Learning HTML, CSS and PHP, a waste of time?

by Bartoss

Posted: 13 years ago 20 replies

INTERNET MARKETING

Hello Warriorforum,
I'm a beginning internet marketer and I was wondering, do you guys think it's smart for me to learn HTML, CSS, PHP etc. or would I be better of just getting a wordpress theme and start writing content?

I do think I will be doing Internet Marketing for quite some time (few years) before I will start doing something else, so it's not just for short term money.

Thanks in advance,
Bart

#css #html #learning #php #time #waste

Brian Alaway

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Bartoss

Hello Warriorforum,
do you guys think it's smart for me to learn HTML, CSS, PHP etc. or would I be better of just getting a wordpress theme and start writing content?

Depends on what you're primary goal is. It's always good to know the basics of website design. If you're goal is to become a website designer then by all means learn as much as possible. But if your goal is to maximize profits, then learn how to hire experts for those tasks and concentrate on growing your business.

Thanks
1 reply

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adrenalinfeed 13 years ago

Learn how to do it, and you´ll never be unemployed. That´s for sure.

Plus, you could easily make a lot of money on it.
- Thanks
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BIG Mike Banned 13 years ago

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- Michael Shook 13 years ago
  
  If you learn something about those three topic areas, you will be able to use your WP theme better (in all likelihood) becaseu you will know a bit about how it is put together.
  
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- marcuslim 13 years ago
  
  I would say it's definitely a plus if you know the basics, the big picture, aerial view of these technologies and where and how they fit together. Even if you are not the one doing the bulk of the implementation, it is still useful to you when you need to communicate with developers whom you've outsourced. You will be in a far better position to tell whether a given price for a particular job is reasonable because you will know what is involved in terms of time and resources.
  
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Joshua Rigley Banned 13 years ago

Having web coding skills always gives you an advantage. When you think about it, Bill Gates, Mike Zuckerberg, and others made their fortune because they were computer geeks.

It'll be easy for you to customize wordpress any which way you like it, plus you could make a fortune off of making your own custom themes and plugins.
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- Bartoss 13 years ago
  
  Thanks for the quick replies guys, any input is still welcome.
  
  To follow up the question and the input you guys have given me:
  I do already know a fair bit of HTML and CSS and can build O.K looking websites. I do know a little PHP but I'm far from actually being able to use it effectively in my website. Should I in your opinion focus on learning just the basics of (especially) PHP or should I try to learn it on a fairly high level. I'm a pretty quick learner and time is not an issue for me anyway.
  
  Also, should I learn any other programming languages with the eye on IM?
  
  Thanks
  
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  PatriciaJ 13 years ago
  
  I don't think it necessary for most people to learn more than some basic html, but for those wanting to get involved in web design I would learn them all.
  
  Thanks
  
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gskesavan 13 years ago

If you're a hardcore web designer and love it, then learning those would be really nice. When there are so many cms out there, people definitely wouldn't waste time on learning how to create a web page from scratch. It doesn't seem logical.
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Steven Fullman 13 years ago

"Learning HTML, CSS and PHP, a waste of time?"

No.
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krikkod

13 years ago

Its definitely not a waste of time to learn it.

Every Imer can benefit from having some knowledge in these languages because this is the world we live in.

There is a line you will meet when learning these languages however.

That line is the definition between those who outsource, and those who become the outsourcers.

If you enjoy html/css/php then you will have no problems crossing that line and should be encouraged, but if it is as you have stated - just a simple means to an end, then go to that line and no further - beyond that line will be a waste of your time.

Take it from someone who builds websites for a living.

Thanks
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JohnMcCabe

13 years ago

Knowing the basics can benefit you in two ways...

First, as noted above, it will make you a more effective communicator when you hire outside developers. Which should get you better results, both in terms of end product and in more effecient (quicker and cheaper) development.

Second, it will allow you to make small changes quickly, without having to wait for a developer (and pay for the privilege).

Originally Posted by Bartoss

Thanks for the quick replies guys, any input is still welcome.

To follow up the question and the input you guys have given me:
I do already know a fair bit of HTML and CSS and can build O.K looking websites. I do know a little PHP but I'm far from actually being able to use it effectively in my website. Should I in your opinion focus on learning just the basics of (especially) PHP or should I try to learn it on a fairly high level. I'm a pretty quick learner and time is not an issue for me anyway.

Also, should I learn any other programming languages with the eye on IM?

I started out building websites with Notepad, so knowing HTML and later CSS was not optional.

When php became more popular, I learned enough to be able to tweak scripts. I would be hard-pressed to write a significant script from scratch. On the other hand, given enough time and motivation, and a good set of online manuals, I can usually tweak an existing script to customize it for my needs.

As for other languages, I'd start with javascript. JS is ever more tightly integrated with both HTML and CSS.

You may also run into perl. While largely displaced by php, perl is still a useful server-side text handler with some very useful scripts available. Again, you may want to get just deep enough to hack existing scripts.

Thanks

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seobro 13 years ago

PHP is awesome. It is free and most programs are based on PHP, like word press. If I have to make changes to word press, I can do it my self rather than pay a programmer.

HTML 5.0 gives you a lot of power. It is the new standard now. That is something I highly rec. Please do learn CSS as it will make your pages seem super.
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Zachary R. Skinner 13 years ago

If you want to take the time to learn PHP, CSS, and HTML then by all means do so.

However, in my experience there are SO many people who can do this kind of work on the cheap that I don't think its worth investing the time and money into learning.

But of course it certainly wouldn't hurt to learn this stuff I just don't think it's necessary.
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sscot 13 years ago

As internet marketer, you need basic awareness about them. So, it's not a wasting of time.
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- Leveragist 13 years ago
  
  I think it's important to know the basics of HTML, CSS, PHP. I know just enough to be dangerous (to myself ). I learned it through years of trial and error and by searching for answers online. It's time-consuming, but I enjoyed the process.
  
  You need to figure out what your long term goals are, then you can determine how much HTML, CSS, and PHP you need to learn. So much of it can be outsourced for little money. So, if you don't enjoy that part of it, then don't waste too much time learning it.
  
  You need to concentrate on your strengths/passion and spend your time on that. In other words, would you rather focus on the nitty-gritty details of web design or would you much rather put your best efforts into content creation and traffic generation? There's so much to do, so pick your battles.
  
  Thanks
  
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dsouravs 13 years ago

I am a web designer and I know photoshop and html and basic wordpress....but knowing photoshop and html is not enough...Today everybody wants CMS like wordpress, joomla, magento.
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Fazal Mayar 13 years ago

its definitely not a waste of time because you will need some coding skills one day and do you feel like paying a designer each time? No.
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RemyMartin 13 years ago

HTML and CSS, yes.

PHP i would learn in my spare time or if i am bored. I usually just outsource this because it would just be faster and the more free time you have, the more money you can make.

Knowing how to code does not generate conversions. Marketing does.
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Ntech25 13 years ago

I know basic HTML and CSS stuff. I wish I had the time to learn some basic php would save me some bucks when out sourcing small changes to my scripts. Like many members on here said its good to know the basics from all 3 and then learn as you go.
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brandon2664 13 years ago

I taught myself html, css, and basic php. I enjoy playing around in photoshop and making great looking graphics. Design is my passion and it made learning css and html a hobby rather than a chore. If learning html and css is a chore for you use wordpress.
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Learning HTML, CSS and PHP, a waste of time?

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