Intrigued by the idea of a career in freelance word press developing? WordPress is currently globally dominating the content management systems (CMS) with more than 40% of all websites, from small personal blogs, to large corporate companies, using the many features presented.
Although web development is continuously developing, WordPress is consistently standing strong alongside. Below are the many reasons why WordPress is a flexible and efficient career choice for 2024:
Why WordPress is a Flexible and Efficient Career Choice for 2024
- Global demand: As of now, there are over 810 million WordPress websites available, with no limitations of opportunity for skilled and upcoming developers. Businesses, from newcomers to big cooperations, will always require custom WordPress solutions.
- Work from anywhere: Being a freelance WordPress developer, you will be able to live a very flexible lifestyle, with freedom to choose remotely with hours of your choice. You are in control of working at home, while traveling or virtually anywhere!
- Wide range of clients: WordPress is notorious for being able to cater to many different industries ranging from e-commerce, entertainment, education, non-profits or personal brands. This type of range will help form a steady flow of clients from different sectors.
- Scalability: Being a freelancer, you will have the chance to start small, handle different basic site building tasks, slowly progressing to more advanced development work like full scale website redesigning. As you begin to specialize and perfect your skills, you will be able to increase your range and profits.
What does a freelance WordPress developer do?
Being a freelance WordPress developer, roles can differ widely depending on your skillsets and needs of your clients. Usually, there are two categories that WordPress developers can be put into:
1. Non coding developers: In this category, developers leverage existing themes, plugins and tools to create more attractive websites to gain more customers. They do not require coding knowledge, however they must have strong suits in the following categories:
How to operate WordPress
- Being able to customize different plugins and themes
- Website optimization ( Speed, SEO, user experience)
- Being able to troubleshoot small issue
2. Coding developers:
These developers require more than the basic skillsets mentioned above. Some tasks that coding developers must do includes: creating custom themes, plugins and advanced features . Coding developers usually should be skilled in the following languages:
- HTML: needed to structure connect on the website
- CSS: to style the appearance of the website
- JavaScript: for adding features in the website that consumers and clients can interact with.
- PHP: the main part of WordPress, very crucial for creating custom themes and plugins.
- SQL: for database management and queries.
Developers that have coding experience and skills usually have higher earnings and profits due to being able to perform more versatile tasks and handle more complicated projects.
How to become a WordPress developer using 4 essential steps:
1. Learn WordPress Fundamentals
To become a professional WordPress developer, you have to be able to master the basic skills required. Although many online tutorials require payments, considering to invest in a good course that covers all the aspects below will be a good investment. Crucial aspects to focus on include:
- Installing and setting up WordPress on different web hosts
- Being able to navigate the WordPress dashboard
- Ability to customize plugins and themes
- Basic website optimization and SEO techniques
- Learning good security practices for WordPress sites
2. Practice building different types of websites
Once you have learned the fundamentals and basics, learning to build different types of websites will help gain experience and build versatility. Different range of websites include:
- Blogs: Good for understanding the concept of managing content, optimizing posts for SEO, and helps improve readability.
- Business websites: Working on corporate sites will help with understanding how to present a service, integrate contact forms, and improve the overall user experience.
- E-commerce stores: Being able to format and customize Woo-commerce for setting up online payment gateways and product catalogs.
- Portfolio stores: build websites that creative professionals can use by incorporating portfolios and galleries that can be used to showcase work
3. Build an Attractive portfolio
A well perfected portfolio is crucial for showcasing your skills to potential customers. Drawing attention to your best work and clearly explaining the role you play in each project will help boost you recognition and earnings. You can host your portfolio on:
- Your own customized WordPress Website: Use your own curated website to demonstrate your technical skills and provide client testimonials and feedback.
- Freelance platforms: Build a good reputation by listing completed and successful projects on websites such as Upwork, Freelancer, or Fiverr.
- Design custom showcases: Using visual portfolio platforms such as Behance or Dribbble can help clients looking for creative or specific talents.
Your portfolio should contain all of your work of all ranges from simple setups to complex and complicated customizations, so that any potential clients can see the depth of your skills and expertise.
