Unlocking Side Hustle Success - A Guide for Web Developers to Diversify Their Skills

Steps you can take to start

Having a side hustle as a web developer can be a great way to earn extra income, gain new skills and experience, and potentially even turn it into a full-time business. Here are some steps you can take to start a side hustle as a web developer:

1. Identify your skills and interests: Make a list of the web development skills you have, as well as any other skills or experiences that might be relevant to your side hustle. This will help you identify what type of side hustle might be a good fit for you. Whether your interest is in PHP (WordPress/Laravel), or Nodejs JavaScript (React/Vue) these will help you get started in your web development side hustles.

2. Identify your target market: Consider who your side hustle is intended for. Will you be working with individuals or businesses? What type of services or products will you offer?

3. Develop a plan: Once you have a clear idea of what you want to do and who you want to do it for, it's time to start developing a plan. This might include things like setting goals, creating a budget, and identifying any resources you'll need to get started.

4. Build your portfolio: Having a strong portfolio is essential for any web developer, and it's especially important when starting a side hustle. Consider creating a website or online portfolio to showcase your work and make it easy for potential clients to see what you can do. There are some ways to show off your portfolio showcase such as developing your own website template or an admin dashboard web template. This is also an ongoing process to upskill your experiences in web development.

5. Network and market yourself: Networking is key to finding clients and building a successful side hustle. Consider joining relevant online groups or forums, attending industry events, and utilizing social media to connect with potential clients and showcase your work.

6. Stay up to date: In the fast-paced world of web development, it's important to stay up to date on the latest technologies and trends. Consider taking online courses or attending workshops to continue learning and expanding your skillset.

To get started with web development, there are many websites to start your coding journey, for example CodePen, JsFiddle, codesandbox.io, and StackBlitz.

There are platforms that provide all-in-one services, such as Netlify and Vercel hosting service provider. Next.js is a React.js framework that you can use to start your web development journey. They offer hosting with multiple services, including database services, so that you can begin your full-stack web development career.

There are several ways to deploy and publish your website, you could use any hosting service provider or use free static website hosting like Vercel and Netlify.

I have been using these hosting service provider for quite some time for publish several of my web projects. As a web developer, these hosting providers have been extremely helpful in terms of hosting my static websites.

With these services, you can practice building a website from scratch. Once you have mastered the basics of website development, you can proceed to launch your website onto hosting, making it accessible to the public for viewing.

You might want to start considering building web development projects for your own portfolio for people to see. Start with building your own website, blog, or simple applications. Then you can start your own web development side hustle.

Start your side hustle

If you are ready and confident with your skills-sets then you can start your web development side hustle. There are many ways that web developers can have a side hustle, or a part-time business on the side of their full-time job. Here are a few ideas you can consider to start:

1. Freelancing: Many web developers find work as freelancers, taking on short-term or one-off projects for clients. You can find freelance work through job boards, networking, or by advertising your services online.

2. Consulting: If you have expertise in a particular area of web development, you could offer consulting services to clients. This could involve providing advice or guidance on specific projects, or helping clients to plan and implement their web development strategies.

3. Building and selling web-based products: Another option is to create and sell your own web-based products, such as software tools or online courses. This can be a great way to generate passive income, as you can sell the products on your own website or through online marketplaces.

4. Teaching: If you enjoy sharing your knowledge with others, you could offer web development courses or workshops. This could be done in-person or online, depending on your preferences and resources.

5. Providing web development services to local businesses: Many small businesses need help with their websites, but may not have the budget to hire a full-time developer. You could offer your services to these businesses as a side hustle, helping them to create or update their websites.

6. Website Theme Author: Creating and selling website themes can be a flexible way to earn extra money because you can work on it during your spare time and at your own pace. Many theme authors start as a side hustle, creating themes in their free time while maintaining a full-time job or other responsibilities.

Maintain and open new connections

You can visit developer forums or browse websites that offer services related to your side hustle skills. Connect with potential clients by chatting or meeting with them, engage, and also maintain those relationships over time. Even if you come from a company background, it's important to keep in touch with former colleagues, regardless of your current work situation. You never know when they might need your help or want to collaborate on a project in the future. Don't burn bridges, as you may want to return to those connections later on.

Regardless of which approach you choose, it's important to have a clear plan and set of goals in mind, as well as a solid understanding of your target market and what you can offer that is unique and valuable.

Starting a side hustle takes time and effort, but it can be a rewarding and fulfilling way to earn extra income and build your skills as a web developer.