Are you an experienced web developer seeking to start a freelance web development business in India?
Most businesses are evolving towards a remote workforce while conducting most of their work transactions online. That leads to a high demand for online presence, hence more need for websites.
That means that nothing could go wrong with starting a freelance web development career now in India.
While there are notable and prosperous web developers who work as full-time employees, freelancing has also grown to be very lucrative.
When you work as a freelance web developer, your prospects of success are excellent.
The ease of working from home, the freedom to choose your own hours, and the range of assignments accessible are attracting more people to the freelancing sector.
Yet it’s not simple to start out in the industry of freelance web development.
Along with having strong technical knowledge, it’s your responsibility to always stay up to date on the newest technologies and techniques and persuade potential clients that you possess the essential skills and abilities to produce the outcomes they require.
Fortunately, working as a freelance web developer part-time can be a great way to get expertise before committing to a full-time position.
What is freelance web development in India?
Freelance web developers are self-employed professional coders who build websites for a variety of clients and are paid per project.
After discussing their ideas with the client, they are in charge of delivering the finished product.
Working as a freelance web developer would allow you to work on a variety of projects from prospective employers in India and around the world.
Since you get to run your own business, you have complete control over your charges, work schedule, and even the clients you want to work with.
Freelance developers in India often provide services like designing websites, handling complex data, and making sure a website is compatible with various browsers and devices. They also create software using programming languages.
Before we talk about the steps to becoming a freelance web developer in India, let’s understand the other factors around it.
What skills do you require to be able to launch a Freelance web development career in India?
Coding skills
Web developers must be proficient in a number of programming languages. Start by studying HTML, CSS, and Javascript. If you’re beginning from scratch, you can enroll in free or paid online and offline programs or boot camps to learn how to code.
You can start working as a freelancer if you know HTML and CSS. If you don’t have a lot of interest in coding, you may also utilize a CMS like WordPress or Editor X. This approach is taken by many prosperous freelancers, and it’s okay.
Aside from programming languages and technical expertise, it is a good idea to master other skills that will help you provide outstanding services to clients.
Technical skills
Technical expertise reflects your competency as a freelance web developer and expands the scope of your talent. You may have a competitive advantage as a result. Technical skills include:
1. Responsive design – Understanding responsive design is essential for web developers. No matter the size, it is essential to create websites that can be seen on PCs and mobile devices.
2. Testing and debugging – A web developer must guarantee that the website and mobile app are fully functional. Website testing identifies any flaws that need to be fixed and helps evaluate factors like user-friendliness, effectiveness, and user happiness.
3. Back-end expertise – Even if your attention is exclusively on the front end, you still need to have a solid understanding of back-end programming. Be sure you are familiar with the foundations of databases, servers, and cybersecurity.
4. Search engine optimization – The usability of a website is just as crucial to SEO as its content. Web developers are in charge of making a site mobile-friendly, creating simple navigation, minimizing page load speed, and incorporating a sitemap. These are all criteria in site ranking.
5. Micro copywriting – Some clients may employ freelance copywriters to provide content for their websites. Micro-content is required for software components, landing pages, and web pages. Writing persuasively and with a strong grasp of grammar will aid in producing reliable content.
Soft skills
Soft skills demonstrate your capacity to work well with others. In order to succeed as a freelance web developer, you need to establish solid client relationships. Soft skills can greatly aid you in efficiently comprehending your clients’ needs and expectations. They consist of:
1. Analytical skills – The way web developers structure the code on a website affects how well it functions. Analytical thinking will aid in spotting and resolving any potential problems.
2. Interpersonal skills – While freelancers often operate alone, having good people skills will aid in the execution of client demands and the clear communication of your ideas. Misunderstandings can be avoided by communicating clearly and listening intently.
3. Excellent work ethic – One of the most desired traits that clients look for in freelancers is a strong work ethic. Display a strong sense of dependability, discipline, and professionalism to uphold your reputation and the loyalty of your customers.
