If you’re doing BCA or MCA or Near to completing your degree then freelancing as a web developer can be one of the big options for you. It’s great that you know the languages like C, C++, Java, and PHP for web designing.
And it’s great to point out that you don’t want to earn much. Yes, we can’t chase money without any job, work, and clients. Money will chase you in your career if you manage to ignore this early and more focus on work, jobs, and clients.
I want to say that information you read and learn on the internet is not. If something is good for me so far in my career then it’s not a guarantee that it will work the same for you. Your situation, demand for your skills, tools & resources, knowledge, and time will be some big points to consider when choosing freelancing as a career.
I am creating a freelancing web development plan for you. I am selecting your PHP and Web designing skills. I hope in this case you have all the necessary tools and resources such as a Laptop/Computer, Internet Connection, and some amount of money (not necessary).
If you completed MCA and want to earn money then here is my best article on MCA: How to earn money after an MCA degree?
How to get projects as a freelance web developer? How to start working as a freelance web developer? What to do to get web development work?
Create a Freelancing Business Plan on Paper
1. Write all your skills on paper.
Such as PHP, WordPress, C, C++, Java, etc. Write about strengths and weaknesses. And the money you want to make during this.
Follow this Sample:
PHP Development Knowledge – 70% Proof of Knowledge – Login Page, Subscription Form etc.
C, C++ Knowledge — 40% Proof of Knowledge – Any OS, Apps, Game, Desktop apps
Java Knowledge -30% -do- – do-
WordPress Knowledge – 60% -do- Website, Plugin development etc.
HTML/CSS Knowledge – 65% -do- Website Design, PSD to HTML etc.
The above is just a sample that you can follow on paper similarly for your skills.
So, the conclusion is based on your skills.
1st part PHP/WordPress/CSS/HTML – Web Development
2nd Part PHP/Java/WordPress/CSS/HTML- Web Development
3rd Part PHP/Java/C,C++/CSS/HTML- Web development
Another sample: What you should be capable to do after Titling: WordPress Developer or PHP developer
- PSD to HTML Conversion
- Theme installation and customization
- Plugin development
- cPanel and server-side configuration
- Troubleshooting and bug fixing
- etc.
2. Write your strengths and plus points
Example:
- Quick learner
- Able to work continuously for 7-10 hours
- Hard worker, honest, dedicated, and passionate to help others
- Communicator and basic business knowledge
- Able to execute the plan and creativity
- Interested to become a Great programmer?
- Etc.
3. Write your weakness and solution to improve
- Less money to spend on Tech tools/Room rent etc. Solution: Find an easy job offline in IT / Teach basic computer education at home for 5-10 people with fees of 500-1000 per month.
- Weak in English writing and communication Solution: Spend 2 hours daily to Improve your English.
- Lazy, upset, and negative – Solution: Get up early and do meditation and exercise daily. Eat homemade food and fresh meals. More about this: Top 7 Benefits of Waking up Early in the Morning
- Worry about people “what will people say? Solution: Just listen and don’t reply. Never share your feelings and plans with those people. Trust in your skills and develop your personality, work hard, and believe in God. Just focus on your plans. Show them when you achieved something: laptop, car, house, etc. They will follow you later. People are always saying and criticizing even God.
- Less focus/family responsibilities – Solution: Talk to the parent’s in a humble way about your plan that you want to do such things. They will support you.
Etc.
4. Answer the following questions in your way?
(i)Why do you want to become a developer or programmer?
Sample Answer: I want to program robots. I want to create a search engine in Hindi etc.
(ii)Why select freelancing as the best option?
Sample answer: I can work anytime from anywhere with high payouts and it will save my time. Later I will convert freelancing to a big web Development Company.
(iii)Do you want to do freelancing or programming in the next 20 years?
Might be but next 3 years it’s very important for me to learn and get some experience in the programming field. While at the same time, I want to make income.
(iv)What if you failed in the first, second, and third attempts?
No problem, I have my part-time job or small work or savings or my parents are giving me pocket money for the next 6 months to 1 year to build a successful career. If I fail then I can start again and I will do research on the mistakes that I did so far. If again fail, I will try again until I am not able to start making money. More about this:
(v) What is your freelancing success?
When I have 3 clients and 40-50 thousand earnings per month.
(vi) How much money do you want to make?
In the next six months, I don’t want to focus on money. If I earn then it’s good and I will spend that money to buy new tech tools. I know the money will follow me. 10,000 or 50,000 to 1,00,000 is enough to earn monthly to support my family and to achieve my dreams.
(vii)What do you do with that money if you’re able to save?
I will give 30% to my parents. I will spend 10% learning more. I will spend 20% on savings or fixed deposits. I will spend 20% on daily expenses. I will invest 20% or hire someone to invent a few things for me. Related:
(viii) What else do you want to do after you have enough work and money?
