I would have to question Khileshhpandey comments above.
It takes quite a bit more than a computer and an internet connection. There are a lot of skills involved with running a freelance web design business. When you enter into business for yourself your skill set increases dramatically.
Other than the obvious skills. HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, MySQL, database design skills, database normalization skills, using the tools of web design, text editors, testing tools, development servers, beta testing, alpha testing and so on. You need many other skills that many designers never realize until they are in the business.
Social Skills - you have to be able to meet with other people and sell yourself and your skill set. This at times can be very challenging especially as most programmers are A type personalities and find it difficult to work in a world of grays as they are use to black and white. It works or doesn't work. Everything to a programmer is a 1 or a 0. Most programmers are introverted, very intelligent and find it difficult develop social relationships.
Marketing Skills - your skills become a product and being able to compete with other agencies can become a challenge, especially when starting out. When you are beginning your business normally you take responsibility for all aspects of the business. Marketing can be a difficult skill set to acquire as it is very different from the skill sets needed to be a good programmer. Two very different types of personalities.
Presentations - you have to be able to get up in front of a group of people and sell your ideas to that group. Sometimes one or two people and many times, depending upon the size of the project, a large group of people. This can be the biggest challenge for many people as most people have a fear of public speaking. It is important to be confident, without sounding arrogant, sell your strengths, downplay any weaknesses, and we all have them, and convince your potential customer that you are the right fit for the project.
Project Planning - Understanding just how long it takes to get a good web design project completed. When you are estimating the project costs you need to fully understand and set the customer expectations, customer requirements, what they have to supply to you, customer milestones, and the project timeline. You will have to explain how missing milestones will impact the project and then keep the customer on the timeline to complete the project. Sometimes much more difficult than it sounds. This portion of the project can make or break you as far as financial gain. If you miss the timelines or exceed the budget there goes your profits. The margins in web design are pretty good as long as you stay within the project scope and budget.
Lock Down the Requirements - Many customers will begin a project not really understanding what they want. They will give you generalizations and expect that you will be very flexible in your design. You need to make them understand that when making small changes in a requirement those small changes can require big changes in the code structure. You need to make that very clear to them at the initial meetings. Lock down what the requirements are and have a Change Order process in place that requires initial payments for additional work. Not only will this protect your profits on the project but it makes you appear much more professional to the customer to have all these processes in place.
This is a small list of what I do when I am beginning a new project. So as you can see it is not a simple process of having a computer and an internet connection.
To be a successful web designer and developer you need a very good and deep skill set. But it is an excellent way to make a living and control your own destiny. It is achievable and many of us would not change our professions for anything. We really love what we do and make a good living doing it.
I hope this gives you an idea of all that is involved. Let me know if there is anything I can help you with.
