15 Common Mistakes Freelance Developers Make & How to Avoid Them

Over 25 million employees quit their full-time jobs in 2021 to explore the uncharted territory of freelancing.

And it makes sense since freelancing looks adventurous, freeing, and flexible.

But it can quickly turn into resentment if you aren’t well-prepared.

Thankfully, there’s no better time than now to start your freelancing journey– learning from people who have already carved their way through all trials and tribulations.

Here are the 15 mistakes every freelance web developer must avoid for faster career growth.

Jumping the Gun Too Soon

Often employees put down their papers out of sheer frustration, only to realize that they have no plan ahead. But replacing a bad boss with a clueless one isn’t any better.

If you really want to excel as a freelance web developer, set out on the journey with the correct information and mindset.

Find the niche for your skills and preferred languages. See if your current skillset can sustain your career.
Research the opportunities and the market demand.
Refer to the job portals and search the relevant keywords. It’ll give you an idea about what the companies are looking for in an ideal freelance candidate.
Plan how you’re going to get your first client. Usually, the first clients are tricky, but once you crack this, the rest is manageable.

Choosing the Wrong Clients

The anxiety of running out of work or not finding any can drive freelancers to say yes to the wrong clients too.

But it’s a mistake that can cost you time and peace of mind. Dealing with unprofessional clients is a mistake you should avoid, irrespective of your career stage.

Understand their expectations and how much they are willing to pay for it.
Run a thorough online search of the company to understand its current reputation.
Check the reviews of their customers or employees.
And most importantly, see if the project excites you enough to put effort into it.

Underestimating the Power of Personal Brand

Building a personal brand can seem extra, but only till you’re getting the work.

Today’s digital world is overflowing with talent, and to make your mark on your target audience, you will have to put yourself in the public eye.

It ensures you never run out of work and always have a pipeline of quality clients.

Have a dedicated website that provides information about your previous projects and plans.
Use social media to share updates about current work, accomplishments, and helpful tips to build a followership. Focus on popular platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and Discord.
Share your ideas through a public blog, video, or podcast.

Asking For Charges that Doesn’t Equal Skills

An unjustified ask isn’t only asking for too much. It’s also asking for too less than you deserve.

And any freelance web developer should avoid either scenario for a healthy career.

Don’t quote a random or fixed figure to clients. Instead, understand the project clearly and research the market for a just ask.
Take assessment tests to judge your skills fairly. Also, see what’s the market price for similar projects.
Don’t bring down your prices below a certain threshold, no matter who the potential client is. It will set the wrong expectations, and you might not commit fully to work.

Keeping Your Communication Skills Blunt

Effective communication takes you a long way with clients.

It not only builds confidence among the new ones but also streamlines the work process with the existing clients.

Keep all communication channels open- call, email, and texts. Of course, you can set an availability or work hours but ensure in those hours, your clients can easily connect with you.
Schedule regular meetings with clients to update them about the project progress and take feedback.
Always be approachable and friendly when talking to clients.

Dodging Networking Events

Most developers prefer their workstations over the human company.

But when leading a one-person company, you have to be your own marketer, which includes promoting yourself. And networking helps you do precisely that and connect with other industry peers who can add value to your work.

Attend nearby tech events or meetups and engage with as many people as possible.
Join online platforms that are dedicated to the developer community. You can try ellow, which has a global talent pool along with verified clients.
Collaborate with other freelancers and learn from them.

Believing You Have Learned Enough

Always be a learner.

It means to keep learning because the moment you stop that, you will stagnate and be left behind.

Stay updated with the industry trends and demand. Subscribe to weekly magazines or tech newsletters.
Keep upskilling yourself with online courses.
Become a part of relevant online communities and contribute meaningfully.
Teaching reinforces your knowledge, so start a Youtube channel or blog to educate fellow freelancers.

Hesitating Asking for Referrals or Testimonials

Freelancers thrive on word-of-mouth promotion.

So, consider your every happy client as a means to bring more on board.

