How to Become a Freelance Web Developer

Nowadays, many professionals aim to work as a freelance web developer. The flexibility freelance work offers is strongly attractive because you can create your own schedule and work from home.

Once you have built your reputation in the market, you can have a stable and profitable career as a freelancer. Software and app development is a sector that generates millions of job opportunities worldwide.

However, to enjoy them, you need to be prepared and have the required skills. Check out the article to learn more.

What Is a Freelance Web Developer?#

A freelance developer is a professional who works developing and managing websites, and software, applications. There are different types of developers such as back end, front end, and full stack. You can focus on the area that you identify most with.

Unlike a developer that works full-time for a company, a freelancer works on projects, therefore it's possible to participate in more than one project at the same time, and have contracts with multiple companies. You can charge by hour, day, or close a fixed price based on the type of project.

When you work as a freelancer, you are self-employed, so you need to provide invoices to the clients, draft contracts, and follow the legal obligations the category requires. It's important to check if you need to pay taxes to emit invoices, for example.

Why Become a Freelance Web Developer#

Gain Experience#

If you have just finished college, and have only experience as an intern in the software development sector, working as a freelance web developer can help you gain more experience. You can find projects that match your skills, and build a portfolio to grow and be able to get more opportunities.

Create Your Own Schedule#

Balancing the personal and professional aspects of life can be challenging sometimes. Working full-time in a company office may make things even more difficult, that's why many people opt for self-employment options and become freelancers.

When you are a freelancer, you can make your schedule and choose how many projects you want to take at a time. If you feel you work best at night, you can do that instead of following office hours, for instance.

However, this flexibility doesn't mean you can have as many days off as you wish and have as minimal work as possible. Being a freelancer requires commitment, discipline, and being capable of delivering tasks within the deadlines agreed with your customers.

Opportunity to Participate in Interesting Projects#

Another advantage of becoming a freelance web developer is you can choose the type of projects you want to participate in. If you feel the need to be constantly challenged and get easily bored when working on the same thing for too long, freelance work can fit your profile.

You can work with companies of different sizes and sectors at the same time and constantly learn more about innovation and the latest trends in technology. It's possible to take part in short and long-term projects.

Freedom to Set Your Rates#

As a freelancer, you will define your own rates, and how you want to get paid. For example, there are professionals who charge by hour while others establish a fixed price based on the type of project and what they need to do. You can change the prices according to each project to meet your and the client's requirements.

Characteristics of a Good Freelance Web Developer#

Self-Management#

To become a renowned freelance web developer, wanted by many clients, you need to know how to manage your career. It's fundamental to have organization skills to keep track of multiple projects and deliver the best results.

You will be in charge of organizing your schedule, so you need to know the time each task takes, and how to conciliate your obligations with your personal life.

Reliability and Accountability#

You must show you are a reliable professional who takes accountability for their actions, so your customers will believe in you and choose to hire your services. Show the clients you value and respect them, by following the deadlines and dedicating yourself to each project.

Communication Skills#

Knowing how to communicate with customers is essential for a freelance web developer. First, you must show why you should be hired, therefore you need to know how to present yourself, highlight your skills, and explain how they meet the client's purpose.

After you get hired, good communication is necessary to run the project, for example, to express your ideas and lead a team.

Technical Skills#

It isn't possible to be a freelance web developer if you don't have the technical skills required. They may vary depending on the type of developer you are. For example, a front-end developer needs to know how to code in the language they will be using, such as HTML, CSS, or JavaScript.

On the other hand, front-end developer work may require knowledge of Java, Ruby, or Python. It's also necessary to know UI (user interface) and UX (user experience), SEO (search engine optimization), cyber security, data management, and testing and debugging.

How to Become a Freelance Web Developer#

1. Define Your Niche#

So, you decided to be a freelance web developer? When you analyze the market, you will see it's a crowded one, many professionals are working in this sector, therefore you must come up with ways to stand out among them. One solution is to focus on a niche and become an expert in it.

Instead of acquiring multiple skills at basic levels to offer services as a front-end and back-end developer who knows how to code using different languages. It's more interesting to choose what attracts you the most, and deepen your knowledge in this area, so you can provide high-quality services that benefit the clients, and catch their attention.

2. Improve Your Skills#

Once you have defined the niche you want to focus on, it's time to evaluate your skills. What do you need to improve to become the best in your field? Define your priorities and start studying. You can take online web development courses, for instance.

Even after you become a renowned freelance web developer, it's important to continuously seek ways to improve your skills and keep yourself updated with the trends and changes in your area.

3. Create a Business Plan#

Being a freelance web developer means you own your business, so it's necessary to organize yourself as one and create a business plan. Define the type of services you will offer, your target audience, how much you will charge, and your long and short-term goals.

The business plan will help identify your next steps. This way, you will know what you need to focus on to move forward. For example, set what marketing strategies you should implement, and how to find clients. Also, creating goals enables you to measure your progress more precisely.

4. Make a Portfolio#

Creating a portfolio is fundamental to showing potential clients why they should hire you. You can build your own website and publish your portfolio on it. Show some of your previous works, highlight what you did in each project, and how it helped you to become an expert in your field.

5. Develop Marketing Strategies#

With your business plan and a well-defined target audience, it's time to create marketing strategies to reach your potential customers and draw their attention. Identify the pain points of your target audience and how you can help solve those problems.

Then, define the most effective channels to communicate with your audience, create appropriate content for each platform, and present yourself and your services.

