How to make money as an IT and web specialist in Croatia

If you are an IT or web specialist in Croatia looking to earn money on the side or build a full-time freelance activity, the route is practical and local. Success depends on finding paying clients, setting clear prices and terms, handling receipts and tax questions correctly, and avoiding common mistakes. This article explains where actual customers come from, how to set first prices and discuss money, what the early customers usually look like, the authorities to check with about taking payment as an independent person, common early problems, and how a Websta profile can fit into your workflow.

Updated October 21, 2026

Where paying customers actually come from

Many paying clients for IT and web work in Croatia come from ordinary, local networks rather than national advertising. Neighbours, friends and family will often be the first to ask for help with a slow PC, a broken email configuration, or a small website update. Local businesses such as shops, cafes, associations and tradespeople tend to hire nearby specialists for simple websites, online menus, booking widgets or maintenance.

Workplaces and schools are realistic sources of steady work - a teacher needing a class portal, a local office needing automation, or a small firm wanting a WordPress site. Word of mouth from a satisfied contact often leads to repeat jobs and referrals. Online search and marketplaces will bring clients who look for someone with your specific skills; good local search visibility and clear service descriptions help those leads find you.

  • Neighbours, friends and workplace contacts for quick fixes and referrals
  • Local businesses and associations for small sites, updates and hosting
  • Schools and offices for internal tools or training
  • Online search and marketplaces for clients outside your immediate circle

How to set a first price and talk about money

Start pricing by estimating how many hours a task will actually take, including planning, revisions and communication, and by considering your costs and the value to the client. Decide whether to charge by the hour or as a fixed project fee. For one-off repairs and small updates, a clear fixed fee avoids later disputes; for larger builds, an hourly rate or staged payments tied to milestones can be safer.

When you talk about money, be clear about what is included and what is not. Describe the scope in writing, list any deliverables, state your preferred payment methods, and set expectations for revisions and additional work. Ask for a deposit or first payment before starting for larger projects, and issue an invoice or receipt when work is delivered. Clear, early conversations reduce the chance of late payment and scope creep.

  • Estimate true time and costs before quoting
  • Choose fixed fee for small jobs, hourly or milestone billing for bigger projects
  • Put scope and deliverables in writing and confirm payment terms up front

What your first ten customers usually look like

Early customers are often a mix of quick, low-complexity jobs and a few slightly larger projects. Expect requests for device repairs, software setup and email issues, small WordPress or landing pages, simple e-commerce setups for local sellers, and ongoing maintenance or hosting arrangements. Many initial clients will value responsiveness and practical results over a perfectly polished portfolio.

You will probably get repeat work from the same customers for follow-up tasks, updates or troubleshooting. Treat the first customers as a source of testimonials and referrals; deliver reliably, ask for a short reference if appropriate, and keep a simple log of what you did so you can reproduce the work efficiently for future clients.

  • Device and software fixes, email and backups
  • Small websites, landing pages and local e-commerce
  • Maintenance, hosting and short training sessions
  • Repeat small jobs and referrals

What to sort out when taking money as an independent person in Croatia

I cannot give personalised legal or tax advice here. Check with the Croatian Tax Administration - Porezna uprava - about how to report income, whether you need to register as an entrepreneur or freelancer, and when to issue invoices. Ask them specifically about registration thresholds, VAT obligations, and record-keeping requirements.

Also check with the health insurance and pension authorities about contribution obligations. For questions about payroll-like contributions or combining freelancing with employment, ask the relevant institutions what your contribution responsibilities are when you have income from independent work. If you are unsure how to formalise your activity, a local accountant or a tax advisor can explain the steps and the exact documents you need.

  • Ask Porezna uprava about registration, income reporting and VAT
  • Ask health and pension authorities about contribution obligations
  • Consult a tax advisor or accountant for personalised steps and invoicing templates

What tends to go wrong in the first months

Common problems include underestimating how long jobs take, scope creep where clients ask for more than originally agreed, and late or missing payments. New freelancers sometimes accept too many small tasks at once and end up unable to deliver on time. Poorly written specifications or no written agreement lead to disputes about what was promised.

Technical problems also occur: insufficient backups, missed software updates, or choosing the wrong hosting solution for a client. Avoid these issues by limiting ongoing commitments, documenting scope, asking for confirmations in writing, keeping simple backups and using basic project management or invoicing tools to track deadlines and payments.

  • Underestimating time and overcommitting
  • Scope creep without written agreements
  • Late payments and poor record-keeping
  • Technical debt from quick fixes without backups

How a Websta profile fits into this

A Websta profile gives you a single page you can send to prospects and that people can find through the platform. It can list your services, show photos and provide a contact form and online booking. Card payments are routed through Stripe and paid out to your own bank account, while you set your prices. Use the profile as a clear public menu of what you offer and the typical price or starting point for those services.

Treat the Websta page as one tool among others: use it alongside a simple portfolio, a LinkedIn profile and direct messaging with current contacts. A shareable page reduces the friction when someone asks what you charge or what you do, and online booking can help manage small tasks without repeated scheduling messages.

  • One shareable page for services, photos and bookings
  • Card payments via Stripe paid out to your bank account
  • Set your own prices and use the page to reduce friction with prospects

Next steps and a simple checklist

Make a short plan: define two or three services you will offer, decide whether you prefer hourly or fixed pricing, and prepare a short contract or terms you can reuse. Reach out to people you know with a simple offer and your Websta page link. Check with Porezna uprava what you need to register and keep receipts and invoices from day one.

Focus on delivering well on the first jobs and asking for feedback. Keep a simple system for tracking leads, deadlines and invoices. With steady work and careful bookkeeping you can scale up, but expect the early months to be about building a reliable stream of small, paid tasks.

  • Choose 2-3 repeatable services and prepare standard terms
  • Set up your Websta profile and share it with contacts
  • Check registration and reporting with Porezna uprava and get an accountant if needed

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to register formally before doing any paid web work in Croatia?
I cannot give legal advice here. Ask Porezna uprava about registration thresholds and income reporting. If you plan regular or significant income, consult a tax advisor about the right form of registration.
How should I ask for payment from a first client?
Be clear up front: state the price or range, what is included, your preferred payment methods and whether you expect a deposit. Issue an invoice or receipt when work is completed.
Will Websta handle card payments for me?
Card payments on Websta are processed through Stripe and paid out to your own bank account. You set your own prices and receive payouts to your account.
What kinds of clients should I target first?
Start with neighbours, friends, workplace contacts and small local businesses. These clients provide quick tasks, feedback and referrals that build experience and portfolio items.
What is the quickest way to avoid scope creep?
Write a short scope document or simple terms that list deliverables, revision limits and what counts as extra work, and get the client to confirm it before you start.

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.

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