Ever wondered how your coding skills could start paying your bills outside your day-to-day career? Let’s dive into the world of making good money through coding, where opportunities are as vast as the code libraries themselves.
From leveraging innovative platforms like the Text Platform to freelance jobs that fill your wallet, this article will guide you through the opportunities on how to make money with your programming skills as a freelancer.
Let’s crack this code together!
Start making money as a web developer outside your full-time job
Web developers can easily generate income and make money online — it's simply about how they do it. When it comes to making money in the tech world, having sharp programming skills is definitely your golden ticket. Web developers need to continually improve, adapt, and find the right opportunities to make money.
It takes effort and persistence, but with the right approach, web developers can earn from their web development skills quickly. The technological demand is higher than ever, so it's all about putting your programming chops to good use and navigating the tech landscape smartly.
Can I start freelancing online as a beginner programmer?
Yes, and it's simpler than it sounds. If you're only starting your journey with your own software projects, here are a few tips to smooth out your beginnings:
Take time to prepare your freelance profile
You can begin your journey on Upwork, tackling small gigs to prove your skills and boost your confidence as a web developer. Create a solid profile on platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, or GitHub. Highlight any projects you've worked on, even if they were just for learning or personal interest.
Consider contributing to technical blogs
If you're skilled in areas like website design or startups, sharing your insights on these platforms can pay and boost your professional profile. It's a great way to gain recognition in the tech world, build confidence, and solidify your expertise in the field.
Don't take on big projects at first
It's good to start with simple, often free software projects and build your way up from there. Tackle projects that match your skill level, and use them to build your portfolio and hone your programming skills.
You can start your development journey with ambitious projects, but it can quickly become overwhelming. Beginning with small, manageable projects that align with your current skill level is crucial. This approach allows for focused learning and identifying weak spots in your knowledge.
As your proficiency grows, you can gradually tackle larger and more complex software engineering projects. Diversifying your project types across different niches can also provide valuable insights into your preferences and strengths as a developer.
Create a portfolio before starting your first gigs
Creating a compelling portfolio is a critical step before you can start making money coding and land your first freelancing coding gigs. It may feel redundant, but that's where your potential clients will get a glance at how you approach creating web applications.
Keep your bids low in the beginning
Setting competitive rates is important when starting to secure initial projects and build your portfolio. Although the average salary for an entry-level programmer may be appealing, beginners must be realistic about their current market value.
Websites like Upwork suggest a median rate of around $20 per hour for software development tasks, but entry-level rates may need to be lower to attract your first clients. As you gain experience and tackle more complex tasks, you can justify raising your rates in line with your growing expertise.
Keep an eye on job boards
Any job board can become a useful resource for finding freelance opportunities. Job boards offer a variety of frequently updated listings. These job listings can be filtered based on criteria such as location and salary, making it easier for freelancers to find roles that suit their needs, including contract positions.
Cutting to the chase — how to make money coding
Besides traditional work, coding can provide many income opportunities. Depending on which outlet you choose, you'll earn extra money while keeping your work-life balance intact. We divided our options into simpler, more advanced ways to make extra money with freelance work.
Freelance coding jobs for junior developers
Starting out as a junior developer in the freelance work world presents a unique set of opportunities and challenges.
Selling plugins and themes
The boom in website builders, especially WordPress, hosting 43.2% of all existing websites in 2024, has opened up various ways to make money coding. With the increasing need for various plugins and themes, website builders are an amazing opportunity for freelance programmers to earn money.
Here’s how you can tap into this market:
1. Identify gaps in the market
Research what types of plugins and themes are in demand but currently underserved. This could involve enhancing website functionality, improving SEO, or offering unique design elements.
Make sure to read our deep dive into app research and increase your chances of scoring with your app.
2. Develop high-quality products
Focus on creating plugins and themes that are not only visually appealing but also optimized for performance and user experience. Ensure your products are responsive, SEO-friendly, and compatible with the latest version of the website builder you're adding them to.
3. Plan your monetization and marketing
There are a few options to consider when you're looking to make money with your plugin:
- Direct sales: You can sell your plugins and themes through marketplaces like ThemeForest, CodeCanyon, or your own website.
- Freemium models: Offer basic versions of your product for free and charge for premium features. This model can help increase your product’s visibility and user base.
- Subscription services: Providing ongoing support and updates through a subscription can ensure a steady revenue stream.
4. Offer support and updates
When you sell plugins, there is a chance that some things may not work on the customer side due to the individual environmental setup of a website. High-quality support can distinguish your products in a crowded market.
Offering detailed documentation, responsive customer service, and regular updates can lead to higher user satisfaction and loyalty. Happy customers provide you with testimonials, and testimonials attract new, potential clients.
