We recommend writing the questions down before a discussion. In addition, ask follow-up questions for clarification.<\/p>
If the potential clients are unsure about the details, offer your help to define the project’s direction.<\/p>
Note that you may conduct multiple discussions until you gather sufficient information. Only after you have a clear picture of the project<\/a> should you proceed to pitch your services.<\/p> Write a web development proposal<\/a> based on the information you have gathered. It is a document detailing the project and agreement between you and the potential client.<\/p> A well-written proposal helps convince prospective clients about your service for their projects. While there are no exact requirements for it, a successful proposal typically includes the following information:<\/p> Accompany the proposal with your web developer resume<\/a> to help convince potential clients. In addition, include your portfolio and web developer certifications<\/a> to establish credibility.<\/p> How to Write an Email Invoice<\/a> Depending on the project requirements, you may use a different platform to build clients’ sites. For instance, your client may choose a platform they are familiar with for future use or maintenance.<\/p> Popular platforms to build a website include a content management system<\/a> (CMS) or a site builder. If you are looking for features, scalability, and flexibility, we recommend using WordPress to make your client’s website<\/a>.<\/p> To help you decide, check out the following comparisons between the CMS and other popular platforms:<\/p> A hosting provider stores the website’s data on a server, making it accessible to users worldwide. Since some platforms like WordPress don’t include a hosting plan, you must purchase one separately.<\/p> In some cases, your client may take care of the hosting. However, many freelancers prefer to host clients’ websites themselves, especially when the client lacks technical knowledge.<\/p> Handling your client’s hosting<\/a> enables you to have full control over the back-end development, improving workflow. In addition, it is an opportunity to charge extra for maintenance and support.<\/p> Choose a professional web hosting<\/a> provider with sufficient hardware and bandwidth, 24\/7 customer support, and security features. This is because choosing the wrong plan can harm the website’s performance and uptime.<\/p> In addition, remember to consider your client’s budget and use case when picking the right hosting model.<\/p> At Hostinger, we offer a user-friendly control panel called hPanel, which enables you to manage multiple clients and websites with ease.<\/p> Here, you can:<\/p> Not sure which hosting services to choose based on your clients’ needs? Follow this guide:<\/p> After choosing the right service, decide on the website’s domain name. Some less-known top-level domains<\/a> (TLD) might be more affordable, but popular ones like .com<\/strong><\/a> will cost you extra.<\/p> A website’s sitemap and visual layout define its usability. A well thought out sitemap and layout allow visitors to use the website easily, resulting in a pleasant user experience.<\/p> Carefully plan what pages to include on the website. Start from the most important pages and work your way around them.<\/p> Then, use a tool such as FlowMapp<\/a> to visualize the hierarchy and relation between the pages. Visual sitemap helps make the website design process more efficient and user-oriented.<\/p> After creating the sitemap, make the page’s visual layout wireframe. A wireframe is a blueprint of the website’s page structure. To make it easier, consider using tools like Figma<\/a>.<\/p> In addition, pay attention to the following visual elements when designing a website layout:<\/p> Note that creating a sitemap and visual layout requires web design skills<\/a>. If you only handle the development side, suggest the client hire web designers to help with the task.<\/p> Based on the sitemap and layout plan, create the page according to the client’s request. During this step, focus on the page’s elements and content.<\/p> Gather necessary elements such as call-to-action (CTA) buttons, images, videos, and links. You may write a checklist and refer to your wireframe to ensure you don’t miss any of them.<\/p> For the content, your client may make it themselves or source it from a third-party service. In this case, agree on a deadline to ensure the project progresses according to the schedule.<\/p> Check the content and suggest changes if you think it doesn’t align with the page’s goal. In addition, apply search engine optimization<\/a> (SEO) practices to improve its visibility.<\/p> To accomplish this, pay attention to the content’s keywords, structure, and meta description. Use SEO tools or plugins like Yoast SEO<\/a> to maximize your SEO effort.<\/p> Once you have the plan laid out and the assets ready, start designing the website<\/a>. This stage determines the website’s final look.<\/p> During the design process, consider the following aspects of each page:<\/p> In addition, closely communicate with your client to verify if the website aligns with their requirements. Ask for feedback before designing another page to minimize future revisions.<\/p> You may also make page templates based on the design your client agreed to. Use it to keep the website design process efficient and consistent.<\/p> At the end of the design process, ask the client to perform a thorough check.<\/p> Before taking on a project, make an agreement with the client regarding the revision policy. We recommend offering limited free revision and charging for the website<\/a> after.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p> Before deploying the website, make sure it works properly. This step allows you to catch problems that may affect user experience.