Updated October 21, 2026
Where paying customers actually come from
Most paying work starts close to where you already are. Neighbours and people in your apartment block, parents at a school, colleagues at work and people at local shops are the most common first clients. Local Facebook groups, community message boards and pet-focused chat groups are also places people ask for help.
Online search and marketplaces bring clients who are not nearby. People search for pet sitters, dog walkers and pet carers by town and by service. Word of mouth remains powerful in smaller towns and islands where personal recommendation matters more than adverts.
- Neighbours and local community
- Workplaces, schools and clubs
- Local social media groups and chat apps
- Online search and marketplace listings
- Referrals from existing customers
How to set a first price and talk about money
For a first price, think of the time, travel and any supplies you provide. Estimate how long a visit or walk takes door-to-door, include travel time and factor in recurring costs such as leashes, waste bags or extra cleaning. Start with a simple flat price per visit or per hour so you can explain it clearly to clients.
When you talk about money, be direct and short. Say what the service includes, what extra costs might appear, and how you prefer to be paid. Offer a written confirmation by message or on your profile so the client can check the details later. Do not promise earnings or client numbers.
- Price should reflect time, travel and basic supplies
- Use a clear flat fee or hourly rate for simplicity
- Explain extras up front (medication, multiple pets, long stays)
- Confirm bookings in writing
What the first ten customers usually look like
Early customers are often people who already know you or found a short public listing: a neighbour who needs a weekday dog walk, a parent who needs pet care during school hours, or someone who replied to a local post. You may also get one-off work from travellers or people who need a last-minute sitter.
Expect variety. Some customers want ongoing weekly walks, others one-off sitting or feeding. The first ten tend to include a mix of low-maintenance and more demanding jobs; use them to learn what you enjoy and what you need to charge for.
- Neighbours and local contacts
- Single bookings through social media or marketplace tasks
- Regular weekly clients and occasional one-offs
- Early customers help refine services and boundaries
What to sort out when you take money as an independent person in Croatia
If you plan to receive money for pet care, check registration, tax and insurance requirements with Croatian authorities rather than rely on general advice. Contact the Croatian Tax Administration (Porezna uprava) to ask whether you must register as a sole trader or use another status, how to issue receipts or invoices, and whether you must register for VAT. Ask specifically about reporting income from occasional services and the documentation they expect.
Ask Hrvatski zavod za zdravstveno osiguranje (HZZO) and the Croatian pension institution about contribution rules if you register as self-employed. If you are unsure about business forms or local permits, contact your local city or municipal office and the Chamber of Trades and Crafts (or relevant local body) to ask what registration is required for providing services in your municipality.
- Ask Porezna uprava about registration, receipts/invoices and VAT
- Ask HZZO and pension authorities about contributions and insurance
- Check local municipal rules for permits or limits on home-based services
- Keep clear records of income and expenses from day one
What tends to go wrong in the first months
Common early problems are unclear booking terms, underestimating travel time, accepting bookings without a deposit or clear cancellation policy, and not keeping simple records. Cancellations and last-minute changes are frequent; decide your cancellation rules in advance and communicate them.
Operational mistakes include poor photos or no clear service description, which make it harder to convert interest into bookings, and not collecting contact or vet information for each client. Financially, people often forget to track small payments that add up and later complicate tax reporting.
- No cancellation or deposit policy
- Underestimating travel and turnaround time
- Vague service descriptions and poor photos
- Weak record keeping for income and expenses
How a Websta profile fits into this work
A Websta profile is a single public page you can use like a simple website. It lists your services, shows photos, publishes prices and offers online booking and a contact form. You can send that page link to neighbours, employers or local groups so everyone sees the same terms and contact details.
Websta also operates a marketplace where people nearby search by service and place or post a task for providers to make an offer. Card payments from customers are paid out to your own bank account through Stripe, and you set your prices. Use the profile to show what you offer, how long visits take, and any rules about cancellations or pet behaviour.
- Use one link to show services, prices and booking
- Be found on the marketplace by location and service
- Card payments are paid out to your bank account through Stripe
- You set the prices shown on your profile
Simple daily steps to stay reliable and grow
Keep a short checklist for every job: client contact, address, vet contacts, feeding and medication details, start and end times, and agreed price. After each job, log the work in a simple spreadsheet or app so you have clear records for later.
Ask every satisfied client for a recommendation and permission to use a photo on your profile. Small, consistent actions - reliable timings, clear messages and clean photos - make it much easier to turn local interest into repeat work without overstating what you can deliver.
- Use a checklist for each booking
- Log time and payments daily
- Request short referrals or photos with permission
- Update your Websta profile with clear services and rules
Frequently asked questions
- How do I set my first price as a pet care provider in Croatia?
- Base it on door-to-door time, travel costs and basic supplies. Start with a clear flat fee or hourly rate, list what is included, and communicate any extras for medication, multiple pets or long stays.
- Do I need to register as a business to take payments?
- Contact the Croatian Tax Administration (Porezna uprava) to ask whether you must register as a sole trader or other form, how to issue receipts or invoices, and VAT obligations. Ask local authorities about municipal rules for providing services.
- Can I accept card payments from clients?
- Yes. Websta supports card payments that are paid out to your own bank account through Stripe, and you set the prices on your profile. Check with your bank or Stripe for any account or verification steps they require.
- How do I get my first clients quickly?
- Start with neighbours, colleagues, local school or community groups, and local social media. Share a link to your profile that lists services, prices and booking so interested people can check details and book.
- What should I put on my Websta profile first?
- Show the services you offer, clear photos, a short list of what each service includes, booking options, and your cancellation or payment terms. A consistent link helps reduce back-and-forth messages.
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.