Consider mobile app development
Building mobile apps can be an incredibly successful side hustle for web developers. With mobile apps, you can create and monetize your apps through advertisements, in-app sales, and subscription services. Apps can offer users instant access to services, information, or entertainment, making them a convenient choice for both users and developers looking for ways to make money.
Publishing your app on marketplaces like the App Store and Google Play Store gives you instant access to millions of users eager to test new solutions due to low commitment costs. If you build an application that fulfills a specific user need, it can become an almost guaranteed way to earn money.
Here are a few tips on how to create mobile applications that make money:
1. Identify a niche or try your luck scoring in popular categories
Success starts with identifying a need or niche your app can fill. Whether it's a productivity tool, a fitness tracker, or a game, your app should offer unique value or solve a specific problem for its users.
If you're confident in the quality of your product, venturing into high-demand categories can significantly boost your app's visibility and user acquisition rate right from the start. However, it's crucial to remember that these segments come with their own set of challenges, notably higher competition.
2. Consider your budget
Building and maintaining a mobile app can be costly, especially if it needs to run across multiple platforms and devices, requiring significant upfront and ongoing investment. In some marketplaces, developers must also comply with guidelines or pay fees related to their apps.
3. Development
Choose the right platform (iOS, Android, or cross-platform) based on your target audience. Tools like React Native or Flutter allow for cross-platform development, which can save time and resources. Focus on building a clean, user-friendly interface and a reliable, bug-free experience.
4. Monetization
There are several ways to make money with a mobile app:
- Advertisements: Incorporate ads in a way that doesn't detract from the user experience.
- In-app purchases: Offer additional features or content within your app for a fee.
- Subscription services: Provide ongoing content or services through a subscription model, ensuring a steady revenue stream.
- Paid apps: Charge users a one-time fee to download your app. This model works best for apps that offer unique value.
5. Marketing and user acquisition
Use social media, content marketing, and app store optimization strategies to attract users to your app. Encourage reviews and ratings from early users to boost your app’s visibility.
6. Engage with your app users
Mobile apps have the unique opportunity of direct and frequent engagement with users. With this, you can foster customer loyalty by acting on feedback and implementing requested features to attract even more clients to your application.
Try developing games for mobile
Mobile games are stepping stones for many users worldwide. The mobile gaming industry is booming, offering developers a platform to earn money.
Let's explore the intricacies of building mobile games that not only draw players in but also open up ways to earn money for developers:
1. Master the right programming language
C++ is the gold standard for game development due to its power, speed, and scalability, which are crucial for complex game mechanics and graphics. It's widely used on PCs, consoles, and even mobile app development.
Java remains a dominant force for app development, especially for Android applications, due to its versatility and widespread support. Swift is also essential for iOS development, offering a robust and intuitive framework for Apple’s ecosystem.
2. Build a portfolio
Begin by creating small games to showcase your skills. Platforms like GitHub or personal websites are great for displaying your projects. This demonstrates your programming language abilities, creativity, and commitment to finishing projects.
3. Plan your monetization strategies
The key to success in mobile game development lies in balancing engaging content with smart monetization tactics. Keep your target audience in mind during development, ensuring that the game remains enjoyable and the monetization methods don't detract from the overall experience. Select your monetization tactics carefully so that your app doesn't feel money-hungry.
There are several ways to monetize games and apps:
- Direct sales: Selling your game or app on platforms like the Apple App Store, Google Play, or Steam.
- In-app purchases: Offering additional content or features within the game or app.
- Advertisements: Incorporating ads into your game or app can provide continuous revenue based on user engagement.
- Subscriptions: For apps that offer ongoing content or services, subscriptions can provide a steady income stream.
4. Continuous learning and updating
The game development industry is fast-paced, and new trends constantly emerge. Staying updated with the latest technologies and user preferences can help you create more engaging and successful products.
Making money coding without a degree. Is it a solution?
The landscape of tech employment is evolving, with giants like Amazon and IBM leading the charge by dropping the four-year degree requirement for many technical roles, including programming. This shift acknowledges a simple truth: talent and skill often come from hands-on experience and self-directed learning instead of only a computer science degree.
Today, aspiring coders have an abundance of resources at their fingertips, from YouTube tutorials and coding boot camps to comprehensive courses on platforms like freeCodeCamp and Udemy. With the right mindset and determination, you can land your first programming gig without stepping foot into a classroom.
Many programmers pick their learning from websites such as YouTube, freeCodeCamp, or Udemy.
Platforms and online courses for learning coding skills
- Udemy: Provides access to paid and free courses on a wide range of programming languages and tech subjects taught by industry professionals.
