Freelancing
Freelancing is different from contracting. A contractor typically works as a one-person limited company on longer engagements — often 3 to 12 months — for a single client at a time. A freelancer usually works on shorter, project-based work across multiple clients simultaneously.
As a developer, freelancing can mean building websites, writing integrations, fixing bugs, building APIs, or any scoped piece of work you can deliver and hand off.
Before You Start
Set clear boundaries before taking on any work:
- Define your rate. Hourly, daily, or fixed-price per project? Fixed-price suits well-scoped work. Hourly suits ongoing or poorly defined work.
- Write a contract. Specify deliverables, payment terms, revision limits, and ownership of the work. A contract protects both parties.
- Have a deposit policy. Asking for 50% upfront is standard and filters out time-wasters.
- Scope carefully. Vague briefs lead to scope creep. Get requirements in writing before starting.
Building a Strong Profile
Freelance platforms are competitive. A strong profile helps you win better work:
- Include a professional photo and a clear description of what you do and who you help
- List specific technologies, frameworks, and types of projects
- Show portfolio work — even personal or open source projects count
- Gather reviews early by pricing lower initially to build a track record
Freelance Platforms
| Platform | Best For |
|---|---|
| Toptal | High-end clients, well-paid work, rigorous vetting |
| UpWork | Wide range of clients, good for building a profile |
| People Per Hour | UK-focused projects |
| Freelancer | Competitive bidding, good for early portfolio work |
| Fiverr | Package-based offerings, quick turnaround work |
| Guru | Longer-term freelance relationships |
Toptal has higher earning potential but requires passing a technical screening process.
Finding Direct Clients
Platforms charge fees (Upwork takes up to 20% on low-value contracts). Direct clients are more profitable once you have a network:
- Share work on LinkedIn and GitHub
- Attend local meetups and developer events
- Build in public — writing about what you do attracts inbound work
- Ask satisfied clients for referrals
Tax and Administration
Freelancing income is self-employed income. You are responsible for:
- Tracking all income and expenses
- Paying Self Assessment tax in the UK (via HMRC)
- National Insurance contributions
- Potentially registering for VAT if income exceeds the threshold
Using accounting software like FreeAgent or QuickBooks simplifies this significantly.