jobs in web developing

how to become a web developer

[kristen1004]

i wouldnt say that im new to web design. ive self taught myself but only in small things like creating my own personal website and designing it while writing all of th coding that goes along with it.

i am starting school to get a certificate in that field but ive wanted to open my own business doing that how would you go about doing that

[mcjohnson]

Kristen,

Welcome to Webmaster world...

First, you can do it. I opened my own shop after being self-taught and now am booked solid.

To make a very long story short, this is what I would recommend:

1. Lurk here a lot. Pay specific attention to the Webmaster General, New to Web Development, and Professional Webmaster Business Issues forums.

2. Develop a rock-solid understanding of HTML and CSS. No substituions for knowing the code inside and out. Follow that up with PHP and MySQL, with a good working knowledge of Javascript. Also, you'll need to be pretty proficient at Photoshop.

3. Develop a solid understanding of Web standards. Learn why validating your code is important, how it relates to browser compatibility, accessibility, etc.

These are the fundamentals of design that you MUST know in order to compete. If you are a shop that uses front page or dreamweaver to build template sites, it's only a matter of time before you find yourself behind the 8-ball. The survivors in this business are those who are serious about learning the infrastructure, not those that skim along the top of the water.

4. Develop your business strategy. What is it that will set you apart from the 100 other design firms in your area that can all design as well or better, have a reputation, and lots of money to advertise? One hint: it's not price, probably not even turn around time. It's service. You know what the number one complaint I get from clients who've come to me after a bad experience? "My web guy never returned my calls and it took forever to get updates completed".

5. Research and read about selling - making proposals and closing deals. You might look into Sitepoint for some tools you can purchase (proposal writing templates, how-to books on sale pitches, etc)

6. Decide now that you're never done learning. The shops that go out of business are the ones that figure the web has arrived and is done morphing. The fact is, even a couple of years ago, static HTML sites w/ a cutesie Flash intro were commonplace. Now, if you don't know how to build a database w/ a back end for the client to maintain the site, make it cross-browser compatible, with RSS feeds etc, you're already trying to catch up.

Good luck!

pat

[lorax]

Welcome to WebmasterWorld!
Off the top of my head and in no particular order I'd suggest you:

Read

Learn how to own and run a small business.

Learn how to write and validate markup languages

Understand how webservers work (basic level)

Understand how email servers work (basic level)

Understand how SSL works (basic level)

Trial and error. Read about something, try it fail, and try again. The school of hard knocks can be your best teacher

Talk and discuss ideas with your peers (here, at PubCon, and elsewhere)

Reverse engineer sites

Learn how to SEO a site using White Hat techniques

Determine a suitable way to attract and retain clients

Keep reading and learning

Optional / Advanced

Download and reverse engineer scripts including shopping carts, content management systems, and blogging software.

Understand how databases and scripts interact and why these can be so powerful

Understand SEM techniques and how to use them in conjunction with your website development

[LikeToLearn]

Thanks so much mcjohnson and Iorax!

All those points were very helpful and thought provoking. I am doing bachelors in Business Administration. I am focused to start my web developing and consulting company, no matter how small it would be at first.

I have been doing SEO since some time. I am good at doing off page optimization. I have worked as an SEO Consultant in a company here for three months. My english is not too good so I often face problems in On page optimization. That is one of the reasons I left the job.

My priority is my studies but I like to spend most of my free time in freelancing or learning about internet marketing and web developing.

I don't have much coding skills. I know basic html and css. I always tried to learn everything (considering I am a commerce student) and therefore I know many things at basic (editable) level. I can work a little in Photoshop, Maya and 3d Max. I started to learn these things with my friends some years ago. I have used Macromedia Flash a lot and creating intros was my main interest.

I am looking forward to hire web designers and coders here. Use all of my skills and expand my freelancing business.

I cannot give my full time to freelancing, I still have 3 years to complete my Masters. I am in to freelancing since a year and making good money to fulfill my needs. But now I am thinking different, I am satisfied with this freelancing thing because my major motive is to study and make as much money as I can and excel in my studies. But after completing my masters I would be looking only for money and growth.

I want to continue freelancing, hire people and make a solid system so that when I complete my masters I'll be working full time on these things.

Will you guys have anything to suggest me? I am sure you do! :)

I am living in Pakistan, maybe that can prove helpful in giving me appropriate ideas.

How to move ahead with this idea?

Thanks!