Alex Williams

There comes a time in every web developer’s life where they wonder if they should go out on their own or keep coding for the man. In reality, coding for the man isn’t necessarily a bad thing, and oftentimes it is much better than coding as a freelancer.



Freelance web developers need to realize the huge implications of running a business. Even though we can spend 12 hours debugging a PHP library, freelancing isn’t all about that.

For the most part, freelance web developers need to wear many hats. We must do accounting, sales, marketing, recruiting, developing, designing, brainstorming, strategizing, communicating, organizing, leading, teaching, helping, dealing, and many other “ings”.

I don’t think we need to be the absolute best at all those things, but we must be good enough to identify people and companies who ARE good at those things, so they can help us.

I know this sounds redundant, but it’s important to make the distinction between being a freelancer and being an entrepreneur. If your strengths are only related to coding then you’re better off keeping your job, because freelancing, or running any business, requires much more work than the regular 9 to 5.

Web sites like FreelanceSwitch are great inspirational resources for future freelancers, but until you really understand what’s involved, it’s safer to think twice and analyze the possible outcomes.

For me, the decision is obvious, although I do enjoy working for companies on interesting projects (job hopping?), my heart and passions remain in the entrepreneurial world. To each his own.