May 9, 201313 yr Hi i'm an amateur web developer/designer, I'm hoping this forum will help me on way to becoming a pro. I'm teaching myself online and considering taking the CIW Web Foundation exams, creating an online portfolio/CV and then keeping an eye out for suitable junior web designer/developer jobs. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
May 9, 201313 yr Welcome to the forum. I don't know how others feel about it, but I'd say doing the CIW exam isn't worth the paper it's printed on. Same as those Dreamweaver courses. Best bet is to build up a portfolio, get stuck in with design/developing at every opportunity. If you want to spend some money on your development, get some good books, software or even a decent chair if you're going to be working in your spare time. Depending on your skills, try approaching local businesses and get some live sites to your name. They're usually quite favourable to potential employers. If you can't find anyone or are doubting your initial abilities, make some mock sites to showcase your skills. Best of all, as your learning on your own terms, keep up to date with the current practices/trends as some agencies are only just make the transition to HTML5, CSS3 and responsive design. Even better... now you are a member of the forum, post your questions as there's bound to be someone who can help. Best of all - they don't charge. Just show your appreciation and help the others out, in kind. Best of luck
May 10, 201313 yr Welcome to the forum Nowadays most of certificates are worth almost nothing if you lack the experience. If you are experienced and can prove it, you'll be employed. That's my opinion. All of my friends who have changed their workplaces recently were graded according to practical use of their skills, not papers. So I really agree with the previous speaker that a useful book will probably be worth more than a paper .
May 10, 201313 yr Welcome mate. Can't really add more than Natalie and 4li4s; holler for help whenever you need.
May 10, 201313 yr Welcome to WDF and best of luck with your course but I have to agree with what others have said above ^ Feel free to ask questions here and everyone will be happy to help.
May 10, 201313 yr Author Thanks for the positive comments. What you are all saying makes a lot of sense, I'm just going to concentrate on learning for now and start making a portfolio website of mock designs until I take on some real projects. Do most companies use a host and ftp for their site or do most have their own server set up nowadays? I no nothing about server hardware/software could anyone recommend any books or online tutorials please?
May 10, 201313 yr Thanks for the positive comments. What you are all saying makes a lot of sense, I'm just going to concentrate on learning for now and start making a portfolio website of mock designs until I take on some real projects. Do most companies use a host and ftp for their site or do most have their own server set up nowadays? I no nothing about server hardware/software could anyone recommend any books or online tutorials please? Companies vary from one to the other. To be honest, in my experience it's either one or the other: client has an existing site they want renewing and ask to be transferred to a new host usually based on my recommendation (if they require it), or they don't have a site and I set up via a hosting company. I've only encountered one client who hosts everything themselves. They had an IT contractor who setup everything (who I believe was a little too ambitious in what they wanted as opposed to the client). Consequently, the IT contractor disappeared and the owner manages everything but literally has no idea how to set things up. I won't delve much further but when I uploaded the site I did for them, the server was absolutely cluttered with garbage. I'm not that way inclined to pursue reselling or setting up my own hosting services as such so just use my preferred hosting company and haven't had any problems thus far. Couldn't recommend you any books or tutorials as that's out of my comfort zone. Unless your heart is set on learning about the ins and outs of servers, you might be better off finding a reliable hosting company. After a while, if your skills boost enough, you can set out on your own. Just stay clear of a couple of the 'big name' hosting companies in my opinion. Nothing but trouble.
May 10, 201313 yr Author Companies vary from one to the other. To be honest, in my experience it's either one or the other: client has an existing site they want renewing and ask to be transferred to a new host usually based on my recommendation (if they require it), or they don't have a site and I set up via a hosting company. I've only encountered one client who hosts everything themselves. They had an IT contractor who setup everything (who I believe was a little too ambitious in what they wanted as opposed to the client). Consequently, the IT contractor disappeared and the owner manages everything but literally has no idea how to set things up. I won't delve much further but when I uploaded the site I did for them, the server was absolutely cluttered with garbage. I'm not that way inclined to pursue reselling or setting up my own hosting services as such so just use my preferred hosting company and haven't had any problems thus far. Couldn't recommend you any books or tutorials as that's out of my comfort zone. Unless your heart is set on learning about the ins and outs of servers, you might be better off finding a reliable hosting company. After a while, if your skills boost enough, you can set out on your own. Just stay clear of a couple of the 'big name' hosting companies in my opinion. Nothing but trouble. Good to hear because it don't like the sound of it and I struggle to learn when I'm not genuinely interested. I guess I still need to learn a bit of server-side stuff though, databases,php etc. Which hosting company do you use?
May 10, 201313 yr Good to hear because it don't like the sound of it and I struggle to learn when I'm not genuinely interested. I guess I still need to learn a bit of server-side stuff though, databases,php etc. Which hosting company do you use? At the moment I swear by Tsohost. Their customer service is impeccable in my honest opinion (and I'm really critical about customer service). Fast hosting, if you're in the UK - a local number (had a bad experience with GD where I was on hold for 45 minutes to the US) and their pricing plan is excellent.
May 11, 201313 yr Hi buddy I started web design as a hobby over 10 years ago now, I've come a long way since then and you will too.... get yourself a copy of dreamweaver and some good design software (fireworks and xara designer are my fave) and just build on the basics until you get where you want to be. A good tip is to find a website you really like that has alot of detail and try and 'replicate' what is used - you'll gain yourself some valuable experience this way. All the best.
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