Author: Naveen Giri

Why doing Freelancing in WordPress is easy?

Freelancing in WordPress can be considered relatively easy for several reasons, but it’s important to note that the ease of freelancing in any field depends on various factors, including your skills, experience, and the demand in the market. Here are some reasons why freelancing in WordPress is often considered accessible:

Open Source Platform:

WordPress is an open-source content management system (CMS) that’s widely used for building websites. This means there are no licensing fees, and the software is freely available for anyone to use and learn. As a freelancer, you don’t have to invest in expensive software or tools, which lowers the barrier to entry.

Abundant Resources:

There is a wealth of resources available online to help you learn WordPress, from official documentation to numerous tutorials, forums, and communities. You can quickly acquire the knowledge and skills needed to work with WordPress.

Low Overhead:

Freelancers typically work from home or a remote location, which means lower overhead costs compared to running a brick-and-mortar business. You can work with just a computer and an internet connection.

Wide Client Base:

WordPress powers a significant portion of websites on the internet, ranging from small personal blogs to large e-commerce sites. This broad usage results in a wide client base, from individuals to small businesses and even larger organizations, creating many potential opportunities for freelance work.

Diverse Services:

Freelancing in WordPress can encompass a wide range of services, including website development, design, maintenance, SEO, content creation, e-commerce solutions, and more. This diversity allows you to choose the niche or service that best matches your skills and interests.

Flexibility:

Freelancing offers flexibility in terms of work hours and location. You have the autonomy to choose your projects and clients, which can lead to a better work-life balance.

Portfolio Building:

As you complete projects for clients, you can build a portfolio to showcase your skills and experience. A strong portfolio can attract more clients and higher-paying projects.

Scalability:

You can start small and gradually scale your freelancing business as you gain more experience and clients. Many successful WordPress freelancers eventually expand their services or create agencies.

Despite these advantages, it’s important to note that freelancing in WordPress, like any freelancing endeavor, has its challenges. Competition can be fierce, and staying updated with the latest WordPress developments and trends is crucial. Additionally, you’ll need to handle administrative tasks, such as client management, invoicing, and marketing, which can be time-consuming.

Success in freelancing ultimately depends on your skills, dedication, and ability to effectively market your services. While WordPress may offer a relatively accessible platform, your commitment and business acumen will play a significant role in your freelancing success.

Freelancing in WordPress: 5 Essential Considerations for Success

Freelancing in WordPress can be a rewarding and flexible career path, offering the opportunity to work on a diverse range of projects and be your own boss. However, it comes with its own set of challenges and considerations. In this blog, we’ll explore five essential things to keep in mind while freelancing as a WordPress developer to ensure your success.

Define Your Niche and Specialization

In the world of WordPress development, specialization is the key to standing out. While it may be tempting to take on any project that comes your way, it’s important to define your niche and area of expertise. Are you skilled in e-commerce websites, theme development, custom plugins, or website performance optimization? Identifying your specialization not only sets you apart from the competition but also makes it easier for potential clients to find you when they need a specific skill set.

Set Clear Boundaries and Expectations

Freelancing can blur the lines between work and personal life. It’s crucial to establish clear boundaries for your work hours, communication with clients, and project expectations. Set realistic deadlines and communicate openly with clients about project milestones, revisions, and scope changes. Clearly defined boundaries and expectations help prevent misunderstandings and ensure a smoother working relationship.

Pricing and Contracts

Determining your pricing strategy is a critical aspect of freelancing. You’ll need to decide whether you prefer hourly rates or project-based pricing. Whatever you choose, ensure that your rates are competitive for your level of expertise and the complexity of the project. Additionally, always use written contracts that outline project details, payment terms, and deliverables. Contracts protect both you and your clients by providing a clear legal framework for the work you undertake.

Build a Solid Portfolio and Online Presence

Your online presence and portfolio are your calling cards in the freelancing world. Create a professional website that showcases your skills and past work. Highlight successful projects, client testimonials, and any certifications or awards you’ve received. Actively maintain your online presence on platforms like LinkedIn, GitHub, and freelancing marketplaces. Engage with the WordPress community by participating in forums, contributing to open-source projects, and attending meetups and conferences.

