Inside Bangladesh’s Freelance Web Industry — A Developer’s Perspective

Author: Md. Al Mahmud Khan
Date: July 25, 2025
Source: WeekLeaks.org

Summary:
Freelance web development has exploded across South Asia, especially in Bangladesh, where thousands of young developers contribute to the global digital economy. In this exposé, Md. Al Mahmud Khan, a seasoned freelancer and former team member at Smartupworld Websolutions, shares the unspoken challenges and behind-the-scenes dynamics of the freelance web industry in Bangladesh.

The Rise of Freelancing in Bangladesh

Bangladesh now ranks among the top countries for freelancing in the world. Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr are saturated with Bangladeshi freelancers. Yet, behind the numbers lies a system plagued by exploitation, poor payment ethics, and lack of recognition.

“Most local agencies take on international clients but subcontract the actual development to junior freelancers who are paid a fraction of the project value,” says Khan, who worked with Dhaka-based Smartupworld Websolutions for four years.

The Developer’s Reality

Freelance developers often juggle:

• Low pay with no job security
• Excessive deadlines from foreign clients
• Lack of mentorship or proper coding standards
• No legal protection for intellectual property or unpaid dues

“We built full-functioning websites that helped foreign businesses grow, but rarely received credit — sometimes not even our names were mentioned in project documentation.”

SEO and Scam Clients

Another dark truth: unethical SEO practices.

“Some agencies in Bangladesh run link farms and spin content to manipulate search rankings,” Khan explains. “They also sell outdated services to unsuspecting foreign clients, damaging our country’s tech credibility.”

He warns clients to demand transparent reports and ethical SEO practices only.

Building with Integrity

Now an independent developer, Khan offers services in:

• Clean, secure HTML/CSS/JavaScript development
• Lightweight, optimized WordPress sites
• Honest SEO and speed optimization with analytics-based reporting
• Transparent communication and fair pricing

“My goal is to help businesses grow without compromising ethics or quality,” he says.

Moving Forward

Khan urges the government and freelancing platforms to:

• Establish a freelancer rating system
• Penalize exploitative agencies
• Provide legal aid for unpaid freelancers
• Offer training on international client expectations

“We don’t need handouts. We need a fair digital ecosystem where talent is respected.”

About the Author

Md. Al Mahmud Khan is a Bangladeshi web developer, freelancer, and digital ethics advocate. He holds a BA in English Literature from Manarat International University and has worked on 100+ web projects since 2018.