- YouTube: There are countless educational channels dedicated to coding, from beginner tutorials to advanced programming techniques.
- freeCodeCamp: Offers a comprehensive, free curriculum that covers various aspects of web development and interactive coding challenges to any web developer.
This democratization of education means that anyone with the dedication to learn coding can not only gain the skills needed to enter the tech industry but can also leverage these skills to earn money, all without the traditional pathway of obtaining a degree. The key to success in this route is a commitment to continuous learning, building a portfolio, and networking within the tech community.
Get paid while you learn coding
Participating in coding contests presents a unique and exciting way for web developers to showcase their skills, learn new techniques, and earn money. Moreover, excelling in these competitions can significantly boost your professional profile. Many employers and potential clients recognize these platforms' competitive nature and high skill level, viewing top competitors as highly desirable candidates for projects or positions.
Here's a list of three sites that offer coding competitions:
1. HackerRank
HackerRank offers a variety of coding challenges across different domains, such as algorithms, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and databases. By participating in these challenges, not only do you get to improve your coding skills, but you also have the opportunity to participate in regularly hosted hackathons to earn extra money and prizes. Moreover, HackerRank is recognized by companies, and performing well on this platform can open up job opportunities.
2. TopCoder
TopCoder is one of the original platforms for competitive programming online. It provides a wide range of technological challenges on various topics, including algorithmic programming and design.
Participants can win cash prizes by competing in sponsored coding competitions, which can also showcase talent to potential employers.
3. Codeforces
Codeforces is a competitive coding platform that hosts contests where programmers from around the world compete. The platform offers very complex mathematical problems that help improve coding skills.
While the primary incentive is the improvement of one’s coding and web development abilities, there are also contests with monetary rewards. Additionally, high rankings on Codeforces can attract attention from employers.
Building and monetizing apps in the Text Platform
The Text Platform emerges as a groundbreaking opportunity for developers intrigued by how to make money coding. The Text Platform provides a comprehensive suite of APIs and SDKs designed for crafting sophisticated chat messaging, reports, and configuration functionalities.
This platform stands out for its versatility, allowing developers to integrate its technology with their solutions or apps, thereby broadening their product's capabilities and enhancing user engagement.
Opportunities in the Text Platform
Extending LiveChat and HelpDesk
One of the most exciting opportunities on the Text Platform is developing apps that extend LiveChat and HelpDesk. These industry-leading online communication products can be enhanced with additional features or integrated with other services, offering developers a direct pathway to contributing valuable tools that improve customer experience and operational efficiency.
Passive income opportunities through the Text Marketplace
The Text Marketplace offers a unique channel for developers to monetize their creations. By publishing apps on this platform, developers gain instant access to an existing customer base of 40K users, transforming their coding projects into a significant passive income stream.
This can provide a financial reward for software engineers' innovative work and contribute to a vibrant ecosystem of tools and services that support online businesses in various sectors.
In conclusion, the Text Platform offers an environment for developers looking to explore how to make money programming. Whether through enhancing one of the existing Text-product family products with new functionalities or creating their own solutions for the Text Marketplace, the potential for generating a passive income stream is substantial.
Getting Started on the Text Platform
To get started on the Text Platform and leverage its potential for creating and monetizing apps, developers can follow a structured approach:
- Sign up and explore the Developer Console: Begin by creating an account in the Text Platform Developer Console. The Developer Console is designed to be intuitive, guiding you through the platform's features and tools.
- Familiarize with APIs and SDKs: Dive into the documentation to understand the available APIs and SDKs, which cover various aspects of messaging, reports, data management, and product configuration. Understanding these resources will be crucial for developing your app.
- Develop your app: Utilize the provided tools and your skills to build your app. Whether you're extending the LiveChat and HelpDesk functionalities or creating something unique, ensure your solution addresses customers' needs. If you're unsure about the solution you want to create, explore the Text Platform's app ideas.
- Publish on the Text Marketplace: Once your app is ready and tested, submit it for publication on the Text Marketplace. This step will open up your solution to a wide audience, opening opportunities for your passive income to start flowing.
- Promote your app: Utilize various marketing strategies and cooperate with the Text Platform's team to increase your app's visibility within the Text Marketplace and your brand awareness.
By following these steps and taking advantage of the Developer Console's integrations with popular development tools like GitHub, Vercel, Netlify, PlanetScale, and Neon, developers can streamline their app development process and quickly enjoy their new income stream.
