How to Become a Freelance Web Developer

So, you’re interested in becoming a freelance web developer? That likely means you’re a problem solver, you enjoy building things from scratch, and you’re comfortable in the digital realm.

That also means we’re willing to bet you have an affinity for technology and how it works. Good, because in this Unemployable Guide, we’re sharing how you can go freelance and build a thriving career from your web development skills.
Here’s what’s covered:

The benefits of freelance web development
Are web developers still in demand?
What skills are required to become a freelance web developer?
How to build your development business

Let’s get started.

The benefits of freelance web development

Being a freelance web developer has many benefits, like:

Financial freedom
Unique opportunities
Flexibility

That’s only scratching the surface. Plus, the average salary for a freelance web developer, according to data from ZipRecruiter and Glassdoor, is roughly $75,430.

And of course, you get all the perks of living the freelance life. You can be location independent and do the digital nomad thing. Or just revel in the fact that you don’t have to partipate in a midless commute just to go sit in a cube farm filling out TPS reports.

But if you’re just getting started with learning how to code or are making a career switch, becoming a freelance web developer (and making that good money) can seem like an impossible feat.

We’re here to tell you that that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Are freelance web developers in demand?

With the rise of “no-code software, many new-to-the-industry (or perhaps even some veteran web developers) are nervous about how this may impact the industry. But according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for web developers is expected to grow by 13% by 2028. Plus, businesses are still in need of people who know their way around HTML and can diagnose a bug issue on a website.

Building a successful, flexible business as a freelance web developer is possible despite new tools and apps. In fact, these tools might be to your benefit. Learning how to use these tools and offering that service to clients is a great value-add.

The skill set of the freelance web developer

To become an in-demand web developer that can complete projects and market oneself to ideal clients, you need to have a specific set of skills. Because the tech world is ever-changing, it’s essential to not only learn the foundational skills of coding but to continue to learn and practice.

If you’re new to coding and are overwhelmed about where to start, don’t stress. There are tons of resources out there to help you learn the necessary skills to be a successful web developer, which we’ve linked to at the bottom of this section.

Now, let’s cover some of the basics of becoming a freelance web developer.

Web development is for coders (of course)

As they say, you gotta crawl before you can walk.

To do your job successfully and to become a valuable asset to your clients, you need to learn the ins and outs of coding. You won’t learn it all overnight, and like learning any new language, it’ll take time and practice to establish fluency.

Because there are hundreds of coding languages, trying to learn them all is not recommended. Instead, approach your coding education in a way that sets you up for long-term growth. Learn a little about each of the most popular languages, see which one piques your interest, and dive into it.

Some of the most common programming languages are:

JavaScript
HTML & CSS
Python
Ruby
Scala
C
Swift

Keep in mind, learning a new coding language can be quite the investment, depending on what route you take. Boot camps tend to be on the pricier side of the coding education spectrum, but many of them offer “tuition reimbursement programs or guaranteed job placements after graduation. We recommend adamantly researching each option and choosing what makes the most sense for you and your financial situation.

Here are some of the best resources for learning how to code online:

If you’re interested in taking the boot camp path, here are a few notable options to consider:

Understanding browser functionality

To become a confident freelance web developer and truly understand the functionality behind the code you’re writing, you must have a solid knowledge base of how browsers work.

Google Chrome is one of the most popular browsers. Plus it comes with several developer tools that can come in handy when trying to improve your work.

Web builders and content management systems

Want to become instantly more valuable to your clients? Learn how to use various web builders and content management systems (CMS).

Having a deep understanding of the most popular content management systems and web builders creates another value-add which you can offer to clients. Most companies use a CMS or website builder, so knowing how to use the most popular tools is a great skill to have.

Also, if you’re looking to work with eCommerce companies, it’s important to understand the platforms they use as well as relevant plugins and tools they use to power their business.

A few of the most popular website builders are:

The top content management systems are:

The top eCommerce platforms are:

We said it before, and we’ll say it again: A desire to continue learning is essential. The tech world evolves so quickly, so it’s imperative to be on top of trends and new releases to serve your clients (and to keep the inquiries flowing).

How to grow your freelance web development business

Now that you have the basics of coding down, it’s time to launch your business.

There are several ways to do this, but a few of the most important aspects of launching your business include:

Build a stellar portfolio
Set your rates
Build your process
Forge connections with others in your industry

Let’s take a look at each in more detail.

Build a stellar development portfolio

One of the most challenging parts of revving up business as a freelancer is demonstrating that you can, actually, do the work you say you can. With new freelancers (especially those who are new to a skill or career path), building up a portfolio can be overwhelming.

How can you build a portfolio without clients? Can you attract clients without a portfolio? It’s a Catch 22.

Even if you don’t have any client experience, there are plenty of ways you can build a portfolio that attracts your ideal clients and demonstrates your skills.

Here’s how:

Get creative. Make up a project and treat it as you would a real client (go all out and build a client profile if you have to; have some fun with it). Then, create a website and show off the skills you’ve been practicing. Take things one step further and turn it into a case study complete with a client challenge, your approach, and how it benefited the client in the end.

This is a great way to show potential clients that you can do great work and understand how to solve problems with code. And more importantly, that you can do it for them.

Set your rates

Setting your rates can also be a point of contention for freelancers, no matter your specialty or skill. How are you supposed to know where to start?

This article breaks down how to determine not only your rates but how you should price your work.

Build your onboarding process

Any pro freelance web developer will tell you that one of the secrets to their success lies within their process.

If you have a reliable process in place, many magical things happen:

You get instantly more organized (no more missed deadlines)
Both you and your clients are on the same page during the entire project
You automatically look more professional than other freelancers who don’t have a well-oiled process
You can more accurately quote projects if you know how long things will take

The thing about processes is that yours will change over time, and that’s completely OK. It’s expected. If you find yourself a few months (or a year) into freelancing and your process hasn’t changed, it’s probably time to re-evaluate.

A few core components of a reliable process include:

Onboarding (welcome, vetting, proposal, payment logistics, contract, terms & conditions)
Project time (software, timelines, revisions)
Wrap up (invoicing, gathering testimonials, asking for referrals)

The onboarding phase of your process is arguably the most important (aside from doing quality work, of course) because it sets the tone for the project. It gives you the chance to explain how you work to your client and make sure you’re aligned so you can avoid those client horror stories you hear so often.

Your onboarding process may look like this:

First contact (client comes to you or vice versa)
Discuss project details (you learn about and vet the project and decide if you’re a good fit)
Provide the proposal and contract (this is also when you establish a timeline, set milestones, explain how things will be submitted, and other admin tasks)

Your process may look different from others, and again, there’s no right or wrong answer. The important thing is to create a process that not only keeps you organized and on track, but that keeps your clients informed.

Forge connections with those in your industry

Building genuine relationships with other freelancers in your industry is a valuable thing that will not only open doors as a freelance web developer, but it will make freelancing, which can sometimes feel pretty lonely, not so lonely.

“Connecting with fellow freelancers has led to several opportunities (referrals) for me. More importantly, though, I’ve come to realise that there’s a strong community out there, waiting to support each other and grow together. I’ve also learned from them, for instance, tips on dealing with so and so client + witnessed my growth (learning and growing by sharing my takeaways with them). – Masooma Memon (@inkandcopy)

Becoming a skilled freelance web developer won’t happen overnight. It takes dedication, drive, and continuous learning and adapting to build a thriving business. But you certainly don’t have to go it alone.