I will spend time planting new trees on my land. I will spend one-day cleaning water resources. I will spend some money to grow and development of natural resources. I will help others to become successful freelancers and for the development of human beings.
Etc.
5. How and where to market or sell your freelancing skills?
Select and list the options you have to sell and market for your skills.
Samples:
- Select one online freelancing jobs/projects platform website such as Upwork, guru, freelancer, etc. More about this: How to apply job in Upwork
- Create your profile and start applying for jobs and projects. Minimum 2-3 daily when you will begin. Here are the tips for this: 14 Tips to get your first client on Upwork
- See the projects related to PHP and WordPress and learn those skills same time on the internet.
- Create a social media marketing page where you think companies and people can contact you. Such as your own website, LinkedIn profile, and Facebook Business page. More about this: Ways to promote yourself as a freelancer, especially profile
- Apply and find small projects in starting. Upwork cover letter writing tips with examples
- Write & communicate about what kind of results and solutions you’re going to provide people.
- When you start marketing your skills offline or online the most important thing is that you communicate your skills in a simple and easy way. If you talk to your family members and in-network that you’re PHP Developer or programmer or freelancer then they will not get your points soon. Your first clients can be your family member, relatives, and neighbors if you produced yourself and your services as a complete solution in an easy way. More about this: How to find good clients on Upwork?
For example: If someone asked you offline such questions then your answer could be like this:
1. Who are you?
My name…
2. What do you do?
I design and create business websites.
3. How much do you charge for the website?
It depends on your business requirements and the results you want to get from the website.
The average cost of website designs is 15000 and more advanced development can be more than 20-50000 thousand.
4. Do have other developed websites or your work to showcase the samples?
Yes, my designed and developed website is https://www.klientsolutech.com/ and many others. (Note able to share here, due to the privacy of clients).
Note: If you’re a developer or designer then your own website is the first reference or sample to show others.
Etc.
Note: Write these kinds of clear definitions and communication points when you start talking to potential people offline. You can learn this or my points of view when you will start pitching and practicing.
6. Branding and Marketing for Freelancers
This is the most important part of the freelancing business. In your freelancing business success road, there are many web development companies, SEO service providers or designers bidding and pitching similar proposals to clients. What you can do? For example search for web development companies in your city. You got the information about their services and clients. So, now don’t copy them but write and try and create better solutions for clients.
(A)Many web development Indian companies are very poor in designs and development and especially in customer support or care. So, the plus point for you is that you can provide 12*7 support for your clients. This is called branding.
(B)Be like a professional in your field. Your dress, profile picture, and communication should be better than others.
(C) Test your behavior in certain situations. And try to improve your personality and communication day by day.
(D)Your profiles, website, and samples should be ready and follow the same colors and content.
7. Conclusions
(i)Do it, you can only learn by doing. The first starting point for a web developer or anyone is that tell others that you build websites. Tell people that you solve such a problem at such a price. The more you talk about your work the better it will be for you to get work. Many times clients will contact you even after a year or two. Create a profile on freelancing platforms and start Applying and bidding for jobs & projects. And then see what happens?
(ii) If you don’t want to do it fully time then do it part-time. In that time start building and creating your profile/websites on freelancing sites and start telling about your skills. Create and collect everything or create a proper plan as I mentioned above before you left your full-time job.
(iii) Another solution is that do a part-time job related to IT to earn some money. And other times spend all your time freelancing.
(iv) When you start freelancing it will look very tough. Don’t think negatively just do it to try but do it seriously. Your daily schedule should be like this if you want it part-time.
Example:
Morning:
4 AM to 6 AM – Bidding on Projects.
6 AM to 7 AM – Learn about web development or related skills.
7 AM to 7:30 AM – Meditation and exercise
Etc.
In evening
7 PM to 8 PM – Practice the work and build your website or other things as mentioned above.
10 PM to 11 PM – Apply for 2 jobs or projects.
Etc.
This is just a sample timetable for freelancers. But you create your own as per your goals and habits.
Note: You need a laptop if you’re working part-time or full-time. You have something to check notifications/messages from clients. When you do freelancing part-time make sure that you apply for fixed-price jobs or shorter-duration jobs.
Keep learning and executing. Don’t fear thousands of people doing it for freedom, flexibility, and wealth.
I hope I answered all your questions and doubts. But if you are still in doubt or I missed something in the above post then ask me. I am here to share my experiences with you.
Best of Luck! Happy Freelancing! 🙂
Note: The above suggestion and tips are my own personal experiences. These are working for me. So, don’t implement or execute just on my suggestions, always include your own creativity and common sense too.