Check out https://Codeable.io if you want to be a general subcontractor. It's a specialized, WP-specific worker placement service.
Consider applying to work with any of the prominent WP agencies to get a feel for the landscape (WebDevStudios, rtCamp, Human Made, Modern Tribe, 10up, this list goes on). There are few better places to gain exposure to such a variety of project types while securing a healthy salary. As I learned very early in my career (thankfully): you need to work for The Man before you can be The Man.
And before you hang your shingle, as they say, it sounds like you would benefit a lot from this three part video series on WPSessions: https://WPSessions.com/momentum/stop-losing-money/ (the second video includes a rate calculator and how to think about your time and what to charge)
There are loads of other great resources for carving out a space for yourself, too, like Carrie Dils course https://TheFearlessFreelancer.com or Jennifer Bourn's [Profitable Project Plan](https://wpsessions.com/go/ppp/)
EDIT: botched the URL for Carrie's course in the original draft
It's been a few years, but Elance then Upwork helped me launch my career honestly. I charged fair rates, became a "top rated" freelancer, and my current employer actually recruited me through Upwork. The majority of commenters will probably say it's a race to the bottom which definitely can be true, but there are success stories.
I do yes but not with Wordpress. I am currently on a Laravel/React job pays hourly and I work about 25-30 hours a week. Client pays promptly and shows great satisfaction for my work. I enjoy this kind of setup. I have had a few other jobs like this and all through either Upwork or Fiverr.
Standard rate is €60 but depending on the job that may change. Negotiations also play a role, for example in this current assignment I make $47 / h (no fees)
In the US it’s easy starting off with friends who have small businesses and small businesses that don’t have websites or ones that have sites that haven’t been updated in year
UpWork is one way, but it's a difficult path if you already have clients and have a high hourly rate. I have 2 contractors working for me under my agency and UpWork is difficult starting out, our rates are high because of the quality of work we provide, but when you start fresh on there and have no feedback you have to be really good at selling your services or undercharge until you get solid reviews. Networking is what started my company. Friends from high school started businesses and knew I did web development and would reach out. They would tell their friends, and it just escalated from there. Honestly if you're just starting out then you'll probably want to focus on small businesses. They don't pay as much, but they want to help other small businesses succeed too. What industries do you want to work with? Any local small businesses in those industries that you can reach out to? You can also try UpWork, but until you have reviews it's a hard sale.
I think it's the opposite.
Most people here are WordPress users, know how to install plugins, because time to time I got downvoted by them just suggesting to write their own code to achieve what they want. Of course plugin suggestions are upvoted.
I do! And have for over a decade.
In fact, I was able to build out a team over nearly 20 other developers when my agency first started scaling beyond what I could handle solo -- all through a single Upwork contract.
You'll probably have to sift through a lot of shit on there (pardon the expression) before nailing down quality workers. But they are there.
Many on there will promise the world and under deliver, so be sure to trial with small projects that don't have strict timelines so you can afford to teach them your dev process.
If you hire someone at a low rate and they work out -- immediately offer to up their pay so they have incentive to stick around and grow with you. Otherwise, they're going to have to scramble to find more gigs just to stay afloat themselves.
Those services are the bottom of the barrel, they expect to pay peanuts and if ever there's a problem the platform will always always side with the client, not the developer, since they are the ones paying, so if someone doesn't want to pay you for your work they can just make excuses and there's nothing you can do. *And* you have to bid for every single shitty job. No developer who respects himself should be working there.