4. Join freelance Marketplace and Platforms.
To find suitable work, it’s essential to be visible to clients who are looking for freelancers. Signing up on well known Freelancer websites will help. Below are some popular freelancer websites:
- Upwork: Offers a range of job categories for WordPress Developers.
- Fiverr: Best for providing small devices and building a portfolio with quick jobs.
- Freelancer: A good platform for long or short term projects, with flexibility and many different kinds of developers.
Starting with smaller jobs to gain some experience, client reviews, and ratings. When you start to gain more positive feedback and expand your portfolio, you can start bidding for more higher
-paying and larger projects.
Tips for succeeding as a WordPress Freelancer
1. Continuous learning
The WordPress ecosystem is growing rapidly, with regular updates , new plugins, and changing best practices. You can stay current and up to date by:
- Following blogs that are related to WordPress and news sources such as WPBeginner, WPTavern, and the official WordPress blog.
- Joining online communities such as WordPress slack groups, forums, and social media groups.
- Experimenting with your own projects with the latest themes and plugins.
2. Set competitive and Fair Pricing
Researching what other WordPress freelancers in your area are currently charging. Considering your skill levels and the complexity of the project, as well as the client’s budget when setting rates help gain popularity and recognition. Although starting with low prices will help gain your recognition, gradually increasing rates as you gain experience will be ideal.
3. Use social media and networking for self promotion
Expanding your reach by promoting your work and services on social media will help you network with potential clients and other developers. The following platforms will help with networking:
- LinkedIn: A platform where you can network with potential clients and show your portfolio.
- Twitter: On twitter, you can engage with the WordPress community by sharing tips, answering questions, and showcasing your work.
- Instagram: Instagram can be used to post visually appealing content based on your work, such as before-and-after website designs, and attract clients who are invested in visuals.
4. Build Relationships with other developers
Networking with different WordPress developers can help create new opportunities, including collaborations on larger projects, or recommendations for jobs that others may not be able to handle. Attending WordPress related conferences, such as Wordcamps and participating in local WordPress meetings will help you connect with others within the industry.
Pros and cons of Being a Freelance WordPress developer:
Pros:
- Flexibility: You can set your own hours and work from any environments.
- Creative Freedom: Having the freedom to choose projects that you are passionate about.
- Unlimited Growth potential: As you learn more and start to specialize in advanced areas of WordPress development, you start can taking on more higher-paying projects and expand your range and services.
Cons:
- Income fluctuations: Freelancers may have to face variability when it comes to income, and this can be quite difficult, especially at the start of your career
- Client management: You’ll need to handle many different aspects of client acquisition, negotiation, and relationship management.
- Time management: Balancing many clients as well as projects requires strong organizational and time management skills.
Overcoming Common Challenges in WordPress Freelancing:
Finding clients
1. Getting a small following in the beginning on your career can be quite daunting. Here a few tips to overcoming this problem:
- Offer discounts for the first few projects to build up a loyal client base and a good portfolio.
- Work on projects for close friends and smile or local businesses to gain experience and testimonials.
- Focusing on giving phenomenal customer services and gaining good reviews will help build credibility.
2. Dealing with difficult customers
Good and clear communications is a big part of avoiding any misunderstandings. Using a contract can help set expectations, project scopes, timelines and payment terms. If any issues present itself, being professional can help resolve problems much faster.
3. Time management
Using tools that help with time management such as Trello, Asana, or Monday.com can help track tasks and deadlines. Time tracking apps like Toggl or Harvest can make sure that all your projects are on track and billings are accurately.
Becoming a successful freelance WordPress developer can be quite tedious and require dedication, smart business practices and continuous learning, but it is all worth it. By completing basics, creating a good portfolio, and improving your skills, you will be able to excel in WordPress freelancing. You will be able to thrive with the flexibly and creativity this field comes with, and being your own boss will help you take advantage of the many opportunists that WordPress has to offer.
FAQ
How much do freelance WordPress developers make?
As of Nov 9, 2024, the average annual pay for a Freelance WordPress Developer in the United States is $84,542 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $40.65 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,625/week or $7,045/month.
Is WordPress in demand?
WordPress development is highly in demand due to its significant market presence and large user following. With WordPress powering nearly half of all websites, its popularity, customization options, and community support contribute to the strong demand for developers.
