[tbeer22]

Like probably a lot of you out there I'm an entrepreneur with ideas I'm constantly working. As young entrepreneur I see my future business being built from the ground up on the internet. However, I don't know how to build websites... Do most of you hire people to make websites, or are you self taught?

For all you self taught, what would be your advice for someone who wants to learn how to create websites and learn all the logistic stuff you have to know with it?

[Antdizzle]

I taught myself how to build websites. If I had money, I would hire someone to design, code, build, and maintain a website for me. Sites like http://www.w3schools.com can teach you how to make websites.

[nado]

Building and coding static websites is easy... it's when you want to get into the dynamic side of things that I still have troubles with and haven't been able to teach myself yet... PHP and MYSQL *quivers*

[Slevin]

nado you dont need PHP and mySQL for dynamic websites, just database driven websites. For dynamic websites either learn the basics of javascript, or just use some scripts of www.hotscripts.com... same goes for php

In answer to your question tbeer, at 14 i taught myself to produce adequete websites, it really isnt that hard to do. Even if you do get someone to design a website for you, you will still need to know the basics of HTML. I suggest one of two things...

1) Spend a few days learning HTML and CSS, and possibly photoshop.
2) Find a partner you can trust to look after the web developement side of your ventures in exchange for a stake in the company.

[mgxsolutions]

I took a few courses to learn how to program using server-side languages and now I do that as one of my businesses. I taught for a few years as well. Something that was a hobby became a career. Now, I am very proficient in ASP, .NET, PHP, JSP and Cold Fusion as well as many client-side languages. My whole purpose to learning was to be able to code my own sites, and I took it a step further. I would not really recommend that path though since these courses are very expensive and some of the teachers that I had were learning the languages as they were teaching them. I hear that this is standard.

[bbalfour]

My first web business we hired someone to build are website. It was the WORST mistake we ever made.

After that I taught myself how to code HTML, PHP, CSS, and MySQL. It was the BEST decision I ever made.

Bottom line. Learn how to code if you want to run a web business. It doesn't take that long. Use www.W3schools.com to get started. After that you may want to get a few books to move onto more advanced stuff.

Remember when you hire someone to build your website, all they care about is getting the project done and collecting the check. They won't have a passion for your idea or concept. Those are two completely different motivations.

[HeatherJ]

I taught myself Dreamweaver and built all of my sites and installed all my own scripts and know just enough about PHP and SQL to be dangerous. Once I got going, I've hired a VA to maintain that stuff (among other things) so that I can focus on what I love to do and am good at.

[NerdByte]

Originally Posted by nado

Building and coding static websites is easy...

I just want to slap you.

Yes, anyone can slap together a page but not everyone can build a successful website. There are a lot of factors that go into it. J/k about the slapping btw.

It's like interior decorating. Anyone can place a lamp or a rug. But a true professional knows what it takes to make it fall into place and take your breath away.

[newbiz]

tbeer22,

Hey man, I am developer of about 11 years..self taught, my suggestion to you is read...and practice..it really is that easy. The problem is that it is intimidating for the first time programmer...there is a "TON" of stuff to absorb, BUT if you take your time and chew up a little piece here a little there you will soon begin to see that almost all languages are exactly the same theoretically, the only difference is syntax and capabilities. I started out with HTML then went into ASP->PHP->.NET and so on and so on...If you need any other pointers let me know.

[Day2]

You've got to balance what you need to know and what you don't.

Depending on what sort of business you want to build online, you might want to self-educated about web tech. But you might not. It's kind of like starting a taxi business... Do you need to know how to build and repair cars? While it certainly couldn't hurt, it's not critical for business.

Sure you can teach yourself. You can also get a law degree to take care of your legal needs, become a CPA to do your own books/taxes, take a graphic design class to build your own brochures and signage... The list goes on.

The point is that learning how to make web pages IS pretty easy. Learning how to make them REALLY REALLY WELL is a career and takes years to do... And really requires some very different skillsets (usability and UI design, programming, light sysadmin and database admin, etc).

So you've got a few options. If you can get money or have money, hire a team (contract or employee) to build it right. If you don't have money, you can spent a few years getting good at one or more aspects of good web development (more time if you aren't technically inclined). Or you can find a parter who is complementary to your skillset (i.e. team up with a good generalized web geek).

[nado]

Originally Posted by NerdByte

I just want to slap you.

hehe

I said building, I didn't say marketing.

I find it easy to build good looking websites with HTML and CSS but when it comes to adding in dynamic and database driven stuff it becomes frustrating trying to get everything to work perfectly.