Coder/Programmer

Freelance coding or programming is all about writing code and finding solutions for clients. As a freelance programmer, you’re self-employed, meaning you set your own schedule, advertise your own services, and work directly with clients on a contract basis.

In terms of what you might do on the job as a freelance programmer, your tasks can range from testing simple codes to writing computer scripts from scratch. Most freelance programmers find clients by advertising online, often through freelance websites.

Assuming your programming business takes off, you can expect to juggle multiple projects at any given time. With that said, you’ll likely experience highs and lows in demand and income.

Similar roles to programmer

The job title “programmer” means different things to different people. It may be used interchangeably with the following other job titles:

• Coder
• Software developer
• Software engineer
• Web developer

There is no universal definition for these terms. Each one may have unique connotations to some people. For example, web developers focus specifically on websites and web applications, whereas programmer is a broader term that can apply to different types of projects.

Other titles may indicate a different job scope. For example, a freelance coder may focus exclusively on writing code, whereas a freelance software developer may also plan, debug, test, and optimize software.

There are no formal or legal requirements for freelance programmers. Employers and clients have their own specifications. But that doesn’t mean that just anyone can become a programmer. There are a few skills and credentials you’ll need to succeed.

Education or training

Many programmers have a degree in computer science or a related field. However, you don’t necessarily need a degree to become a freelance programmer. There are plenty of ways to learn how to code without going to college, such as taking online courses, going the self-taught route, or enrolling in coding bootcamps.

Your education isn’t what matters most to clients. Instead, what’s most important is your programming knowledge and skills.

Knowledge of at least one programming language

The main requirement for a side hustle in freelance programming is aptitude in at least one programming language. These are the most popular coding languages used by developers right now:

• JavaScript
• HTML/CSS
• Python
• SQL
• TypeScript
• Bash/Shell
• Java
• C#
• C++
• C
• PHP
• PowerShell
• Go
• Rust
• Kotlin

If you’re well-versed in more than one language, you’ll find more opportunities, but if you’re just starting out, it’s okay to begin by specializing in only one.

Business and communication skills

While coding and writing scripts is the most important part of the job, you’ll also need various soft skills to be successful in freelance programming. After all, as a freelancer, you’ll be working directly with clients.

If you’re not good with people, this can pose a serious challenge to getting your programming side hustle to take off. You’ll need strong communication skills and the ability to communicate problems, expectations, and timelines to programming clients.

Additionally, you’ll need good time management and organizational skills to stay on top of your work and juggle multiple coding projects.

Freelance programming can be a lucrative side hustle, but if you’re not that experienced, starting out can be an uphill climb. Check out these tips for how to be a successful freelance programmer:

1. Learn programming basics

If you don’t already have a solid grasp of the fundamentals of programming, then this is where you should start. Without this knowledge, you won’t be able to get clients or deliver quality results.

While you could go to college for computer science or software development, this isn’t the most practical option if you’re looking to start a freelance programming or coding side hustle. Thankfully, there are other ways to learn programming without a degree.

For example:

• DIY self-taught route: Learning from experienced programmers through conversation, reading books or articles, or watching tutorials.
• Learning by doing: Start your own personal coding project and learn as you go or get an internship or mentorship to learn the ropes.
• Programming courses: Enroll in an in-person or online course in coding or programming. Good places to start include FreeCodeCamp.org and Codecademy, both of which offer free coding courses.
• Coding bootcamp: These are quick and intensive programs that help you rapidly develop practical, hands-on coding skills, often within just a few weeks.

If you already have a specialty in mind, it’s a good idea to pursue education in your target area as well as in foundational programming topics.

2. Find your niche

There’s nothing wrong with being a generalist, but having a niche makes it easier for you to find the right jobs, especially in an increasingly competitive market. Here are a few questions you can ask yourself to hone in on a specialty as a freelance programmer:

• What do you want to build (e.g., websites, mobile apps, or software)?
• What programming and development services are in high demand right now?
• What types of programming do you have the most experience with?
• What types of programming do you find the most fun and fulfilling to do?

Whether you choose to master one programming language or target one segment of the market, having a niche also makes it easier for clients to find you when searching for candidates.

High-demand programming specialties

To make the most money possible with a programming side hustle, you should make sure that you’re catering to market demand. Find out what most clients are looking for, and use this as a starting point when building your service list.

