PHP is a server-side scripting language that was intended primarily for web development but it is also used for general programming. It is a very popular scripting language which has been used for writing of some of the most dynamic websites. The advantage it has over other programming languages is that it is very easy to learn. There is also information all over the internet today about how one can learn PHP, which is why it is easy for one to become a PHP freelancer today.
Becoming a freelance web programmer is a good thing as it comes with a lot of benefits. This is because it is something one can do from anywhere in the world, even in the comfort of your own home. You will have total control of your own schedule and freedom to work at your own pace. You will also take charge of your hourly rates and workflow. Considering the high demand web programmers have in the industry today, you can be sure that jobs will always be there if you market your services well. The demand for your services is still growing; therefore you can build your own successful career in no time at all.
To become a PHP freelancer, the most important thing that you will need is your laptop, nothing more. This is an investment that is easy to make by anyone that wants to start programming. With a laptop, you will need software. Ubuntu or any other open software is highly recommended, because it can help you save a lot of money. The other thing you will need is a hosting account or your own web server. The one you will choose in this case will depend on the amount of money you have to get started. There are shared hosting accounts you can opt for if you do not have so much money to spare. If you are able to host websites for your customers, you will be able to sell your services more.
Getting Paid Work as a Freelance PHP Programmer
For you to start getting serious paid work, you need to build your own freelancing website. Your clients will want to see a portfolio showing some or all of your completed client projects, that is why you need your own personal freelance website in order to showcase some of the projects you have worked on in the past. You need to create an engaging and highly interactive website using the most current design trends, and let your visitors know that you have built that site from scratch and that you can do the same for their website. The website should have your personal information as well, talking about your passions and your abilities and why they should hire you for the job.
You can write a blog or articles too, about your work and provide opportunities for your clients to interact with you. For instance, you can provide links for your blog on your personal website and also your social media pages with a contact form or a live chat option for potential clients who would like to talk to you in person about a project at hand.
All this will make it easy for you to start getting paid work. Start looking at the companies around you, those that do not have a website or those with websites that are old or less professional and offer to help them out. You can build a few smaller websites using WordPress to show them just how capable you are. WordPress will help you build a good and functional website on a low budget; therefore you will not have to spend much money on it. Only do this for those companies that show interest so as not to end up wasting time on companies that may not be interested in your services.
PHP Freelance Marketplaces
Freelance marketplaces are where a lot of business people go, when they want to grow their businesses but they do not have the right personnel for the job they want done. Joining such a marketplace for a freelance PHP programmer can be a great idea if you want to increase your chances of getting hired. Companies of all shapes and sizes these days are hiring freelancers because they are more flexible, they charge a much lower price for their services compared to those that work in a company and most of them are the best in the services that they offer.
There are so many freelance marketplaces in the internet that you can join as a PHP freelancer for instance freelancer.com, which is currently the biggest freelancing marketplace in the internet at the moment; elance.com, which is also a great marketplace that can guarantee jobs everyday for freelance programmer and freelance.nl, a Dutch freelance marketplaces with thousands of job postings everyday for freelance programmers to bid on.
Once you join a freelance marketplace, work on your profile first. The information you provide on your profile is the only thing your potential clients will have access to in order to determine whether you are good for the project they have or not, therefore give it your best and ensure that you have finished it first.
If you want to become a freelance programmer, PHP should be the scripting language that you think first about. It is the best one to use when you are starting your freelance business since you will not need to buy expensive software with it to get started. Besides, it is one of the programming languages that are used the most in the entire world, therefore there are big chances that if you ever have an issue while programming, and you can always get help especially online. Starting a freelancing business will not be easy at all, but if you are well prepared, with the right skills and the tools of operation, you should be able to work on projects to better your skills with time, in order to become a successful freelance PHP programmer.