“Working with Scott was a pleasure. He took the time to learn our business and worked diligently to provide us with what we needed. Very professional and extremely responsive. Would highly recommend.”
Client Advantages of Working Remotely & Long-Term Travel
An upcoming working vacation to Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo Mexico finally motivated me to write a blog post I’ve been meaning to write for almost a year. The Internet has provided the entire world with the ability to start a business, sell things online, grow local economies and generate an income with only wifi, a roof over your head and a laptop. It’s fun, exciting, highly educational and something I just had to get out of my system.
There are of course many personal advantages and disadvantages to running a freelance web design business in a bathing suit, but there are also some great benefits to the client that are rarely discussed.
The Launch of the Digital Nomad
In 2014 I read a blog post, jumped on the Digital Nomad bandwagon, packed my laptop and snorkel gear and bought a 180 day round trip ticket to Bangkok—six countries in six months was the goal.
I was lucky enough to spend a lot of time in: (click for flickr photos)
- Bangkok Thailand
- Phuket Thailand
- Traveling through Malaysia
- Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
- Padand Bai Bali Indonesia
- Ubud Bali Indonesia
- Kuching Borneo
- Kota Kinabalu Borneo
- Gunung Mulu National Park Borneo
- Puerto Princessa Palawan Philippines
- El Nido Palawan Philippines
- and Cambodia
—all while working remotely doing freelance WordPress development, web design and SEO for new and existing clients. It’s a glorious moment when you realize the Internet is everywhere and a laptop is designed to be portable. It’s a big risk and decision at first, but on the road you quickly adapt and grow into your new mobile lifestyle.
Remote Office—Padang Bai, Bali Indonesia
Remote Office—Ubud, Bali Indonesia
Client Advantages of Working Remotely While Traveling
In many cases you don’t want to announce that you’re off on some crazy remote adventure in Asia working on a laptop, and it does cost you clients and business occasionally. This concern will eventually become a thing of the past though, as more and more people become digital nomads and clients realize the benefits of working remotely. It’s an outdated belief that freelance and travel weaken one’s ability to perform, do good work and stay in touch.
Here are some of the client benefits I noticed while traveling and working remotely:
- Life’s too short to be cooped up in an office or home staring at a computer screen all day—clients are aware of this and are often your biggest fans.
- The world is flat. Now we can work from anywhere just as if we were in the office next door.
- Travel sparks the imagination and allows us to think outside the box.
- Increased technical knowledge of International banking, SIM cards, airlines and the world in general to bring back to the workplace and to each project.
- Rapid Skill Building and introduction to new technologies, foreign publications and design.
- Enhanced ability to meet deadlines (you have to get it done, or you can’t leave, or stay!)
- Enhanced quality of work—more design influence in your surroundings.
- No overhead, more efficient workflow and higher quality output.
- Lots of great technical tips, photography and gadgets to bring back to the workplace and to each project.
- Greater respect for your skill set and passion for growth.
Remote Office—Puerto Princesa, Palawan Philippines
The Best of Both Worlds
I’m sure I’m forgetting some client advantages but basically you don’t have to be in town or even in the country to get the job done right, and in many ways it’s beneficial to the project. Hiring local is still usually preferred but that’s all changing. For now I’m back in Austin and Georgetown and am available to meet in person, take on-site photographs and give clients peace of mind that they are dealing with someone locally.
This working travel excursion was definitely thrilling and highly rewarding. The memories and knowledge gained will last a lifetime. To the future palapa offices, 16-hour fun/work airport layovers, $9 guest houses, people I met, great food and incredible snorkel spots… ’til next time!
Learn more about me here or submit a Project Request Form to receive a flat rate quote on your next freelance web project.
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