Is it better to pursue a web development job working for a company or a job as a freelance web developer?

I used to be a freelancer for about 10 years and to be honest, it can be very stressful on many levels. One main level is, stability. You do and can set your own schedule, however. So that part was fun. But if you can land a salary job that gives you the freedom of a freelancer ( schedule and allow you to get the work done wherever you need to go to get it done, i.e. coffee shop) then I'd say accept it. It makes things a lot less stressful.

Freelance would give you a wider range of experience and unlimited opportunities

As a freelancer, if you plan to get your own clients you need to be able to do your own marketing (networking, selling yourself, keeping your portfolio current) and HR (billing, taxes, purchasing insurance) as opposed to working for a company that does all of that for you. So your focus is more on web development and building those skills. If you sell your services directly to clients (vs. selling your service as staff augmentation at digital agencies) you would also need to be able to do your own contract negotiations, such as negotiating either a "fixed bid" price for an initial "Statement of Work" and what constitutes a billable change request during the lifecycle of the project, or an hourly rate with a thorough estimate.

It depends what you're looking for.

"Do I just want to work at some company where I have to follow the rules but always get paid when I show up?" versus "Do I want to get pay only when I get a contract job but I have my own work hours and freedom?"

Both has their own merits and benefits and as well of cons.

Agency

• Always get paid when come to work (but don't go work, risk of unemployment)
• Easy way to file taxes of your earnings and income (HR & Payroll department has you covered with your information of your earnings)
• Work colleagues leads to personal growth and professionally.
• You don't have to sell yourself to people, your company does that. (But you listen to agency's rules)

Freelance

• Freedom to work whenever you want, schedule your time (Needs discipline but fun and worth)
• You can do your work pretty much anywhere and any time.
• You don't have to listen to anyone (But you can get lonely since you don't have any co-workers but the client you're speaking to.)
• Downside - when you file your taxes, it will somewhat painful cause you have input the data of your earnings you make.

Cons of being a freelancer/contractor/small business owner

1. 
   

   Instability - you never know if or when your next "gig" or contract is coming, which makes it difficult to manage a family / household budget. (Helps you to learn how to plan for the lean times though)

   
   


2. 
   

   Overwhelming: as Diane previously mentioned . Being a developer is one thing, running a business, which is what you'd be doing, is a whole different ball of wax. Developers build, write, and create. Business folks sell.

   
   


3. 
   

   Loneliness / Boredom: if you get a contract that allows you to work from home, it seems cool at first - but then you go stir crazy. A valuable part of being at a company are the friendships and relationships you develop.

   
   


4. 
   

   You have to pay for you own health insurance and benefits,. Keeping on top of your financial expenditures, is a must, because the IRS will get theirs' at the end of the year whether you properly taxed your earnings or not

   
   

Other than that, I'd tell you that you should work on becoming a "Professional Interviewer", Getting gigs, contracts, and jobs, becomes your job. It's crucial, it's vital, unavoidable, and it sucks. (Plus you don't get paid to do it) Get comfortable doing phone screens, Skype chats, portfolio enhancements, resume re-writing, and all of the stuff that goes along with not being a developer.

Just my two cents
Che' J. Holloway