Hi everyone,

I’m a MERN Stack Developer with around 2 years of professional experience. I’m comfortable with React, Node.js, Express, MongoDB, REST APIs, authentication, Tailwind CSS, deployment, etc.

I currently work as a developer, but I want to start freelancing on the side. The problem is that I have no real experience dealing with freelance clients, pricing, contracts, hosting, payments, maintenance, etc.

I’d really appreciate advice from people who are already freelancing.

Here are the questions I’m confused about:

1. Getting the first client

• Where should a beginner start — Upwork, Fiverr, LinkedIn, Reddit, local businesses, or direct outreach?
• How did you get your first client?
• Is it better to target Indian clients or international clients?
• How many projects should I have in my portfolio before approaching clients?
• What kind of MERN projects are good to show in a portfolio?

2. Pricing

• How much should someone with 2 years of MERN experience charge for a basic business website?
• What would you charge for:
  • 5–10 page business website?
  • Portfolio website?
  • E-commerce website?
  • Admin dashboard?
  • Full MERN application?
• Is it better to charge hourly or fixed-price?
• Should I give different packages like Basic / Standard / Premium?
• How do you calculate the price when the client keeps adding new requirements?

3. Hosting & domain

This is one of my biggest doubts.

• Should I buy the domain and hosting for the client, or should the client buy them?
• Which hosting do you usually recommend for:
  • React/Next.js frontend?
  • Node.js/Express backend?
  • MongoDB?
  • Static websites?
• Do you use services like Vercel, Netlify, Render, Railway, AWS, DigitalOcean, etc.?
• Who pays the hosting/domain renewal every year?
• Should the client own the hosting account, or should it be under my account?
• How do you handle deployment and DNS setup for clients?
• Do you charge separately for deployment?

4. Maintenance

• After delivering a website, do you provide maintenance?
• Do you charge monthly maintenance?
• What exactly should be included in a maintenance package?
• How much do you normally charge for monthly maintenance?
• What happens if the client asks for a small change 3 months after delivery?

5. Payments

• What payment method do you use with Indian clients?
• What payment methods do you use with international clients?
• Do you take an advance payment before starting?
• Is 50% upfront + 50% after completion a good approach?
• How do you protect yourself if the client doesn't pay the remaining amount?
• How do you handle currency conversion and international payment fees?

6. Client communication

• What questions should I ask a client before giving them a quotation?
• Do you use a requirement document or questionnaire?
• How do you convert a client's vague idea into proper requirements?
• How do you handle clients who keep changing requirements?
• How many revisions should be included in the price?
• How do you explain technical limitations to a non-technical client?

7. Contracts & legal stuff

• Do I need a contract even for a small ₹10k–₹20k project?
• What important things should a freelance web development contract contain?
• Should the contract mention payment milestones, revisions, hosting, maintenance, source code ownership, etc.?
• When should I transfer the source code to the client?
• Should I charge separately if the client wants the complete source code?

8. Finding the right projects

• What type of websites are easiest for a beginner freelancer to sell?
• Should I focus on websites for restaurants, gyms, doctors, small businesses, real estate, etc.?
• Is it better to sell a website as a complete package rather than selling “MERN development”?
• What services have the best demand for freelance developers right now?

9. My biggest concern

If you were starting again today with 2 years of MERN experience, a portfolio, and a full-time job, what would your first 30–60 days of freelancing look like?

What would you do differently from what most beginners do?

I’m especially interested in real numbers and real experiences — pricing, client acquisition, hosting, payment structure, mistakes you made, and what actually worked for you.

Thanks!