Client Communication and Feedback

Effective communication with clients is the cornerstone of a successful freelance career. Be responsive, courteous, and clear in your interactions. Listen to your clients’ needs and offer your professional insights and advice. Regularly update clients on project progress and be proactive in addressing issues or concerns. After project completion, encourage clients to provide feedback or reviews, as positive testimonials can boost your reputation and attract more clients in the future.

Conclusion

Freelancing as a WordPress developer offers freedom and flexibility but comes with its share of responsibilities and considerations. To thrive in this career, define your niche, set clear boundaries, establish fair pricing and contracts, build a strong online presence, and prioritize effective client communication. By keeping these five essential considerations in mind, you can position yourself for a successful and fulfilling freelancing career in the world of WordPress development. Remember, your success in freelancing is a journey, and these considerations will serve as your guiding principles along the way.

Why you should do Freelancing along with your WordPress Development job?

In today’s dynamic job market, professionals are constantly seeking opportunities to diversify their income, enhance their skill sets, and explore new horizons. One such avenue that has gained immense popularity is freelancing, and for WordPress developers, it’s a particularly rewarding pursuit. In this blog post, we will explore the myriad reasons why you should consider freelancing alongside your WordPress development job.

1. Double Your Income:

Let’s get the most obvious advantage out of the way first. Freelancing allows you to earn extra income. By taking on additional projects in your spare time, you can significantly increase your overall earnings. This supplementary income can be a welcome addition to your finances, helping you save for a rainy day or work towards your financial goals.

2. Enhance Your Portfolio:

Your portfolio is your digital showcase. It’s where potential clients or employers get a glimpse of your skills and abilities. Freelancing offers you the opportunity to work on a diverse range of projects, which can enrich your portfolio. This variety of work will not only make your portfolio more impressive but also open doors to new opportunities in the future.

3. Expand Your Skill Set:

WordPress development is a dynamic field, and new technologies and trends are constantly emerging. Freelancing often requires you to adapt to the specific needs of each client, which means you’ll have to learn new tools, languages, and methodologies. This continuous learning process keeps you on the cutting edge of the industry.

4. Networking Opportunities:

Working with different clients in various industries expands your professional network. You’ll connect with business owners, designers, marketers, and other professionals, all of whom can become valuable contacts. These connections can lead to more opportunities, job referrals, and collaborations down the road.

5. Flexibility:

Freelancing offers the flexibility to choose when and where you work. This is especially beneficial if you want to take on projects that don’t fit within the schedule of your full-time job. It can also give you a better work-life balance, as you can adapt your freelancing work to your personal commitments.

6. Entrepreneurial Skills:

Running a freelance business is like being a mini-entrepreneur. You’ll manage client relationships, handle finances, market yourself, and make crucial business decisions. These entrepreneurial skills can be immensely valuable, whether you decide to continue freelancing or venture into your own business someday.

7. Job Security:

In an uncertain job market, having multiple income streams, including freelancing, can provide a safety net. It’s a proactive way to safeguard your financial stability in case your full-time job is at risk or in case you decide to make a career change.

8. Personal Growth:

Freelancing isn’t just about earning money; it’s about personal growth. You’ll gain confidence, improve your problem-solving skills, and become a more independent worker. Freelancing pushes you to take charge of your career and destiny.

9. Transition to Self-Employment:

If your long-term goal is to become a full-time freelance WordPress developer or start your web development agency, freelancing part-time is an excellent stepping stone. It allows you to test the waters, build a client base, and gradually make the transition to self-employment.

In conclusion, freelancing alongside your WordPress development job offers a wealth of benefits, from financial security and personal growth to a broader network and diverse experience. However, it’s essential to approach freelancing with careful consideration. Be sure to manage your time effectively, avoid burnout, and ensure that there are no conflicts of interest with your full-time job. Always be aware of your employment contracts or company policies regarding freelancing. With the right balance and a clear focus on your goals, freelancing can be a highly rewarding endeavor that adds depth and richness to your career as a WordPress developer.

How I started my journey as a freelancer WordPress Developer

I have been working as a full-time freelancer WordPress developer for the last 5 years. Taking a decision to move to a full-time freelancing job was not an easy decision but after that, I find out a way to earn well in terms of time and money.

