LYKC

I'm a sucker for anything free lol
 
I really like the SM network and this is something not to be missed, if you not got twitter then please PM me and ill email you the .pdf
 
http://freelanceswitch.com/general/get-a-free-copy-of-smashingmagazines-freelancer-ebook/

I think the key is adapting to your target audience. If they are on low budgets, create a low budget solution such as templates, which you can reuse. If they are strapped for time, manage everything from the domain, to hosting, to content, to design for them so they need not worry. If you feel they don't care about a website, improve your sales/marketing skills and talk in terms they do understand i.e. an online shop will earn you £xxx extra a month!
 
How about changing your angle? There's loads of agencies in London. Apply for a contract, get in touch with them for freelance overflow work. Or just create templates and themes and sell them. How about blogging? What businesses are you targeting for web design? I'm pretty sure you haven't exhausted all opportunities. London is where it's happening!
 
I'm from London too

I think the key is adapting to your target audience. If they are on low budgets, create a low budget solution such as templates, which you can reuse. If they are strapped for time, manage everything from the domain, to hosting, to content, to design for them so they need not worry. If you feel they don't care about a website, improve your sales/marketing skills and talk in terms they do understand i.e. an online shop will earn you £xxx extra a month!
 
How about changing your angle? There's loads of agencies in London. Apply for a contract, get in touch with them for freelance overflow work. Or just create templates and themes and sell them. How about blogging? What businesses are you targeting for web design? I'm pretty sure you haven't exhausted all opportunities. London is where it's happening!
 
I'm from London too

thisw article might help ya: http://speckyboy.com/2011/05/18/40-most-creative-resume-design-ever-seen/

Links work fine on FF/Mac too

On top of the bricks and mortar of web design, as explained by Porkchops above, I'd say marketing, both online and offline, copywriting and SEO. No point in being the best designer if nobody can find you

Definitely try to setup your local IIS server and have it running locally. Google it, there's loads of walk throughs. But if you really can't set it up and you're only doing small changes, you're probably better off making edits on live.
 
Another, fractionally better way to do it, is to save the entire live website via Scrapbook, then edit the HTML/CSS using Firebug. Note down your changes and apply to the live stylesheet.
 
But as has been mentioned, the best way is to set up a local instance of the website via a local server. Hassle at first, but will save you a lot of time moving forwards

Take a look at mine My link (top left hand corner of site).
 
It's not the best, but has worked well for me. Hope it provides a little more guidance

http://vimeo.com/22439234
 
enjoy
 
(time lapse photography done very well, complete with a sandstorm - see the comments underneath the video on u-tube)
 

done. I wanted to rate 1 & 2 just as credible as each other as Pink websites can work (t-mobile and lastminute)

Picnic and pedal boat in Hyde Park?
London eye, south bank and Aquarium trip (maybe do a Banksy trail)?
Walk from Regents park to Camden market via little Italy?
Watch a musical then head to the 360 degree bar at the top of Centerpoint?
Go to the o2 for a film and check out the riverside pubs?
Greenwich park and museums?

Picnic and pedal boat in Hyde Park?
London eye, south bank and Aquarium trip (maybe do a Banksy trail)?
Walk from Regents park to Camden market via little Italy?
Watch a musical then head to the 360 degree bar at the top of Centerpoint?
Go to the o2 for a film and check out the riverside pubs?
Greenwich park and museums?

Page speed affects search engine rankings, so in order to improve page speed, this nifty tool is excellent http://pagespeed.googlelabs.com/

Page speed affects search engine rankings, so in order to improve page speed, this nifty tool is excellent http://pagespeed.googlelabs.com/

Page speed affects search engine rankings, so in order to improve page speed, this nifty tool is excellent http://pagespeed.googlelabs.com/

I'd recommend anyone to go uni. A fantastic adventure and learning experience aside, I think it gives you more options, opens more doors and gives you time to really nail what it is you have a passion for and want to do as a career.
 
If you choose to concentrate on just a web design portfolio however, you're kinda pigeon-holed into this line of work, and if you ever decide it's not working out, it might be tougher to change fields.
 
Most grad jobs for large companies will ask for a degree, but I'm guessing some small design studios are more interested in portfolios. Depends on what you want. Don't know yet ? Go to uni and find out!

If you use Firefox, install firebug add-on. You can then see what CSS styles the class references, as it sounds like there are other styles over-riding the one you want.

If the theme had changed then it could be that the theme doesn't show the posts. If the posts have all gone then it could simply be user error on the client side and they've deleted the posts to either restart or simply by accident. I would advise contacting the client and explaining the situation, to avoid any unexpected calls/emails from them, and to clarify hopefully what exactly has been done

You may have changed your database credentials, if you pm me i can help you when i get back from work.

close the <a> after the image, then open another <a> inside the <p>, so you have 2 links instead of one

for the second one http://et.splatterladder.com/?mod=serverinfo&idx=206298 should be http://et.splatterladder.com/?mod=serverinfo&amp;idx=206298

try that

here is what I have so far. I'm going to try to package it as a plugin.

The work is out there you really have to go get it though, hoping people will contact you through your portfolio is a waste of time, you have to go get it, go into local shops and chat to the manager or arrange an appointment, search for local business's on the net, if you cant find a website for them go and introduce yourself.
 
Go to your local chamber of commerce and network they will try and get you to join but you dont have to, get some human interest stories in your local paper, do a charity a site for free then go to the papers and get an interview you will get a slot in the newspaper for free in a much better position than any crappy 1 x 1 advert. if you can afford it get your vehicle sign written, always carry your business cards with you its amazing how many people you meet who have some need to be on the net, then thats your que to give your card over.
 
You have to get a bit imaginative and look for every opportunity.
 
Its tough really tough, but you can make it work, getting some proper business advice is a real bonus, forming a business plan will tell you exactly what you need to generate cash wise to operate and is well worth doing. I think if you are going to do it you really must throw yourself into it 100% if you sit back and hope work will come to you, you will be destined to fail. I have only just started myself and have picked up 3 jobs this week with the possibility of 2 more after.
 
My main points of advice to you are:
 
1/ Get proper business advice. Find your nearest business advisory body. dont be afraid to start in a small way, can you get by on a part time job?, then dedicate the rest of your time to building your business. it doesnt have to be all or nothing.
 
2/ Market yourself at every opportunity.
 
3/ Dont assume work will land in your lap because you have advertised. go get it. follow up every lead.
 
4/ Network, join local business associations, Chamber of commerce, anything that will expose you to other business's.
 
5/ Diversify, start a blog or an affiliate site get advertising revenue, it wont be much but it all helps.
 
6/ Make sure you are getting all the financial assistance you can, use your tax credits.
 
7/ Be passionate your passion and enthusiasm will rub off on clients and generate excitement about their project.
 
8/ If this is what you really want to do, dont ever ever give up.
 
The best of luck to you.

If you cant afford to be picky then snap it up for sure. You are exposed to much larger projects and learn loads when working for agencies which you can use to supplement your own freelance knowledge. First jobs rarely pay well anyway, it's about how you move onwards and upwards from there

remember they're probably not be as tech savvy as you are so dumb down accordingly!