Freelancing isn’t just a regular career move – it’s a way to take control of your work, your time, and your income. The freelance path allows you to work on projects you enjoy and build a business around your strengths.
But going freelance isn’t as simple as updating your LinkedIn bio. It takes planning, structure, and a bit of strategy to get set up and land your first paying clients. If you’re just starting, this guide will walk you through the key steps: from choosing your niche to setting your prices.
Benefits of starting a freelance business
The best part of going freelance? Building a business that works for you.
Here are just a few of the advantages:
- Set your own hours and work when you’re most productive.
- Choose your clients and projects and focus on work that motivates you.
- Build something that’s yours, from brand to processes to profits.
- Expand when you’re ready. For many web professionals, freelancing is the first step toward launching a boutique agency or SaaS product later on.
How to start a freelance business
This practical, step-by-step guide helps you set up a freelance business that lasts – especially useful if you work in design, development, or marketing.
1. Choose your niche
Freelancers who try to serve everyone often end up attracting no one. A niche helps you become known for something specific, and makes it easier for clients to say yes.
Think about:
- The industries you know well (e.g. B2B SaaS, hospitality, e-commerce)
- The services you’re best at (e.g. SEO audits, React development, brand identity)
- The types of clients you enjoy working with (startups, agencies, NGOs)
Example: Instead of just being a “web developer,” position yourself as “a Shopify developer for sustainable fashion brands.” That’s much more compelling.
2. Pick the right domain name
A strong domain name adds credibility and makes you easier to find. For freelancers, especially those building a personal brand, your name plus a keyword can work well – like janesmith.design or tomseo.dev.
If you’re operating under a business name or agency-style brand, keep it simple and relevant. A good domain name doesn’t just make you look legit – it gives you room to grow.
Tips for freelancers and agencies:
- Don’t shy away from niche domains that fit your brand, like .design, .studio, or .ai
- Avoid hyphens and hard-to-spell words.
- Make sure your domain is available on social media too, so your handles can match.
- Consider registering related domains to protect your brand and make sure the competition can’t snatch them.
3. Build a professional website
You don’t need a 20-page site. But you do need something polished, easy to navigate, and clear about what you offer.
Include:
- A one-sentence summary of who you help and how
- A short bio or “about” section
- Clear descriptions of your services
- A simple contact form or booking calendar
- A portfolio of work (even if it’s just 2–3 great examples)
If you’re a designer or developer, your site is your first proof of skill. Treat it like a project for your best client.
4. Create a strong portfolio
Your portfolio is your biggest sales tool. It shows your skills in action, builds trust, and helps potential clients imagine what you can do for them.
Describe not just what you did, but why. Clients care about results and problem-solving, not just visuals.
If you’re just starting and don’t have many client projects, create:
- Personal or passion projects
- Case studies from past jobs
- Pro bono work for causes you care about
- Mockups or templates based on real-world problems
5. Set your pricing structure
Pricing can be tricky, but it doesn’t have to be a guessing game. Start by researching competitors in your niche and looking at platforms like Upwork or Fiverr to understand market rates.
Choose a pricing model that fits your work:
- Hourly rates (better for short tasks or ongoing work).
- Project-based (ideal for clearly scoped work like a website redesign).
- Retainers (great for long-term relationships, like ongoing SEO or monthly updates).
Whatever you choose, make it transparent. Clients appreciate clarity, and you’ll avoid awkward conversations down the line.
6. Take care of the legal setup
To stay professional – and protect yourself – you’ll need to handle a few basics:
- Register your business or sole proprietorship.
- Create basic contracts (you can start with free templates).
- Set up a business bank account.
- Track your income and expenses from day one.
Tools like Bonsai, HelloSign, and QuickBooks can help streamline the admin side of freelancing, so you can focus on client work.
7. Start finding clients
This part takes persistence, but it gets easier over time. Your goal early on is to build credibility, get referrals, and find opportunities to prove your value.
Where to look:
- Past colleagues or clients from full-time roles.
- LinkedIn and niche Facebook/Slack groups.
- Freelance job boards like Contra, Fiverr Pro, and Toptal.
- Partnerships with agencies or other freelancers.
Offer a clear value proposition when reaching out. For example:
“Hi, I help SaaS companies improve onboarding with conversion-focused UX design. Would love to hear if you ever need freelance support.”
And always ask happy clients for testimonials. Social proof goes a long way.
8. Keep investing in your growth
Freelancers who stay curious – and keep learning – tend to go further. Keep up with new tools, trends, and ideas in your niche.
Whether it’s learning AI tools for marketers, experimenting with new design systems, or improving your Git workflow, your skills are your most valuable asset.
Freelance business ideas
Not sure what your freelance business could offer? Here are some proven, in-demand services – especially relevant for marketing pros, designers, and developers:
- Web design for e-commerce, hospitality, or local businesses.
- Technical SEO audits and strategy for growing startups.
- Brand identity design for digital-first companies.
- WordPress site builds for creative agencies.
- Conversion-focused landing pages and funnels.
- Paid ads and campaign management for niche industries.
- Custom app development for internal business tools.
- UX audits and redesigns for mobile-first platforms.
Remember: freelancers who solve a clear problem for a specific audience tend to grow faster.
Important things to note when starting your freelance business
As a freelancer, you’re the marketer, sales team, project manager, and finance department of your own business, all at once. The right tools and habits can make a huge difference.
Some practical reminders as you get started:
- Don’t wait for perfect. Launch with what you have, and improve as you go
- Don’t be afraid to overcommunicate with clients. Clarity = trust
- Be mindful of “scope creep”. Always get project details in writing
- Stay organized. Use tools to stay on top of your proposals, invoicing, and scheduling
- If you’re registering domains in bulk for your business, keep them under control. Register and manage them with a platform built for scale, and set your domains to be automatically renewed, so you don’t lose ownership over them.
Conclusion
Starting your own freelance business is both exciting and challenging – but with the right setup, it’s more than doable. Whether you’re designing websites, running marketing campaigns, or building apps, you’re creating real value and a business you have full control over.
If you’re registering domain names in bulk – for your own brand, side projects, or client websites – Openprovider is the best place to start.
With 1,900+ domain extensions at cost price, extensive automation tools, and a transparent platform, we make domain management simple and scalable. If you own multiple domains – no matter if it’s 10 or 10.000 – Openprovider is the best choice.
👉 Explore Openprovider Memberships to get access to the best pricing and more control over your freelance domain portfolio.
