Tag: freelance web developer

  • How To Make Money Coding From Home: How I Made $5K My First Year Learning to Code

    How To Make Money Coding From Home: How I Made $5K My First Year Learning to Code

    Learn How To Make Money Coding From Home

    Many people think they have to take years to learn everything before they can seek employment. That belief is understandable, especially when you see businesses requesting 3-5 years of experience or more in their job advertisements.

    The truth is, you can start earning money today while developing your coding skills with zero experience.

    By now, I’m sure that you have read dozen and dozen of ‘make money coding from home‘ material telling you to go onto Fiverr and complete 20 jobs at $5 a gig to make $100.

    The math makes sense, but no one has time for that!

    Time is previous — and this guide will show you how you can do 1 job charging a fixed priced up to $5k.

    So how can you start coding your way to $5K?

    How To Make Money As A Coder

    One word.

    Freelancing.

    According to the largest independent workforce survey, commissioned by Upwork and Freelancers Union, “The freelance workforce grew from 53 million in 2014 to 55 million in 2016 and currently represents 35% of the U.S. workforce.” With the evolution of technology, it is becoming even easier to start and find freelancing work.

    What will your life be if you are able to earn extra income daily, weekly or monthly?

    And if the above sounds too good to be true, don’t worry — it’s darn true.

    I made my first $200 building a website for a client without any coding skills. If I can do it, so do you!

    The only thing that you need to make money coding from home or anywhere in the world is a computer, an Internet connection, and this blog post.

    Don”t make money coding from home without reading this.

    This post is written for people who want to earn more now, gain experience today, and live the life they desire as a freelance developer.

    I will highlight 3 strategies to help you get the ball rolling. You will learn the exact type of projects you can work on, how to find clients, and what to charge for your services. No college degree or professional experience is required to get started.I’ve compiled all my strategies and even more practical examples into an easy-to-reference training guide you can download and follow when you begin freelancing.

    Your First Mission: Earning Your First $100

    Make Money Coding from Home And Earn $100

    If you are serious in making money coding from home, you would need to learn the basics for HTML and CSS (and maybe some PHP).

    By learning these three, you will have the minimum web development skills necessary to start making money.

    Let’s begin with the first milestone and challenge of earning $100.

    The types of projects that are worth charging $100 for include:

    • Creating a website for a friend or family member
    • Updating a local business website
    • Creating WordPress Themes
    • Debugging and correcting code
    • Quality Assurance testing

    In addition to finding work via word-of-mouth, you can also find work on Upwork or Freelancer, the world’s largest online workplace where businesses and professional freelancers connect and collaborate remotely.

    Alternatively, you can sell your own themes on Theme Forest, the #1 marketplace for website templates.

    Real life examples (to tell you it means business)

    Make Money Coding on Theme Forest

    With at least 60 purchases of their themes, these authors have earned $6,000+ over time.

    Your Second Mission: Earning Your First $500

    Make Money Coding from Home And Earn $500

    While working on your side projects, you have also continued developing your web development skills.

    Using your new superpowers, let’s begin with the second milestone of earning $500.

    Here are the types of projects that are worth charging $500 that include:

    • Build a website with multiple pages
    • Redesigning a website
    • Transitioning a simple website to the WordPress platform
    • Integrating services and APIs into websites

    Sure, you can opt for a lower rate than $500 (like $200 or $300 if you have limited experience). 

    Ultimately, it is all about you convincing your potential clients on your worth.

    Real life examples (to tell you it means business)

    I live in Malaysia and having a client from the United States would means that I can charge lower for my coding fees (since the exchange rate is high).

    This is the same strategy used by other coders and web developers in other countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Philippines.

    How much to charge a client for web development?

    To answer this, you need to ask yourself how much is your worth per hour or per project and to be exact, how much are you willing to be paid for your hard work.

    On average, I would say it should range from USD$250 per project or RM 1,000 per project due to the time taken.

    Your Third Mission: Earning Your First $1,000

    Make Money Coding from Home And Earn $1000

    The journey to making your first $1,000 is not an easy task. Really.

    But fret not!

    By now, you should be taking up more complex work and you’re building your portfolio with real-world projects – all while sharpening your web development skills! 

    Now it’s time to enter into the big league of freelance developers.

