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Last Updated on November 12, 2024 by Work In My Pajamas
Did you know that the web development industry is worth billions?
After all, it’s current revenue in 2019 is $38 billion. It grew a lot within the past five years since its yearly growth is at 6.6%.
So why not give it a shot today? It’s not hard to learn how to become a freelance web developer. There are a multitude of resources online, nowadays.
Don’t fret if you’re still a beginner with no experience. This guide will help you a lot. You can also read our guide here if you’re interested in getting into side hustles that help you earn money from home while still starting out.
Are you ready to learn how to become a remote developer? Read on and find out more today:
In This Post:
1. Learn as Many Technologies and Programming Languages as You Can
If you want to start becoming a freelance web developer, you need to learn as much as you can. It’s important to remember that web development projects will need more than one programming language to finish. The more knowledge you have, the more likely you’re going to get accepted.
This is the most important first step since it will lay a strong foundation for your future career. Regardless, you still need to know your priorities. What this means is that you need to start with languages that have versatility and demand.
A good example of an in-demand language is Python. You can try making that your first programming language since it’s easy to learn. Continue to build your experience from there and learn more technologies as time passes by.
2. Set Up Your Business Logistics
There are a lot of steps you need to take when making a new freelancing business. First, you need to have a meeting with a Certified Public Accountant. They’ll help you get the best business structure that you can use for the next steps.
Once done, you can now register your business in the state where you operate. If applicable, try a Federal EIN. Find out the frequency of your tax payment as well as the right schedule.
You can secure liability insurance if you need some protection. After that, you can now buy the necessary equipment as well as the software for your home office set up. Make sure to get the latest ones to make your freelance business competitive enough.
To finish this step, make sure to write a business plan. It’s important since it serves as your business’s vision and direction. It will help measure achievements and secure any necessary business financing to get started.
3. Build Your Freelancing Website
The most challenging part of how to be a freelance web developer is to have a portfolio that showcases your completed projects. That’s why your website should show what you’re capable of. Ensure that you make an engaging, interactive website that uses the current popular design trends.
You need to build this website from the ground up. Once you’re done, don’t forget to let your clients know you built it on your own. That way, you’re sending the message that you can do the same for them too.
Make sure the website tells your potential clients about who you are and what you’re passionate about. At the same time, you need to let them know the things you can do for them and the benefits they’ll get. This will help them have more reasons to choose your freelance business.
Always remember to put more interaction opportunities like social media links or contact forms. If you’re willing, you can even put a live chat option. You can also add a blog as a means of showcasing your expertise and help increase your SEO rankings.
4. Market Your Services
Before you can make effective marketing strategies, you need to know your target market first. Check the areas of businesses you’re passionate about. Discovering that, you will have the means of determining your target audience.
As soon as you get the right target market, you can set your work rates. That will help ensure that your marketing plan will work. You can always start your campaign by visiting local businesses and demonstrating what you can do for them.
Remember, you need to ensure that all things digital coming from you must be appealing. Web development is your forte, so take the time and effort to make your things look superb. It’s also better if you get a business card to leave your potential clients with your contact information.
5. Stay Current
You won’t stay in the business that long if you don’t make constant improvements for your skills. Make sure to get ongoing education in web development to help learn about the new languages and technologies whenever they appear. Your downtime is great for getting more certifications that will make you more credible.
If you have extra funds, you can make subscriptions to newsletters and other publications related to your field. That way, you’ll get more avenues for your continued learning. The ultimate goal is to ensure that you won’t become an outdated developer.
Remember, the market for web developers is ripe with fierce competition. If you don’t expand your skill set, your clients will pick your competitors. Over time, your clients might forget about you, leading to your business’s failure in the long run.
Learn How to Become a Freelance Web Developer Today!
To summarize, you need to make a lot of investments when starting as a web developer. You need to give a lot of your time and money to make your chosen profession a worthwhile endeavor. This will give you more freedom, flexibility, and earning potential.
If you want to know how to become a freelance web developer, continue reading our other guides. Increase your skill set to ensure that you have a lot to offer. You can start with our guide here and learn how to start blogging.
