The following Guidelines for Service Providers were suggested by Stefan Brueck from Germany :

1. do not start to work until you have developed a clear picture of the task (that means that you MUST by all means repeat the whole task in your own words each time before you start the project. That is mandatory and must ALWAYS be done! The buyer will appreciate it very much. Even so much, that you can be sure to not only win a new long-time customer - but also reduce you invested time in programming. Although it might only happen each fifth or sixth time - still... it is worth the time to ALWAYS repeat the task in detail in your own words and ask questions before you start. Understood? this means: ALWAYS! This must become a habit of yours!
   • send a short version of the basic logic of your result before you invest into the details and ask for a feedback by the buyer.
   • agree upon timelines and provide feedback about the estimated time of delivery
2. double check if all the requirements are really met before you deliver your result
3. test the application and make sure it is working flawless
4. documentate your work after! the buyer has approved it
    

The way to success as a BFreelancer Programmer is predeterminated. What you need to do is set and fixed. Only 15 Percent will do it. Those are the successful ones. There is no way around those rules. Follow them. Obey them!