your own time.
If there is an important event coming up or if you just feel like taking a day off, then you can do so without having to worry about asking permission. You can also choose how many hours per day you want to work and set your priorities based on what’s most important to you, whether it be money or free time.
You can work whenever it is convenient for you, which means that if something comes up during regular business hours (e.g., doctor’s appointment) then this won’t interfere with work because it can always be made up later on another day when everything else has been taken care of first!
3. Earning More Money
Another huge benefit is the potential to earn much more money. You’ll have the flexibility to work as much or as little as you want, but since you’re working directly with clients instead of through an agency you can charge a premium rate while being selective about which projects you take on.
That means you get to do the things that interest and challenge you most while making a higher hourly income than if someone else were taking a cut. Plus, there’s no limit on how much you can earn, so your salary has the potential to increase over time. Just check out what some people are already doing in this industry:
4. Getting A Faster Career Path
When you’re a freelance web developer you will learn more in a short space of time, because the industry is moving so fast that you have to. You’ll be able to make your own decisions without being held back by others. You’ll be forced to do more work and pick up new skills faster as there won’t be anyone else to do it for you.
Plus, if something doesn’t go according to plan then it will have been your mistake and you can learn from it (like some of my mistakes below).
You can get more clients and build a bigger network as the only real limit is yourself. You’ll become more self-motivated, as no one is going to be pushing or motivating you. In fact, employers are often seen as holding employees back by not letting them progress fast enough!
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5. The Flexibility To Pick Projects
As a freelance web developer, you can choose who you work with and what projects to work on. You don’t have to waste time working with clients who may not pay you or have unreasonable expectations. You can say no to those projects that you don’t find interesting. And, most importantly, you can pick the projects that excite you and are in your areas of interest.
This is especially important for new developers who are trying to build their resumes. Instead of applying for 100s of jobs and receiving rejections or doing boring tasks as an intern at some company, as a freelancer, you can start working on creating websites for businesses from day one (and yes, people will pay for this). So if flexibility matters to you then consider becoming a freelance web developer.
6. Freelance Web Development Is Not An Expensive Journey
You might be imagining you need to have a ton of money to get started. Maybe you think you need to spend $4,000 for a computer, another $1,000 for some sort of software, and who knows how much to get your website up and running?
The good news is that freelancing isn’t like starting a standard business where there are costs involved in the hundreds or thousands of dollars. If you already own a computer (in most cases, a laptop) then it won’t cost you any money.
If not, then you will have to purchase one but they can be purchased for as little as $500 these days so that isn’t going to break the bank either. You may want some kind of business software but this is also very cheap and can range from $50-$100 depending on which level of functionality you choose.
Your website can also be done at no cost if you use platforms such as Weebly or Wix although if you want something with more functionality then I would recommend investing in WordPress which is still relatively inexpensive and powerful enough to build any type of website imaginable.
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7. Working At Home Saves Money (And Your Sanity)
Working at home also means that you don’t have to commute. That will save you time and money, but more importantly, it will allow you to spend more time with your family. I personally have a two-hour round trip commute to my office job. It takes up four hours of my day just going back and forth. When I was freelancing, the only commute was from my couch to my desk or back again.
If you live in a city (like I do), working at home will save even more money for you because you won’t have to pay for parking or public transit/train tickets/taxi fares every day. Little things like this add up really quickly!
One other thing that adds up really quickly is food costs when you work in an office. Coffee shops, lunches out with co-workers, vending machines, and impulse buys from convenience stores – all of these can add up really quickly if they happen on a regular basis. Working at home can easily cut down on these expenses because it’s so easy (and enjoyable) to snack on items that are already in your house or walk down the street for lunch instead of getting takeout all the time!
8. Gain Transferrable Skills & Knowledge
A web developer should be good at a lot of different things. You need to understand how these technologies all fit together and work together to bring the result you want. Some of these skills may be transferable from your current job, like marketing strategy or design skills. Others are only going to come from working with clients directly in a freelance role.
Working with clients directly is also going to teach you more about project management and client relationship skills than working as an employee for any one company ever could. As an employee, there is always someone looking out for the client relationship and keeping everyone on track, but when you’re a freelancer, it’s up to you to handle all of that on your own.
Having that experience will make you a better freelancer, but even if you never decide to stick with freelance development long-term, it will still teach you invaluable lessons that can make you more effective in whatever other career path you choose down the line.
