[Barnz1986]

Could someone tell me, what is the best way to begin career in Web Development.

I have been to University and got the Education etc.

I am looking to set up my own businesses hopefully.

The trouble appears to be getting the initial experience, building up the portfolio etc.

People do not hire people who have no portfolio to show them, even though I am a top notch PHP programmer with a University education.

All my creations are done to Web Standards and the PHP code is really clean and neat.

Another thing what pisses me off, is that there many web companies out there who claim they do things to the Web Standards but when you check their web creations through the validator, they are not done to the Web Standards and they are making money from that, whereas someone like me who does do things to the Web Standards are not making any money.

Any suggestions?

How do you guys go about becoming a "professional" web designer / freelancer.

Is freelance work, worth it, or am I better off working for a company do you think?

[Nico]

From my experience, I think that helping people on forums (for free) is a good start. They'll see your talent and eventually PM you with job offers. That happened to me quite a lot on DigitalPoint when I used to post there.

[Barnz1986]

Originally Posted by Nico

From my experience, I think that helping people on forums (for free) is a good start. They'll see your talent and eventually PM you with job offers. That happened to me quite a lot on DigitalPoint when I used to post there.

Cheers Nico, I have logged in to DigitalPoint, I will chat on there also from now on.

I also noticed your message near one of my old posts, I did not realise I signed up there. But yes it was me by the way.

[bizzar528]

If your fresh out of school, I'd suggest trying to get into a company to do some web development. This will teach you the industry from the inside. Granted, I'm sure you know web development, but doing client management, billing, project management... these are things you will pick up easily with a job. Plus, a job is full time income that you can depend on where freelance work is as it comes. And you have some work experience to fall back on if the freelancing thing doesn't work out.

If freelancing is your own path, then I'd suggest going around to the various project sites, and read some of the project requirements. Then, without taking the job, try to create a project that you feel matches the project requirements. Then, add that to your portfolio. This gives you the chance to demonstrate without being under the time and resource constraints that comes with taking on a project like that. Plus, you'll get a chance to see the various sites and how they operate. It'll make doing freelance a little easier.

[End User]

Originally Posted by Barnz1986

Could someone tell me, what is the best way to begin career in Web Development.

Do like I did; as soon as you're out of prison and on parole, use the Dept Of Corrections job placement services.

[DAL]

Lol End,

I feel for you Barnz1986, I stopped doing web development becuase I didnt feel I was up to scratch and started for a hosting company as a regular job. It was from there that I realised my worth, I wasnt brilliant but for those people who were calling me all high and mighty, who had web development companies (and I mean they were getting work from some really big names) and they were calling me about some stupid stuff. It got to a point that after a year and a half of hearing all of these people success I got back into the industry as I know my work was way better. I know that that is one sided in the sense that only the people with problems called but I'd had enough, I was writing scripts to keep these people on their feet while I got nothing but a thanks and a low tech wage.

I still see alot out there who claim to know it all (I've never made this claim as new stuff is always coming out and I descover new ways of doing the old things all the time, my work speaks for me and that's all I could ever hope for)

SEO is probably the new noob game with many people just throwing silly accusations around about how you should structure your content, design etc. It unreal and the prices that these people ask for is insane, the sad truth about it all is that there is always someone prepared to throw the money at these people.

I come from a self taught background and I've stuck in learning as much as possible and you've probably done the same (between the student hiss ups of course , that was me being jelous btw) then to come out into the field to find it satuarated by dumb dumbs (There are a good number of solid developers out there that give me the wow and it's always good to have someone to aspire to)

Experience in the field is neccessary for confidence if nothing else but starting your portfolio is difficult and be prepared to take a huge paycut until you're recognised for your talent. This together with a strong marketing campaign and a fist-full of money will get you a break.

I failed to market my development company properly and it just ended up being a hobby until recently I went into a partnership with my dad, It's not all fun and games and my days work usually last 18 hours plus. I'm zonked out now and I want to go back to work for a wage as this is litrally killing me (not to mention my current relationship with my GF) The partnership will still exist but it isnt really taking off at the moment (maybe the poor financial climate has something to do with it), what I'm trying to say is: make sure your prepared for a fall or at least a long stuggle to make it a successfull business (a one that you actually get a wage that you can live off).

Best of luck
Kind regards
Dal

[therocket954]

Originally Posted by DAL

I still see alot out there who claim to know it all (I've never made this claim as new stuff is always coming out and I descover new ways of doing the old things all the time, my work speaks for me and that's all I could ever hope for)

Good thinking DAL, that's exactly how I feel. When you think you know everything, that's the precise moment you stop learning.

Barnz, another option (what I did) to build your portfolio is to visit local businesses and explained exactly what you're trying to do. Encourage them to take advantage of your services for free, and maybe have them pick up the tab on domain name / hosting.

I built a quick portfolio this way.... and as well got calls from people they knew, or people browsing their websites and started freelance work almost immediately after publishing those sites.

[!Unreal]

You need to do something for nothing...

In every line of work you need to get your foot in the door. You will need to do some projects for free to build up your initial portfolio.

Or that is what I would do. You are probably better off getting a more experienced opinion.

[alteriunhun]

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[kristin_110]

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