You’ve mastered web development and you’re ready to take on the web developer freelance world. But, as you may have seen first-hand already, you’re not the only web developer on the (virtual) block. So, how do you land clients?
One word holds the key to solving this conundrum. That word is, “differentiation.” You need to stand out among hundreds and maybe even thousands of web developers offering their services online.
How do you do that? Glad you asked. We’ve discussed the nitty-gritty of what a freelance web developer should do to stand out with experts at design agency Fivecube to prepare this guide.
Let’s get into it.
Know Your Niche
Do you specialize in building SaaS products? Or developing online stores and marketplaces? Or, perhaps, you strive to be a freelance web developer WordPress clients may turn to?
Before you heed any advice below, you need to zero in on your niche, i.e. the type and scale of web development projects you’ll take on. Make sure you don’t try to bite off more than you can chew: that is, evaluate your capabilities realistically when you consider your current skill level.
Prepare a Knockout Portfolio
Portfolios are among the first things – if not the first – businesses check out when looking for freelance web developers. That’s because skills matter more than academic credentials in this industry.
You don’t have to create your own freelance web developer website to showcase your talent. Platforms like CodePen exist (and come with a Jobs section, too). So, go ahead and add examples of your works there.
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N.B. Even if you’ve never completed a project for a client, you can and should prepare a portfolio. You can find tons of prompts online to create an impressive and well-rounded portfolio.
If you’ve already completed projects for other clients, ask for their permission to mention those projects before you link the finished products in your portfolio.
Pro tip: If your portfolio is somewhat old, make sure you review it regularly. You don’t want to showcase projects with an outdated design or technology stack.
Get Active Online
Another way to showcase your expertise is by sharing it online. There are multiple ways you can do it, such as:
- Set up a Medium blog
- Publish posts on LinkedIn
- Engage in online discussions on Stack Overflow.
Pro tip: Write case studies about your past projects to enhance your portfolio. A good case study describes the client’s main challenges and the outcomes of your work. It’s also a great way to showcase how you approach collaboration with your clients.
Get Certified
While your portfolio will play a major role in helping you secure freelance web developer jobs, certifications can help you stand out among equally skillful competitors.
Yes, they’re paid (most of the time) and require time and effort to complete. But if you had a choice between a web developer with an awesome portfolio and another one with an equally impressive portfolio and a cybersecurity certificate, who’d you choose?
Here are just some certifications you may want to consider:
- GIAC Certified Web Application Defender
- Adobe Certified Expert
- Meta Back-End & Front-End Developer Professional Certificates
- AWS Certified Developer – Associate
- CWP Web Developer Certificate
- WordPress Certified Developer – WordPress Academy
Collect Social Proof
Nothing says more about your experience than positive testimonials. So, if you’re looking for clients on freelance platforms, don’t hesitate to encourage clients to leave a review directly. If you’re relying on social media to find new clients, invite them to leave a comment. You can also ask for testimonials for your website if you have one.
Of course, to get those positive reviews and testimonials, make sure you do a five-star job throughout the project. Otherwise, you may not like the public feedback you receive once you ask for it.
Ace the Freelance Platform Game
Some clients will be looking to hire freelance web developer teams on platforms like SolidGigs, FlexJobs, Upwork, and Fiverr. So, if you haven’t set up an account with them yet, do it now. Domain-specific platforms also deserve your attention (e.g., CodePen Jobs, GitHub Jobs).
But, of course, just being present on those platforms isn’t the key to standing out. To do that:
- Have a solid pitch. Once you apply for a project, make sure you have a strong pitch that effectively presents why the client should hire you instead of someone else. To that end, focus on the value your client will receive from choosing you. Don’t hesitate to highlight your experience with similar projects if you have any.
- Tailor your proposal to the client. Every client has different needs, and that’s why your pitch shouldn’t be copy-pasted from one project to another. Analyze their ideal candidate profile and business needs before writing the pitch.
- Remember to follow up. If you don’t hear from a prospect for some time, drop them a line to remind them of your proposal.
- Take advantage of the platform’s features. Most freelance platforms allow you to boost your proposals in exchange for an extra fee. Consider this option as an investment into building your client base, especially if you’re only starting out as a freelancer.
Foster Long-Term Relationships
A one-off project can easily turn into a years-long partnership or multiple referrals – if you play your cards right, of course. In this context, playing your cards right means delivering tangible high-quality results to your clients, which goes beyond writing quality code.
To leave your clients happy with their freelancer choice, be transparent in discussing your work, set realistic expectations, and be proactive in keeping your client up-to-date on your progress. And, of course, keep your word when it comes to deadline – this should go without saying.
Final Thoughts
A freelance web developer salary has its allure, but being a freelancer means investing time into finding clients and competing with fellow freelancers for projects. So, make sure you have a strong value proposition and a solid pitch if you want to succeed in this highly competitive domain.
One more thing...
You didn't start freelancing to spend hours every week searching through job boards. You started freelancing to do more work you enjoy! Here at SolidGigs, we want to help you spend less time hunting and more time doing work you love.
Our team of "Gig Hunters"—together with the power of A.I.—sends you high-quality leads every weekday on autopilot. You can learn more or sign up here. Happy Freelancing!