These are some areas that are currently fairly popular:

• Artificial intelligence and machine learning
• Cloud computing and DevOps
• Cybersecurity
• Web and mobile app development
• Data science and analytics
• Blockchain development
• Internet of Things (IoT) development
• Automation and robotic process automation (RPA)

3. Get some programming experience

It’s not really possible to become a freelance programmer without some sort of experience. After all, your programming abilities are the single most important factor for both clients and employers, and the only way to prove what you’re capable of is to give examples of projects you’ve worked on in the past.

Experience doesn’t have to come only from jobs. Academic experience is also valid, alongside time spent working on any personal or open-source projects.

If you took a programming or coding course, you probably already have some examples of your work. If you’re teaching yourself programming, you may have to do some free programming or start with personal projects. Alternatively, you can pursue an internship.

4. Build a portfolio

As mentioned, your capabilities are your biggest asset when it comes to getting freelance programming jobs, and your portfolio is where you show off these capabilities. Your portfolio is the first impression clients get of you, so it’s important to showcase your best work and the most relevant projects you’ve worked on.

Be sure to include the following components in your programmer portfolio:

• Professional introduction: A summary of your experience and interest in programming as well as your specialty.
• Featured projects: Screenshots, videos, or links showing your most impressive and relevant projects.
• Technical skills and credentials: Explanation of your programming skills, including the programming languages you know and any certifications you have.
• Reviews and testimonials: A couple of examples of positive feedback you’ve received from clients or employers on completed projects.
• List of services: Overview of the exact services you provide. You can also list your rates and pricing.

Don’t worry if you don’t have much to include in your portfolio. For example, you won’t have any testimonials when you’re first starting out as a freelance programmer, but you’ll be able to update and optimize your portfolio as you progress in your career.

It’s important to tailor your portfolio to reflect the avenue you want to take with programming. If you’re into game development, for instance, examples of building websites might not be as relevant.

5. Find your first clients

To actually find work as a freelance programmer, you’ll need to do a bit of marketing. Here are some places where you can advertise your services and connect with potential customers:

• Freelance job boards: Sites like Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr are general freelancer marketplaces used by all types of digital freelancers, but they can be good places to find your first few clients. Just be prepared for high competition, platform fees, and low rates.
• Tech-specific job boards: For more targeted results, you can also look for work on sites like Dice or Wellfound.
• Matching services: Unlike traditional freelancer sites, where you have to pitch to clients and negotiate with them, some sites will simply match you with jobs and send them to you to complete. Lemon.io and Gun.io are good examples of this type of platform.
• Online business pages: You could create a free Google Business page or Yelp page for your programming business or pay to get listed in local directories. While this strategy might not be as effective for digital freelancing work like programming, it could help you connect with local businesses that are looking for a freelance programmer.

To improve your visibility and cast a wider net, it’s a good idea to invest some time in strengthening your online presence. This could include building a portfolio website and using SEO strategies to drive traffic to your site. You can also advertise your services on social media.

Pay rates for freelance programmers vary, but you can realistically earn $40–$150 per hour with a freelance programming side hustle. More experienced programmers see earnings on the higher end of this spectrum, whereas entry-level programmers generally earn less.

What affects your earnings as a freelance programmer?

Aside from experience, there are several factors that can impact how much money you make from a freelance programming side hustle:

• Competition: Various programmers complain that the market is oversaturated. Moreover, many programmers come from countries with lower average wages, so they’re happy to accept lower rates.
• Type and scope of work: Not all jobs require the same level of effort, and the pay rate reflects that. Programming is in demand in numerous industries, though the highest-paying roles tend to come from large tech companies.
• Advertising costs: Depending on where you find work, you may have to pay platform fees or lead fees, which will detract from your take-home pay.

Freelancing as a programmer or coder is a lucrative side hustle that allows you the flexibility to work remotely from home on your own terms. If you already have some coding or development experience, then it can be a great way to earn money and broaden your experience.

If you’ve never done any kind of coding before, then it’s a bit harder to say whether freelance programming is worth it. You’ll need to spend time learning programming languages and fundamentals, and the skills are not exactly easy to pick up.

Pros and cons

Before you take your first steps to become a freelance programmer, make sure you’re fully aware of all the benefits and drawbacks.

If you’re unsure of whether freelance programming is right for you, your best bet is to test the waters with a short coding course and then gradually expand into more complex topics. Once you’ve built up some basic knowledge and have a better sense of whether this is the right career path for you, then you can more confidently dive into a freelance programming side hustle.