I took my first freelance project at 20. Here's what I learned after shipping 4 client projects.
1. Scope Everything in Writing
Clients have a knack for expanding scope. A jewellery e-commerce site becomes "also add a loyalty program and a blog." Define deliverables before writing a single line.
2. Ship MVPs First
For mgncollections.in, I built the wishlist feature before the core checkout. Backwards. Ship the thing that makes money first.
3. Choose Boring Technology
Students want to use the newest stack. Clients want their site to work in 3 years. Next.js + MongoDB + Vercel is boring, reliable, and easy to hand off.
4. Document as You Build
Your future self — or the client's next developer — will thank you.
5. Collect Testimonials Early
The best time to ask for a testimonial is right after you ship something the client loves.