    Let’s begin with the third milestone and challenge of earning $1,000.

    The types of projects that are worth charging $1,000 for include:

    • Transitioning a large site to a WordPress platform (website migration services)
    • Adding interaction to an existing site
    • Building a site with multiple pages
    • Developing an interactive site from scratch
    • Designing premium WordPress Themes

    How to score yourself a project that worth over $1,000?

    With the current business and industry, you should only be targeting organizations and eCommerce businesses … and the reason is obvious.

    Business today is going online — and your ability to code and perform nifty changes to a website could play an important role in helping you to make money from coding.

    More importantly, many website developers make money from coding and working from home because the overhead is very low.

    Conclusion: How To Make Money Coding From Home

    How To Make Money Coding From Home

    Regardless the level of coding knowledge you have there are many ways you can make money coding from home.

    And with today’s technology, you can start searching for web development projects without coding skills — thanks to visual builder tools like Thrive Architect and Divi.

    Coding and web development are two powerful ways to make money from home. More importantly, there are many stages that you can start coding from (from entry level to advanced level).

    What do you think about make money coding from home? Leave a comment below and tell me more about it!

  • Simple Website Builder: Which is the best?

    Simple Website Builder: Which is the best?

    Simple Website Builder. According to Google, this three letter word is searched over a million times in a month. If you are reading this, you are one of those who are looking for simple website builder. Regardless if you are a freelance website developer or an experienced, full time web developer, this article is definitely worth reading (for you and your business) especially when you are looking to maximize your earnings (and in search for the top free website builders).

    Before we start, let’s understand the term “simple website builder.”

    ​What is considered a simple website builder?

    ​For me, a simple website builder must be beginner friendly. This is the single, most important factor which will affect my decision. After all, would you use a website builder which takes forever to learn (and master)?

    Here are a few more criteria which must be in a simple website builder:

    • ​Super easy to use (a simple website builder must be really simple)
    • ​Low learning curve (or no learning required)
    • ​Has to be newbie/beginner friendly
    • Easily to install or deploy
    • ​Able to use right after installing
    • Doesn’t create conflict with other WordPress themes and plugins

    ​Simple Website Builder #1 – Thrive Themes

    is thrive themes worth it

    ​When it comes to simple website builder, Thrive Themes is definitely at the top of the chart.

    Why Thrive Theme is a simple website builder?

    • ​Your ultimate marketing tool box (10 WordPress themes and 9 Thrive plugins)
    • ​​Standalone website builder (Thrive Architect) is great by its own
    • ​No hassle in buying and testing various WordPress plugins to build a website
    • ​Easy to install
    • ​Comes with over 200 ready-made templates ready to import directly into your WordPress website
    • ​Uninstalling Thrive Themes doesn’t break the website (no other website builders can offer this feature at this moment)
    • ​​One time yearly payment or one time purchase for standalone plugin (with lifetime license)
    • Bonus: 24/7/365 support on forum and email

    ​The biggest advantage using Thrive Themes is the hassle free in usage. This means that you don’t have to hunt high and low for the best plugins to build a website. 

    ​Here are some resources for you to learn more about Thrive Themes:

    ​You can also see Thrive Themes in action here (demo).

    ​Simple Website Builder #2 – Divi

    Divi by Elegant Themes

    ​Divi by Elegant Themes is one of the most popular simple website builder for freelance developers.

    Why is Divi such a popular choice?

    • ​Divi is a WordPress theme that comes with everything under one roof (no additional plugin installation required)
    • ​Low earning curve and constantly updated library allows easy website development
    • ​Integrated with all the marketing features (lead in boxes, call to action elements etc.)
    • ​Over 100 different elements you can choose from when building a website
    • ​Universal library allows freelance website developers to 1-click change everything on the website
    • ​Super easy payment plan (one time yearly payment for unlimited access or one time payment for lifetime support)
    • ​Bonus: Subscribing to Divi theme will also unlock all the themes and plugins offered by Elegant Themes (which is an awesome bonus)

    ​Here are some resources to help you decide:

    ​You can also try Divi by Elegant Themes here (demo).

    ​Now, it’s your turn!

    ​Which is your favorite (and simple) website builder? Leave a comment below and tell me what you think!

