If you want to make money on the internet you really need to have a solid grasp of HTML, CSS, and Javascript. You should also have at least a cursory knowledge of PHP and MySQL.

You don't just need to know it so you can perform simple tasks on your own without relying on other people, but to be able to inspect the work other people do for you. It really helps when you think of something that you'd like to try that you can just go and try it instead of having to spend money or wait on another person.

You don't need to be an expert but you need knowing enough to get what you want is really the best way to go.

I'll put it this way - the web isn't going anywhere any time soon. Websites are becoming more and more integrated with our daily lives, and it's a solid field to get into. I don't regret getting into it some years back for a second. I learned and got a solid grasp of HTML in a weekend, then took hold of CSS the following week.

Even if you don't work for a web-design-agency, creating themes and selling them can result in large profits. Look at ElegantThemes, Thesis, Headway, WooThemes, Genesis, etc. etc.

Increase og Website Designs and development its worth learning web coding,but make sure you got your basics strong then move ahead with the upgraded part of coding and new platforms.

Why not if you can provide some different features or different looks then you obviously can do work with this languages.

Chuck,

You're absolutely correct to be worried about learning these types of technologies because of global competition. Moreover, sites like Wordpress, Facebook, Notemote ... are replacing the websites of many individuals/organizations. If you're intent on learning this info, consider developing a tool that a lot of people can employ i.e. a javascript scriptlet; you'll have a lot more success.

Either if you plan to learn for you and for your business or just to check your employers (if you have) all the programming languages are still very good to learn.Everything you learn can help you some day.

Yes, absolutely. I've worked as a professional web designer for the past 8 years and the amount of work that is currently out there is overwhelming. Don't let people charging lower rates scare you off. Learning a true server side programming language opens you up to even more options.

At the very least, get a good overview of a few different languages. You don't have to master them, but being familiar will give you a good edge as a business owner. The clients I have who have solid technical CEOs almost always seem to run strong businesses.

thanks for all the replies guys!

nest, what do you think is the best way to get started and build something up?

ronc0011,

what would the lesser competitive language be?

Knowing some coding is good for troubleshooting and editing.

As a field of computer science the processes are always changing. It is very necessary to be yourself updated all the time. But you have to start with something whatever it is.

I also want to learn some coding. I want to spend 2 hours daily in learning new skill. I think you should go and learn it.

It is totally with learning at least the basics for both HTML and CSS. There are numerious times where I wanted to display text a certain way and without knowledge of HTML I might end up not getting the results I wanted. So again, Yes it is totally worth it.

I' don't know what's happened here When I tried to post this yesterday it didn't post Thus It now seems to be posted twice. I have deleted one copy of it and frankly I'm not sure it's posted correctly or not. I guess somethings up with the ystem muwst be some kind of glitch .

No matter how easy it is to create things with point and click tools like Wordpress or Squarespace it's always good to know some type of coding and I've always said that everyone should know some basic HTML. Even if it's not the business you're in. Of course CSS is a valuable thing to know as well.

So I guess my point is, yes

My answer would be yes. You just have to provide something different than they do.

Most of these freelancers that you are talking about are doing decent work for cheap, as you said, but nothing original. They usually just use some pre-made templates and modify them to suit their clients' needs.

If you are going to offer higher quality work, you will attract a different type of clients. And there are enough of them, you just have to prove your skills.

Just my two cents from my personal experience. Also, no offense intended to those who use templates or lack the talent to create aesthetically-pleasing, original websites themselves. As long as their clients' needs are satisfied, there is absolutely nothing wrong with this.

Or you can just move to print and general graphic design, illustrations, etc., if you really think there is too much competition on web design.

Regarding studying it in the future... it probably isn't needed. Most big designers out there either have completely random specializations, or didn't go to college at all. Personally, I am choosing to study something kind of related to web design but many people will agree that it is a waste of time and you lose 4 years of work for a diploma which most clients won't even care about.

The decision is yours. Don't ignore your inner call just because of your competition, or chances are you will live a life where you will do something you hate.

Hi,

My suggestion would be to do the following:

- Learn HTML and a bit of CSS. You can try w3schools.com for it.
- Learn WordPress - it's quite easy to learn and you can make most of the websites that you see online using it.

WordPress and HTML is all that you need to build most of the websites.

All the best!

You should definitely learn, even if its just for yourself and your not making much money. Think about it, everyone is using computers and almost every business has a website. Theres always new companies coming up and people who have ideas for websites that need to be made, and you could possibly be the one they hirer. You just need to practice and if you have previous knowledge of other programming languages it really won't be too hard to learn. You can even make your own website for fun and show it off to your friends and family. And hey, its also a great thing to put on a resume.

Of course, however little they charge, "do it yourself" is still cheaper

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