Updated October 21, 2026
Where paying customers actually come from
In Croatia the first paying clients rarely appear out of nowhere. Expect most initial work to come from your immediate network and places you already spend time. That means neighbours, family friends, current or former colleagues, people at your workplace, parents at your children’s school, local shops and small businesses in your neighbourhood, and local associations or clubs. Freelancers and micro businesses often need bookkeeping help and are reachable through online groups and local business Facebook pages.
Beyond personal contacts, people search online when they need a quick solution. Being findable via search and in marketplaces helps reach customers you don’t already know. Word of mouth is still important: a single clear job done on time can generate referrals, especially among small business owners.
- - neighbours and neighbours’ businesses
- - colleagues and workplace contacts
- - parents and school communities
- - small local shops, cafes and service providers
- - freelancers, startups and online classifieds
- - search and marketplace listings
How to set a first price and talk about money
Start by estimating how long a typical job takes and decide whether you will charge by the hour or by package. For routine bookkeeping you can offer fixed packages for defined sets of tasks and an hourly rate for ad hoc work. When you prepare a price, include your time, any software subscriptions, and how you will handle communication and revisions.
When you talk about money, be direct and clear. Explain what is included, what counts as extra work and how and when you expect to be paid. Put the scope and the price in writing before you start. Ask for a first payment or payment on delivery depending on the task size. Clear terms reduce disagreements and make small clients more likely to hire you.
- - estimate time per task and include overheads
- - decide on hourly vs package pricing
- - write a simple scope and payment terms
- - state what counts as additional work
What the first ten customers usually look like
Your first ten customers will often be easy, local assignments rather than large ongoing contracts. Typical first jobs are catch-up bookkeeping for a small shop, preparing monthly records for a freelancer, cleaning up receipts for an individual, or helping a hobby business issue correct invoices. Many of these clients will want short-term help and may become recurring clients later.
Expect varied expectations and limited budgets. Some clients will want a quick fix; others will need a simple routine you maintain. Keep early jobs small and documented so you can learn how long tasks actually take and adjust your pricing.
- - small shops and cafes with simple books
- - freelancers and sole traders
- - parents or individuals with simple tax or record needs
- - hobby businesses and associations
What to sort out when taking money as an independent person in Croatia
There are administrative and tax matters to check before you accept payments. If you are unsure about registration or tax obligations, contact the Croatian tax authority - Porezna uprava - and ask whether you must register as a sole trader or another business form, what invoicing requirements apply and whether you must charge VAT. Ask about VAT thresholds and how to report income.
Also check with the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (HZZO) and the Croatian Pension Insurance Fund about contribution obligations for the business form you choose. For practical payment and account questions consult FINA or your bank about business accounts and receiving payouts. If you need an OIB or confirmation of identification procedures, ask Porezna uprava what documents you need to issue invoices.
- - ask Porezna uprava about registration, invoicing and VAT thresholds
- - check contribution questions with HZZO and pension authorities
- - consult FINA or your bank for business account and payment details
- - keep clear records and issue invoices for each job
What tends to go wrong in the first months
Common problems are underpricing, scope creep, late invoicing and mixing personal and business finances. Underpricing happens when you do not account for the time needed for client communication, revisions and record keeping. Scope creep arises if you do not define the task clearly.
Other issues are irregular cash flow and forgetting to withdraw proper taxes and contributions. Early clients can be demanding about deadlines; agree realistic delivery times. Keep backups of records and use simple systems to track hours and invoices from day one.
- - underpricing because of underestimated time
- - unclear scope leading to extra unpaid work
- - late or missing invoices and documentation
- - mixing personal and business money
How a Websta profile fits into this
A Websta profile gives you a single page to show services, prices, photos, a contact form and online booking. You can send that page to potential clients or include it in messages and social profiles so clients see what you offer and how to book you. Websta handles card payments from customers and pays out to your own bank account through Stripe - you receive payments into your bank account rather than into Websta.
Use the profile to state clear services and the scope for each price, so prospective clients know what to expect. Online booking can reduce back-and-forth messages, and a consistent public page helps build trust with people who find you online.
- - single page for services, prices, photos and contact
- - online booking to reduce scheduling friction
- - card payments paid out to your bank account through Stripe
- - a page you can share with clients or include in messages
Next steps and realistic expectations
Start small, document everything and learn how long tasks really take. Use your first jobs to test prices and processes. Expect that building a steady set of clients takes time and effort; referrals and repeat business usually arrive after consistent, reliable work.
If you are unsure about legal requirements, ask the authorities named above before taking regular paid work. Use a Websta profile as a practical tool to be found, to list services and to accept card payments into your bank account, but be prepared to invest time into marketing, client communication and record keeping.
- - begin with local contacts and small jobs
- - document scope and time to refine pricing
- - check tax and contribution rules with authorities
- - use a Websta profile to present services and accept payments
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need to register before I take my first paid job?
- Check with Porezna uprava about whether your activity requires registration and how to issue invoices. Rules depend on your situation and business form, so contact them and ask about registration, invoicing and any VAT obligations.
- How should I ask for payment on small jobs?
- Be clear in writing about the price and when payment is due. For small jobs ask for payment on delivery or use an online payment option. A Websta profile can accept card payments and those are paid out to your bank account through Stripe.
- What is the easiest way to find the first clients?
- Start with people you know: neighbours, colleagues, parents at school and local small businesses. Post a clear offer in local online groups and use a public profile page that shows services, prices and how to book.
- What should I avoid when starting out?
- Avoid underpricing, agreeing vague scopes of work, mixing personal and business finances and delaying invoices. Define tasks in writing, track your time and keep separate records from day one.
About the numbers
Counts in this guide were read from the Websta catalogue when the text was written and are refreshed above from the live catalogue. Part of the catalogue was built from the public business register and is marked as such on each profile.