9. Working With A Variety Of Clients Is A Great Experience
Freelancing is all about being flexible, and you will have to get used to working with a variety of people. This can be daunting for some especially if you are just starting out as a freelancer. However, it shouldn’t discourage you from freelancing because it presents an opportunity for you to learn more about your client’s business and what they do.
In my case, I worked with different types of clients from artists, to non-profit organizations, to small businesses. This has made me understand how diverse the world is and how many people have interesting stories and ideas behind their businesses that need to be told through their websites. Working with a variety of people has also helped me get out of my comfort zone when it comes to meeting new people.
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10. Developing A Self-Employed Mindset Is Important
As a web developer, you’re in business for yourself. You need to have an entrepreneurial mindset of what it means to be a freelancer. You are not doing this because it’s just another job that you have to do. If you have this attitude, your work will be uninspiring and lack passion.
You must understand that the entrepreneurial mindset involves risk, and in return rewards those who take the risk. It’s not about “what if” things go wrong; it’s about being positive and looking at all the opportunities you can create for growth and success. In order to grow as a self-employed person, don’t listen to other people who will tell you that your idea is stupid or unrealistic.
Be independent of what others think of your ideas by keeping an open mind and considering all kinds of options on how to make them happen. Don’t worry about losing your job security—there is no such thing these days! That said: if there were ever any such thing as job security, then why do you think so many companies are laying off their employees?
11. Working With Clients Can Be Very Enjoyable (It’s Great Interacting & Collaborating)
When you work as a freelancer, you’ll end up interacting with many different clients from various companies. You’ll likely get the opportunity to develop websites for people from all walks of life. You might help someone who is just starting their first business. Or perhaps you’ll be working with a big corporation that has been around for many years.
Working with all these different clients will give you the chance to learn about and collaborate on different types of projects and websites. This can be quite enjoyable if you are open-minded and like interacting with people.
Freelancers must always keep in mind that it is important to stay professional while dealing with clients. It’s very important to treat each one of your clients equally and respectfully regardless if they are large corporates or small startups (unless they turn out not to be good clients).
12. You Can Work Anywhere In The World (Remote Work)
Being a freelance web developer gives you the flexibility to work anywhere in the world. If working from home alone feels restrictive, or you find yourself needing to be inspired by others and would like the option of working with your friends or colleagues, then going freelance is the best way to go.
You can always find a quiet café or coffee shop and still get your work done but with a change of scenery. You can also choose whether or not you want to work from home during any given day.
The main thing to remember is that if you are successful at working remotely, it will require self-discipline and motivation, so make sure you have a good internet connection and a reliable laptop – important things for obvious reasons!
It’s vital that you have a great place in which to set up your office space, whether that’s at home or elsewhere. A good desk and chair are essential as they will make all of the difference when it comes to comfort while working over long periods of time. When setting up your remote workspace at home, don’t forget to take regular breaks from sitting down all day (and take care not to snack too much either).
There are many advantages for people who choose remote work over office jobs; for example, there is no need for commuting (which saves time), less money spent on transport costs/fuel, etc., greater flexibility when it comes to creating a schedule that suits your lifestyle and needs better, more time/opportunity for exercise as well as being able to take care of errands without having to worry about taking time off work.
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13. It’s Easier Than Ever To Get Started With Freelancing (Nowadays)
If you’re reading this, chances are that you have an internet connection. You probably also have a computer and some software you know how to use. So what’s stopping you? In the old days (i.e., before the end of the last century,) being a freelance web developer meant investing in your own hardware, buying lots of books on HTML/CSS and PHP/MySQL, and hoping that once your skills were up to snuff, there would be enough work out there to cover your expenses.
Similarly, if you want to sell online products or services, thanks to platforms like WooCommerce, Shopify, and BigCommerce, it’s easier than ever for small business owners to set up shop online without having to build their own eCommerce solution from scratch.
At first glance, these “freelance friendly” tools may appear to make things difficult for freelancers since they reduce the need for skilled developers… but in fact, they do just the opposite – they increase demand while lowering barriers to entry. Consider the pros and cons carefully before you start your freelance career.
