The possibilities of today’s technology are staggering. If you’re a coder, you can now work as a freelancer and earn money more easily than ever before.
Here at Evviva, we are committed to helping you achieve financial freedom. One of the key tools to building your abundant life is side hustles like freelancing.
What Is A freelance Software Developer?
A freelance software developer is a software engineer who works for themselves rather than for a company. As a result, they have more control over their working conditions and schedule.
Freelancers charge a fixed amount per hour or each project to clients who can use them on a regular basis or as a one-time job. Because businesses want their services but don’t want to pay salary and benefits, freelancers can demand a premium. As a result, they have an instant requirement for your skills.
Software developers can work with clients on a number of interesting projects ranging from app design to website coding.
Project Examples:
- Website design
- App design
- NFT creation
- Full stack development
- Many more
Why Be A Freelance Software Developer?
There are many benefits to being a freelancer in 2022. For one thing, the freelance economy in the United States is worth about $1.2 trillion each year, according to CNBC (2020).
That’s a lot.
As a freelancer, you can work from anyplace that has an internet connection. You are in charge of your own time, so you can pick when and how much to work. You have the option to choose who you collaborate with and what kinds of tasks you take on. Freelancing is a great Side Hustle in college and can even become your career after graduation.
Freelancing can provide a very good income. The average freelance software developer makes about $30-50 per hour, but the top earners make over $150 per hour. (Glassdoor, 2022)
Freelancing also allows you to be more selective about the jobs you undertake. You can pick and choose tasks that pique your interest and are in line with your principles.
How To Become A Freelance Software Developer
You don’t have to be a pro coder or someone with a four-year software engineering degree to become a freelance software developer. Everyone is looking for software solutions, but many companies don’t have the money to hire software engineers or full time coders.
The wonderful thing about being a freelancer is that you can get started with very little expertise and still make money. Your fees will rise from low to high as your abilities and ratings improve, demonstrating how much more experience you have than the competition.
There are a few key things you need to get started as a freelance software developer:
- Programming skills in one or more coding languages
- A portfolio of projects to showcase your services
If you have these things, you’re well on your way to becoming a freelance software developer.
Programming Skills
The first step is to improve your abilities. There are several tools available to assist you if you’re learning from the bottom up or want to enhance your skills further. You might choose to study on your own by viewing free instructional films or enrolling in an online course at home.
The more you do it, the better you’ll get. Here are some tools to help you get up to speed and build your portfolio.
Online Courses:
Software Development From A to Z – OOP, UML, Agile, Python
For those with no experience in coding, this course is a great starting place.
Covering what software development is, how to organize work with Agile and Scrum, and computer science fundamentals, this course will get you introduced to software development. It will let you get a taste to see if this is for you with 7 coding exercises and nearly 6 hours of content.
There is a 30-Day money back guarantee so it is risk free to learn.
The Complete Java Development Bootcamp
Java is the most popular developer language in the world.
This course will take you from zero to hero in 27 hours. You will learn the basics of Java, including loops, functions, variables and conditions. Once you have the basics down, the course covers more advanced techniques such as exception handling, polymorphism and concurrency. The best part about this course is that it features over 100 coding exercises so that you get tangible practice.
2022 Complete Python Bootcamp From Zero to Hero in Python
Python is one of the most popular coding languages out there for developers.
This course will teach you Python from the ground up. It starts with the basic concepts and then builds on that knowledge. By the end, you will know how to use Python inside and out, finishing with three comprehensive, portfolio building projects.
This course is over 21 hours long and has 100+ lectures. It is extremely comprehensive and will take you from zero experience to expert.
98-361: Software Development Fundamentals (using C#)
For those who want to get into the details, this course will teach you the basics of C#. C# is a programing language used for webpage development and web app development, helping you become join the next level of freelance developers.
The course will walk you though the basics of software development with a focus on applications. you will cover things like application life cycle management, specifications, algorithms, and webpage development. After this course you will be prepared to take Microsoft’s official 98-361 exam to get certified. This is a great way to stand out as a freelancer.
These are just some of the courses out there to bolster your programming and web development skills. Check out more here. (you probably want to remove click here’s for stuff we don’t have yet)
Create A Portfolio
After you’ve fine-tuned your abilities and know that you are confident in your experience to develop a program, it’s time to put them to use. A portfolio is a collection of your best work that you may show potential clients on the freelancer platforms.
It’s critical to have a varied portfolio of work so that clients can see your talent set. You might use sites like Wix, Weebly, or WordPress to create an online portfolio. It’s easy to start and free. You may even upload work to some freelancing websites so that clients can see it.
If you like developing software or took one of the courses above, you’ll have plenty of material for your portfolio. All you need are a few items to get started. After you’ve finished constructing your portfolio, it’s time to get clients.
Where To Find Clients
Once you’ve established that you have the necessary abilities, it’s time to start making money! There are several freelance platform websites where you may connect with clients right away. It’s never been easier to earn money as a freelancer software developer.
You can check out our article on freelance platforms if you would like to see more options, but here are our top three recommendations for freelance platforms.
Top 3 Freelance Platforms To Find Clients
1. Fiverr
Fiverr is one of the most popular freelance websites; it is easy to use and has a huge pool of clients ready to hire.
One of the best things about Fiverr is that it’s straightforward; clients can can search for consultants by skills and location, and then view their profiles, reviews, and gig descriptions. Then you both can easily chat on the site.
Key Features:
- Huge pool of consultants & clients
- Easy-to-use platform for freelancers
- Consultants are rated and reviewed
- Fiverr takes a 20% cut of every transaction
2. Upwork
Upwork is a major freelancing website with over 12 million registered freelancers and 5 million customers. Upwork has a comprehensive vetting procedure for contractors, so businesses know they can rely on you. It’s a great place to find freelance work.
A freelancer’s profile on Upwork includes a CV, portfolio, testimonials, and a rate card. To help clients and freelancers find the ideal match, Upwork offers a searchable database of professionals, skills tests, and bids.
Key Features:
- 16 million registered freelancers
- Rigorous screening process
- Skills tests
- 20% fee for the first $500
- 10% from $500-10,000
- 5% above $10,000
3. Freelancer.com
Freelancer is one of the most popular freelance sites, with over 25 million registered users and 10 million projects posted every year. If you want to take on one-time jobs or look for long-term employment, Freelancer is a fantastic platform.
One of the finest features about Freelancer is that it provides a variety of methods to earn money, including hourly jobs, fixed-price projects, and contests. This makes it simple to locate work that matches your schedule and abilities. There are also several tools available to make locating the appropriate project easy, such as a searchable database of projects.
Key Features:
- Contests
- Built-in messenger
- 6 free bids per month (for free users)
- 10% fee for hourly projects
- 10% or $5 (whichever is higher) fee for fixed-price projects
- 20% fee for services
What Are You Waiting For?
As a freelancer, you may work from anywhere with access to the internet. You are in charge of your own destiny, so you have complete control over your schedule. You also get to pick who you want to work with and which responsibilities you’d want to undertake. This is an excellent Side Hustle while in school that might lead to a prosperous career after graduation.
If you want to freelance as a software developer, it’s as simple as these three steps: hone your skills, build your portfolio, and join a platform. Freelancing is a great method to supplement your income or start a part-time business. These sites, among others, provide you with the tools you’ll need to find customers and generate money: Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer are excellent platforms for finding clients and earning money. Get started today
