Hey there,
Getting started as a freelancer can definitely be a challenge. Especially in the current climate, where (as you hinted at) many small businesses are still struggling and don’t have as much disposable capital to invest in something like a new website.
First, I think there are just not that many new businesses at any given time and place.
This is not wrong. However, there’s nothing that says you have to find a business without a website. It’s entirely viable to reach out to a business and explain how you could improve their website, or create a version that will result in more successful conversions.
even if you manage to get a client or two, I doubt the chain reaction of word-of-mouth that’s supposed to get you hundreds of clients over time
Word of mouth isn’t the only way that a past client can help you. Not only do you have a website that you can use to show potential new clients what you have done, but you have someone who is (hopefully) happy with the work you have done. One of the best things you can do with a client is ask for a testimonial. Follow up after 3-6 months, see how they are liking the work you did, and see if they’d write you a review.
Most jobs are highly specialized tasks that involve JS frameworks or WordPress themes and so on.
WordPress is almost a separate skill on its own, but JS frameworks are very common and prevalent. If you aren’t comfortable/familiar with a framework, I highly recommend picking one up. It sounds like you might be throttling your skills here.
I suppose you can manage without this, but it’s just something that everyone says all the time as the absolutely first advice for beginning freelancers
Building websites for family/friends can help you round out your portfolio with projects, but I personally like to recommend finding a local church/community/non-profit and offering to build them a website. I generally don’t advocate for free labour, but donating your time/work to a non-profit can not only get you a project to show off, but a successful professional relationship with a client (which, as mentioned above, can help quite a bit).
I’m not quite sure where your skill levels lie, but it sounds like you may benefit from some additional learning.
To help you self-assess, let’s pretend I’ve opened a new restaurant. My current website lists my address, phone number, and has an image of my menu. Could you:
- Update the website to use text for the menu instead of an image?
- Add functionality where I could change out menu items without having to contact you every time?
- Embed Google Maps onto the site so my customers could get directions from their house right there on my page?
- Allow customers to order their food online and pay at the store?
- Allow customers to order their food online and pay in advance?
Is all of this necessary to build a website for a restaurant? No. BUT the more you can do, the more appealing your sales pitch is when you reach out to a potential client.