Business skills
Last but not least, having strong business skills enhances the value of your service. You must employ tactics to generate a steady stream of income, just like you would when managing any kind of business.
New independent web developers frequently make the mistake of failing to view their work as a business.
Establishing a business necessitates a certain set of abilities, including but not limited to persuasive service marketing, a strong personal brand, reasonable pricing, negotiating, networking, and much more.
As it is your company, you will be in charge of every part of it, including client acquisition and cash flow management.
Steps to starting a Freelance web development career in India
Technical know-how and design sensibility are key prerequisites for a web developer. The ability to build a useful website falls under the first category; creating an aesthetically appealing and user-friendly website design falls under the second.
Approximately 1.5 million web developers work on a contract basis worldwide. You can be employed by any multinational corporation even when you work from India. As a result, you technically face off against millions of individuals who possess comparable skills.
If you believe you have what it takes to work as a freelance web developer in India, now is the time to list the steps you need to do.
#1. Create a plan
You should have a strategy for the eventual shift to making this a full-time freelance position, even if it is only a part-time job. A good corporate strategy should:
Define the vision and identity of your business.
Establish financial objectives and targets.
Estimate your projected expenses and income.
Identify your ideal clientele.
Your unique selling proposition, or USP, aids in differentiating you from the competition, solidifying your position as the go-to option, and gaining the confidence and respect of your target market.
Even if you’re new to the freelance industry, you should be able to explain why you’re a suitable fit. Your target audience needs to understand what you stand for, what makes you different, and why you are the best choice.
Also, keep an eye on the people in your area who are already doing what you want to accomplish. Find out how much they charge, how they obtain clients, and who is represented in their portfolio.
#2. Build a strong foundation with systems and processes.
Set aside time to develop protocols for all you can in your web development business while you are still working your conventional job to pay the bills.
This includes setting up meetings and appointments, performing the necessary tasks, and devoting time to marketing and sales.
Processes and systems lower stress while boosting output and profitability.
It is possible to automate, streamline, and simplify certain business processes with the use of various software tools. You’ll eventually require software for:
Accounting and invoicing
Project management
Email marketing
Time tracking
Web development and design
However, be careful not to overextend yourself too soon in your new venture by incurring excessive costs.
Remember that earning enough money to pay all of your bills and your standard of living depends just as much on managing expenses as it does on generating sales.
It requires a lot of self-control to avoid distractions while freelancing. Be responsible for your actions, stay motivated, and seize opportunities.
#3. Address the legal formalities
It makes sense to have a distinct business name and entity, even for a side gig.
This might not seem significant while you’re working for free, but once you start getting paying clients, you’ll want to be prepared.
Choose whether you’ll be an LLC, corporation, or sole proprietor. Think about using an online service or hiring a lawyer to assist you with the appropriate papers.
You should also check the Indian government website for local requirements for business licenses, permits, and fictitious name or DBA (“Doing Business As”) registration.
Learn the fundamentals of taxation for independent contractors.
Have your clients sign a contract before beginning any work if you’ve gone to these lengths to safeguard your business.
Contracts can protect you from liability, scope creep, refusal to pay, and more.
#4. Establish a financial system
The distinction between personal and corporate finances becomes muddled if you use a personal bank account for your business.
As a result, you risk losing any tax benefits or legal protection that a formal business structure offers.
Thus, before starting a job, check with your existing bank and research around to compare fees and benefits.
A business bank account can:
1. Give you access to a corporate debit or credit card.
2. Simplify the process of filing taxes.
3. Provide incentives and rewards to reduce your expenses.
4. In case your company’s “identity” is compromised, safeguard your personal finances and vice versa.
Use your new business bank account to set up a payroll system.
#5. Establish a recognizable brand.
It can be challenging to establish yourself as a relevant authority, but if you want the freelance lifestyle, you’ll have to work hard for it.
The good news is that there are numerous free opportunities for professionals to gain recognition.