<\/p> Common issues may be related to the website’s usability and performance. If the site is difficult to use or slow, visitors are less likely to return.<\/p> Try to use the new website to gain insights into how visitors may interact with it. In addition, take care of the following aspects:<\/p> Remember that even after a thorough test, some minor errors may still be present on the website. New issues may also arise after the website goes live.<\/p> For that reason, always launch client sites at the preferred time<\/a> – Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday. Avoid Friday if you take the weekend off.<\/p> Launching the website on workdays allows you to continuously monitor its performance and catch potential issues quickly. In case errors occur, you can immediately fix them without disturbing your working hours.<\/p> To maximize your website development project, consider the following best practices.<\/p> Offer support for your client during and after the project. In case your client encounters a problem with their website, they can reach out to you for a solution.<\/p> Making yourself available to the client indicates your commitment to your responsibility. It is a great way to establish trust and convince the client to become a recurring customer.<\/p> Communicating with your client is key to a successful project. Consult with your client during the development process to ensure the project aligns with their expectations.<\/p> Getting in touch with your client lets you regularly update the project’s status and get feedback, minimizing the need for revision after the project is finished.<\/p> Communication also improves transparency and trustworthiness. These behaviors build a strong client-worker relationship that may be beneficial in the future.<\/p> Your client may request a non-default theme that suits their website goal better. In this case, you need to customize the theme or hire a web designer if it is beyond the project’s scope.<\/p> Since they require additional money and effort, consider using pre-built themes instead, as they are typically more affordable.<\/p> The WordPress library<\/a> has over 10,000 free themes to cater to different website styles and purposes. For more premium options, explore a theme marketplace such as Themeforest<\/a>.<\/p> Having a clear pricing system allows prospective clients to quickly determine whether your service is suitable for their needs. This pricing system concerns not only your rate but also the payment term and method.<\/p> Study other web developers’ salaries to keep your price competitive. You may also increase your rate based on the project’s difficulty and your experience.<\/p> For better clarity, provide details about your payment policy. For instance, specify that the client pays 50% upfront and the rest after the project finishes.<\/p> At the end of the project, ask your client to refer your service to other businesses. Personal recommendations can help you attract more clients<\/a>.<\/p> Also, ask for their testimonials and put them on your portfolio website. You may also ask the existing clients for other businesses needing a similar service.<\/p> Check out our Guide to Getting Clients as a Freelance Web Developer<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p> As websites are becoming more and more important for any business, there is a great demand for freelance web developers. If you have relevant skills, you can build websites for others to generate extra income.<\/p> In this article, we have explained eight steps to creating a website for your client:<\/p> When creating a website for a client, make yourself available and actively communicate with them. Also, create a clear pricing system and ask for referrals after the project completes.<\/p> We hope this article helps you to get started in becoming a freelance web developer. If you have any questions, leave a comment below. Good luck.<\/p>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/09\/Pro-Hosting_in-text-banner.png\/public\")
<\/a><\/figure>2. Write a Proposal and Determine the Project’s Scope<\/h3>
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Suggested Readings<\/h4>\n
\nHow to Calculate Hours Worked<\/a><\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p>3. Select a Platform for Building the Website<\/h3>
![\"WordPress.org](\"https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/WordPress.org-landing-page.png\/public\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n
4. Choose a Hosting Type<\/h3>
<\/a><\/figure>\n
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/08\/speed-and-quality-pro.png\/public\")
<\/a><\/figure>5. Create a Sitemap and a Visual Layout<\/h3>
![\"FlowMapp's](\"https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/FlowMapp_s-website-sitemap-planning-feature.png\/public\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>![\"Figma's](\"https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/Figma_s-wireframing-feature-banner.png\/public\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n
6. Create Pages Based on Client’s Needs<\/h3>
![\"Yoast](\"https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/Yoast-SEO-website-landing-page.png\/public\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>7. Design the Website<\/h3>
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Pro Tip<\/h4>\n
8. Test the Website<\/h3>
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Best Practices for Building Websites for Clients<\/h2>
Make Yourself Available to Clients<\/h3>
Practice Client Communication<\/h3>
Use Pre-Built Themes<\/h3>
![\"WordPress](\"https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/12\/WordPress-theme-library.png\/public\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>Create a Pricing System<\/h3>
Ask for Referrals<\/h3>
Looking for more ways to get clients?<\/h4>\n
Conclusion<\/h2>
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Suggested Reading<\/h4>\n