15+ Best Programming Side Hustles For Web Developers
So most of the people got stuck with their choice of 9 to 5 job. As it is not enough to pay the bills and they need to create other passive income resources. Inflation is on the rise due to political instability around the world.
Web developers are some of the highest-paid individuals and are in demand with the emergence of the tech economy. If you know to code then there are multiple ways to generate income from it.
In this blog post, we will explore the 17 best ideas to make money through programming side hustles as a web developer. Let’s get started.
Best Programming Side Hustles For Web Developers
1. Become a Website Developer
Offer your web development expertise directly to clients on a project-by-project basis. Find clients through freelance platforms like Upwork or Fiverr, direct outreach, or networking. Deliver projects based on agreed-upon scope and receive payment.
Skills Required
HTML, CSS, JavaScript, CMS (WordPress, Drupal), and backend languages (PHP, Python, etc.).
Tools Required
Code editor (VS Code, Sublime Text), development framework (React, Angular), version control (Git), and project management (Trello, Asana).
Platforms To Learn
Coursera, Udemy, FreeCodeCamp, CodeMonkey.
Platforms To Sell
Upwork, Fiverr, Toptal, Direct client outreach.
2. Theme & Plugin Development
Create and sell themes or plugins for popular platforms like WordPress or Magento. These can be free or premium offerings. Develop themes or plugins that address specific user needs or functionalities. Sell them on marketplaces like ThemeForest or your website.
Skills Required
Frontend & backend development, CMS understanding, plugin architecture, UX design.
Tools Required
Same as freelance web dev, plus theme/plugin builder tools.
Platforms To Learn
ThemeForest documentation, plugin dev tutorials, CMS development courses.
Platforms To Sell
Upwork, Fiverr, Toptal, ThemeForest, CodeCanyon, Envato Market, and individual websites.
3. Bug Bounty Hunting
Find and report security vulnerabilities in websites and applications for company rewards through bug bounty programs. Use your hacking skills to discover vulnerabilities, responsibly disclose them, and get paid for your findings.
Skills Required
Deep understanding of web protocols, security vulnerabilities, and penetration testing tools.
Tools Required
Burp Suite, ZAP, Metasploit, vulnerability scanners.
Platforms To Learn
Udemy bug bounty courses, OWASP resources, CTF competitions.
Platforms To Sell
Bug bounty platforms (HackerOne, Bugcrowd), individual company programs.
4. API Development
Create APIs that allow other applications to access data or functionality. This can be for internal or external use cases. Design and build secure and efficient APIs. Offer them as standalone services or integrate them into larger projects.
Skills Required
RESTful API design, authentication/authorization protocols, secure coding practices.
Tools Required
PI development frameworks (Django REST Framework, Spring Boot), documentation tools (Swagger), and testing tools (Postman).
Platforms To Learn
Online API dev courses, RESTful API best practices, platform documentation.
Platforms To Sell
Upwork, Fiverr, Toptal, Freelance platforms, Direct client work, and open-source projects.
5. Progressive Web App Development
Build web applications that offer native app-like experiences without requiring installation. Develop PWAs using JavaScript frameworks and service workers. Offer them as standalone web apps or integrated with existing websites.
Skills Required
JavaScript frameworks (React, Angular), service worker implementation, web app manifest creation.
Tools Required
Same as frontend dev, plus PWA testing tools (Lighthouse).
Platforms To Learn
PWA documentation, online courses, and case studies of successful PWAs.
Platforms To Sell
Freelance platforms, client work, develop your own PWA and monetize it.
6. Web Accessibility Consulting
Help businesses make their websites accessible to users with disabilities by following WCAG guidelines. Use accessibility testing tools and knowledge to identify and fix issues. Offer consulting services or training sessions.
Skills Required
WCAG guidelines, accessibility testing tools, and understanding of user needs.
Tools Required
WAVE accessibility tool, aXe browser extension, screen readers.
Platforms To Learn
WebAIM courses, W3C accessibility resources, and UX design courses.
Platforms To Sell
Freelance platforms, individual client outreach, workshops/training sessions.
7. Headless CMS Development
Build websites and applications that use separate content management systems (CMS) for content and front-end presentation. Integrate headless CMS APIs with frontend frameworks to create flexible and scalable web experiences.
Skills Required
APIs, frontend frameworks, content modeling, headless CMS platforms (Contentful, Netlify CMS).
Tools Required
Contentful/Netlify CMS tools, Gatsby/Next.js.
Platforms To Learn
Platform-specific documentation, online courses, headless CMS communities.
Platforms To Sell
Freelance platforms, client work, open-source contributions.
8. E-commerce Development
Develop online stores on platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce for businesses to sell their products. Set up the store, integrate payment gateways, customize design, and ensure smooth functionality.
Skills Required
E-commerce platforms (Shopify, WooCommerce), payment gateways, shipping API integration.
Tools Required
Platform-specific tools, and marketing automation tools.
