| NamePros Member Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 104
NP$: 72.00 ( Donate)
| You most definately need to learn to code fluently before you design.
A fluent coder will have no problems in the implementation of a design, where as a coder with not so much experience might struggle.
HTML, as I have said many times before, is the mothertongue of the internet. CSS is a new up and coming language, very popular, very clean and I very much advise you to learn it in-depth!
You can't go wrong with CSS, your clients will love it and it will look professional.
Another thing you might want to take into account is Web 2.0 standards. Web 2.0 is the term used to describe websites that use the internet as a platform to bring information to users globally. This means more websites like wikipedia where users can add, edit and delete their own information using new technology.
Ajax is quite popular, a new improved javascript so to speak.
Your clients may not realise it at first, but Web 2.0 will help them greatly, and if you happen to be employed by a client who has a proficcient amount of knowledge about webdesign/coding then he will appreciate that you can conform to Web 2.0 standards.
Also, I am happy to see that you are doing webdesign as a source of income on the side and depending on it solely as your source of income. Too many people come into this industry with high hopes of being able to make a living off what they love doing; its just not possible for all of us.
Treating it as a side business is the best road to go down, however you must ensure that you give it the necessary attention and input the necessary revenue to get yourself on your feet, do this and you can make a hefty amount for such a simple "side business".
As for SEO, I'd say leave it to the experts, yes you can make money from it and I am not doubting that and it will also help you promote your own website. Productivity however will increase significantly if you focus your business on one aspect rather than several. For example webdesign + coding rather than webdesign, coding, SEO, professional writing and e-commerce.
It may be good to have these skills but you are severely pressing and pushing yourself.
In my honest opinion it is better to surpass yourself in one area than merely "cope" with work in several. If you can successfully manage all of them at the same time, I envy you, but not many people can.
To be a webdesigner requires so much more than design and coding skills, it requires confidence and the ability to express yourself and not just in your graphics. You will need to be more comfortable with approaching people and telling them about your services, word of mouth is the most powerful marketing tool available to this day because more often than not it will come from a reliable source that you can trust, and that you will listen to.
If a friend tells you about a webdesign company he recommends would you go with them rather than one you found on the internet and know very little about? I think so.
Unfortunately I do not know of many articles on these subjects but I can always offer my services to you. Not as a designer or coder, but as a motivator. I seem to have a way of motivating people and getting through to them that I am proud of.
Feel free to PM me and we can talk further on MSN about how you should market yourself and get in contact with your clients. My service is free and I do not expect anything in return, I merely want to help new designers become designers the internet can be proud of instead of design kiddies who just get on your nerves.
Regards as always,
Jonny.
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