Starting your journey as a freelance web developer is an exciting venture that offers flexibility and the opportunity to showcase your skills on diverse projects. To guide you through the process of starting your freelance career, I’ve worked up a step-by-step guide. This is how I would do it if I had to start all over again. You can change what you need, but this is how I approached it.
Skills Needed:
You do need some kind of technical knowledge here. I recommend learning HTML, CSS, and JavaScript before diving into other languages. I learned these in-depth when I began building websites from scratch (2008-2011). They weren’t incredible but I learned how to best avoid errors and how I wanted my code to look. Building good code habits early is important. It’s easier to learn the right way than to correct yourself later on. After Learning HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, you’ll have the foundations to get started on building websites.
You’ll need to know a thing or two about how the internet works. You’ll need to do things like create a brand for yourself, manage social media for yourself, and maintain client relationships online if you’re clients don’t live near you.
Build a Strong Portfolio:
Create a portfolio showcasing your best work. Include a variety of projects that highlight different skills and technologies. This will serve as your online resume, allowing potential clients to see your capabilities and style. If you’re just starting and don’t have many if any projects done, make something up. I remember I hated how my local library’s website looked so I created one just for show. I came up with a fake town library name and built around that. I created fake businesses to showcase what I could do. I did make it clear that those businesses were not real though. Transparency is important to me.
Establish an Online Presence:
– Personal Website: Build a professional website to serve as your online hub. You should include your portfolio, a bio, and contact information.
– LinkedIn Profile: Optimize your LinkedIn profile. Highlight your skills, experience, and projects. Connect with professionals in the industry.
– Social Media: Utilize platforms like Twitter and Instagram to share snippets of your work, engage with the community, and showcase your personality.
Branding-wise, you could keep a similar if not the same color scheme and profile photos and usernames.
Set Your Pricing:
Determine your pricing structure. Consider factors such as your skill level, experience, project complexity, and market rates. Research what other freelancers with similar skills are charging.
Here’s a helpful tool by The Nu School: How Much Should I Charge?
From Freelancer’s Union: How to Ask for Milestone Payments
Create a Services Offerings List:
Define the services you offer. This could include website design, front-end development, back-end development, e-commerce solutions, or custom web applications. You should also note if you are open to negotiate any of your prices or not.
Utilize Freelance Platforms:
Sign up on freelance platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, or Fiverr. Create a profile, detailing your skills and experience. Start by taking on smaller projects to build your reputation and client reviews. Remember to be yourself as well. People like talking to people, especially when they need customized things.
Network and Outreach:
Attend local or online networking events, webinars, and meetups. Connect with other freelancers, potential clients, and professionals in your field. Networking can lead to valuable collaborations and project opportunities. This includes joining your local Facebook groups so when people ask about creating websites you’ll be there to add your offer. Join LinkedIn communities and talk to people on X (formerly Twitter). Join in on coding challenges like 100 days of code and talk to people. You can’t expect for people to only engage with your content if you don’t engage as well. Be positive and let people know they’re doing a good job when you can. A little bit of kindness goes a long way.
PDF from Freelancer’s Union: How to Build A Thriving Network
Craft a Winning Proposal:
When applying for projects, create personalized and detailed proposals. Address the client’s needs, showcase relevant experience, and outline your approach to the project. Stand out by demonstrating how you add value. The method I love to use is a quick summary, project outline, scope of work, project completion timeline, requirements, and payment milestones.
Effective Time Management:
Freelancing requires excellent time management. Set clear work hours, establish deadlines for projects, and communicate realistic timelines to clients. Use project management tools like Trello or Asana to stay organized. I have Apple devices, but a Windows PC, so I use The Forest App, Clockify, GoodNotes6 with Happy Downloads Planner ,and Tape so that I can set up my day and stay focused.
Client Communication:
Effective communication is key. Clearly understand client requirements, ask questions when needed, and provide regular updates on project progress. Establish a professional and collaborative relationship. Set up a system of some sort to respond to clients. It really helps to have an email like Gmail because you can set up reply reminders, use the calendar, and use their documents. Make sure you set up times to accept and return calls, emails, and communication. Please remember that a healthy work life balance is necessary.
Build Long-Term Relationships:
Strive to build lasting relationships with clients. Satisfied clients are more likely to provide repeat business and referrals. Foster positive connections by exceeding expectations and delivering high-quality work. It’s great to reach out when you have a new service available that you think a certain client may enjoy. Send holiday emails just wishing them a great holiday. It’s important to be friendly but definitely don’t force it. Some clients will appreciate being on just business terms.
Manage Finances:
Set up a system for tracking your income and expenses. Consider using accounting software like QuickBooks, or hiring an accountant to manage your finances. Be aware of taxes and legal obligations in your location. I really do not mess around with the IRS. There are some resource links at the bottom of this post to help you begin navigating the world of freelancer taxes.
Collect Testimonials:
Request testimonials from satisfied clients. Display these on your website and freelance profiles to build credibility and trust with potential clients.
Adapt and Evolve:
Freelancing is a dynamic field. Be adaptable to industry changes, client needs, and technological advancements. Continuously refine your skills and services to stay competitive. The tech industry is always evolving, growing, changing, and moving. Staying updated on the latest trends, tools, and technologies can be a little challenging but ultimately rewarding. Consider taking online courses or attending workshops to enhance your skills. For me, this is signing up for newsletters like TLDR & TLDR Web Dev. You can also always take refresher classes online for free through sites like GreaterLearning or creating projects for yourself.
Starting as a freelance web developer requires dedication, ongoing learning, and effective self-promotion. By following these steps and staying committed to providing quality service, you’ll be well on your way to building a successful freelance web development career. Good luck!
Links to resources:
Freelancer’s Guide to Taxes: TurboTax, Business News Daily, NerdWallet, IRS