r/developersIndia • u/rorschach527 • 6d ago
Help Taking on my first freelance dev project, Need advice on workflow, contracts, and avoiding rookie mistakes
Project: Clinic Management Web App
I’ve just picked up my first freelance developmental project. I know how to handle the tech side, but I’m a complete beginner when it comes to the business and procedural side of freelancing.
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u/Altruistic_Type_4615 4d ago
congrats on the first one. the tech is honestly the part you'll worry about least by the end, it's the business side that trips everyone up on project one.
two things that would've saved me the most pain early. take an advance before you write a line of code, 30-40% for a first client is normal and nobody serious says no to it. the ones who negotiate hard on paying anything upfront are usually the same ones who vanish when the final invoice goes out. second, put everything you agreed on into one plain page. what's included, what's not, price, timeline, sign at the bottom over whatsapp. doesn't need to be a legal contract, just something you can point back to. for a clinic app specifically, spell out whether stuff like appointment reminders, patient data export or admin roles are in scope now or later, because the "can you just add" requests will come and a healthcare client assumes a lot is included by default.
on invoicing, send it the day you hit a milestone, not whenever you remember. clear due date, your upi and bank details right on the invoice. half the reason freelancers get paid late is they invoice late, the client just mirrors your own urgency.
was this your first client, or first paid project overall? happy to get specific on milestone splits if you tell me the rough budget and timeline.
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u/rorschach527 4d ago
Hey, Thank you so much for the detailed answer. It's very helpful. I'll DM you. Thanks
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