How to Get New Freelance Web Development Clients

As a freelance web developer, whether just beginning or a veteran in the industry, gathering new clients is one of the keys to success.

According to a study by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job market for web development is forecasted to rocket from 2020 to 2030, at a projected 13% increase. The market for success is already there, the key is to use the right tools to take advantage of this projected growth.

The freedom that freelance work gives you is dependent upon the work dedicated to not only your projects but adding new clients as your workload allows. Here we will go over some of the best ways to get new web development clients for your freelance business.

No matter how long you have been doing freelance web development, new clients are the lifeblood of keeping your business running.

If you are new, you will need new clients to build a portfolio, something we will discuss in a moment. As you complete projects, you can use your existing client base for referrals, too.

If you’ve been successfully doing freelance web development work for a while, you know the importance of keeping an updated portfolio. Updating your project portfolio with new work from a variety of clients will aid you in attracting new clients in the future.

Remember, the flexibility that freelance web development gives you is dependent on keeping a steady flow of work coming your way.

Now that we've established that the search for new clients should never end, let's take a look at some of the important tools you have at your disposal to land your next web development client.

There are a few ways to bring in new clients that you might not have considered. Let’s cover 5 methods here.

1. Build Your Portfolio

Creating a portfolio of your work is the first method we’ll discuss for attracting new web development clients. This is an excellent tool to have for those with intermediate experience as freelance web developers as well as seasoned pros.

A portfolio is a showcase of your completed projects. When you are just starting as a freelancer, a portfolio can seem like a major barrier to success. A great way to develop a working portfolio is to reach out to a local business or connect through social media and find someone that needs a website built.

When presenting an offer, explain that your pricing reflects a discount to account for the lack of tangible experience while you are new. This will attract new business, who can receive a high-quality product at a reduced rate. By taking on jobs at a reduced rate, you can build a portfolio, and gradually move your pricing to the regular standard you have set for your time.

2. Build Your Website, And Expand!

The next best tool any freelance web developer needs in their arsenal is their own website. As a freelancer, your web development client is going to see your website skills initially in how you present your own. Make sure to craft your website in a way that looks professional, catches your visitor’s eye, and shows off your technical prowess.

Making use of proper search engine optimization tools will get you better results with Google, too. Your personal website is the first entry in your professional portfolio and web development clients will come to see your website as your business card, associating the details of it with how you will deliver for them.

3. Use Industry Job Boards!

For those just beginning in the world of freelance web development, job boards can be your best friend. Sites such as Upwork, Fiverr, and job boards like Media Bistro can all garner new leads for work.

Be aware that some sites for freelance work do take a percentage for connecting developers and clients, so plan accordingly. Using a job board puts you in contact with web development clients that are actively seeking the services you are looking to provide.

When using these job boards, keep the following advice in mind:

• Create and maintain a profile on each job board you visit- By making a complete user profile on job sites, you can attract the exact type of client you are looking for. Having a profile that is maintained, updated frequently, and looks professional are all keys to succeeding in using web development job sites.

• Be detailed- Prospective web development clients want to see that you know what you are doing before offering you work. Make sure to list all your strengths in your profile. Links to previous work and your personal website are a must to showcase your skills to new clients, as well.

• Respond to prospects in a timely fashion- Nobody likes to hurry up and wait. The world of web development is highly competitive. As such, clients will not want to wait very long to hear back on offers they send to you. Make sure to reply quickly, and go over specific details of the project immediately.

4. Get New Client Referrals and Project Reviews

Another great tool to use to secure new web development clients is the tried and true method of gaining referrals. Referrals from satisfied clients of your work can go a long way. As you complete projects, and the client is happy with the finished product, ask them if they know of anyone else that would benefit from your services. Explain the value of a positive referral in your industry.

If they are a referral client themselves, reiterate the importance of word-of-mouth. Don't be afraid to further incentivize a referral with discounted consultation time or services in the future for your current client, too. Making the current client feel wanted is just as important as gaining new projects from new clients.

Another fantastic tool to use when working with a satisfied client is the review or testimonial. After delivering the finished product to your client, ask them their thoughts on the quality of the work. Ask the client if you can use a positive review or a testimonial quote from them to promote yourself on your website.

When prospective new clients visit your website, they will see the words and reactions from previous development clients. These positive reviews serve the same purpose as your project portfolio. By providing new clients with the positive results of your previous clients, they can rest assured that you have proven your technical skills previously, and are happy to showcase the results.

5. Utilize Social Media to Get New Clients

Finally, utilizing popular social media sites to search for new clients is a tool that any successful freelance developer must master. The use of social media in today's world is a necessary skill for anyone working in the digital space.

Some sites are geared for networking, while others are all about engaging an audience with creative content. Correctly identifying the best practices on each site is important. By becoming familiar with multiple platforms, your reach as a freelance developer will grow exponentially. Check out these popular places for social interaction. You will need to be active and engaging as a freelance developer, and these sites will help you grow:

• LinkedIn
  The most obvious social media site for connecting with professionals, LinkedIn is somewhere you must have an online presence. The site allows you to build relationships with prospective clients, as well as share your insights. By writing articles relevant to your industry, you can stand out as a knowledgeable resource, attracting new clients as you do.

• Twitter
  Another great way to keep your clients engaged with you is Twitter. Twitter is a great space for keeping clients updated about your work, and for making updates on your availability for projects. Short, sweet, and to the point are the keys to succeeding in the "Twitterverse".

• Facebook
  Just about everyone has a Facebook account. This social media giant is a great way to provide updates and connect with clients in a more casual way than you would on a platform like LinkedIn. In addition to updates, you can – and should – create some engaging content to better interact with followers and clients. Using Facebook as a platform for some of your development portfolio is sure to get fresh eyes on your successful projects.

• TikTok
  One of the newest social media platforms out there, TikTok is a video platform, based purely on content creation. As a web developer, you can make informed, yet entertaining videos showing what exactly it is you do. Engaging with relatable content consistently will net you a solid following. Younger generations of clients can be drawn to your services by relating to them on their preferred platform. Remember that content is king on this platform, so keep your videos entertaining, but on message.

• Instagram
  Much like TikTok and Facebook above, Instagram is a social media platform tailored more to engaging an audience with content. You can creatively display your web development work in photo form using this platform, and new clients can #engage with your work with proper tagging techniques. Learning trending tags and making relatable content will gain you a loyal following of engaged users.

We have covered the best tools you can use as a freelance web developer throughout this article. The key piece of advice when starting out as a freelance developer is to utilize your existing networks and local businesses to find new clientele. Offering discounted services in order to build a client base and portfolio of work is a great way to build a solid base of clients, and they can help you grow as well.

Completing projects will lead to positive client referrals and reviews, and new clients will choose your expert skills with a sound mind after reading of your past successes. When looking outward for new clients, using job boards to your advantage will connect you with new clients who are active in the market for your skills, too.

Following trends on multiple social media platforms is a sure-fire way to put yourself in a space where clients and developers can connect and share ideas. Knowing when to inform, compared to when to engage and create are of tantamount importance when navigating the social media landscapes. Properly utilizing professional networks is just as important as creating engaging material for a more casual audience.

Now it’s time to take these tools as you begin your journey as a freelance web developer, or as you continue to grow your web development business. What moves will you make next?