Updated October 21, 2026
Where paying customers come from
Paying customers for translation work in Denmark tend to be local and online in roughly equal measure. Expect work to come from neighbours and friends who need letters, landlords or tenant services, and from workplaces where colleagues or HR departments need translated documents or emails. Schools and adult education centres can need translators for enrolment forms, information sheets or communication with families. Small businesses often need help with product descriptions, websites or user manuals. Online search and social media bring people who look for a translator by language pair and location. Word of mouth remains important - a satisfied client referring you to someone else is a common early source of repeat work.
You can also see one-off tasks from private individuals and regular assignments from small companies. Expats and international families sometimes need CVs, housing letters or certified document translations. Be prepared for a mix of small, irregular jobs and occasional larger assignments.
- Neighbours, friends and local community contacts
- Workplaces and HR departments
- Schools and adult education centres
- Small businesses and website owners
- Online search, social media and marketplaces
- Word of mouth and referrals
Setting a first price and talking about money
Decide whether you want to charge per hour, per word or per project. Per-word or per-project pricing is common for translation because it links to the amount of text and the client’s expected deliverable. For small one-off tasks you can estimate how long it will take and quote a fixed price. For larger or ongoing work, give a written quote and state whether revisions are included.
When you discuss money, be clear and short - state your rate or the project quote and what it covers, the expected delivery time and payment terms. For larger jobs ask for a written brief or example and consider a partial upfront payment. Always confirm the client’s preferred format and deadline before you start so there are no surprises.
- Choose a pricing model - hourly, per word or per project
- Provide a written quote for larger jobs
- State delivery time and what revisions cost
- Consider partial upfront payment for big assignments
What the first ten customers usually look like
The first ten customers are often a mix of small, simple jobs and a few repeat buyers. Expect private individuals asking for CVs, letters, applications or translations for official use. Local businesses may ask for short website pages, product text or customer messages. You might pick up a couple of jobs via local Facebook groups, expat networks or workplace contacts. Some of the earliest customers come from people who already know you or from a single community where you are visible.
Do not rely on a single channel. Use a few different approaches - post in local groups, tell colleagues, contact small shops and add an online listing - and be patient. Early customers are valuable for feedback and short testimonials.
- Private individuals with short documents
- Small local businesses with website or product text
- Colleagues, friends and community groups
- Clients from online search or marketplaces
Getting paid and legal basics to check
Websta channels card payments to your bank account through Stripe and you set your own prices. Beyond that, check registration and tax rules that apply to you. For tax and reporting questions contact Skattestyrelsen - ask when you need to report self-employed income, how to issue invoices and what to include on them, and how VAT - called moms - applies to your services. For business registration and getting a CVR number, check Erhvervsstyrelsen and ask whether you should register as an enkeltmandsvirksomhed or in another form.
For social insurance, pensions or unemployment cover check with your union or an a-kasse. If you handle personal data from clients, check the Danish Data Protection Agency for requirements you might need to follow. When in doubt, get specific answers from the named authorities or a professional accountant.
- Payments via Stripe go to your bank account - Websta processes card payments
- Ask Skattestyrelsen about tax reporting, invoices and VAT
- Ask Erhvervsstyrelsen about CVR and business registration
- Check unions or a-kasse for social insurance questions
- Check the Danish Data Protection Agency for data handling rules
What tends to go wrong in the first months
Common early problems are underpricing, unclear scope, late payments and poor record keeping. Underpricing can mean you work a lot and earn very little once you account for tax and time. Lack of clear scope leads to scope creep - clients asking for extra changes that were not part of the quote. Late payment is common when dealing with private individuals; a written payment term or a small upfront portion reduces the risk.
Other early issues include not asking for feedback, failing to keep simple accounts, and taking on jobs outside your competence. Fix these by setting clear terms, using a basic contract or order confirmation, keeping receipts and records from day one, and referring work you cannot do to someone else.
- Underpricing and not accounting for time
- Unclear scope and scope creep
- Late or missed payments
- Poor bookkeeping and record keeping
- Taking on work outside your expertise
How a Websta profile fits into finding clients
A Websta profile is a single page you can send to potential clients and list on social media or email signatures. The profile can show your services, prices, photos, a contact form and online booking. Websta also has a marketplace where people nearby post tasks and providers make offers. The system pays card payments out to your own bank account through Stripe and you set your own prices.
Use the profile as a professional landing page - link to it from messages, your social profiles and email. Keep the description clear, list typical services and expected delivery times, and add examples of document types you translate. A tidy, consistent profile helps people judge whether you fit their need and makes it easier for them to book or contact you.
- Use the profile as a single page to share with clients
- List services, typical delivery times and prices
- Accept bookings and receive card payments via Stripe
- Use the marketplace to see posted tasks and send offers
Frequently asked questions
- How do I find my first translation clients in Denmark?
- Start with neighbours, friends and local community groups, tell colleagues and contact small businesses. Add an online profile you can share and look for tasks on local marketplaces and expat networks.
- Do I need to register as a business to accept payments?
- Check Erhvervsstyrelsen about when to register and whether you need a CVR number. For tax reporting and invoicing rules contact Skattestyrelsen and ask how to report self-employed income and when VAT applies.
- Can I get paid through Websta?
- Yes - card payments are processed and paid out to your own bank account through Stripe. You set your own prices and payment terms on your profile.
- Should I charge per word or per hour?
- Both models are used. Per-word or per-project pricing links to the scope of the text, while hourly works for editing or non-text tasks. Choose what is easiest to explain to clients and covers your time.
- What common mistakes should I avoid early on?
- Avoid underpricing, not agreeing scope in writing, poor bookkeeping and taking on work beyond your skills. Use clear quotes, basic contracts and keep records from the 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.