If you’re a web developer looking to make some extra cash, a web dev side hustle may be the perfect opportunity for you. With the potential to earn an additional $1000 or more per month, there are endless options available for both full-time professionals and students alike.
From creating and selling digital assets to offering web development consulting services, there are plenty of ways to turn your skills into side income.
In this blog post, we’ll explore different types of web development side hustles and share tips on how to get started and grow your business.
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What is a Web Dev Side Hustle?
A web dev side hustle is a part-time job that a web developer does to make extra money outside of their full-time job.
This could involve things like creating websites or other digital assets for clients, web design, generating income from their own websites’ traffic, creating and selling plugins and themes, freelance work, among others.
These are opportunities for a web developer to use their skills in coding and other technical aspects of web development outside their full-time job.
The idea behind web development side hustles is simple: make more money doing something you’re already good at while enjoying it enough not to feel like work.
Benefits of Having a Side Hustle in Web Development
There are several benefits to starting a side hustle in web development. One major advantage is the potential for extra income.
According to Payscale, web developers can make an average of $62,000 per year working full time. If you work part time, you can make $2,000 or more each month.
Another benefit of having a web dev side hustle is the ability to gain experience and improve your skills outside of your full-time job, assuming your main job is in web development.
Finally, having a side hustle in web development allows you to establish yourself as an expert in the field and build a personal brand.
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Essential Skills For A Successful Web Dev Side Hustle
Most employers require you to have a bachelor’s degree in computer science, programming, informational technology, or another relevant fields but are also willing to accept candidates without a degree as long as they have enough years of relevant experience working on similar projects.
To succeed in a web dev side hustle, you must have proficiency in programming languages and frameworks, an understanding of design principles and user experience, project management and communication skills, as well as staying up-to-date with the latest trends.
Let’s break down each of these requirements:
Have Knowledge of Programming Languages and Frameworks
The world of web development is constantly evolving, which makes it important for web developers to stay up-to-date with the latest programming languages and frameworks. In addition to HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, many front-end web developers are well-versed in popular frameworks such as React and Angular.
On the back-end side, languages such as PHP and Python are commonly used alongside frameworks like Laravel and Django.
One example of how this knowledge can be applied is through creating custom WordPress themes or plugins using PHP. This skill set allows a developer to cater directly to clients who use WordPress.
Another benefit of knowing various programming languages and frameworks is that it provides flexibility in taking on different types of projects ranging from e-commerce websites built with WooCommerce (a popular plugin for WordPress) to creating mobile apps using React Native or Flutter.
Know Design and User Experience Principles
Having a strong understanding of design and user experience principles is essential for any successful web development side hustle. This includes being able to create visually appealing layouts, choosing the right typography and color scheme, and optimizing the website’s navigation for a seamless user experience.
For example, if you’re creating an e-commerce website as a side hustle, it’s important to prioritize usability by making it easy for users to search for products and complete purchases.
Additionally, using responsive design will ensure that your website looks great on all devices from desktops to mobile phones.
Have Project Management and Communication Skills
Having strong project management and communication skills are essential for a successful web developer side hustle.
To aid with project management, you can learn how to use tools like Trello or Asana to keep track of tasks, deadlines, and progress updates.
You also need to know how to communicate clearly with clients through regular check-ins, status updates, and feedback sessions.
By honing your project management and communication skills as a web developer, you’ll not only ensure that projects are completed efficiently but also build strong relationships with clients which can lead to repeat business in the future.
Stay Up-to-Date With Latest Trends
Staying up-to-date with the latest trends in web development is crucial. This means keeping tabs on changes to programming languages and frameworks, as well as new design and user experience principles.
Web developers also need to stay informed about emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and voice search capabilities, which can greatly impact website traffic and a website’s ranking on search engines.
You can participate in online communities such as Reddit or attend tech conferences to gain valuable insights into industry trends from fellow peers.
Another way to stay up to date on trends is learn new skills continuously. You can take a course or get new information from blogs, podcasts or YouTube channels.
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Top 9 Popular Web Dev Side Hustles And Opportunities
The top 9 most popular web development side hustles include custom website building, WordPress theme customization, plug-in creation, mobile app development, and e-commerce website development.
Read on to learn more about each opportunity:
Custom Website Building
Custom website building is a popular side hustle for web developers. This involves creating unique websites tailored to the specific needs of clients.
From small businesses to personal blogs, every client has different requirements and preferences when it comes to their online presence.
Building WordPress Themes
WordPress is the most popular website platform today, used by millions of businesses and individuals around the world. And while WordPress offers a wide range of pre-built themes to choose from, not everyone wants their website to look like everyone else’s.
By offering WordPress theme customization services as a side hustle, a web developer has an opportunity to tap into a huge market with plenty of potential clients.
Building Plug-ins
Another potential side hustle for web developers is creating plugins. Plugins are add-ons that extend the functionality of a website or web application.
A developers can create plugins for various platforms including WordPress, Shopify, Magento, or even custom CMSs. For instance, if you’re well-versed in JavaScript code and have experience with WordPress development, you could create a plugin that simplifies broken link management on websites by automatically removing dead links or redirecting them to working pages.
You can create customized plug-ins for clients or create and list them on marketplaces like CodeCanyon where they can earn recurring income.
Mobile App Development
Mobile app development is a highly sought-after skill given the increased use of smartphones and mobile devices. So, there’s never been a better time to offer your expertise in developing mobile apps.
Creating custom mobile apps for businesses or individuals can be challenging but highly-rewarding work.
