Sabbir is an established web designer who has worked on the international freelancing platform Fiverr.com for the last 5 years. He was born and raised in Ghorashal, Narsingdi, and is the eldest son of Md. Borhan Uddin. As a teenager, Sabbir always dreamed of learning about computers, but his family couldn’t afford to buy him one due to financial struggles. After saving money from tutoring for a long time and with some help from his father, Sabbir was able to buy his first computer after completing his SSC exams in 2017. At just 19 years old, he began his freelancing journey to support his education and help his family financially.
Along with his busy freelancing career, Sabbir still holds a part-time job at a private company and continues his studies. He is pursuing a BSc in Food Engineering at the State University of Bangladesh.
How did you get into freelancing?
At first, I learned the basics of web design by searching on Google, reading blogs on TechTunes, and watching YouTube tutorials. Then, one day, I discovered through Facebook that Ashraful Haque Sir, a well-known IT teacher from Dhaka, was also from my village. I contacted him and explained my situation—that I didn’t have enough money to enroll in a course in Dhaka. He listened carefully and provided me with some recorded classes for free, which helped me grasp the basics of web design. After gaining this foundational knowledge, I followed several YouTube channels to further strengthen my skills.
After six months of learning, I opened a Fiverr account and started receiving 3 to 5 messages. However, I struggled with English communication at the time, which caused me to lose those orders. Realizing I needed to improve my English skills, I began learning the language. During that time, I unexpectedly received an automatic order from a client without any prior communication. I was a little surprised and unsure of how to proceed, so I searched on YouTube and read posts on the Fiverr community forum. After understanding the process, I completed the job and delivered my first order. I still remember—it was a $15 order from London. However, due to a mistake I made, my Fiverr account was eventually disabled. I didn’t realize that asking a client for their email and phone number violated Fiverr’s terms of service. As a result, my account was suspended, and I lost access to the platform that I had worked so hard to get started on. This left me feeling incredibly discouraged and frustrated, as I had just begun to make progress in freelancing. It was a hard lesson learned, and it felt like a major setback in my journey.
During this difficult time, I came across a supportive mentor named Mofazzal Islam from Mymensingh through Facebook. He became a crucial figure in helping me regain my confidence after the setback with my first Fiverr account. I explained my situation to him—how my account was disabled and how devastated I felt because of the mistake I made. He listened patiently and encouraged me not to give up. With his guidance and motivation, I decided to create a new Fiverr account and start from scratch, even though I knew it would be a challenge to rebuild what I had lost.
Starting with a new Fiverr account is always tough, especially without any reviews or a strong profile to attract clients. It’s hard to get noticed, and the competition is fierce. Still, I remained determined. I followed Mofazzal’s advice and took a more strategic approach, learning from my past mistakes and improving my communication skills. I focused on optimizing my profile, showcasing my skills better, and being more active in bidding for jobs.
Despite the challenges, I was lucky enough to land a job within just seven days of creating my new account—a rare achievement for a new freelancer. That first job renewed my energy and confidence.
It proved that even after such a setback, with persistence and the right guidance, success was still possible.
From there, I poured myself into the work, delivering high-quality results and building relationships with clients. Slowly but surely, I started to gain positive reviews and repeat clients. Within a short span of just eight months, I had earned $2,000, a significant milestone for me. Not only that, but I also achieved Level 2 Seller status on Fiverr, which brought more credibility to my profile and opened up even more opportunities. I have earned over $10,000 across various platforms, with the majority of my income coming from Fiverr and outside of marketplaces.
Looking back, what seemed like a major setback turned out to be a turning point in my freelancing career, thanks to the support of my mentor and my determination to keep pushing forward.
After two years, I founded my own IT company, Sabbir IT, to serve my local clients more efficiently. Through this company, I had the opportunity to work on projects for various local newspapers and e-commerce websites, such as “Narsingdir Konthoshor,” “Face the People,” “Aharon Agro,” “TalTola.net,” and “Total Shop BD.” As my business grew, I expanded my reach and began collaborating with clients from the U.S. and Canada, securing monthly contracts that provided steady work and income.
One of the most notable projects I worked on was the website of popular social media influencer Khalid Farhan. This project was especially meaningful to me because it not only showcased my skills but also inspired Khalid to continue pushing forward in his journey. It was a rewarding experience to contribute to the success of someone with such a strong online presence.
Sabbir Ahmed primarily works as a front-end developer. He also solves issues related to website bugs, security, and database management. His problem-solving skills, particularly in CSS-related issues, are highly regarded.
How do you keep clients happy?
I always aim to deliver the client’s work ahead of schedule, Sabbir explains. “Timeliness is key in building trust with clients, and when you deliver work earlier than expected, it leaves a lasting positive impression. Clients feel that their project is a priority, and it gives them more time to review the work and suggest any changes. This proactive approach not only enhances client satisfaction but also increases the likelihood of repeat business and referrals.
However, delivering on time is just one part of the equation. Even after I’ve completed the work, I make it a point to stay in touch with my clients. Communication doesn’t end once the project is delivered. I follow up to ensure that everything is running smoothly and that they’re happy with the results. This shows that I genuinely care about their long-term success, not just completing a one-off project. Clients appreciate this level of commitment, and it strengthens the relationship, leading to future opportunities.
Sabbir said, “I also make myself available for any additional support they might need, whether it’s related to updates or small tweaks after the project is done. This level of aftercare helps build trust and loyalty, and clients are more likely to reach out for future work. Ultimately, keeping clients happy means delivering quality work consistently and fostering a strong professional relationship
How can beginners start?
Sabbir is passionate about helping motivated and enthusiastic young people. He believes they can fight unemployment by improving their skills and creating their own job opportunities. He says, “With determination and patience, you can build a freelancing career. But don’t expect to earn millions or become a top freelancer overnight by taking short freelancing courses. It takes steady effort and dedication. It usually takes about one to two years of consistent hard work, and taking
extra courses can help a lot. He also highlights the importance of communication skills for freelancing success. “Learning English is key,” Sabbir says. “If you can’t grab a client’s attention within the first minute or two of messaging, you’ll probably lose the job. Strong English skills are a must.”
Lots of people ask me how I got started in freelancing, and I always tell them, “It’s simple.” The first step is to figure out what you’re genuinely interested in—whether it’s graphic design, programming, animation, or any other field. Passion is key; when you enjoy what you do, it becomes easier to dedicate time and effort to improving your skills.
Once you have identified your area of interest, I recommend starting with free resources. YouTube tutorials are a fantastic place to begin, as there’s a wealth of information available. Additionally, reading blogs and articles can provide insights into the industry and help you stay updated on trends and best practices. Regular practice is crucial; the more you work on your skills, the more proficient you’ll become.
If you find that you need more structured learning, don’t hesitate to invest in a course. Personally, I’ve spent over $2,000 on various courses from different countries to enhance my knowledge and skills. This investment has paid off immensely, as it has equipped me with the tools necessary to succeed in a competitive marketplace.
Before you decide to appear on freelancing platforms, ensure that you are fully skilled in your area of expertise. It’s important to build a strong foundation so that you can deliver quality work right from the start. My advice, don’t jump into something just because someone else is making a lot of money doing it. Focus on what you are passionate about; when you align your work with your interests, the money will come in time, Insha’Allah.
Ultimately, freelancing is a journey that requires patience, dedication, and continuous learning. Stay committed to your passion, and success will follow.
Sabbir Ahmed’s success shows that with hard work, determination, and the right use of technology, any challenge can be overcome, and unemployment can be defeated.