6. Apply to Jobs#

After you have chosen your niche and built your business plan, you are ready to start looking for opportunities. You can do that by searching for jobs on freelance websites. Some of them allow you to create a profile for free, so you can apply to the projects available and begin working.

Research the companies that have projects you are interested in, get in contact with them, and write business proposals that show how the company can benefit by hiring you. Research your competitors as well to understand what they are offering, and what you can do to distinguish yourself from them.

9 Best Freelance Websites to Find Job Opportunities#

1. Upwork#

Upwork is an international platform where you can find freelance opportunities in multiple areas. With an intuitive website, you can create your profile for free. This is the first step to finding jobs that match your interests.

It's important to add your work skills, and previous experiences, and write an eye-catching title to drive attention to your profile to increase your chances of being hired. You can look for job opportunities, bid for jobs, and pitch your projects. Besides, you can choose how you want to get paid, and use Upwork to invoice clients and track your earnings.

Highlighted features:

• Create your profile for free
• Get paid securely
• Talent marketplace
• Create easy-to-buy projects
• Multiple freelance opportunities

2. Toptal#

"Exclusive network of the world's top talent in business", that's how Toptal describes its platform. You can join as a freelancer and find job opportunities in several categories, including finance, marketing, design, and software development.

Present in more than 140 countries, Toptal has served more than 25.000 clients until 2023. To be hired through Toptal, begin by clicking on the option "apply as a freelancer", then create an account and complete your profile.

They will evaluate your resume, and analyze if you meet the network criteria, after that your profile will be available for companies that use Toptal to hire employees.

Highlighted features:

• Global network
• Collaboration with leading brands
• Opportunities in multiple industries

3. Jooble#

If you are looking for jobs in the United States, Jooble has more than 500,000 vacancies all over the country. But, it isn't only in the USA that the platform connects talents with opportunities, Jooble is present in 67 countries, including India, the United Kingdom, and Brazil, for example.

You can create a free account, and apply for the jobs you find interesting. Mark the opportunities that caught your eye as favorites, and keep track of them.

Highlighted features:

• Job opportunities in 67 countries
• Easy to use
• Sign in for free
• 300,000 new jobs are added every day
• Career guide

4. Freelancer#

As the name suggests, Freelancer is a website where you can find job opportunities as a freelancer in different areas, such as software development, marketing, and logistics. You can create your professional profile on the platform, add your skills and previous work experience, and then look for jobs that suit your interests.

When you find an opportunity you want to apply to, you can write a proposal, and send a bid. It's important to show the company that you understand what they want and explain why you fit their needs. You can set alerts to be notified when there are new opportunities and count on 24/7 support.

Highlighted features:

• Sign up for free
• Send bids
• Job alerts
• 24/7 support

5. We Work Remotely#

With over 1000 new positions posted every month, you can enjoy We Work Remotely to find remote jobs from different industry sectors. To begin using We Work Remotely, you need to create an account and pick a plan, the basic one is for free.

In both plan options, you can search for jobs in categories like programming, customer support, sales, and marketing. Refine the searches by setting the region, timezone, and company size. Set up your interests, and receive a curated list of job opportunities in your email.

Highlighted features:

• Advanced job search
• Easy to use
• Remote work resources

6. LinkedIn#

LinkedIn is a social media platform focused on the professional aspect of life. With more than 830 million members, it's used by companies to find new talents, and you can enjoy it to get more job opportunities.

In the LinkedIn Jobs section, thousands of companies publish job opportunities and even enable the "Easy Apply" feature, so you can apply using your LinkedIn account. Another advantage LinkedIn offers is that you can showcase your projects, and network with professionals from different countries.

Highlighted features:

• Easy Apply
• Professional social network
• Easy to use
• Personalize job notifications

7. SimplyHired#

Simply Hired is a job search engine that allows you to find freelance opportunities in several countries. It offers tools like salary estimator, and company reviews to help you on your search. You can create an account for free.

Highlighted features:

• Salary estimator
• Company reviews
• Easy to use

8. PeoplePerHour#

PeoplePerHour is a freelancer community. Companies from all over the world publish their projects, and the freelancers registered on the platform can apply for the jobs they find interesting.

First, you have to complete an online application at the PeoplePerHour website. The moderation team will review your application to ensure you fit the community criteria. Once you are approved, you can access the project proposals available on the platform.

Highlighted features:

• Create your profile
• Thousands of project opportunities
• Easy to use
• AI-powered
• Send 15 proposals per month for free
• Create bespoke packages

9. Guru#

Guru allows you to find freelance jobs with just a few clicks. You can browse the opportunities by categories, such as programming and development, writing and translation, business and finance, and sales and marketing. Refine the results by setting the minimum you want to receive for the job.

Used by more than 3 million people, Guru verifies freelancers who register to the platform and publish their feedback scores. You can enjoy SafePay payment protection and count on 24/7 customer support.

Highlighted features:

• Easy to use
• 24/7 customer support
• SafePay payment protection
• WorkRooms
• Find and apply for jobs

Start Your Career as a Freelance Web Developer#

Now that you have learned how to become a freelance web developer, take the first step to begin your career. Make sure you have the necessary skills to work in this area and search for ways to improve your knowledge continuously.

Remember that being a freelance web developer requires self-discipline and responsibility. You will be your own boss, so you must commit to always delivering the best work possible without anyone having to micromanage you.