Comments on: The Truth about Freelance Web Development http://www.haughin.com/2009/02/17/the-truth-about-freelance-web-development/ From one geek to many others... Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:45:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Hiro http://www.haughin.com/2009/02/17/the-truth-about-freelance-web-development/comment-page-1/#comment-3689 Hiro Sun, 20 Sep 2009 09:38:59 +0000 http://www.haughin.com/?p=353#comment-3689 Thanks, this was really helpful. No wonder it was the top search result during my research into the world of freelance web development! Thanks, this was really helpful. No wonder it was the top search result during my research into the world of freelance web development!

]]> By: Jeff http://www.haughin.com/2009/02/17/the-truth-about-freelance-web-development/comment-page-1/#comment-3669 Jeff Sun, 13 Sep 2009 15:01:41 +0000 http://www.haughin.com/?p=353#comment-3669 There's a lot of things to consider when beginning to freelance, and this article covers a good portion of what's required to be successful, thanks! There’s a lot of things to consider when beginning to freelance, and this article covers a good portion of what’s required to be successful, thanks!

]]> By: links for 2009-06-17 at Mior Muhammad Zaki: PHP & JavaScript Programmer http://www.haughin.com/2009/02/17/the-truth-about-freelance-web-development/comment-page-1/#comment-3354 links for 2009-06-17 at Mior Muhammad Zaki: PHP & JavaScript Programmer Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:51:38 +0000 http://www.haughin.com/?p=353#comment-3354 [...] saved Category:WP-Cron Functions, The Truth about Freelance Web Development and Building Web Applications That Scale on [...] [...] saved Category:WP-Cron Functions, The Truth about Freelance Web Development and Building Web Applications That Scale on [...]

]]> By: Goodings Media http://www.haughin.com/2009/02/17/the-truth-about-freelance-web-development/comment-page-1/#comment-2854 Goodings Media Wed, 18 Mar 2009 06:12:45 +0000 http://www.haughin.com/?p=353#comment-2854 Hi Elliot, Good post! There's a lot of points in there I can relate with, particularly making the switch from home to office. I've recently been lucky enough to get enough work to support 1 or 2 employees now, so I had no choice but to move the company to the office. But Ive found that my productivity has gone up ten-fold too. ...I may still fire up a quick game of AOE3 in my lunch breaks, but that's harmless, right? :-) Just a few points I think are worth noting: 1. Invest in some good project management and billing software. Something like Billings on OSX is a lifesaver, and helps keep everything organised and importantly, looking professional. 2. Invest in a book keeper. Seriously, for around £25 p/hour and needing no more than 2-5 hours a week, our book keeper (Denise, lovely lady) does all our tax, pay-roll, and VAT. She also takes care of any generally 'too long and I can't be bothered to fill them in' forms that come our way. 3. If freelancing will become full time, invest in some regular income. For developers, the obvious choice is to setup some websites or web services. For any business that uses a project model, keeping a regular income can be a headache. We've found maintenance and support contracts have been the lifesaver for Goodings Media. Cheers, Liam Gooding Hi Elliot,

Good post! There’s a lot of points in there I can relate with, particularly making the switch from home to office. I’ve recently been lucky enough to get enough work to support 1 or 2 employees now, so I had no choice but to move the company to the office. But Ive found that my productivity has gone up ten-fold too.

…I may still fire up a quick game of AOE3 in my lunch breaks, but that’s harmless, right? :-)

Just a few points I think are worth noting:

1. Invest in some good project management and billing software. Something like Billings on OSX is a lifesaver, and helps keep everything organised and importantly, looking professional.

2. Invest in a book keeper. Seriously, for around £25 p/hour and needing no more than 2-5 hours a week, our book keeper (Denise, lovely lady) does all our tax, pay-roll, and VAT. She also takes care of any generally ‘too long and I can’t be bothered to fill them in’ forms that come our way.

3. If freelancing will become full time, invest in some regular income. For developers, the obvious choice is to setup some websites or web services. For any business that uses a project model, keeping a regular income can be a headache. We’ve found maintenance and support contracts have been the lifesaver for Goodings Media.

Cheers,
Liam Gooding

]]> By: Ian http://www.haughin.com/2009/02/17/the-truth-about-freelance-web-development/comment-page-1/#comment-2751 Ian Tue, 24 Feb 2009 21:31:22 +0000 http://www.haughin.com/?p=353#comment-2751 Great post Elliot, I was expecting a huge post full of negatives, it was nice to see good tips. I have a few suggestions from my years of freelance.. 1. Avoid jobs for friends and family, but if you do them treat is strictly as business. This includes charging them. I remember a thread on a graphic design community a while back arguing that doing free work for family is an injustice to their field, I agree. Don't do favors, do business and it will never get messy. 2. Stay in touch with past clients, drop them updates every now and then to make sure they are satisfied and doing ok. Maintaining a good thread of communication with clients means networking, more work and referrals.. Great post Elliot,
I was expecting a huge post full of negatives, it was nice to see good tips.

