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

Where paying customers actually come from

In Romania your first paying customers rarely appear out of nowhere. They come from places you can reach directly and cheaply.

Common sources are neighbours and friends, people at your workplace or former colleagues, local schools and associations, small shops and service businesses in your area, and online search. Some clients will find you through social media or marketplace listings; others through word of mouth after you complete a job.

Treat each channel differently. Neighbours and local shops want fast, reliable work and clear pricing. Schools and non-profits need transparent budgets and sometimes written offers. Online search leads require a clear public page and good descriptions so people know what you do before contacting you.

• Neighbours and local small businesses - easiest to reach and often repeat customers
• Workplace and professional contacts - good for referrals and larger projects
• Schools, NGOs and community groups - can pay but may need formal offers
• Online search and marketplaces - scaleable if your profile and descriptions are clear
• Word of mouth - depends on consistency and customer satisfaction

How to set a first price and discuss money

Start simple. Estimate how long a task will take, add a margin for testing and revisions, and think in terms of hourly or fixed prices. For small fixes and one-off tasks many clients prefer a fixed price; for multi-step work an hourly or staged payment approach reduces disputes.

When you talk about money, be direct and factual. State what is included and what will cost extra. Use short written offers or a confirmation message that repeats price, deliverables and deadlines. If you are unsure about a scope, quote a range and say what would trigger a revised quote.

Be clear on payment terms before you start. Decide whether you want partial payment up front for bigger jobs and how long after delivery you expect full payment. For card payments Websta routes card income to your own bank account through Stripe - you control prices and receive payouts to your account.

• Estimate time and add buffer for revisions
• Prefer fixed price for small tasks, staged or hourly for larger work
• Always confirm scope, price and deadlines in writing
• Consider asking for a deposit on larger jobs

What the first ten customers usually look like

The first ten paying clients are often a mix of close contacts and small local customers. Expect a sequence like: friends and family, a neighbour with a shop, a colleague, a local association or school, a small entrepreneur who found you online, and a few online marketplace leads.

These early customers tend to give short projects: site fixes, WordPress updates, small e-commerce tweaks, or simple support and maintenance. They are valuable for building a portfolio, getting references and learning how to estimate and manage scope.

Keep expectations realistic: early work may be low-margin but useful for learning. Record what each job involved, how long it took and any follow-up required so you can refine future quotes.

• Friends and family - first trust-based jobs
• Local shops and service businesses - repeat potential
• Colleagues and workplace contacts - referrals
• Small online leads - useful for portfolio building

What to sort out when taking money as an independent in Romania

Before you invoice clients, check legal and tax obligations. If you plan to work as an independent, contact Registrul Comerțului to ask whether you should register as a PFA, II, or SRL for your activity and what documentation is required. For tax rules, ask ANAF (Agenția Națională de Administrare Fiscală) about how to declare income, whether you must register for VAT, and social contribution obligations.

Ask officials specific questions: how to issue invoices (facturi), whether you need a fiscal cash register for certain in-person sales, how to declare income from freelance services, and the procedure for paying social contributions and health insurance. If you are unsure about permits or local requirements, consult the local branch of Registrul Comerțului or a tax consultant.

Keep records of invoices, contracts and bank receipts. If you accept card payments through Websta and Stripe, you still need to report the income to ANAF and keep supporting documents for your accounting.

• Check registration requirements with Registrul Comerțului
• Confirm invoicing and tax rules with ANAF
• Ask about VAT registration threshold and social contribution rules
• Keep invoices, contracts and bank statements for accounting

What tends to go wrong in the first months

Common problems are scope creep, unpaid or late invoices, underestimating the time a job takes, and poor communication about expectations. New freelancers often accept too many small jobs at low prices and then run out of time or energy.

Other issues include not documenting agreements, missing local registration steps, and underestimating taxes or contribution obligations. Technical problems can also hurt reputation - for example, not testing a site across browsers or failing to back up before changes.

Avoid these by using simple written agreements, asking for deposits on larger jobs, setting buffer time in estimates, and keeping a basic bookkeeping habit from day one.

• Scope creep - define what is and isn't included
• Late payment - set payment terms and reminders
• Underestimating time - track actual hours to refine quotes
• Missing registration or tax steps - verify with Registrul Comerțului and ANAF

How a Websta profile fits into your work

A Websta profile is a single public page you can send to prospective clients. It lists services, prices, photos, a contact form and online booking. The marketplace helps people nearby find providers by service and place and lets customers post tasks for offers. Card payments made by customers are paid out to your own bank account through Stripe, and you set your own prices.

Use the profile as your primary public reference: link it in messages, social media and email signatures. Keep the service descriptions precise and list typical deliverables and timeframes to reduce back-and-forth. Online booking can reduce administration time and set clear expectations about availability.

Remember a profile does not replace contracts or invoices. Use it to get enquiries and bookings, then follow up with a written offer or invoice as required for your accounting and client protection.

• Public page you can share with clients
• Lists services, prices, photos, contact form and online booking
• Marketplace helps local clients find you and post tasks
• Card payments routed to your bank account via Stripe

A short practical checklist to start

Make a short list of services you will offer and the typical price or hourly range. Prepare two short example projects for a portfolio. Contact immediate network and local businesses. Open a simple bookkeeping method and consult Registrul Comerțului and ANAF about registration and invoicing. Create and complete your Websta profile and use it as the public link for enquiries.

Work consistently, track time, learn from each job and tighten your quotes and processes. Growth is gradual and requires reliable delivery and clear communication.

• Define services and draft two portfolio examples
• Decide pricing method - fixed or hourly
• Speak with Registrul Comerțului and ANAF about registration and taxes
• Create a Websta profile and use it as your public page
• Track time and refine quotes after each job