How would I become a freelance web developer?

[preet1]

Ok well in my case it would be different. I am a high school student that is an expert at HTML and CSS. Also I am learning PHP and I would like to start my own web site design company (-removal of link by mod. -- no advertising - KDLA). I am going to go into this as a career and go to tech school but I would love to have my own business. I already have clients and I am getting my reputation ready for when I actually become professional. But I just want some advice and some answers to my question. I also have my terms of service all written up and ready to go.
Thanks

[Webnerd]

I don't ever like to discourage entrepreneurs but the competition is fierce for web development. As well, there are many newcomers just like you that claim to be experts and then there are tenured developers like me who have been in the field for 15 years that "are" experts.

First off, don't claim to be an expert as there is always someone who can do it faster and better.

Find a niche, like small restaurants or a local area with small businesses and start there

You will have to start cheap but don't undercut yourself

Make sure you have your own website and professional email address, no AOL, GMail or Yahoo accounts.

Sign up for an eFax account if you expect to get faxes.

Get a copy of Microsoft Money or something similar for invoicing. You WILL need to pay taxes and self employment on your income and accountability is important. This is extremely important because banks and lenders WILL NOT count consulting income until you have at least filed 3 years of returns.

You will need General Liability and Errors and Omissions insurance. These can range fro $300 - $1000 per year.

Writing is VERY important. Learn to write proposals and how to respond to RFP's.

For web applications, you would benefit by learning:
- Apache configuration
- MySQL configuration
- UNIX and OS-X systems administration
- SVN
- SSH/Telnet/FTP

You must always be on top of your game, in other words, you NEED to know AJAX to be considered for a "good" project


I'll provide more if you have questions.

[KDLA]

I already have clients and I am getting my reputation ready for when I actually become professional.
That's an odd statement. You do understand that clients exist only if you are a professional, otherwise it's volunteer work.

client - One whom professional services are rendered.


Beyond the technical aspects, I suggest you take some business courses and read up on self-employment business practices.

KDLA

[Compguy Pete]

I think there is something else to consider here... you in High School still right...

I'm not trying to discourage you however your will need some real world experiences before you jump in head first. KDLA is on track with the business courses. I couldn't tell you how many times I've been asked by my clients on how they can run there business better.

Having little to no real work experience your going to need it taught to you.

I think your on the right track thou!

[Webjedikungfu]

I'd just like to add:

I started my business about three months ago, and it is pumping.

Taught myself everything from web tutorials over the span of a year. I now work with actionscript 3, PHP, XML, HTML, CSS, etc... Before last year I knew nothing, was just a surfer. Was a chef for 13 years before all this.

I have only told friends I have a web design company(no advertising at all really) and now I'm swamped with solid work.

Adhere to the business research advice you're getting here, but know this:

Your creativity and logic will determine how well you do with snatching up clients and having your business thrive. So don't sweat your amount of experience, the only way to really get that experience is to do it, and learn as you go. You'll adjust your business style and tactics as you see fit while working through and with clients.

So go ahead, jump in both feet hard core. Nothing is holding you back!

Oh and be real with your clients, stay human. Just cuz you're a web developer does'nt make you smarter than anyone. Stay humble. :)

[Znupi]

I'm in the same situation.

@Webnerd: is all that 'paper work' (taxes, insurances, etc) really necessary? As preet1, I'm a high-school student and I'm more or less PHP, HTML, CSS, Javascript (+Ajax) savvy and I just want to make sites and sell them. I just want some money and some projects for my portfolio.

Another question, if I meet a client, what questions should I ask about the site they want? What should i tell them / not tell them? What questions should I be prepared for? How would I seem more professional? Also, how would I get the content of the site? Like what it says in the home, about us pages, etc, I guess they have to supply that, right?

Thanks :)

[Webjedikungfu]

1. Establish a web site for your business to operate from.

2. Set up a merchant account at paypal or something similar to accept their money when the time comes.

3. Establish a business checking account at your bank with your business' name attached to it.

4. Research like mad on how to keep yourself safe in case of client craziness.

5. Set up solid disclaimer, terms, etc.. to keep yourself and client safe(don't skimp here)

6. Research copyright infringement on everything.

7. Get clients, make cool websites.

I'm sure this list will get ammended by the experts here :)

Also at my site I have created a Client login system where they enter into their account to easily make payments, get their transactions history, tax summary, and more..