I have a few suggestions from my years of freelance..

1. Avoid jobs for friends and family, but if you do them treat is strictly as business. This includes charging them. I remember a thread on a graphic design community a while back arguing that doing free work for family is an injustice to their field, I agree. Don’t do favors, do business and it will never get messy.

2. Stay in touch with past clients, drop them updates every now and then to make sure they are satisfied and doing ok. Maintaining a good thread of communication with clients means networking, more work and referrals..

]]> By: Stu http://www.haughin.com/2009/02/17/the-truth-about-freelance-web-development/comment-page-1/#comment-2742 Stu Fri, 20 Feb 2009 21:17:30 +0000 http://www.haughin.com/?p=353#comment-2742 Good stuff Elliott. I've been doing freelancing work (not web dev) in addition to my full time work and so I know all too well of that 'hidden' burden of the self assessment - it's surprising how many people assume they don't have to do it, however if people keep their 'books' in order, i.e. ins and outs, business costs, etc and keep it well organised they'll find doing things like self-assessment online is ridiculously easy and often does not require an accountant, unless you're Ltd or such. As I'm not Ltd but a "sole trader" I also pay voluntary NI contributions monthly. If I was to do this full time I'd personally look to allocate 40-50% towards tax and 'business funds' for unexpected items, etc.. anyway, you'll be reet, nice and inspirational place to work from is the Cumbrian fells. ;) Good stuff Elliott. I’ve been doing freelancing work (not web dev) in addition to my full time work and so I know all too well of that ‘hidden’ burden of the self assessment – it’s surprising how many people assume they don’t have to do it, however if people keep their ‘books’ in order, i.e. ins and outs, business costs, etc and keep it well organised they’ll find doing things like self-assessment online is ridiculously easy and often does not require an accountant, unless you’re Ltd or such. As I’m not Ltd but a “sole trader” I also pay voluntary NI contributions monthly. If I was to do this full time I’d personally look to allocate 40-50% towards tax and ‘business funds’ for unexpected items, etc.. anyway, you’ll be reet, nice and inspirational place to work from is the Cumbrian fells. ;)

]]> By: Luigi Montanez http://www.haughin.com/2009/02/17/the-truth-about-freelance-web-development/comment-page-1/#comment-2741 Luigi Montanez Thu, 19 Feb 2009 19:00:02 +0000 http://www.haughin.com/?p=353#comment-2741 In the U.S., you must pay self-employment taxes quarterly (they're called Estimated Taxes) throughout the year. If you wait until taxes are due the next year, the IRS will hit you with a substantial fine. http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=98846,00.html https://www.eftps.gov/eftps/ In the U.S., you must pay self-employment taxes quarterly (they’re called Estimated Taxes) throughout the year. If you wait until taxes are due the next year, the IRS will hit you with a substantial fine.

http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=98846,00.html
https://www.eftps.gov/eftps/

]]> By: Andrew Valums http://www.haughin.com/2009/02/17/the-truth-about-freelance-web-development/comment-page-1/#comment-2740 Andrew Valums Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:17:50 +0000 http://www.haughin.com/?p=353#comment-2740 Thanks for your post, Elliot. I'm currently working on my first freelance project, so your post is really helpful for me. Thanks for your post, Elliot. I’m currently working on my first freelance project, so your post is really helpful for me.

]]> By: kvic http://www.haughin.com/2009/02/17/the-truth-about-freelance-web-development/comment-page-1/#comment-2733 kvic Wed, 18 Feb 2009 01:58:49 +0000 http://www.haughin.com/?p=353#comment-2733 awesome!!! thanks a lots awesome!!! thanks a lots

]]> By: Matthew Roman http://www.haughin.com/2009/02/17/the-truth-about-freelance-web-development/comment-page-1/#comment-2732 Matthew Roman Tue, 17 Feb 2009 17:20:24 +0000 http://www.haughin.com/?p=353#comment-2732 Awesome stuff Elliot! I think this pretty much covers what a freelancer needs to start off! But what makes this article excellent is the part that also details how a freelancer might get jobs! Great stuff! Awesome stuff Elliot! I think this pretty much covers what a freelancer needs to start off! But what makes this article excellent is the part that also details how a freelancer might get jobs!

Great stuff!

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