I graduated in 2013 from Mumbai University after my graduation I got a job in a small WordPress Development Company. Where basically I got to know about WordPress and Woocommerce was the first plugin I explored.
When I type this everything is rolling in my head like a movie. there is a lot to tell if I will start, I will move away from this blog topic. So control Naveen and let’s come back to the point.

So when I started doing the job within 3-6 months, I started Working on client tasks and that was the time I was working on improving my coding skills.

First Freelancing business model – Academic Project Freelancing

Throughout in academic career, we use to have ASP.Net and Java in the course so we all have a dream to get a job in those technologies probably in big companies like TCS, Wipro, and Infosys.

This was also a thought process of mine and I was planning to switch jobs for work in those technologies. During that time, our juniors in college were asking us for guidance in Third Year Graduation project development. me and one of my friends started a business out of it. we started selling them the entire Project for $30-$60. I know it’s very low but our business model was to make it affordable for students so they can do mouth-to-mouth marketing for us.

Our process used to be like this

  • Get the project from previous year’s students
  • Do some functionality changes in those projects and fix bugs in it
  • Ask Junior students if they need a Working project
  • Teach them the flow and how the project works
  • Collect the cash from them

I still remember my salary was around $150/month with 6 months of experience. after these Academic project freelancing, I totally doubled it.

so once we distributed the project to every student I closed this business model and move on to the next.

Second Freelancing business model – Local projects

Idea of Freelancing was very new for me so I have no idea how to earn some Good extra money through it.

I still remember, that was Sunday and I was sitting on my laptop and continuously searching for new freelancing jobs in WordPress. mostly people ask to give full-time work but there was a person Mukesh, who was in need for a WordPress Developer and he was leaving near by my area.

One day I meet him after my job and he basically explained me how he work. He have some local connection from where he get projects and he want someone to do it fast for him. the work that will be done he will take 25% and rest will be mine.

One weekend me and Mukesh and a few of my friends gone to meet a businessman for the project. That was the day when I sensed the respect a entrepreneur can get. Awesome day, the businessman approached me like I am someone special for him.

I was also not suppressive against him because I know I am not doing job under him. that feeling was awesome and different than it get in daily job.

Me and one of my friend Deepak Gupta we were working in the same company so after our daily office work, we used to sit for sometime and completed that project module wise. At the end I got a cheque of 18000 INR.

It was awesome feeling I cant express it in words but right now when I am writing this post. everything rolling like a movie in my head. I remember I shown that cheque to my family and explained them I am earning extra income which is greater then my current salary.

But this was not the stopping point for me, I did a couple of Local projects. “Whats next?” thought was always rolling in my head. which leads me to my next freelancing business model.

Third Freelancing business model – Freelancer.com

Through my friend circle, I got introduced to freelancer.com. where initially we created profiles by girl’s name.
It was a research of my one friend, who used to think clients offer more projects to Girl’s profiles.

To be honest that worked and I got several projects from it. You can check my freelancer profile here.

Although I have changed the name now the username still tells the whole story.

Fourth Freelancing business model – Upwork.com and Toptal

In the Year 2017, I got introduced to Upwork through a job.

I think it will be unfair if I will not mention about my first and the client.
I got introduced to Upwork by Mario Peshev. If you don’t know him go check out about him.

I worked for around 2 years with Mario in DevriX. Mario is the CEO of this company. He started it as the next step of his freelancing career. I have seen DevriX growing and Mario working hard to build it. Today DevriX is a successful company in Bulgaria and in the WordPress community.
Today If I am writing this entire blog post. if I am expressing my thoughts in words. I think Mario Peshev is a big inspiration for me.

I am doing good on Upwork earning decent money and building long-term client connections. I feel if you have Good communication skills and a sense to impress people with your work. you can do good on Upwork.

After my first job, I served many clients on Upwork. I am also a Top rated WordPress Developer on Upwork. You can check my profile here Naveen Giri.
I have seen many freelancers give 100% of their focus on Upwork and I think we should not give 100% focus on building profiles on Upwork. I consider Upwork as 30% of my income source and the rest 70% I described below.

I hardly put the time to bid on the Upwork jobs. I noticed once you have a successful track record client invites you directly.
It happens to me, I get weekly 3-4 invitations and sometimes more.

Recently I also got selected for Toptal and became a top 3% freelance talent.

Fourth Freelancing business model – Open Source contribution

Fifth Freelancing business model – Retainer Hours