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Would you rather learn PHP or Javascript for attracting clients?

by Delta223
13 replies
The word elsewhere is that PHP has a lot of Wordpress related work especially in the low paying/small businses segment, and Javascript is the hot new thing in startup circles. I'm not sure how the latter translates to freelance work if it does at all.

If you guys wanted to freelance with non-local clients, which would you focus on? My goal is to command a mid range income (for a programmer) on a full time workload.
#attracting #clients #javascript #learn #php
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  • Profile picture of the author hometutor
    I've spent a long time in sales. If something is low paying it's because it's not sold properly. Most self-employed people I know are employee minded people that work for themselves and they don't know how to sell.

    Just my humble opinion for what it's worth

    Rick
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael D Price
    You need to learn both.
    Many php built sites, still use javascript on the front end.
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  • Profile picture of the author RichBeck
    Originally Posted by Delta223 View Post

    The word elsewhere is that PHP has a lot of Wordpress related work especially in the low paying/small businses segment, and Javascript is the hot new thing in startup circles. I'm not sure how the latter translates to freelance work if it does at all.

    If you guys wanted to freelance with non-local clients, which would you focus on? My goal is to command a mid range income (for a programmer) on a full time workload.
    Neither.... unless you want to go work for someone as an employee.

    Instead, find a platform that enables you to quickly build whatever you're specializing in.

    Remember, clients don't pay for programming... They pay for the results.
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    • Profile picture of the author hometutor
      Originally Posted by RichBeck View Post

      Neither.... unless you want to go work for someone as an employee.

      Instead, find a platform that enables you to quickly build whatever you're specializing in.

      Remember, clients don't pay for programming... They pay for the results.
      I did that when I developed my custom 5 dollar websites. I needed to be able to change variables quickly for a new client so I placed all the variables near the top then just did search and replace.

      Still need to simplify it and speed it up more though.

      Rick
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  • Profile picture of the author StevenStewart
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  • Profile picture of the author PositiveZahid
    Hello Delta,

    Let's think from the client's point of view. When a client read any blog or watch youtube video he knows that he can get his own website within a small budget. Cause PHP and WordPress made it possible. Around 30% of blog runs with WordPress. It means huge market huge client huge opportunity.

    But what is the reason to use javascript on your website? Definitely, there is some reason. Among 100 clients 5-10 would be able to understand the need for using javascript. The positive thing is they will arrange a bigger budget for their website. So you can get a job with a higher budget from this type of client. The market is narrow here.

    I suggest you start with PHP and Wordpress. Save some money, learn and be expert on javascript. Start learning how to find big client/project. Then switch slowing to javascript.

    Thanks
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  • Profile picture of the author Mike Anthony
    Unfortunately some VERY POOR answers are in this thread.

    If you are talking web development then Javascript is CLEARLY more important than PHP to learn. Wordpress relies on JS in several areas. Plus many sites do not touch PHP at all.

    You can develop sites with Node, Ruby, C#, Java, Go , Python and on and on without knowing JS but all those languages will require JS on the front end for user interactions etc.

    Javascript is almost the only thing that runs in modern browsers. Thats begun to change with Web Assembly (some new tech in browsers) but JS is likely to dominate front side use for many many years to come.
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  • Profile picture of the author denisebr
    Talk is being for an attractive client then you need to learn both because both are playing a major role to build a website or web application.
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  • Profile picture of the author acorbelli
    The pay for both skillsets is about the same, your end rates will depend more on your ability to sell yourself than any technologies you claim to know.

    I actively avoid doing what's hot in the industry unless it presents a clear and definable benefit to my work, and I find that clients and employers who prefer to chase the fads lose their focus on solving business problems pretty quickly.
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  • Profile picture of the author ctrlaltdelete
    Not a developer myself, but I do hire freelancers on Onlinejobs.ph every once in a while.

    Superficially speaking, I'd be more interested in a dev who knows how to use both or more languages. Versatility can be an attractive trait in a freelancer. But if I do recall correctly Javascript is still a must for front end development, so it's one language you have to learn.

    Anyway, it's not about what's hot and what's not. It's about what works for you and your client's needs.
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  • Profile picture of the author justkennie
    It depends actually.
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  • Profile picture of the author DimuDesigns
    I'd go with Javascript. PHP is a back-end only language while Javascript can be used on both the front-end and the back-end (via NodeJS). With Javascript on the back-end you won't have to worry so much about mentally switching contexts when moving between front-end and back-end programming.
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  • Profile picture of the author linord
    Everyone seems to be split into two. Just learn both!
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