Looking to become a Web Designer

**JohnnyBudZ** · 06-23-2008 01:14 PM

Hey guys, Im not per-say looking to start a "web designing/development" company as of now, but I am looking to learn the qualifications any regular webdesigner would have to under-go. I would like to know how exactly to design a web page from scratch for my own ventures.

Anyways, lets just say I WAS looking to start a Web Development company. Does anyone have any advice as to books, ebooks, or online courses I could take to futher pursue this?

**RLorenzen** · 06-23-2008 01:29 PM

A good site for design tutorials is W3Schools Online Web Tutorials They cover HTML, XHTML, CSS, XML, ASP and more.

I discovered the best place to learn web design was the internet and not books. There are so many good tutorials that are free and another thing that helped a lot for me was just actually going to sites and looking at their code and seeing what made different features work. Hands on learning is the best way to learn web design, in my opinion.

**philuk** · 06-23-2008 01:31 PM

Hey johnny I think I few ebooks on this, actually a ton of ebooks on this. But I would suggest just getting photoshop (can be quite pricey) and working your way threw online tutorials. But if your intrested in the ebooks Im sure I can get them to you, just pm me or reply here

**JohnnyBudZ** · 06-23-2008 02:32 PM

you can design a website through photoshop?

please dont mind my ignorance, I know NOTHINg about photoshop

**burtonridr** · 06-23-2008 04:57 PM

I have completely self taught myself through internet tutorials and things. I have found the best way is to just start doing it. Then when you need to do something you dont know how to do, go find out how.

I have found that "eversoft" is a great freeware to make you website with.

I like HTML Goodies to learn most tutorials.

Anything I can find there I will usually google search for until I find what I need.

If you ever get stuck PM me and I will do my best to help you out.

**rogercbryan** · 06-23-2008 08:43 PM

My best advice for you here is to build a portfolio. While you are learning the skills needed to do work for other people you can do it for yourself. A domain cost $7 and hosting is like $25 a month for a reseller account (unlimited sites). You can also just get a cheap hosting package for like $20 a year on eBay. Pick a few niches and learn the skills needed to create a sellable product. I would recommend basic html/php maybe learn how to work with Word Press. I think the advice everyone else has given is good… you are going to learn more by doing than anything else.

When I’m looking for a new designer the first thing I ask for is a list of sites they have worked on. If they don’t have samples to send me then the conversation ends quickly. Lastly, if you are going to get into this line of work then you need to honest about your capabilities and always over deliver. I’ve come across too many developers who promise you the sky and then don’t deliver. Your reputation is all you have when dealing on the web… so don’t ruin your name by delivering bad product.

Good Luck Mate… and be sure to post your progress on YE…