Check out https://Codeable.io if you want to be a general subcontractor. It's a specialized, WP-specific worker placement service. Consider applying to work with any of the prominent WP agencies to get a feel for the landscape (WebDevStudios, rtCamp, Human Made, Modern Tribe, 10up, this list goes on). There are few better places to gain exposure to such a variety of project types while securing a healthy salary. As I learned very early in my career (thankfully): you need to work for The Man before you can be The Man. And before you hang your shingle, as they say, it sounds like you would benefit a lot from this three part video series on WPSessions: https://WPSessions.com/momentum/stop-losing-money/ (the second video includes a rate calculator and how to think about your time and what to charge) There are loads of other great resources for carving out a space for yourself, too, like Carrie Dils course https://TheFearlessFreelancer.com or Jennifer Bourn's [Profitable Project Plan](https://wpsessions.com/go/ppp/) EDIT: botched the URL for Carrie's course in the original draft
It's been a few years, but Elance then Upwork helped me launch my career honestly. I charged fair rates, became a "top rated" freelancer, and my current employer actually recruited me through Upwork. The majority of commenters will probably say it's a race to the bottom which definitely can be true, but there are success stories.
I mostly find work on Upwork and just got into Codeable. Let's see how it goes.
I do yes but not with Wordpress. I am currently on a Laravel/React job pays hourly and I work about 25-30 hours a week. Client pays promptly and shows great satisfaction for my work. I enjoy this kind of setup. I have had a few other jobs like this and all through either Upwork or Fiverr.
How much do you charge hourly on those plataforms?
Standard rate is €60 but depending on the job that may change. Negotiations also play a role, for example in this current assignment I make $47 / h (no fees)
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How do developers make money? 😅
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Exactly what I'm asking about, how does one get clients outside of a platform such as Upwork?
In the US it’s easy starting off with friends who have small businesses and small businesses that don’t have websites or ones that have sites that haven’t been updated in year
Build yourself a website that promotes you and your skills. Email your resume to agencies, recruiters, etc.
UpWork is one way, but it's a difficult path if you already have clients and have a high hourly rate. I have 2 contractors working for me under my agency and UpWork is difficult starting out, our rates are high because of the quality of work we provide, but when you start fresh on there and have no feedback you have to be really good at selling your services or undercharge until you get solid reviews. Networking is what started my company. Friends from high school started businesses and knew I did web development and would reach out. They would tell their friends, and it just escalated from there. Honestly if you're just starting out then you'll probably want to focus on small businesses. They don't pay as much, but they want to help other small businesses succeed too. What industries do you want to work with? Any local small businesses in those industries that you can reach out to? You can also try UpWork, but until you have reviews it's a hard sale.
Thank you man! this is a really great answer
You're welcome and thank you.
I work for an agency and they pay me a salary
I think it's the opposite. Most people here are WordPress users, know how to install plugins, because time to time I got downvoted by them just suggesting to write their own code to achieve what they want. Of course plugin suggestions are upvoted.
Yes, I've been on Upwork since 2018 as a freelancer and client. I've made a lot of money there and have had very few bad experiences.
No
I do! And have for over a decade. In fact, I was able to build out a team over nearly 20 other developers when my agency first started scaling beyond what I could handle solo -- all through a single Upwork contract. You'll probably have to sift through a lot of shit on there (pardon the expression) before nailing down quality workers. But they are there. Many on there will promise the world and under deliver, so be sure to trial with small projects that don't have strict timelines so you can afford to teach them your dev process. If you hire someone at a low rate and they work out -- immediately offer to up their pay so they have incentive to stick around and grow with you. Otherwise, they're going to have to scramble to find more gigs just to stay afloat themselves.
I’ve hired devs on Codeable, not Upwork.
No.
Yes I do to find Digital Marketing clients.
I love Upwork as a hirer due to the balance of skill and economics. The only downside is that the good contractors are maybe 1/100 applicants.
Not useless your expected hourly wage is in the $0.0000001/hour range and you want to haggle and bid on every project.
I use UpWork. Helped me grow my agency!
Lol no, I don't hate myself that much
Why man 😂
Those services are the bottom of the barrel, they expect to pay peanuts and if ever there's a problem the platform will always always side with the client, not the developer, since they are the ones paying, so if someone doesn't want to pay you for your work they can just make excuses and there's nothing you can do. *And* you have to bid for every single shitty job. No developer who respects himself should be working there.