I've been developing websites and web based applications for the past 3 years.

I have learned all sorts of things to help me improve my freelance side hustle:

• I read at least half a dozen books on JavaScript, PHP, and MySQL

• I earned a MERN stack Coding certificate from MiT

• I spent hours practicing data structures and algorithms on LeetCode and Codewars

And they all were tremendously helpful.

If I had to start it all again (as a beginner), this is the simple framework I wish I had for starting a Freelance Web Development side hustle:

Step 1: Learn WordPress

I know it's not "sexy", but man is it effective. Learning and utilizing WordPress has allowed me to triple my income while cutting development time in half.

Step 2: Make A "Portfolio" Website

No, not one you would make for a potential employer. Instead think of it as your "storefront". It's hard to sell a website when you, yourself, don't have a website.

Step 3: Start With Trade

I found the secret to gaining momentum when you first start freelancing is to offer doing work in trade. I began trading my services for 2 years of snow plowing or even preschool tuition. Guess what? All of them came back for more work (this time as paying customers) and even referred me to other clients.