Freelancing as a Web Developer: Tested Tips on Getting Started and Finding Clients

A web developer, perhaps, who wants to taste that freedom freelancing has to offer but is mainly perplexed about how to find one's way into the world of self-employment? Starting as a freelance web developer can seem daunting, but with the right approach and strategy, you can build a sustainable business, find loyal clients, and enjoy the flexibility that comes with working on your own terms.

Here is the step-by-step guide that will help you get started right and assure success in your freelancing journey.

1. Build a Strong Portfolio Even Without Clients Before clients can entrust their projects to you, they would want to see what you can do. Your portfolio gives you an avenue to show them your skills, creativity, and how you solve problems. What if you have no clients?

Create mock projects that demonstrate your skills. Take any companies or services that you especially admire and create mock websites for them. You may even want to contribute with free code projects on GitHub. Any of these will help to flesh out a portfolio with actual examples of what you are capable of doing and show prospective clients the level of quality they will receive.

Pro Tip: Don't just show the final product; talk about your process. Write case studies for each project about the problems you solved. This really demonstrates that you know how to think and find solutions, which is actually what a client is buying.

1. Pick Your Niche and Specialize The field of web development is somewhat broad, you know, it could be frontend, back-end, or full-stack. Finding your niche could make you more attractive to a certain client. Would you like to specialize in eCommerce using Shopify or WooCommerce? Or do you have a passion for custom WordPress theme development or building single-page applications using React or Vue.js?.

You can position yourself as an expert in that line of work, which usually attracts better value in terms of rates and more targeted clients.

1. Leverage Freelance Job Platforms When it comes to getting started, freelance job platforms provide quite a few decent possibilities for getting your first projects and starting to build a reputation. Websites like Upwork, Freelancer, Fiverr, and Toptal expand your reach to a global market of clients in need of web development services.

Create an extended and professional profile showcasing your skills, niche, and portfolio. Then, start bidding on some minor projects to start reviews and build your credibility. With a few successful projects to their credit, one can raise the rates high and target bigger, high-paying clients.

1. Network, Network, Network! The best way to find clients as a freelancer is through networking. Attend virtual meetups, conferences, and events in your locality. Most clients will prefer working with developers who come recommended through someone in their network.

Leverage Social Media: Create your LinkedIn groups and contribute to the group discussions. You can even post content that demonstrates your skills. Twitter is another platform where developers interact and chat on new happenings in their field. Interacting with others through these sites just might get you in front of a potential client.

1. Create Content to Establish Authority One of the strongest ways to attract clients is by positioning yourself as an expert in web development. That doesn't mean you should consider yourself an industry guru, with decades of experience. You want to share what you know via blog posts, tutorials, and case studies. A good place to start publishing content could be Medium, LinkedIn, and your personal blog.

That means creating content that reflects your expertise, and through this, you will be perceived as a professional whom credible clients will find, too, for services.

1. Set Your Rates and Know Your Worth The tendency for a freelancer just starting out is to lowball your rates when giving those rates out to clients. Yes, competitive pricing is a major factor, but too low may translate into burning out and feeling undervalued.

First, research what other people in your skill level and geographic location are averaging. Websites like Glassdoor and PayScale may help give you an idea of what others in your field charge. Take into consideration your unique value proposition, too.