Gigs for regular and senior developers
Considering a different type of job market as a senior or full-stack developer opens up a landscape of advanced opportunities and challenges. Leveraging years of expertise, you’re well-positioned to carve out a niche in the competitive freelance marketplace, offering specialized services that command higher rates and build a sustainable business. Full stack development is a valuable skill for senior developers to handle comprehensive coding and development duties across various platforms. Here are a couple of ideas for freelance work for more experienced software engineers:
Web development maintenance and optimization services
Another way to earn money as a web developer is to offer your specialized work as a maintenance and optimization service. In today's digital age, a website's performance, security, and up-to-date content are crucial for any business's online presence. By stepping in as a web applications optimization expert, you can ensure a business website runs smoothly and securely and help improve its search engine rankings and user experience.
This service can range from regular security audits, updating content management systems and plugins, and optimizing page load speeds to implementing SEO best practices. Establishing monthly or quarterly retainer packages can provide you with a predictable and steady income while allowing businesses to enjoy peace of mind knowing their website is in a web development expert hands.
Develop AI-based solutions
AI presents a fresh and cutting-edge frontier for developers looking to create intelligent solutions that automate tasks, analyze data, and enhance user experiences. With software engineer tech skills, they get a headstart on understanding AI technology and building customized solutions in this new market.
Custom AI solutions can be tailored to client specifications, addressing specific business needs and challenges. Additionally, AI-driven products can be developed for online distribution and e-commerce solutions, tapping into markets seeking innovative, continuously evolving, and smart technologies.
Make extra money by creating courses
Making money by creating online courses is a smart move for freelance web developers in today's digital education boom. The key? Zero in on a niche that matches your expertise and is in demand. Once this is nailed down, develop a comprehensive curriculum that leverages your unique insights and skills.
Before you dive into selling, focus on building your authority. One effective way is to launch a website or blog where you offer snippets of your knowledge for free. You can also publish your technical articles externally to attract an even wider audience of potential clients.
All this can attract potential students to your own website and establish you as an authority in your field. If a person likes your free coding tutorials, they're a potential customer for your online course.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to making it through a massive online learning platform by specializing in a niche:
1. Identify your niche
Start by pinpointing a niche within a programming language you're passionate about and where you have expertise. This could be anything from web development and digital marketing to coding languages and niche hobbies. The key is to find a subject area where there is demand rather than an oversaturation of courses.
2. Develop your curriculum
Once you’ve identified your niche, develop a comprehensive curriculum that covers all the essential topics in a structured manner. Make sure your course stands out by offering unique insights, practical exercises, and real-world applications.
3. Build a platform for authority
Before launching your course, establish yourself as an authority in your niche. Create a website or a blog where you can offer free tutorials, articles, or resources related to your course topic. This helps build trust with your potential students and assists in organic marketing through SEO.
4. Create high-quality content
Invest time in creating high-quality, engaging content. This could include video lectures, interactive quizzes, assignments, and downloadable resources. Ensure your content is accessible and provides value to your target audience.
5. Choose the right platform
To host and sell your course, select an online learning platform that aligns with your needs. Platforms like Udemy, Teachable, and Coursera offer tools for course creation, marketing, and sales. These platforms can help you reach a wider audience and provide a seamless experience for both you and your students.
Managing your side hustles and income streams
Successfully managing multiple projects and income sources is key for developers looking to maximize their earnings through coding. Here are tips to effectively balance these endeavors:
- Prioritize tasks: Assess the importance and deadlines of tasks to allocate your time effectively. Use tools like Trello or Asana to keep track of your projects.
- Set clear goals: Define short-term and long-term goals for each project to stay focused and measure progress.
- Manage your time effectively: Having multiple side hustles can really take up your time of the day. Allocate specific time blocks for working on each project.
- Outsource when necessary: Delegate tasks that are outside your expertise or consume too much time. Platforms like Upwork can be useful for finding freelancers.
- Keep learning: A web developer should stay updated with the latest coding and web development trends and tools to improve efficiency and offer better services.
- Plan financially: Monitor your income streams and manage your finances wisely. Here are a few tips to stay on track with your budget and finances:
- Create a budget: Track income and expenses to understand your financial flow and find the right moment to invest in your apps.
- Reduce unnecessary spending: Identify areas in your apps where you use too many resources to cut potential unnecessary costs.
- Know your local tax laws: Understand how your income from coding projects is taxed.
- Explore multiple revenue streams: Combine freelance projects, app development, and selling courses to stabilize income.
Ready to make money coding?
In conclusion, this article has explored various ways to make money coding through web development, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning, networking, and leveraging platforms like the Text Platform.
By embracing the strategies outlined — from freelance developer work and building apps to financial management and marketing — you'll unlock new opportunities for your future career and turn your coding skills into a significant income.
The Text Platform stands out as a valuable resource, offering tools and market access crucial for success. Start your journey on the Text Platform, where your coding projects can flourish into profitable endeavors.
Sign up to Text Platform >