Before making the jump to freelancing, you should carefully weigh all the pros and cons. It’s important to consider that freelancing is not for everyone. Though you can have a flexible schedule and work from home, you will still be working hard. You must be self-motivated with your time and comfortable with marketing yourself. You must also manage your finances well. go
Final Thoughts
All in all, freelancing is definitely something you should think about doing. You get to work on your own terms, choosing your own hours and projects and working for people who need your expertise. It’s a win-win situation for both parties involved. All that’s left is for you to try it out and see how you like it!
Further Reading
Choosing the Right Freelance Web Developer for Your Business: Learn about the key factors to consider when hiring a freelance web developer for your business, including experience, portfolio, and communication skills.
5 Reasons Every Web Developer Should Stop Freelancing: This article explores the downsides of freelance web development and argues that transitioning to a full-time position may be a better option for some developers.
7 Reasons You Should Learn Web Development: If you’re considering a career in web development, this article offers compelling reasons to pursue this field, from job growth to creative expression.
People Also Ask
How Can I Get More Clients?
First things first: Make sure your online presence is on point. If someone is looking for a web developer to build their site or help them work out a technical glitch, they’ll probably start with Google. So what comes up when they search?
Make sure your LinkedIn profile is complete and that it reflects your skillset. You can also use it to connect with other developers, who might be able to recommend you for projects or even put you in touch with their own clients who are looking for additional support.
Be active on other platforms, too; Twitter, Instagram, Facebook… whatever feels comfortable for you (and wherever you think your potential clients might hang out). Stay engaged with the community and make friends (or at least acquaintances), so people know who you are and what you do. It could lead to business opportunities down the line!
Is It A Good Idea To Get Into Freelance Web Development?
Absolutely! Freelance web development is a great way to earn money, and you can do it from anywhere. You don’t have to go into the office every day, and you can even work in your pajamas if you want.
What Are The Benefits Of Freelance Web Development?
One of the biggest benefits is that you can work from home. You also don’t have to work a regular schedule. If you’re a morning person, you can do all your work before noon. If you’re a night owl, then you can get all your work done after dark.
What’s The Best Part About Freelancing?
You get to choose your own projects, so you only do what interests or excites you. You also set your own prices for each project, which means that you can charge more for projects that take more effort or that require more skill or expertise.
What Are Some Reasons Why I Should Consider It?
Freelance web developers can get paid up to $100/hour, so it’s definitely worth checking out if you’re interested in making money from home or just doing something fun with your free time!
Why Should I Think About Freelance Web Development?
Web development is a very high-demand skill in the tech industry. It can be done from anywhere, and there are many resources to learn the skills you need, like Codeacademy.
Is It Easy?
It takes a lot of learning, but after that, it’s simple to improve your skills through trial and error. There are also many online communities, like Reddit and programming forums, where you can get all kinds of advice and answer any questions you have.
How Do I Know If Freelance Web Development Is Right For Me?
In general, freelance web development is right for you if you are interested in solving problems and working in a creative environment. Freelance web development allows you to work in a flexible environment where you can work from home or on the road. It also allows you to be your own boss and set your own hours.
Why Should I Consider Freelance Web Development?
Freelance web development is a great career choice because it allows you to be your own boss, set your own hours, and get paid what you are worth. You will have more freedom than any other job out there. You will be able to work from anywhere with an internet connection and make money at the same time. You will not have to worry about going to work every day or being stuck in traffic all day long.
What Skills Do I Need To Be A Freelance Web Developer?
To become a freelance web developer, you should have some knowledge of HTML, CSS, PHP, and JavaScript. These skills are necessary for building websites that look good on all devices and browsers. You should also have an eye for design so that your website looks professional and appealing to visitors
How Do I Know If Freelancing Is For Me?
If you’re always the first one to figure out the new technology, or you’re constantly tinkering with new gadgets, or you’ve got a million apps on your phone that you can’t live without (bonus points if you wrote them yourself), then it might be time to consider freelancing.
If anything, freelancing is a good way to find out what you like, and what you don’t like. You get to work with all kinds of different clients and projects, so even if freelance web development isn’t your dream job, the experience can help guide your career.
Do I Need An Education In Computer Science?
Absolutely not. In fact, many of the most successful freelancers are self-taught. That being said, any kind of formal training in programming will help whether it’s a degree in Computer Science or just taking a programming class at your local community college.
It’s also important to have an understanding of the basics of computer science, like algorithms and data structures. But be warned: the world of web development moves fast! So even if you are studying CS at university, make sure you make time to work on personal projects.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.