Usually, when a student or prospective computer programmer envisions working in the field, they think of working for a company, the government, or some other formal entity as a direct employee, enjoying the perceived security and benefits of working for an established entity. For some, working outside of the office as a freelance computer programmer is a terrifying prospect. For others, confident in their skills and attracted to the prospect of flexibility and higher compensation, it's the ticket to a whole new ballgame. Freelance programming is an avenue that offers significantly higher pay coupled with very flexible hours. These individuals, working as freelance programmers, accept short-term (or less than permanent positions, in any event) from a variety of companies that employ them to complete specific projects. For them, the higher pay and flexibility is too attractive to resist. And when you factor in the opportunities to both apply your skills in a number of environments and gain very valuable experience, and the chance to earn outstanding compensation; it's easy to see why many make this their preferred career path.



So why do companies hire freelance programmers? One reason companies hire freelance programmers is that even though freelancers usually charge more money on an hourly basis than employees, the company still saves money. Freelancers only receive payment for time spent working on a software development project and their services can be discontinued at any time. Many freelancers provide their own hardware and software. Also, they do not receive employee benefits which are usually quite expensive. Another reason companies use freelance programmers is that freelance programmers are expected to be able to complete projects faster and more efficiently than employees. Above all these, contract programmers get hired to perform programming work that companies do not have the in-house talent to accomplish. Some companies do not have any in-house programmers or they may need special technical skills for an application development project.

Now that you've decided to become a freelance programmer, where do you start? The first area to work on is your programming knowledge and skills. As a freelance programmer, your clients will consider you an advisor and consultant. You need to be able to answer difficult questions that may rise up along the way during the project. Your clients will not provide on the job training. It is imperative that you gain expert level skill in the technologies that you specialize in. Start by browsing the online knowledge bases for computer languages. These usually contain everything you need to know about how the language works. You can also visit online programming forums and communities to learn tips and tricks. A good place to look is www.becomeacomputerprogrammer.com. Invest in developing strong technical skills and it will definitely pay off in your client referrals and testimonials.

Build a customer base – "The hardest thing is to get started." Says Lisa, a web developer in Huntington Beach, CA. "It's really slow to start, and you need to stick with it for a while before you can actually feed yourself." That's the reality of being a freelancer – most often, you're the one responsible for lining up work for yourself. For some, chasing opportunity and building their business is exciting all by itself. For others, it's drudgery. A good strategy to follow is to build that customer base before you leave your regular job, so that once you're on your own you have an existing base of customers and work to support yourself as you expand that base of business.

In conclusion there are distinct advantages and disadvantages to working as a freelance programmer. If you prefer the "security" of having a steady paycheck or dislike the idea of running your own business, then freelancing may not be for you. Working as a freelancer involves doing your own accounting, purchasing health insurance and managing your productivity carefully. If you don't want to be responsible for these, then consider full time employment. On the other hand, if you are excited at the thought of being able to control where and when you work, charge more for your services while creating a successful business, you should definitely give freelance programming a try.