Skip to Content

How Much Does a Freelance Web Developer Make?

Freelancing has become a very common way to earn extra income these days. Many people now earn their living from home, working independently or remotely. 

And if you want to be a freelance web developer, you should know what you will do, what’s the skills required, how you manage to be a successful freelancer, and most importantly, you should ask, how much does a freelance web developer make?

The average hourly rate for a freelance web developer is $25-50/hour. The range depends on experience and the industry. And a good web developer charges more than an entry-level one. If you are just starting out as a freelance web developer, it’s best to work part-time until you build up your portfolio. Then you can increase the prices accordingly.

Freelancers usually get paid per project. Some clients pay monthly while others pay weekly or biweekly.

Freelance web developers get paid based on their skills

In general, the rates vary depending on the project size. Small projects may start at $100-$200, medium-sized ones start around $1000, and larger ones cost about $10000 and more.

So, making good money as a freelance web developer is not that easy. Many factors go into determining how much you can charge for your services. These include:

– Experience: Experience matters when it comes to pricing. More experienced developers tend to command higher rates because they have more skills and knowledge. They also have better portfolios.

– Skillset: Your skillset is another important factor that affects how much you can charge. If you specialize in certain areas, such as building web apps or SAAS that require advanced skills, you may be able to command higher prices.

– Industry Standards: What other web developers are charging is often a great indicator of what you can charge. You can use sites like Upwork to find out what other freelancers in your area charge.

– Portfolio: Having a strong portfolio helps you stand out among other freelancers. It shows potential clients that you’re capable of delivering quality work. So having a high-quality portfolio with projects that showcase your expertise is essential.

– Clientele: Clients who hire you directly also play a big role in determining your earnings. It means that if you don’t have any clients yet, you’ll need to seek them out actively.

– Negotiating: Finally, negotiating with clients is another key skill that determines how much you can charge and how much you can expect to receive. Good negotiators know how to negotiate effectively so that they end up getting what they want without compromising too much.

Many factors affect the price of a project, including complexity, time frame, scope, number of revisions, etc.

Read on to find what you can expect to make as a freelance web developer and things that impact its pricing. You won’t want to miss it!

How much does a freelance web developer make

Can I Make Money as A Freelance Web Developer?

Yes, You can make money as a freelance web developer. A freelance web developer earns $25-$50 per hour. A freelancer should expect to make around $40,000 per year if he works 40 hours per week. But there are some things that you need to consider before jumping into this career path.

First, you need to decide whether you want to become a full-time web developer or a part-time one. Being a full-time freelancer requires a lot of hard work and dedication.

Second, you need to determine whether you want to work from home or outside. Working from home has its pros and cons. For example, it’s cheaper but less productive. On the other hand, working outside gives you more freedom but costs more.

In addition to that, you need to set realistic expectations. As a freelance web developer, you will need to deal with many challenges. It takes time to learn new skills and master them. So don’t expect to earn a fortune right away. Instead, focus on learning and growing your skills.

Finally, you need to ask yourself if you really want to do this job. Many people dream about becoming freelance web developers. However, most of them fail to achieve their dreams. The reason for this is that they don’t put in enough effort. If you want to succeed, you need to invest your time and energy into this field.

Here Are 6 Tips to Help You Make Money as A Freelance Web Developer:

Find Your NicheThe first step in starting a career as a freelance web developer is finding what type of work you enjoy doing. There are many different types of freelance web developers. Some specialize in creating web pages and websites, while others focus on programming and coding apps from scratch.

It would be best if you tried to find something that interests you to stay motivated. Once you find your niche, it will be easier to find work.

  • Build Up Your Portfolio

When looking for freelance web development jobs, you will need a portfolio. A portfolio is a collection of examples of your work. It includes samples of your past projects.

A portfolio is essential because it shows potential employers how good you are at designing or coding. They won’t hire you if they don’t know how talented you are.

  • Network

Finding freelance web development jobs is easier when you network. Start by joining local groups related to your field. These include online forums, Facebook groups, LinkedIn groups, Meetup groups, etc.

Once you join these groups, you will meet other professionals who share similar interests. They might even refer you to their friends or colleagues seeking freelance web developers.

  • Create a Website

Creating a website is another great way to build a portfolio. Websites allow you to showcase your talent and show off your creativity. In addition to showcasing your creative side, creating a website also allows you to promote yourself. After creating a site, you can use social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, etc., to market yourself.

  1. Develop Web Applications

Developing software applications is another great way to earn money as a freelance web developer. Web application development requires a lot of technical knowledge, but it pays well if you do it right. Some programmers charge thousands of dollars per hour for their services.

  • Be Creative

Being creative is an important skill when freelancing. It helps you stand out from the crowd and gives you more opportunities.

Freelance web developers can work from many different workplaces

How Long Does It Take to Make Money as A Freelance Web Developer?

