Starting your freelance career in web development can be exciting, but there are a few important things to understand before diving in.
Getting your first client isn’t always easy. With high competition and a growing demand for expert skills, beginners often find it challenging to land that first opportunity.

In this article, I’ll guide you on how to step into freelancing and find your first client in the easiest way possible.

Topics Covered:

•  Skillset
• Preparation
• Understanding Client Requirements
• Time Management
• Freelancing Platforms
• Willingness to Learn New Skills
   

Many candidates enter in freelancing thinking it’s a high-paying career. While that can be true, it also requires time, investment, consistent skill-building, and the right mindset.

Skillset

Before jumping into freelancing, you need to have the right skillset that matches client requirements. Fortunately, most of the information you need is easily accessible online—you can quickly find out what skills are in demand with just a few clicks.

My honest advice: as a web developer, focus on the most in-demand skills that also align with your interests.

For example, if you enjoy coding, web development is a great choice. But if you're not interested in programming, logic building, or problem-solving, then web development might not be the right path for you. In that case, consider other creative fields like web design, animation, or graphic design.

Preparation

Once you've built a solid skillset, the next step is to prepare yourself to enter the freelancing market. Start by creating a profile on a freelancing platform like Upwork.

If you're planning to work as a full-time freelancer, platforms like Fiverr may not be ideal—clients there often look for the lowest prices. Upwork is a better option for serious freelancers, as it offers a wide range of jobs with reasonable budgets. Every day, new opportunities are posted, making it a great place to begin your freelance journey and find your first client.

Client Requirements

Understanding the client’s requirements is a crucial step in freelancing. Unfortunately, many beginners skip this part and start sending proposals without proper understanding—which can be a waste of time and even money, since proposals aren’t always free.

Before sending any proposal, make sure you carefully evaluate the opportunity. Here are a few key points to consider:

1. Read the job description thoroughly – Understand exactly what the client needs.
2. Check the required skillset – Make sure your skills match the job.
3. Review the pricing – Decide whether the budget is acceptable for the work involved.
4. Note the job posting time – Recent postings are more likely to get attention and responses.

Taking time to review these details can improve your chances of getting hired and help you find the right projects that suit your skills and goals.

Time Management

Time management is a vital part of freelancing. As a freelancer, you're responsible for your own work and schedule. Clients often ask for an estimated completion time, so it's important to give a realistic timeline. Always include a buffer for testing, revisions, or unexpected delays.

Besides work hours, it’s also essential to manage your personal time. For example, if you’re working 8 hours a day, try to dedicate an extra hour or two to learning new skills or improving your existing ones—especially in the beginning stage of your freelance career.

Other Platforms

While Upwork is a great platform to start with, relying on it alone isn’t always the best strategy. Platforms like LinkedIn can also help you find remote freelance or even full-time opportunities. LinkedIn is completely free and allows direct communication with job posters—saving you both time and money compared to bidding on platforms like Upwork.

Keep in mind: out of 10 proposals you send, only 2 or 3 might get seen by clients. This can be discouraging, especially when you're spending money just to apply. That’s why exploring free and high-visibility platforms like LinkedIn can be an excellent move for growing your freelancing career.

Stay Ready to Learn New Skills

Getting your first client is just the beginning. To succeed and grow in the freelance world, you need to consistently improve your skills. Stay updated with the latest trends and tools in your tech stack.

Focus on quality over quantity—delivering great work builds trust and long-term relationships with clients.
Over time, you’ll gain better insights into how freelancing works and how to position yourself for bigger opportunities.

Final Words

These were some of the most important factors to consider before starting your freelance journey. Now it’s time to put them into action and begin building your career with confidence.

Best of luck—you’ve got this!