Updated October 21, 2026
Where customers for IT and web work in Šibenik come from
In Šibenik, people who need IT and web specialist work are scattered across different places. Small businesses and shops in the city centre and around Obala need website help, email setup, or computer repairs. Tourism businesses - hotels, apartments, restaurants - often want basic web presence or booking systems. Schools and public institutions sometimes hire freelancers for technical work, though budgets are usually tight. Offices across the city employ people whose computers break or whose systems need updating.
Beyond location-based leads, search matters. When someone in Šibenik or nearby searches for 'web designer Šibenik' or 'IT support Dalmatia', they find results - and a Websta profile with your services and prices can appear there. Word of mouth is strong in a city this size: one satisfied customer tells others, and referrals can become your steadiest source of work. Online marketplaces where people post tasks and providers make offers also bring work, though competition is usually higher and projects smaller.
Setting your first prices and talking about money
Pricing in Šibenik is not the same as in Zagreb or western Europe. Most small businesses and individuals in the city have smaller budgets. This does not mean you should undercharge for skilled work, but it does mean understanding your market. A good starting approach is to research what other IT and web specialists in Dalmatia charge - check a few Websta profiles or ask peers - and pitch yourself somewhere in the middle range for someone with your experience level.
When you quote a price to a potential client, break the work down. Instead of saying 'website design costs X', say 'basic website setup including 5 pages, contact form, and hosting connection costs X, and takes 2 weeks'. Be clear about what is included and what costs extra. Many Šibenik businesses have never hired a freelancer before and do not know what to expect - clear pricing and scope prevent confusion and disputes.
For payment, Websta uses Stripe, which means customers pay by card and the money goes to your own bank account. You set the prices. Card payments are standard now and most people expect to pay this way. Check with a Croatian accountant or the Croatian tax office about reporting this income - requirements depend on whether you are registered as a sole trader, a freelancer, or work under another arrangement.
What your first ten customers usually look like
Your first customers are rarely big projects. They tend to be small business owners, individuals who need a website or email help, or someone whose computer has a problem they cannot solve. These projects are smaller in scope and budget than you might want long-term, but they serve a purpose: you build experience, get reviews on your Websta profile, and gather references.
The first customers often come from people you already know - friends of friends, acquaintances who heard you do this work - or from online search and marketplace browsing. They ask a lot of questions because they are uncertain about the process. They may negotiate on price or ask if you can do it cheaper. Some delay payment or need reminding. A few will be straightforward and professional. Managing these early relationships - being clear, responsive, and delivering what you promise - matters more than the money itself, because satisfaction leads to referrals and reputation.
What to sort out as an independent person in Croatia
Before you start taking money for IT and web work in Šibenik, you need to understand your legal status and obligations. In Croatia, if you earn income, you typically must register either as a sole trader, a freelancer, or work through another formal arrangement. The rules and what you must report to the tax office depend on your setup.
Contact the Croatian tax office or a local accountant to clarify your situation. Ask specifically about: registration requirements for your type of work, what income you must report, whether you need to collect value-added tax (VAT), and what expenses you can deduct. This is not optional - it is a requirement in Croatia, and getting it wrong creates problems later.
You will also need a way to receive payments. A Croatian bank account is standard. Stripe works in Croatia and pays out to your account, but confirm with your bank that they accept Stripe transfers.
What tends to go wrong in the first months
Most new IT and web specialists in Šibenik discover that work comes slower than expected. You might get one or two enquiries a month at first, not a steady stream. Waiting for clients is frustrating, but it is normal. Growth is gradual.
Scope creep happens often: a customer asks for a small website but then wants additional features, changes, or extra pages without paying more. You end up spending more time than you planned. Learn to say what is included in the quoted price and what costs extra.
Some customers do not pay on time or want payment terms you cannot offer. A Websta profile with online booking and card payment through Stripe reduces this problem because payment happens upfront, not after the work is done.
Underpricing is another trap. You take a small job for less than it is worth to get the customer, hoping it leads to bigger work. Often it does not, and you train customers to expect low prices from you. Price your work fairly from the start.
Technical problems, scope disputes, and unclear expectations damage your reputation faster in a small city like Šibenik than in a larger place. Document what you agree to, communicate often, and deliver what you promise.
How a Websta profile fits into your work
A Websta profile serves as a page where people in Šibenik can find you, see your services and prices, view photos of your work, and book or contact you. It is a central place to send anyone who asks about your work - instead of starting from scratch each time, you have a professional page ready. The profile appears in search results when people nearby look for IT and web specialist services on Websta's marketplace.
On your profile, you list the specific services you offer - website design, IT support, email setup, whatever you actually do - and set your own prices. People can see what you charge before they contact you, which filters out customers with budgets too small for your work. The online booking and contact form mean potential clients can reach you without you having to give out your personal phone number to strangers.
Payments through Websta go to your own bank account via Stripe, so the money lands where you need it. You keep what you earn after Stripe's fee. The profile also collects reviews and ratings over time, which build trust with future customers in Šibenik who do not know you yet.
The realistic path forward
Earning money as an IT and web specialist in Šibenik is achievable, but it requires you to be patient and professional. The first months mean small projects, slow growth, and more time than money. You must also sort out your tax and registration obligations in Croatia before you take any payment - do not skip this step.
Build your reputation on quality work and clear communication, not on being the cheapest option. Use tools like a Websta profile to make yourself findable and professional. Expect to spend time on marketing, answering enquiries, and managing your business, not just on the technical work itself. Over time, as you accumulate customers and referrals, work becomes more stable and better paid. But that takes months or longer, not weeks.
Frequently asked questions
- How much money can I make as an IT specialist in Šibenik?
- That depends on how much work you find, what you charge, and how much time you put in. There is no guaranteed amount. In a city this size, starting out usually means smaller projects and slower growth than you might hope for. Earning increases as you build reputation and a customer base, but this takes time.
- Do I need to register as a sole trader or freelancer in Croatia to do this work?
- Most likely yes. In Croatia, if you earn income, you typically must register formally - as a sole trader, a freelancer, or another arrangement. The specific requirements depend on your situation and how much you earn. Contact the Croatian tax office or a local accountant to confirm what you need to do. Do not start taking money without clarifying this first.
- Where do customers in Šibenik actually find IT and web specialists?
- Customers find specialists through online search, word of mouth, local marketplaces and platforms like Websta, and by asking people they know. In a smaller city like Šibenik, referrals and reputation are especially powerful. A Websta profile makes you searchable when people nearby look for your services.
- What should I charge for web design or IT support in Šibenik?
- Research what other IT and web specialists in Dalmatia charge and pitch yourself somewhere realistic for your experience level. Šibenik is not a major city, so budgets are usually smaller than in Zagreb or western Europe. Be clear about what each service includes and what extra work costs. Avoid underpricing - it trains customers to expect low rates and makes earning difficult.
- How does payment work on a Websta profile?
- Customers pay by card through Stripe when they book or purchase a service. The money goes directly to your own bank account. You set your own prices and keep what you earn after Stripe's fee. This means payment is upfront and goes where you need it.
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.