As cloud-based software, mobile apps, and online chat platforms have made it much easier to work in groups, without having to be in a traditional office. We see the amount of independent developers growing. According to a study carried out by the Union of Freelance in 2014, 34% of the American workforce was self-employed.
This is both good and bad news for web developers, and especially those who work with WordPress. The good news is that it's becoming the norm to work as ., giving you the freedom to work where you want and when you want. The bad news is that this is a world where even the worst developers can be found and you will have to compete with them.
Unfortunately, being a good web developer is not enough to guarantee that beat those who are less skilled or less talented in finding clients and lucrative project.
If you're tired of seeing "bad" developers who deliver poor work get all the work, it's time to take a good look at what you can be doing wrong. Chances are it's not about your design and development skills, it's about your marketing and your business acumen that needs some attention.
You must make your web service undeniably attractive
You probably think that having a high quality portfolio and a full LinkedIn profile is enough to sell your services. Unfortunately, this is not enough.
Your customers don't understand web design. That's the whole reason you do what you do: to help them accomplish what they can't. But here's a truth: non-developers (and even some bad developers) do not understand what a beautiful design looks like. Many do not understand the concrete work to achieve this as well. And then there is the question of language.
There are a number of disparities in perception that you'll need to overcome to distract from the stronger, seemingly proudest developers who don't really know what they're talking about. In all fairness, this can be a problem for some of you. For you, this is about a suitable design, the use of white space, a UX strategy and wireframing. For your customers, it's just dollars and cents.
Can you design my WP site for a reasonable price?
So where do you “leave” the right developer? Well, if you're having trouble landing a high-quality job, it's probably because you're not doing the marketing your business or yourself in a way that your potential customers will understand. Rather than let these bad developers keep snagging jobs that should be yours, use the following tips to help you get out of this rut.
1 - Join the design community
For those who have a business spirit (like the small business owners and the entrepreneurs that you are likely to target) a lot of their focus is on reputation. So it is more likely that they be receptive to working with a good developer with solid contacts and influence within their own community than someone who can attest to the creation of 25 high quality sites in the past two years.
If your name isn't currently registering within your own community, then it's time to get involved. The more presence you can establish yourself and the more recognizable your name becomes, the easier it will be to convince customers that you are an expert. Join local web developer communities, write content on WordPress blog major, or stay active with other professionals on Twitter. Be sure to be present here and there.
2 - change your class
More precisely, actually start a business, do marketing, and invest in communication. The reason many bad developers can sell their services is because they view themselves as a business owner, first and foremost. You need to do this if you want to interact with customers on a level that they understand and that will help you sell more easily.
3 - use good resources
While you can find the occasional web development gig on Craigslist or an outsourcing platform like Upwork, those aren't usually the most reliable places to find high-quality clients. Start by looking to the right places and you will find that you are able to reach and attract a more upscale clientele. Networking with local business owners is a good place to start. When it comes to online, try niche and industry specific job boards.
4 - Find your customers yourself
Any new working relationship is a two-way street, so don't make the mistake of assuming it's up to your potential client to do all the research and determine if you will be a good match. You need to do your due diligence. Research your contact as well as the company you plan to work with. Working with companies with a bad reputation could hurt you especially when trying to get the attention of high quality clients who are less than impressed with your list of former clients.
5 - be confident
Unless your less-qualified counterparts are selling their service for the same price as the nuts, the reason they beat you at these jobs is a matter of trust. I know it can be frustrating having to hunt down new clients and do all of that work to make sure they're willing to work with you, but don't let desperation or frustration get the better of you. Be confident and speak honestly about your job as a web developer and more importantly, as a new business partner.
6 - focus on your customer
When meeting with potential customers, you need to put yourself on their level, they will understand and always remember your customer service and will come back for it. You can show them your portfolio and discuss your skills as it relates to the job, but you still need to translate it into something they can understand.
Finally
This is certainly not an exhaustive list, but it is also a good start and some points that will be essential in your work as an independent developer. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to share them with us.
