Can a front-end developer make 700$/mo or more freelancing?

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The difference between contracting and freelancing is that when you contract, you work for somebody who in turn sells your work to the end client, an individual or business. With freelancing, you sell complete websites directly to the end client.

You cannot freelance with only front-end dev skills. You can contract, however. Contact web design firms and ask if they need any front-end contract work done. Be prepared to send work samples.

Set your hourly rate so that, after taxes, you net a certain multiple of a decent salary. For example, if you’re new, you might look to make $45k per year. $45,000 divided by 50 weeks in the year divided by 40 hours in the week is $22.50. Standard for contracting is to charge twice what you would make if you went full-time, that means you want to charge $45 an hour. If they offer you a full-time contract going on indefinitely or six months or further out into the future, you have negotiating room between $22.50 and $45. I’d settle on somewhere around $35 if I were you.

You justify that salary by working hard and delivering. But the main thing you need to demonstrate is reliability. You have no idea how many people I’ve talked to that use contractors complain about how unprofessional their contractors are. They need to get in touch with them and the contractor is totally MIA.

If you do good work, are responsive to communication, and don’t charge too much, then you can slowly pick your hourly rate up every six months or so. Your contract clients will be happy to see you pick your rates up assuming you’re kicking ass.