How to get freelance software development jobs

Working as a freelance software developer means you have more freedom and control over your work and have the chance of earning more than you would in a full-time position. But if you can’t reap these benefits without a steady client base. You need clients to give you job opportunities. After all, it’s these jobs that will bring your income. 

This guide will explain how to get freelance software development jobs in the following ways:

• Building a portfolio
• Finding a niche
• Working for free
• Using your existing network
• Making use of social media
• Getting testimonials
• Using Countingup for your finances

We’ve listed some tips below to help you find clients to kickstart your freelancing career.

1. Build a portfolio

Having a portfolio is essential to being a freelancer since you need a way to prove you can really do what you say you can. The best way to assemble a portfolio is to set up a website where you can showcase your work. 

Even if you’re just starting out as a software developer, your online portfolio of any designs or projects you’ve worked on can help you position yourself as an expert. Clients don’t usually care how long you’ve been a software developer. Instead, the most important thing to them is to see evidence of your expertise and skills. 

If you don’t have a portfolio, potential clients will likely take that as a sign that you’re inexperienced, which could cause them to shy away. 

When building your online portfolio website, you’ll want to use a simple design that helps draw the visitors’ attention to your designs. That is unless you build your entire website from scratch and use that to demonstrate your skills.

Make sure you add an About section and a Contact page so visitors can easily learn more about you and get in touch if they want to know more. 

2. Find a niche

Another way to increase your chances of getting hired for jobs is to focus on a niche instead of targeting everyone who needs a website. You could choose to focus on a specific industry, like sports, eCommerce, hair and beauty, culture, and so on.

While offering a little bit of everything can help you find new clients fast, targeting a niche means you can establish yourself as an expert in your field and charge higher rates for your specialist services. 

Niches you can focus on include:

• Mobile development
• Game development
• Artificial intelligence
• JavaScript
• Cybersecurity
• Website development

3. Work for free

If you’re a newbie software developer, your first priority will be to find freelance jobs that allow you to build your portfolio. As we mentioned, you need proof of your experience to get clients to hire you.

A great way to encourage clients to hire you even without a portfolio is to offer your services for free. Companies are more likely to give you a shot since they don’t risk losing money if it doesn’t work out. 

Gather a list of companies you’d want to work with that would add value to your career and offer to work for free. Add these projects to your portfolio and use them to try and land paying clients. 

You can also try pitching your work to startup companies. Startups are usually low on funds while having an enormous need to fill a number of positions to get their business off the ground. 

4. Use your network

Another way to find jobs as a freelance software developer is to spread the word about services to your existing network. Tell friends, family, business associations, and other acquaintances that you’re looking for new opportunities. 

These people might either have or know of an opportunity themselves. Alternatively, they could spread the word about your services to their networks.

5. Make use of social media

Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn can also help you find jobs. Concentrate on building your brand and social media presence by connecting and interacting with potential clients. 

The key is to be active on the platforms where your ideal clients spend a lot of time. When starting out, it’s best to focus on two or three platforms to avoid spreading yourself too thin. Use these platforms to share your best work and interact with other professionals in your field. Share valuable software development tips to establish yourself as an expert and reliable source. 

You can also join freelance software developers groups and communities to network with other developers. You’re more likely to land more jobs if you can position yourself as an authoritative voice in the freelance software development industry.

6. Get testimonials

Adding testimonials to your portfolio helps you demonstrate that you’re someone people can trust. Positive feedback from previous or current clients adds credibility to your freelance business. 

Since 88% of people trust online testimonials and reviews as much as recommendations from friends or family, getting clients to share a good word about your work can be invaluable. So when you finish a project, be sure to ask your client for a testimonial. 

Once potential clients see that you’ve made other brands happy with your skills and expertise, they’ll be more comfortable (maybe even eager) to give you a job.

As clients start paying you, it’s time to start charging them for your work. You can learn everything you need to know about creating and sending invoices as a sole trader here.

When you’re running your own business, it’s important to keep your personal and business finances separate, as well as keeping track of your income.

With the Countingup app, it’s easy to keep organised when it comes to your finances. 

The business current account comes with free built-in accounting software that automates the time-consuming aspects of bookkeeping. You’ll receive real-time insights into your business finances with profit and loss reports, tax estimates, and the ability to create professional invoices in seconds. 

You can also share your bookkeeping with your accountant instantly without worrying about duplication errors, data lags or inaccuracies. Seamless, simple, and straightforward.

Find out more here.