How to become a freelance web developer?

As a minimum you need to know the following languages pretty well: HTML CSS JQUERY JAVASCRIPT

Also, it would help if you were graphic savy, able to make/manipulate graphics for your site to save on paying somebody else to do that for you.

As for freelance pay in the USA I am not sure, I am UK based.

Also, yes freelance is still an option.

Appearance is everything, make sure you have a reasonable set up area and be prepared for clients to come and have meetings IN YOUR HOME, as you stated you would like to work from home.

What I will say though, I would encourage you to think hard about leaving a regularly payed job for one that is very competative. You could end up leaving one rat race (working for somebody else for little cash) to join another rat race(inconsistant/not guaranteed work)

Please don't be offended by my last comment, I work as a security guard and am doing the same, trying to freelance.

Although, I would recommend trying to join a web development company for some experience before you try and battle the industry head on frodo baggins style.

I could carry on but I will leave the rest to actual freelancers for now.

Hope I have helped a little.

Kind Regards

Thomas Regan

Aspiring Web Developer

Web development is currently in demand and with technology growing, I do not see that changing anytime soon. In order to become a freelancer, you will need the fundamentals and practice to go along with it.

I suggest to start with the web design or front-end development tracks then review treehouse's business library. There is a course titled "How to become a freelancer" that will help answer some of your questions.

It will take time to get your skills ready to work on a solo project, but when you do get there you will be able to negotiate your own pay rate. To get an idea of what exactly what web designers can make within a year go to google "web designer salary" and see what comes back (Glassdoor for US has good results).

Thomas Regan also brought up some really good points in regards to rat race and languages needed. As a freelancer, you will most likely need your own site for your clients to view your work and see what you can offer. When I started web design, the first few sites I built I did at a very low price and some even free just to help build my portfolio.

Don't quit your day job to start freelancing, it will take at least a year or maybe longer to become fluent enough with programming to help address clients needs. Start small and work your way up. Build your own personal website first.

Good luck!

Yeah, I today just handed over my first website to my client for £450.

Even though this particular website was for 3 friends needing a website for their Personal Training company it gave me some experience as to how much hard work goes into the mechanics of actually creating and bringing everything together.

I personally am currently making websites after work and days I have off. Your social life will have to slow down a bit but....

....Sacrifices must be made.

I will check back tomorrow after a few more people have responded.

Wow, people are on the same row, i have to work now and i want to freelance as well. Though at least I know HTML /CSS and I'm learning PHP, i could add little of jQuery for nicer effects. I did my portfolio., yet I can't get anyone and I'm looking for people, or rather customers. But I was just wondering, if what I know, it's fair good enough. I'm 18on a week, I'll live on my own, and we'll, you know, for me extra cash will be crucial as well as I wanna go to uni and i have no knowledge. I will learn at home everything. But I will save up to 3months before I will quit the job i will work in like Peasant said.

Re the previous comment saying that you need to know Javascript, that isn't true - you can freelance with any language you want.