It depends on you, your skills, and the path you take in this career! The average time it takes to make money as a freelance web developer varies greatly depending on what you offer the type of job you choose. If You have good skills in developing websites and web pages and know how to market yourself, You can expect to make money within two weeks. However, there are exceptions. Some Freelance Web developers may take up to six months before they start making money.

But, If you are just getting started, it may take several months before you start making decent money. In six months, you could see steady income once you have established yourself as a reputable freelance web developer.

To be clear, let’s make some calculations. The average freelance web developer makes $50-$100 per hour. If you work full-time for 40 hours a week, you could earn about $8,000 per month. But still and the amount of money you can make depends on how much work you do, how long you work for each client, and what kind of projects you accept. 

For that reason, if you want to be a successful freelance web developer, you need to find clients who are willing to pay you well. And to increase your chances of finding such clients, you should focus on building relationships with potential customers and partners.

You should consider many things to know how long it will take to make money as a freelance web developer.

  • How Many Hours Do I Work Per Week?

It depends on your personal preference. Most people prefer working less than 50 hours per week. However, if you want to make more money, you may work longer hours.

  • What Are My Skills?

It is the first thing you should ask yourself before starting your own freelance web design company. The truth is that no one knows what skills they have until they try to sell them.

Suppose you’re looking to start as a freelance web developer. You need to figure out what kind of work you want to offer. Whether you want to develop websites, you’ll probably need to learn HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, Python, MySQL, etc., or you’ll use any available content management systems such as WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, etc.

  • Where Can I Find Clients?

You can’t expect to succeed overnight. Building a successful freelance development career takes time, and the best way to succeed in this business is by networking with potential clients.

You can find local businesses through word of mouth or search engines. Local directories such as Yelp, Yellow Pages, Citysearch, etc., provide information about local businesses.

Also, use Freelancing Websites such as Fiverr, Elance, Odesk, Guru, 99designs, Upwork, Freelancer, iFreelance, Peopleperhour, GetAFreelancer, etc. These sites allow you to post your profile and bid on different types of jobs.

  • How Will I Market Myself?

Marketing is very important to be successful in any business. When marketing yourself, you must consider how much time you spend on each task.

It’s important to know how long it takes you to complete tasks, so you don’t waste too much time doing something that doesn’t pay off.

  • How Much Should I Charge?

There is no set price for freelance web developers. Some charge low rates while others charge high prices. Generally, most freelancers charge between $25-$75 per hour, depending on the project’s complexity.

Most freelancers keep track of their expenses using a spreadsheet. It will help you determine whether you’re making enough money to cover your costs.

  • Is There Any Training Required?

To sharpen your skills, You can get training web development online courses like the ones offered by Lynda.com, CodeAcademyUdemy, etc.

How Hard Is It to Be a Freelance Web Developer?

Being a freelance web developer isn’t easy, but it’s not hard either since all you need is a computer, internet connection, and programming skills. Well, keep reading to find out it’s not like that.

First, you must work independently, meet deadlines, and be self-motivated, creative, hard-working, and flexible. And before all, If you want to become a freelance web developer, you should start learning how to code first.

Also, You need to be creative and find clients who want to hire you. However, finding clients can be hard because freelancers usually work for themselves, which means they don’t have any connections or networks to help them find new clients.

And let’s not forget that – like other tech industries – there are different levels of skills for a freelancer web development project you might need to follow. They include:

  • Front End Development: Responsibilities include developing user interfaces for websites, such as buttons, forms, menus, graphics, etc.
  • Back End Development: Creating backend functions, Systems, and Apps.
  • Programming Languages: Understanding the basics of programming languages, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, Ruby, SQL, and others.
  • Software Engineering: Responsibilities include building software from scratch using object-oriented languages like Java, C++, and Python.
  • User Interface Design: Designing and integrating user interfaces for websites, including graphic designs, layouts, navigation bars, and more.
  • Website Maintenance: Updating existing sites, adding features, fixing bugs, and maintaining security on websites.
  • Project Management: It includes managing multiple projects and tasks simultaneously.
  • Database Administration: Setting up databases, installing programs, troubleshooting problems, and optimizing performance
  •  

It remains the hardest part if you have gone this far and have a few or all the skills listed above.

Finding clients as a Freelance Web Developer.

The good news is that you can use platforms like UpworkFiverrFreelancerGuruElance, and Odesk to find clients. These platforms allow freelancers to post jobs for free and then bid on those jobs. Once you’ve found a job, you’ll need to complete the task within a specified time frame. Some people prefer this method because it allows them to choose when they work and their type of work. Other people prefer this method because they can make more money per hour.

Final Thoughts

If you want to become a freelance web developer, you should learn how to program. There’s no better way to learn than through practice. Start with small projects that don’t require much time or effort. Once you get comfortable with programming, you can move on to bigger projects.

You also need to make sure that you know what it takes to be successful in this career Since most people who succeed have already been through the process themselves. They’ve learned from their mistakes and successes until they succeeded in making a good income being freelance web developers.