You can also have server side language like php automate everything. I even have php figuring up my taxes automatically. I hit a button and see everything my site has ever earned in a second.

Can someone elaborate on how an independent sole proprietor business owner should address paying their taxes please? Please? KDLA?

[skilled1]

Learn how to write Business Proposals, and respond to them.

Knowing AJAX is not essential, i would say knowing L.A.M.P. would be the most crucial development fields at this time.

Linux / Apache / MySQL / Python

Knowing true coding langauges such as ColdFusion is always a huge plus, but a true knowledge of the basics is most essential. (CSS / HTML / JavaScript). Never limit yourself to NOT doing a job because of a feeling you may or may not have, you never know where that job will lead too, nor the word of mouth that will come from completing a good site for a client.

[Webjedikungfu]

Umm, no-one has addressed the fastest growing and most desired web technology out there.

Learn Flash Authoring or Flex. Along with ActionScript 2, then ActionScript 3.

Or you'll be doomed to the likes of folks like me! :mad:

And you'll be forced to outsource to someone who knows it real well to make all those cool menus and headers that your clients will want oh so much.

If you don't stay on the forefront of where technology is moving, you might as well not bother. Think about when all systems will be touch surfaces, do you think Ajax or Actionscript will be more important? I beleive actionscript will soon make other developer technologies obsolete for website creation.

And before I get yelled at, I can make a mean [HTML, CSS, JAVASCRIPT, + server side tech] with my eyes closed. No ActionScript.

[Webjedikungfu]

Let me fix what I meant:

HTML, CSS, Javascript, SQL, and Server-side Tech's are all necessary.

But as far as "cool looking" and "user interactivity" goes, Actionscript should be your agenda.

[twiggystardust]

Like Webnerd said - find a niche! And never stop learning!

[KDLA]

Can someone elaborate on how an independent sole proprietor business owner should address paying their taxes please? Please? KDLA?

Are you in the U.S? Those types of things vary country to country. If you're in the U.S. and plan to be the sole proprietor and sole employee, you need to file for Self-Employment Tax (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040sse.pdf). This is an additional form which is attached to the regular tax forms you file each year. In it, you declare your income made as a self-employed individual, figure in business expenses, then tally the amount to be taxed. Also, you'll be asked to allocate a percentage towards Social Security, that's a separate form, but I don't think it has to be submitted.

If you figure that your taxable self-employment income will be pretty hefty, I suggest putting away some reserves during the year to allocate towards your tax payment. Else, that one time payment can be pretty painful.

Additional Resources
You might take a look here: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/index.html
or here:
http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10022.html

If you plan to employ individuals, that's a whole new ball game.

[tmikiciuk]

Hire people smarter than yourself.

[jasonffrms]

I think you need to develop a good CV for yourself and a good cover letter, interview skills, and resume to make everything come into action. There are many people out there with your skills and a bunch of freelancers that you need to separate (http://www.cvtips.com/sitemap_old.html) yourself from the pack.

[ss1289]

There is some good advice here. But I'm about to graduate with a Computer Science degree, which has taught me how to write good and efficient code and how to design in order to decrease your work load and mistakes (Software Engineering, which is what I might eventually switch to down the road), and I don't even feel like I'm ready to start my own web developing business even though I have worked on complex websites. I plan on going down the path of working for a company first to gain more experience before I start any type of business on my own.

It's one thing to make websites, it's another thing to make a business out of it, you need more knowledge than just writing code.

[Webnerd]

@Webnerd: is all that 'paper work' (taxes, insurances, etc) really necessary?


Most companies that hire consultants will require you to become a 1099 contractor which means that your income gets sent to the IRS which means you MUST report it and pay taxes on it.

It all depends on the scale of the projects you want to work on. Imagine you setup a site that handles credit cards. You decide to store those numbers as clear text in the database. Then, the server gets hacked and those numbers are magically floating across the internet. In that situation, YOU would be liable for "errors and omissions" and would have to take responsibility for your code, regardless of your skill level or your "well, I didn't know" answer.

"Skating" the legalities and taxes is at your discretion but ill advised.