You will discover more than enough opportunities to connect with people and for others to find you if you showcase your work, create a network, teach, and blog like an expert.
Potential customers won’t request work from you if they don’t know who you are.
Whether you’re using your own name or a business name, get your personal brand out there:
1. Get the appropriate domain name.
2. Choose quality above quantity when posting on social media by capturing relevant handles.
3. Make online guides that can be posted on YouTube or other websites.
4. Consider Quora, which can also promote interpersonal ties.
5. Give brief, free presentations at venues in your locality, including networking clubs or your public library.
There are other freelance web developers available; the trick is to stand out from them by providing a better service.
#6. Determine your niche
Don’t strive to please everyone by being everything to everyone.
Identifying a target market and focusing on your skills will enhance your productivity, improve your skills in a practical way, and help you establish yourself as an expert in a particular market niche.
It’s relatively simple to market your services if you can reaffirm your expertise or approach in a specific field, preferably one with less competition.
Additionally, establish a reputation for yourself as a trustworthy resource by keeping a collection of tools at the ready that you may suggest to customers.
They could include services like domain registration, website hosting, email, and web security measures like SSLs.
Partner with a supplier that offers a range of solutions in each area and dependable 24/7 technical assistance.
Experienced web professionals have preferred vendors, and having knowledge of their products increases productivity.
A great tech support resource is your secret weapon as a novice in the field when you stumble upon an issue you can’t fix.
#7. Assess your skills and create a portfolio
Your portfolio must demonstrate your expertise in your profession, real websites or apps that you have developed, and client endorsements.
Prospective customers want evidence that you have experience doing this, that their task will intrigue them, and that you are a credible source.
Remember that you are not required to reveal the amount of payment you received for the work. You’ll only be assessed on the quality of your work.
Consider developing case studies for more complex projects that concisely illustrate your procedure and the outcomes. If you have a blog, you can discuss the innovative elements of the highlighted projects.
#8. Learn how to communicate with clients
It takes a careful balance to have a successful freelancer-client relationship.
One way or another, you want them to feel that “the customer is always right.” On the other hand, they are depending on you to give the information, training, and competence that they lack and should admit that they do.
You want to make sure that everyone is aware of what to expect so that nobody feels surprised, offended, or defensive.
#9. Develop a sales and marketing plan.
You can get paid jobs via networking, attending events, and signing up for freelancing services like Upwork, Freelancer, and 99designs. Your brand can grow through networking.
Your existing network might help you get to the top through recommendations, should you decide to make your web development side job into a full-time business.
Additionally, price your services carefully to prevent being overworked and underpaid.
#10. Make a plan for transition
After you’ve secured a few lucrative projects and determined how much time you can devote to this work, you can consider quitting your day job to pursue more freelance work opportunities.
While you don’t want to leave your day job before your freelance work can support you financially, you also don’t want to wait too long since you risk the danger of burning out or having to decline freelancing opportunities because of bandwidth restrictions.
Quitting your primary job before becoming a full-time freelancer is risky, and it is dependent on your specific circumstances, support system, and finances.
Don’t decide the “perfect time” based only on how much money you’ll make right away.
If you stop working a second job, you’ll have more time to work on your business and devise a route to higher revenue.
Freelance web development salary in India
The salary range for a freelance web developer in India with less than a year of experience to eight years of experience is between 1.3 lakhs and 7.1 lakhs, with an average yearly salary of 3.2 lakhs.
The highest income a freelance web developer in India may receive is 7.1 Lakhs per year or 59.2k per month.
Salary projections are based on the 160 most recent salaries provided by freelance web developers.
Conclusion
The benefit of the side hustle strategy is that you have time to assess what works for you, modify your plans and objectives, and pick up new skills along the way.
Starting with the steps provided here, you’ll eventually be ready to launch your freelance web development career in India like a pro.
Once you’re on that path, review your long- and short-term plans, think about your objectives, and make adjustments as needed.
Related: How to Start a Successful Freelancing Career in India