  • Website Design Proposal: Your ULTIMATE Guide To Close More Sales

    Website Design Proposal: Your ULTIMATE Guide To Close More Sales

    How do you create (if that’s the right team) a great website design proposal?

    As an entrepreneur, I’m always finding for quick ways to make money online, on the side and without leaving my day job.

    Managing a website design company on the side is definitely one of the easiest ways to achieve such. It is also one of the highly recommended tips especially if you are looking for small business ideas under $50 and something that you can start this weekend.

    Without further adieu, let’s dive right into creating a website design proposal.

    What is a website design proposal?

    There are many versions to this and for me, the definition of a website design proposal is simple.

    A web design proposal is your opportunity to sell yourself as well as your work.

    This is the only platform you need to convince your potential client on your skills, expertise and knowledge in this field.

    And your website design proposal will determine whether you make it (or you don’t).

    How to create a website design proposal?

    website design proposal

    These are the steps you need to do before, during and after creating a website design proposal.

    Step 1: Creating a website design proposal template

    Template creation allows you to churn out web design proposals fast and without needing to spend hours creating one from scratch.

    The template should includes information such as:

    • Introduction of yourself (and your team)
    • Advantages/Benefits working with you
    • What you can offer
    • check-circle-oSamples of your work (or mock ups)
    • check-circle-oContacting you for quote

    Step 2: Getting started with the website design proposal

    professional photo

    You should start by introducing yourself. A professional photo of yourself and your team is critical to create the great first impression.

    In this part, avoid selling yourself or the services. Instead, focus to be as human as possible and being real is important.

    Give a short and interesting summary to avoid your potential clients getting bored.

    Step 3: What are the benefits working with you?

    Website development projects are always similar and what makes them different is the experience before, during and after the project.

    If you want to be a successful freelance website developer, you need to wear many hats including being a sales person.

    Always remember that having the best skills is not effective if you are unable to produce sales.

    Here are some of the benefits you can consider:

    • Fast turnover
    • Affordable prices
    • Addons and perks which are free of charge
    • checkMultiple website design revisions without charge
    • checkInclusive of web hosting and domain name
    • checkSSL certificate and other security features
    • checkInstallation of plugins

    Step 4: What are you offer (more than your competitors)?

    You are not the only one in the market and you should know your competitors.

    In this case, your website design proposal should include offers and benefits which are not offered by your competitors.

    unique selling point

    These are your unique selling points (or known as “USP”) which can possibly make your clients say “Yes!”

    Include these USP in your website design proposal to ensure that you stay a higher chance of closing the deal.

    Step 5: Samples of your previous web designing work or provide web design mock ups

    The next step is to show your clients on your previous works. If you are brand new in this industry and struggling to get your first web design client, consider using web design mock ups to portray your skills.

    How to create your web design portfolio?

    • 1Purchase a domain from Namecheap
    • 2Get a web hosting service from BlueHost
    • 3Install WordPress as your website content management system (CMS)
    • 4Install a professional website theme (I recommend Thrive Themes)
    • 5Create a landing page that serves as your portfolio

    Important note: I recommend Thrive Themes because it is easy to use and comes with 9 Thrive plugins that allows you to market your website and help you increase your sales. Read my 2018 Thrive Themes review or click here to see the Thrive Themes demo page.

    Step 6: Make it easy for your clients to contact you

    This is one of the biggest mistakes done by web developers when they are sending their website design proposal. They did not provide a point of contact for the clients!

    I’m a huge believer in making it easy for your clients to contact you. You need to provide these in all your website design proposal:

    • 1-click email (use mailto:email@yourwebsite.com)
    • Direct number
    • WhatsApp or WeChat phone number
    • check-square-oPhysical address (if applicable) for clients to find you

    There are clients who are less ‘techie’ and therefore, you need to make it really easy for them to reach you.

    Take a look at my digital marketing agency website, Marketing Lancers. There’s an automated chat box for them to contact me or my team at any time!

    The whole idea is simple. You need to reduce any barriers or reasons for them NOT to contact you for further discussion.

    Are you ready to send your first website design proposal?

    I hope you find this guide useful especially in creating your own freelance website design business.

    Need help in starting a web design business? Click here to read the guide!