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What freelancers in India should know before going online
Freelancers in India are treated as independent service providers, so a few practical points belong on or behind your site. GST registration becomes mandatory once your aggregate turnover crosses the threshold for services, generally ₹20 lakh a year and lower in some special-category states; business clients may ask for your GSTIN on invoices. Services exported to overseas clients can be zero-rated under a Letter of Undertaking, and foreign payments usually arrive through bank or payment-gateway transfers with remittance documentation you should keep. Discuss TDS and presumptive taxation with a chartered accountant. Clients find Indian freelancers through LinkedIn, Instagram, referrals and WhatsApp communities, so state clearly whether you take domestic, overseas or both kinds of work, and in which languages.
Common website mistakes freelancers make
- Offering every service you can do. Lead with one core service and one supporting service, so clients remember you for something specific and refer you accurately.
- Leaving payment terms unstated until the proposal. Mention advance percentages and milestone billing on the site, so clients expect them and fewer projects stall unpaid.
- Showing client logos without permission. Ask first, or describe the client by industry and size, since some agreements forbid naming them.
- Listing prices without scope. Pair every price with deliverables, revisions and timelines, otherwise clients compare you with cheaper offers that include far less.
- Ignoring overseas clients’ questions about invoicing and currency. Add a short note on how you invoice internationally and which payment methods you accept.