Is there any hope for a teenager like myself to make anything out of freelance web development? What do you experience people suggest? How should I get started?

first you have to master some programming skills or design before freelancing. then have to make connections and lots of impressive portfolio.

I am proficient at PHP and I am learning JQuery.

I know HTML, CSS, and a bit of SQL.

But where do I start?

You've already got a site but you really need a portfolio with examples of your work.

 

The biggest challenge for you is getting work. Many freelancers start by doing free or low cost projects for people like local charities, local sports clubs, friends, relations and so on, so I'd suggest getting out there and "selling" yourself a bit. If you think about it many people involved in charities, sports clubs etc may be business owners themeselves needing web work in the future, and if they know about you and see that you do a good job you stand a better chance of picking up some jobs from them.

 

Get some business cards made and give them out. See if there are any local business groups for young entrepeneurs and do some networking - these sort of organisations are great for picking up contacts and meeting other business people - "it's not what you know but who you know"!

- "it's not what you know but who you know"!

 

I couldn't agree more with Bluedreamer on this one.

 

I have had practically no results from advertising, or "cold calling" into shops, business etc.

(Although ironically my first job was sort of a "cold call - do you have a website?" routine!).

 

Its all word of mouth from your first 2-3 projects, and it escalates from there!

But is there any hope out there that people will take me seriously as a teen?

I'm really into web development and I want to go into this field when I get older but I also want to start now.

Is there any legal issues / tax issues to worry about?

But is there any hope out there that people will take me seriously as a teen?

I'm really into web development and I want to go into this field when I get older but I also want to start now.

Is there any legal issues / tax issues to worry about?

 

It completely depends on how confident and good you are. If you believe that you are good enough to be taken seriously, then you will be taken seriously. However, if you feel dubious about your skills, or reckon you won't be taken seriously, then chances are that you won't be.

 

If you don't think you'll be taken seriously by people you don't know, then I suggest starting by making personal, family or free websites. That way you can build up your experience and portfolio, until you get confident enough to start accepting proper work.

 

You'll also have better luck getting work as a teenager, by advertising on forums and places where you can 'hide' your age. Just make sure you don't ruin the market by completely undercharging legitimate web developers.

 

Don't give up!

 

Rob

Thanks RobH!

That makes me feel better!

 

What kind of issues to I have to worry about in regards to payment, taxes, legal problems, etc.?

I made a similar post about this a few days ago. It is possible to slip under the legal radar if you're just making 'free' websites for family and friends. You'll need to worry about the legal aspects when you start turning it into a proper job and earn money from it, especially if your clients are businesses, who will most probably record their out goings for taxation, which will lead back to you in the future.

 

Rob

I started out just doing free projects for people, generally because they're great to build up some sort of portfolio. If you're lucky, friends then pass you on to other friends, at which point you can build up enough of a portfolio so that people will start using you. I'm nearly 18, and have been doing this properly for about a year alongside school, and now I'm applying for summer jobs on the basis of my freelance portfolio.

 

I don't think age is such an issue really with web work - fair enough, there's the odd person that won't deal with you because of your age, but I think maturity, professionalism, and above all the quality of your work is what people will make the decisions on hiring you from, not your age.

It depends on the seriousness of the project, and the client, but I agree that you can easily work around the age aspect of things.

Very good points. Thanks for the advice and encouraging.

I still have just one worry: money issues and such like that.

 

What's the best way to collect it if I do get any paid jobs? Cash... Paypal...

Do I always have to report those?

 

EDIT: Of course, I'll start with free ones for friends and family like you said.

But what if it comes up...

Legally you have to report all of your earning, but it depends on your conscience really, and how lucky you're feeling!

 

As for payment methods: If you're working purely with online clients, then PayPal would be easiest, but be wary, as it is very easy for people to reverse the payment and leave you out of pocket. I've experienced this a few times, and it has put me off using PayPal with people I don't know.

 

If it is a local client, or someone you know, then cash or cheque would be the easiest way.

Er, isn't there something like a £5000 threshold until which you don't get charged tax and don't have to 'report' earnings?

 

I'd say cash (with local people), cheque with people who don't mind sending cheques, and for international clients (last resort as well, because of the amount of time it takes and the fees), use PayPal.

I believe legally you're supposed to report earnings regardless, but won't have to pay tax/NI below the threshold. That being said, the threshold counts against all income totalled... So if you work a full time job *and* do freelance work, all of the freelance work will be considered taxable income.

Dan is correct. If you earn anything you have to report it, but you can opt out of Class 2 National Insurance if you earn under £4,635.

Alright, well I'll look into it since I am in the US.

Thank you guys for your comments!

Dan is correct. If you earn anything you have to report it, but you can opt out of Class 2 National Insurance if you earn under £4,635.

 

This may be just a norwegian rule, but you may take (Not sure about the rate) "gifts" up to 200 pounds which dosen't need to be reported.

I'm sure the Norwegian tax people wouldn't see that as a legal business though

Alright, well I'll look into it since I am in the US.

Thank you guys for your comments!

 

In America you're allowed a standard federal tax deduction of $5,350 if you're single. HOWEVER, if you're a teenager then I'll assume you're still living at home, in which case your parents are claiming you as a dependent. That knocks your standard deduction down to just $850. This is assuming you don't have a day job, since income from employment is included in this figure.

 

State deductions tend to be lower still, so even if you don't owe the feds then you'll probably owe the state.

 

What you should technically be doing regardless of the money you're making is filing an estimated tax return (quarterly) ESPECIALLY if you think you'll exceed $600-$800 and move into taxable territory. The IRS really, really, really hates for you to borrow their money, e.g. if you're projected to make, say, $3,000 in 2008 then they don't look too kindly on losing out on the tax/interest until April 2009 - they'll want a piece of it now, and they'll give it back to you next April if you don't meet projections.

 

When you are self-employed you are also required to file an itemised tax form (as opposed to the simple tax form [1040EZ I think it's called, or used to be called]), which includes all of your deductible expenses (e.g. if you buy a new computer and use it for work, you can claim it as an expense).

 

Last time I thought about it, the federal income tax rate was about 18% so figure on putting away that much plus state tax, Medicare, and Social Security payments. Figuring on losing 25-33% right off the top is a fair estimate and will keep you pretty safe.

 

Or just don't get caught. j/k *Expat does not advocate committing tax fraud - you will be liable for the full tax amount plus at least 100% fines on top, plus the possibility of federal prison*

*Expat does not advocates committing tax fraud - you will be liable for the full tax amount plus at least 100% fines on top, plus the possibility of federal prison*

 

!

RobH is not trying to get Expat sent to prison.

I'm sure the Norwegian tax people wouldn't see that as a legal business though

 

But you can do so in private. You can earn up to £300 in Norway without paying any taxes for it.

£300, once maybe. I highly doubt you can earn £300 regularly, without paying taxes. It would make your company look mighty dodgy if you asked your clients to split the bill into £300 chunks

I'm absolutly no expert here, but a business can't go on like that of course. I don't bother looking deeper into it. Who cares about a tiny law in Norway anways.

Firstly, make sure you remember the golden rule of starting up a business or freelance. You must have a real passion for it.

 

Lee.