As the digital world starts to grow, so does the need for web developers. At the same time, many people also see this as an opportunity to earn more money.
According to Sytian Productions, (web developer philippines) – web development is a fast-growing industry. It’s also the third most popular career choice on the internet, aside from being a software engineer and software architect.
For freelance jobs, many are taking the web design and development route because they want to be their own boss and manage their own time.
Here are some of the best ways that you can earn money as a web developer:
1. Choose a specialization
One of the first things you need to do to earn good money is to choose a specialization. Know what you’re great at. Be honest about what you couldn’t and couldn’t do. Taking on projects that are beyond your area of expertise is just going to cause you unnecessary stress.
Make sure that you take on tasks that are aligned with your specific skill set so that you can complete them with efficiency. You’ll get more work and be paid less by stretching yourself too thin.
2. Join freelancing sites
As soon as you know the area you want to specialize in, it would be best to look for a network that promotes your skills and puts you in front of many prospective clients. There are plenty of excellent networks, depending on your industry and skills. Some will be a lot more appropriate for you than others.
Also, the fact that there are already people on these sites looking for qualified professionals saves you all the hassle of hunting down clients on your own. However, be aware that a small portion of your total earned income will likely be retained by the network, around 10 percent, depending on the platform.
3. Start your own web development blog
This one is a classic. If you’re a web developer, why not share what you know- your expertise with other people?
Here are some of the advantages of starting a blog:
- There’s no better way than writing about your process so that you’re offering value to other people. This is also great to relearn a topic you thought you knew well.
- Blogging about technical things can enhance their mental model about a topic they can put down in words in a cohesive way. A user-friendly site is also essential.
- The result is content not only helps people understand the tricky process of thinking but also a remarkable study note that you can return to later.
Keep in mind that not everyone is at the stage you’re in, but a group of people will benefit from your content.
4. Monetizing your blog
Now that you know the benefits of starting a blog, now we’ll talk about the ways how you can generate a good side income:
Step One: Drive Traffic
Repeat the process of writing relevant and educational posts about web development. Do this consistently, and you’ll be attracting a steady stream of users who will benefit from it.
More posts also equal more traffic and more money in the long run.
As soon as you come up with quality posts, there are plenty of ways that you can drive more traffic to your site for free:
- Answering other people’s questions on Quora, Reddit, Stack, and Overflow, and participating in Facebook discussions, Twitter threads, and other online communities.
- Publishing blog posts on sites with a large developer audience if these are the people you’re targeting. This is one of the best ways to drive traffic to your site for free, especially if you’re starting out.
Step 2: Convert that traffic into income
You can monetize your blog in two common ways:
- If you’re starting out, you can always start with Google Adsense.
- Affiliate Programs. You can also join affiliate programs and earn money if you link your favorite products and courses in your blog. Many bloggers utilize Amazon’s affiliate program and recommend their favorite products.
5. Build your network
Ideally, your network will consist of clients you work for and other professionals you meet. So, make sure you cast a wide net to make new connections and people from different backgrounds.
Referrals are also the backbone of the freelancing world. As you continue to grow your network, you’ll see more and more of these leads come in.
6. SEO consulting
Search engine optimization (SEO) is another essential skill you must consider adding to your arsenal if you’re a web developer, especially if you’re considering transitioning to freelance full-time.
SEO is enhancing website rankings on search engines like Google. This is important for businesses since they pay more for people who can improve their site rankings. Higher rankings mean more organic search traffic on their site and, in turn, more sales.
The non-technical side of SEO involves researching keywords, analyzing site traffic and trends, analyzing competitors, and building backlinks. Meanwhile, the technical side of SEO is where your skills as a web developer can help. This is because you already know how to speed up slow sites, fix broken links and write semantic HTML. All of these boost your site’s SEO.
7. Build your credibility
When first joining a freelancing network, you might initially just be converting five to ten percent of people there, but don’t be encouraged. This is perfectly normal.
Here are some ways to score more projects:
- Create a portfolio site and give it personality: Communicate why someone would want to work for you instead of just outlining your skills and qualifications.
- Engage with as many people as possible: Engage with as many people as possible, and take as many projects as you can as long as you can deliver quality work.
Over to You
You don’t have to be confined to a single career path as a web developer. There are plenty of options for making more money, whether on the side or going full-time. Good luck!