You can start a freelance business offering mobile app development to clients if not develop your own apps for public use.
E-commerce Website Development
E-commerce website development is a popular side hustle for web developers who have experience in building online stores. With the rise of online shopping, more ecommerce businesses are looking to establish an online presence to sell their products and services.
As a web developer, you can offer your expertise to help them create an attractive and functional e-commerce website that drives sales.
Teaching Technical Skills via Online Courses
With the increasing demand for web development skills, many people are interested in learning how to code and build websites themselves. You can create an online course teaching them how to do it.
You can teach everything from basic programming languages such as HTML and CSS to more advanced topics like mobile app and web app development.
You can either sell your course(s) on your own website or on platforms like Udemy or Skillshare that allow instructors to create their own courses and set their own prices.
Blogging
Another great way for web developer can make extra money is by writing blog posts. You can either start your blog on write on a platform like Medium.
By writing informative blog posts related to web development or other relevant topics, you can build up a following on Medium and potentially earn some extra cash through their Partner Program. If you are running your blog, you can make money with ads.
This program allows writers to earn money based on the engagement that their articles receive from readers.
Selling APIs
Selling APIs is a profitable side hustle for web developers.
You can create APIs that allow access to various services or functionality. Selling these APIs can generate recurring income for you since users pay for access to the API on a monthly or yearly basis.
For example, a developer could create an API that provides real-time weather data and sell it to businesses that operate in industries such as agriculture, transportation, or construction.
Offering Web Development Consulting
Another potentially lucrative side hustle is offering consulting services.
As an experienced web developer, you can offer your expertise to clients who need guidance on various aspects of web development, such as website design and functionality, coding languages, project management, and more.
For example, if a client wants to improve their website’s ranking on search engines or fix broken links on their website that negatively affect website traffic, they may seek professional advice from a consultant like you.
Additionally, a business owner may not have the technical skills to build and optimize their own websites but want to learn basic skills in order to manage the site themselves.
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How to Start and Manage a Successful Web Development Side Hustle
To start and manage a successful web dev side hustle, follow this process:
Define Your Niche and Target Market
By focusing on a specific area, you can become an expert in that field, providing more value to potential clients.
When determining your niche and target market, consider factors such as personal interests, current trends in web development, and the needs of potential clients.
Remember that identifying a niche doesn’t mean limiting yourself; it simply means developing a more targeted approach.
Develop a Pricing Structure
Once you’ve defined your niche and target market as a web developer, it’s crucial to develop a pricing structure that accurately reflects the value of your work while remaining competitive in the marketplace.
Consider factors such as the complexity of the project, any specialized skills required, your level of experience, and local or national rates for similar services.
Additionally, consider offering packages that bundle additional services such as ongoing maintenance or website updates; this may help generate recurring income from satisfied clients.
Build a Solid Portfolio
Building a strong portfolio is an essential step for any web developer looking to establish a successful side hustle. Your collection of past work and projects acts as your resume, showcasing your skills and expertise to potential clients.
It’s important to curate your portfolio carefully, selecting only the best examples of your work that demonstrate your abilities in different areas of web development.
Your portfolio should be visually appealing and easy to navigate, using clear headings and well-organized categories. Additionally, consider adding testimonials from past clients or employers who can vouch for the quality of your work.
Create a professional website that will showcase your work.
Utilize Social Media and Networking
Social media and networking are essential tools for web developers looking to grow their side hustle. Building a strong online presence through platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook can help you connect with potential clients and showcase your skills.
For example, if you specialize in e-commerce website development, joining groups on Facebook or LinkedIn that discuss the latest trends in this area could be beneficial.
Prioritize Time Management
In order to run a successful in web development business, you should learn time management. Balancing a day job and a side hustle can be challenging, but setting aside specific hours for work and sticking to them can help with productivity.
One effective technique for managing time is using project management tools like Trello or Asana to create task lists and track progress.
Additionally, outsourcing certain tasks or delegating responsibilities when possible can free up valuable time while still meeting client needs.
By prioritizing time management, you can not only increase your efficiency but also ensure you have sufficient downtime to recharge and avoid getting overwhelmed by workload demands.
Manage Finances Effectively
Managing finances effectively is an important part of any successful side hustle, including web development. As a web developer, it’s crucial to keep track of your income and expenses to ensure that you’re earning a profit from your work and to make it easier to pay taxes.
The best move is to invest in tools and resources that help streamline your financial management processes. For example, using accounting software like QuickBooks or Freshbooks can make it easier to invoice clients, track expenses, and manage taxes.
By taking the time to manage your finances effectively as a web developer with a side hustle, you’ll be better positioned for long-term success and profitability.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a web development side hustle can be an amazing way for developers to earn extra money, gain experience and build their personal brand.
With a skill set that includes programming languages, design principles, project management and communication skills, web developers have plenty of opportunities to monetize their abilities outside of their full-time job. Not a lot of people know how to code thus increasing the likelihood of generating money.
From custom website building to creating mobile app templates or selling digital assets like themes and plugins, there are endless benefits in having a web dev side hustle.
Before you leave
If you’re tired of scams and want a real solution for making money online check out my no.1 recommendation.
It’s helped me earn over $300,000 in the last 12 months alone:
Go here to see my no.1 recommendation for making money online
(This is a 100% free training)
David Fortune has been the editor NoBSIMReviews.com since 2019. He is an expert at writing content on stock advisory services, side hustles, reviewing online business opportunities and many more topics. You can learn more about David on our about us page.