7 Ways to Make Money as a Web Developer

"As we often say, the digital world offers countless possibilities and opportunities, regardless of the profession. However, these opportunities vary with each specialty.

Today, we’re going to talk about web developers.

Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, if you want to discover the opportunities available to you in your career, here are seven ways to make money as a web developer and turn your passion into a stable source of income.

In this article, we’ll cover these different ways to earn money, from the most common to the lesser-known ones. The last methods will guarantee you long-term passive income.

Let’s go. Here we go!

  1. Working for a Company

This is the most traditional option. After completing your training, you apply for a position in a company, you’re hired, and you start working there.

Depending on the company, you may be assigned to work on client projects on its behalf or to manage and maintain an existing internal solution, as is often the case in banks.

This way of making a living as a developer has many advantages: financial stability through a fixed salary, social benefits (bonuses, insurance, paid vacations…), and career advancement opportunities.

However, you will be subject to the company’s requirements, which often means less flexible hours, less freedom, and autonomy. Additionally, the tasks can sometimes be repetitive, requiring you to carry out the same duties continuously.

  1. Working as a Freelancer

This option is often chosen by those who, by choice or otherwise, decide not to work in a company.

As a freelancer, you work for yourself. You can create a profile on freelance platforms like Artiweb, Upwork, Freelancer, or Fiverr, or build your own website to attract clients.

This option offers great flexibility, whether in project selection, rates, or work location.

However, freelancing also means facing income instability. One month, you might have three projects simultaneously and generate good income, but the next month, no contracts might come your way. It requires careful financial management to handle less profitable periods.

Moreover, as a freelancer, you need to devise strategies to find your own clients. Without any guarantee of work, standing out in a competitive market and dealing with increased competition is essential. Furthermore, you must accept not having social benefits, unlike salaried employees.


  1. Giving Courses and Training, In-Person or Online

Once you’ve gained solid experience in the field, you can consider sharing your expertise by offering training. These courses can be delivered online through platforms like Udemy, Coursera, or YouTube, or in person, either independently or in partnership with a school or training center.

Sharing your knowledge online can generate passive income, as you create the course once and then sell it continuously and automatically. However, it’s important to note that these earnings may fluctuate with sales. Additionally, it requires a lot of time and effort upfront to create the content, not to mention the time spent promoting your courses.

Over time, if your audience grows and recognizes your expertise, you could even be approached for specific consultations or coaching sessions, which could further increase your revenue and visibility.

  1. Launching a Personal Project

It’s relatively easy for a web developer to launch an online project, especially by creating a SaaS (Software as a Service) solution. By building your platform, you can charge a monthly subscription fee for its use.

For example, you could create an online project management tool aimed at small businesses. Once developed, you would launch a marketing site to attract initial users, offering a free trial followed by a paid subscription.

This approach has many advantages: it can generate passive income, offers total autonomy over the platform’s management, and has high growth potential. Additionally, it allows you to build a business around your project. However, it’s important to note that this requires significant energy in terms of promotion, communication, management, and regular updates.

  1. Partnering with Project Owners

You can partner with someone who has a project idea but needs a technical hand to bring it to life. In this case, you take care of the development, and in exchange, you share the profits or get a share in the business.

Unlike the previous option, where you work solo, here, you’re no longer alone. You share responsibility and tasks. For instance, you handle the technical side while your partner manages the promotional aspects and project management.


This collaboration also involves sharing resources, whether financial, tools, or professional contacts, which can lighten the workload and improve the project’s chances of success. By working together, you can combine your skills and networks to maximize your project’s impact in the market.

  1. Creating and Selling Websites

If you have a passion for design and creating website templates, you can profit from your skills by selling them on platforms like ThemeForest, TemplateMonster, or even on your own site.

This involves designing digital products like themes, plugins, or apps, which you can market on marketplaces or your website. These products can be purchased and used by others for their own projects.

This activity can offer potential passive income if your templates sell well, as you won’t need to put in continuous effort after the initial upload. Plus, you can create a library of templates, generating multiple revenue streams.

However, it’s important to note that there is strong competition on these sales platforms, which can make it challenging to stand out. Once your templates are sold, you must also be prepared to provide technical support to buyers, which can require additional time and effort.

Finally, creating a template can be a long and demanding process, requiring careful planning and attention to detail.

  1. Creating Plugins or Extensions

If you’re passionate about development, creating plugins for platforms like WordPress, Shopify, or even extensions for browsers like Chrome and Firefox can be a great opportunity.

Unlike selling complete websites, plugins and extensions offer specific solutions to particular issues users face. By designing tools that enhance user experience, you can sell them on corresponding marketplaces and take advantage of this growing demand.

Developing a popular plugin can provide recurring revenue, as many users are willing to pay for features that optimize their websites or browsing experience. This activity also offers great freedom for creativity and innovation, allowing you to develop unique solutions that meet user needs.

However, plugin development requires careful attention to updates and compatibility with the latest platform versions. In addition to development, it’s essential to plan for customer support to address user questions and issues, which can require significant time investment.

Conclusion

Each option presented offers its advantages and disadvantages. The choice that suits you best depends on your profile, goals, and personal preferences. Don’t hesitate to combine several of these strategies to diversify your income sources. The key is to have fun while creating!

These were the different ways for a web developer to earn money. Whether you’re an employee, freelancer, project creator, partner, or template seller, there are plenty of ways to leverage your skills. It’s up to you to determine which one aligns best with your aspirations.

To choose the path to follow, ask yourself the following questions:

  • What are my strongest skills?

  • What are my interests in development?

  • What is my level of experience?

  • What is my financial goal?

  • Am I ready to work alone or in a team?

Feel free to explore multiple options to create a fulfilling career. If you enjoyed this post, don’t forget to like, subscribe for more content, and share your experiences in the comments. Thank you."



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3 comments

Comment left by GANGBE Antoine

Très instructif
09 Janv 2023 00h35m

Comment left by Sehounko Henri

Je trouve très intéressant votre article
19 Sept 2022 22h19m

Comment left by HESSOU Geneviève

Merci pour la publication c'est vraiment utile.
18 Sept 2022 13h08m

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