If you have a great eye for very beautiful design and have some knowledge on coding, then you may think about becoming a freelance web developer. While the internet has indeed provided plenty of opportunities for individuals to create their own websites through platforms such as WordPress, not all hope is lost – you can still secure opportunities to succeed in this path.
However, it always helps to prepare yourself as much as you can, and know the tips that will help you to succeed. In this article, we will look at some of these factors, and how to apply them in your career path as a freelancer.
Knowing the niche you want to focus on
If you want to stand out from the sea of web developers, it is important to know what you can offer and the value it has. Decide whether you would like to take freelance web designer tasks at dormzi or other businesses or focus solely on the development part. You can start by getting a web development course, and using it to upgrade the skillset you currently have, and then finding a niche and focusing on these skills.
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Even though you might assume it is better to be a programmer that can handle everything and being a jack of all trades, you will actually get higher payment when you focus your energy on a few areas and become an expert in them.
It will also make it easier for you to market yourself to new clients, because you know your skills in a specific area, and you will have a better chance of keeping up with all the developments it has.
Start creating codes on anything
Once you find the niche you want to focus on, you need to start building your skills and knowledge in it. The best place to begin using it is on your portfolio website, as this is the main place where you will showcase all the best work you have done throughout your career for new clients to see.
When making your portfolio, there are some elements you need to add to it, and they include:
- Your technical skills
- Practicing of your chosen niche
- Making your own ideas
In addition to your portfolio, maintain a blog – this will further help to establish you as an authority in the business. Use the blog to answer and ask questions on social media, explaining the processes you use, as well as continuing to build and improve elements of it.
Building your own personal brand
At the end of the day, becoming a freelancer means getting into the hustle. It can be a difficult task putting your name out there initially, but you must do it if you want to succeed.
You do not need to spend so much money doing it either, as there are numerous opportunities you can use to get yourself to the knowledge of new clients. Through showcasing the work you have done, as well as blogging and building networks like the experts in the industry, it is possible to find new people to connect and work with.
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Therefore, make it your aim to talk to people – both offline and online. Additionally, maintain simple goals, such as attaching your name on your portfolio, as well as creating content that fits with the skills you hold. Adopt the same approach when it comes to social media as well.
Organize
You are not just a web developer when you decide to go freelance – you are also in charge of marketing, customer care, and sales. Even though you may lack experience in these fields, they are still essential to your freelancing success – so the sooner you learn them, the better the career path will be for you.
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It will become easier to organize yourself when you use project management tools such as Toggl, HubStaff, and so on.
Increase your experience
When you acquire the skillset you need and have a clean website, it is now time to work on actual projects and increase your experience. You can source out jobs through referrals or freelancer websites, although keep in mind you will need to start taking on these jobs while you are still working as an employee in order to give yourself some time to adjust.
These points show that it is not easy to succeed as a freelance web developer, and you will need to spend time into making it work. However, they will help you to gain a solid footing, and build your reputation along with it.