Ask for feedback after the project completion and seek permission to publish it on your website.
You can even ask the client to give you a shoutout on public or social media channels.
You can even share the appreciation email or chat snippets with the client’s permission.
Ask for referrals from good clients and incentivize with some discount on their next project.

Ignoring Coding Hygiene

A freelancer web developer must be ten times more careful about their code.

Even if the code works as expected, it should be written in such a manner that the organization’s full-time can build features on top of it. Otherwise, their team will lose the meaning between the lines.

Comment code for more clarity. Highlight the new sections and mention their purpose.
Create backups as failsafe to avoid data loss due to system issues.
Ensure you are following all security guidelines laid out by the client.
Don’t share the project’s confidential information with anyone.

Misjudging the Project Requirement

Have you ever been so excited about working with a client that you don’t even hear what they’re saying? Or the meeting is so boring that you lose trail midway.

Whatever the reason, it can create big blunders and possible rework. And add customer dissatisfaction on top of it. Definitely, not an ideal situation to be in.

Practice active listening for every client meeting. Instead of thinking about your next line to impress them, listen and try to understand their expectations for the project.
Write down the critical points of the meeting and send an email summarizing the discussion after the call. Record the session if the client permits.
Ask the right questions that help you better grasp their requirements.

Working Without a Contract

Many freelance web developers don’t know much about the legal technicalities and start working for a client without any written code of conduct.

It can keep the developer at the shorter end of the stick when push comes to shove. Since a fraud customer isn’t an impossible scenario, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Sign a standard legal contract with each client before starting their project.
Include the essential details like project requirement, the scope of work, deadline, and payment.
Also, mention what penalty or action each party can take in case of default.

Panicking to Say No

The difference between a successful and a mediocre freelancer is knowing when to say NO.

Not every client is right for you, and saying no at the right time saves you both from wasting time.

If the client wants to work with a specific language you aren’t comfortable with, suggest another freelancer.
If the price is too low, clearly state the budget you work with and share some sample work justifying your ask.
If the client seems unprofessional, politely decline their offer stating your prior commitments.

Missing Project Deadlines

You might be the best in your craft, but if working with you is a challenge, clients will pass you by.

And since the common misconception is freelancers aren’t serious enough, it’s even more important to show up and deliver on time.

Discuss the expected timeline with the client over the initial calls only.
Make changes to it if the project requirement demands so.
Manage your time with discipline to stick to the timeline.

Forgetting Following Up With Leads

Following up is the most crucial skill to convert your leads into clients.

You might be busy with tight deadlines and overburdened with ongoing projects, but if you wish to work with your dream clients, you must dedicate time to following up.

Schedule follow-up emails to send the clients.
Use reminders for two, four, and a week after the call.
Take inspiration from online templates to write an effective follow-up email.

Taking Rejections Personally

Not every prospect turns into a client, and it’s normal.

The client might move away due to numerous reasons, the expectations are different, they need the project sooner, or they have paused the activity for a while.

Irrespective of the reason, don’t let it take too much of your mind space.

Get feedback from the client about what led to their decision. If the concern was skill, share more samples of your work. If still, it doesn’t convince them, take it positively and enhance your skillset.
Don’t hold grudges or get disheartened. There are lots of opportunities and work for everyone.

Let’s Get Started

Now that the list of dos and don’ts is sorted, let’s begin the freelancing journey in full force.

Remember why you set out on this path– to get better rewards for your hard work. Maintain your work-life balance to avoid burnout and squeeze the maximum juice out of your freelance career.

And never be afraid to ask for help. The easiest way to begin this exciting new part is to join a trusted community that can connect you with a broader audience and boosts your chances of getting vetted clients.

Suvankar Das

He is a growth expert at Ellow, specializing in tech and recruitment. An avid reader and ambitious traveler, he curates stories and finds wonder in the unchartered territories of the unknown. With a passion for nature and creating peaceful environments, Suvankar brings a unique perspective to his work.