Platforms To Learn
Platform documentation, online e-commerce dev courses, marketing for online stores.
Platforms To Sell
Freelance platforms, client work, develop your store, and sell products.
9. Website Speed Optimization
Enhance website loading speed and performance using various techniques and tools. Analyze website performance, identify bottlenecks, and implement optimization strategies. Offer consulting services or website audits.
Skills Required
Performance optimization techniques, caching mechanisms, and content delivery networks (CDNs).
Tools Required
Google PageSpeed Insights, GTmetrix, Lighthouse, WP Rocket
Platforms To Learn
Online optimization courses, Google Developer resources, and optimized website case studies.
Platforms To Sell
Freelance platforms, client outreach, training sessions for businesses.
10. Landing Page Development
Create high-converting landing pages designed to capture leads or drive specific actions. Utilize conversion optimization techniques, design compelling visuals, and write persuasive copy. Offer landing page creation services or templates.
Skills Required
Conversion optimization techniques, A/B testing, copywriting best practices.
Tools Required
 Landing page builders (Unbounce, Leadpages), conversion tracking tools.
Platforms To Learn
Online courses on landing page optimization, marketing automation resources, and CRO best practices.
Platforms To Sell
Freelance platforms, client work, and landing page templates or services are also available.
11. Data Visualisation Dashboards
Build interactive dashboards that translate data into insights using tools like Tableau or Power BI. It’s a high-demand digital skill and has great potential in the future.
Skills Required
Data analysis, data visualization principles, and understanding business metrics.
Tools Required
Tableau, Power BI, Looker, Google Data Studio.
Platforms To Learn
Online courses on data visualization, platform documentation, and business intelligence (BI) resources.
Platforms To Sell
Freelance platforms, client work, offer dashboard templates or consulting services.
12. SPA Development
Develop dynamic, single-page websites with frameworks like React or Vue.js for improved user experience. This can be a good source to generate income.
Skills Required
JavaScript frameworks (React, Vue.js), frontend development, and state management.
Tools Required
Framework-specific tools, and testing frameworks (Jest, Cypress).
Platforms To Learn
Framework documentation, online SPA development courses, and open-source SPA projects.
Platforms To Sell
Freelance platforms, client work, develop your SPA, and offer it as a service.
13. Jamstack Development
Build static websites using tools like Gatsby or Next.js for enhanced performance and security. It can be a great way to generate passive income by offering this service.
Skills Required
JavaScript frameworks (React, Vue.js), static site generators (Gatsby, Next.js), and content management systems (Netlify CMS).
Tools Required
Framework-specific tools, version control (Git), and deployment tools (Netlify, Vercel).
Platforms To Learn
Framework documentation, Jamstack resources, online courses.
Platforms To Sell
Freelance platforms, client work, and Jamstack development services or templates are also available.
14. Web Scrapping
Extract data from websites ethically and responsibly for analysis or other purposes. Just obey the guidelines and policies to use personal data in specific regions.
Skills Required
Web scraping techniques, understanding of website structures, data cleaning, and wrangling.
Tools Required
Web scraping libraries (Beautiful Soup, Scrapy), data analysis tools (Python libraries).
Platforms To Learn
Online web scraping tutorials, ethical scraping practices, and data analysis courses.
Platforms To Sell
Offer data scraping services, develop and sell data scraping tools, and contribute data to open-source projects.
15. Web Development Courses
Create and sell online courses on web development topics you’re passionate about.
Skills Required
Content creation, instructional design, video editing, marketing.
Tools Required
Online course platforms (Udemy, Teachable), recording software, editing software.
Platforms To Learn
Online course creation resources, marketing for online courses, educational technology (EdTech) platforms.
Platforms To Sell
Sell directly on your chosen platform, and market through social media and other channels.
16. Develop And Monetize Personal Project
Build your web application or website and generate income through ads, subscriptions, or other methods.
Skills Required
Full-stack development, marketing, understanding user needs.
Tools Required
Development tools specific to your project, monetization plugins, or services.
Platforms To Learn
Project management, user research, startup resources, and specific skill sets needed for your project.
Platforms To Sell
Offer your app or website directly, through marketplaces, or partnerships.
17. Contribute To Open source Projects
Contribute your skills to open-source projects on GitHub, build your portfolio, and potentially earn recognition.
Skills Required
Expertise in the project’s technology stack, and understanding of open-source contribution guidelines.
Tools Required
GitHub, project-specific tools, and communication tools for collaboration.
Platforms To Learn
Project documentation, contribute to beginner-friendly issues, and attend online coding events.
Platforms To Sell
Build your portfolio, gain experience, collaborate with other developers, and potential job opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
The above ideas are taken as trending options for web developers to consider programming category. However, there are still multiple opportunities beyond them. Just pick the right one for yourself and get started.
Front-end web development and back-end web development gigs are most in demand. You can also be a full-stack web developer with proper guidance and do this side hustle. Happy Hustling…!
