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View Full Version : Looking into Web Design for supplement
AprilWilliamson
01-05-2010, 05:11 AM
I'm working as a psychic on Keen at the moment. But its really not working for me as of late because of issues I'm having with the baby. My problem with it really is that I can't take calls when she is up being loud and her sleeping schedule has become erratic in spite of my efforts to keep her awake so she will sleep when I need her to. So my log in time isn't what it should be.
I was thinking web design may work for me because if I can keep her contained, I can actually do that sort of work even if she is up making noise. I know however, that I'm probably not fully equipped to actually do Web Design. I know enough HTML to do my Keen listings and I'm fully aware of what CSS does and how it works. But especially with CSS, I don't quite have all of the options (like the selector and declarations in CSS) memorized. I have a pretty good handle on Wordpress, I can install it, tweak the php and CSS to make it do what I want it to when I find a problem, and install themes and plug-ins. I don't know much about Photoshop, but I've used it to create graphics for myself by just toying with it. But admittedly, I've probably put more time than necessary into any given task with Photoshop.
So my question is, giving the above synopsis of skills and ability when it comes to web design, what exactly would I need to become an expert in to do it efficiently? And once my skills are sharpened, what would I need to do to get work? I understand Google Adwords and the idea of doing it independently, but I'm also not that great at marketing but even if I were, I don't have much money to start out with. Are web designing jobs readily available right now? Or do people go on the freelancing sites to find designers? And what could a beginner expect to make?
I was thinking web design may work for me because if I can keep her contained, I can actually do that sort of work even if she is up making noise. I know however, that I'm probably not fully equipped to actually do Web Design. I know enough HTML to do my Keen listings and I'm fully aware of what CSS does and how it works. But especially with CSS, I don't quite have all of the options (like the selector and declarations in CSS) memorized. I have a pretty good handle on Wordpress, I can install it, tweak the php and CSS to make it do what I want it to when I find a problem, and install themes and plug-ins. I don't know much about Photoshop, but I've used it to create graphics for myself by just toying with it. But admittedly, I've probably put more time than necessary into any given task with Photoshop.
So my question is, giving the above synopsis of skills and ability when it comes to web design, what exactly would I need to become an expert in to do it efficiently? And once my skills are sharpened, what would I need to do to get work? I understand Google Adwords and the idea of doing it independently, but I'm also not that great at marketing but even if I were, I don't have much money to start out with. Are web designing jobs readily available right now? Or do people go on the freelancing sites to find designers? And what could a beginner expect to make?
Areona'sMOM
01-07-2010, 01:02 AM
The truth is from your information is that it would be at least one year to sharpen skills to just getting started then from there it will take you anywhere from one year to 5 to build up enough clientele to support yourself. You need to take a few basic coding classes such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript at the least and a few Photoshop classes. The IWA-HWG has a quite a few classes that are rather inexpensive to get you started at IWA-HWG eClasses (http://iwa-hwg.eclasses.org/). As for marketing yourself I suggest to either start locally or choose a niche.
MikeF0421
01-07-2010, 09:07 AM
Truthfully, it really depends on the clientele. For some people's needs, your skills would suffice. Don't worry about not having every little code memorized. As long as you have refernce books or websites readily available, you will be ok.
As for learning Photoshop, you could. Alternatively, you can outsource graphic design needs. I've had some excellent heading graphics designed for $35-50. The charge for any graphic design just gets rolled to the customer, so it costs me nothing.
With your skills right now, I probably wouldn't market myself to the largest law office in town, but for people looking to have a simple site designed for $200-300, you could probably get the job done.
As you learn more and more, you can increase your prices and go for the bigger fish.
You may feel like you don't know a whole lot right now, but you would be amazed at how little many of your potential clients know. They will think you are an web design guru.
As for learning Photoshop, you could. Alternatively, you can outsource graphic design needs. I've had some excellent heading graphics designed for $35-50. The charge for any graphic design just gets rolled to the customer, so it costs me nothing.
With your skills right now, I probably wouldn't market myself to the largest law office in town, but for people looking to have a simple site designed for $200-300, you could probably get the job done.
As you learn more and more, you can increase your prices and go for the bigger fish.
You may feel like you don't know a whole lot right now, but you would be amazed at how little many of your potential clients know. They will think you are an web design guru.
