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The Challenge of Earning Money as a Web Developer

by Skyldust
7 replies
I recently opened shop and started offering web design services. I'm sad to say, my first few client experiences have not been great. Although, I have managed to satisfy all my clients' requirements so far, the compensation I generally receive is not at all worth the amount of work I put in. What usually happens is that the client asks me for numerous changes to the design, and I end up doing additional work for no reward. I'm fine with making small tweaks at no extra cost, but when something that should have taken 3 days becomes a month-long project (this has actually happened), it's very irritating.

I like setting my prices based on the value provided to the customer, so I generally charge a fixed rate instead of hourly. But this has came back to bite me several times, and I'm considering charging by the hour from now on.

As a freelancer who wants to make web design his primary source of income, what can I do to ensure that I will receive fair compensation for the work I do?
#challenge #developer #earning #money #web
  • Profile picture of the author JensSteyaert
    First of all, when you start in this business i would recommend offering a few review copies, so you have proof your deliver good work. On this forum for instance that wouldn't be a abd idea.

    After that it's all a matter of being transparant about your services. If you don't offer unlimited reviews on your work, simply charge for that. If you are clear about what you offer it will definately reduce the confusion and people won't take advantage of that.
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  • Profile picture of the author salmanijaz
    Originally Posted by Skyldust View Post

    What usually happens is that the client asks me for numerous changes to the design, and I end up doing additional work for no reward.
    You have identified the mistake already ....

    You should define the scope of work clearly at the start of the project ... usually as a newbie people are overwhelmed with getting projects and jump at it without realizing it ...

    Spend some time with the client to define what he needs and if possible design a questionnaire for him to fill at the start of the project. By spending few days even at the start of the project you can save this annoying exercise ...

    My 0.02 cent
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  • Profile picture of the author Skyldust
    Thank you for your responses.

    I always provide examples of my previous projects before initiating work with a client. I'm also as transparent as I can be. In fact, I usually send the client a proposal & invoice which outlines the work that has to be done, as well as a payment schedule, including a down-payment. Although, the outline does not include what should happen in case of additional work...I think I'm starting to answer my own question here.

    I will include an hourly fee for extra work from now, and see how that goes.

    Is there anything else I could do? I'm here to learn, so I would appreciate any tips regarding the subject
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    • Profile picture of the author Steve B
      Sky,

      You have chosen a service industry. You spend your time in exchange for either an hourly rate or a project amount.

      I personally prefer business models where you create a product once . . . then sell it over and over and over again. Leverage allows you to greatly multiply your own working time so that you end up being paid much more income for the time you spend.

      You ought to brainstorm and see if there aren't things you could sell over and over again once you've done the hard work.

      Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author Tom Addams
    I own a web development agency.

    The money in web development is not in web design; the money is in selling monthly add-on services. You build these up, get yourself a hundred high-paying clients, and you'll never look back.

    GRM
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    • Profile picture of the author kilgore
      There's no way you could get me to do the sort of freelancing you're talking about -- not unless you paid me a ton. Given the crazy IM-turnover rate, most people doing IM are newbies -- new to websites and new to working with developers. They probably don't really know what they're trying to build (which is why you're always doing additional work); they don't know enough to care about the quality of the code; all they really do care about is price.

      In general they want to own the digital equivalent of a BMW, but are only willing to pay for a Chevy. So what they get is a BMW body with a lawn mower engine. Sure, it might get you where you want to go, but it'll take you ten times longer to get there, cost you five times more in gas money and will break down every two blocks.

      I'm not sure where you live or what your skills and experience are, but in the US at least, it's definitely a seller's market -- at least when it comes to quality web developers. When I used to do freelancing, it was almost always hourly, full-time and long-term. Occasionally, I'd take a job that was about two weeks long, but 6 months or a year (or longer) was more the norm. And it was easy to find jobs -- just get my resume on the right job boards and I'd get endless calls from recruiters. Even now, I get five or so messages from various recruiters trying to get me to apply for things -- and it's been well over a year since I've been on the market.

      My advice would be to skip the WF entirely. Put together a nice resume, post it somewhere like Dice.com (and make it searchable) and see what happens. My guess is that you'll find less hassle, more interesting work and a much better pay rate than you'd get here or places like Freelancer or oDesk.
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  • Profile picture of the author mclauchlan
    What did you write in your business plan before you started trading?

    Business plan you ask...

    When I started property developing my plan was in my head which is ok until the plan changes and you didn't think that far ahead, so you end up winging it, making it up as you go along.

    Now you have some experience of the pitfalls of the service industry you'll be better positioned to be successful with future clients.

    So write a business plan, draw up contractual agreements and upsell monthly services to balance your cash flow for longevity.

    Good luck...
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