Okay, so I don't really know exactly what I am trying to ask in this thread but see if you could help me out based on what I say.
I really enjoy doing web development. I have tried doing several different types of programming (game development, application development, game scripting, etc.) and I seem to like web development more than anything. Nothing compares to a beautiful website to me.
I currently know PHP semi-well. No expert, but I am not terrible.
I am in the process of learning JavaScript. I currently know barely any, but i'm getting there. It shouldn't be too bad.
I currently take intro web design and graphic design classes. I've been doing PHP for about 6 months and, as I said, I am just starting JavaScript.
[B]I guess my question is, would it be too hard for me to make any money off of this at my age? Would anyone trust a kid in high school with designing them a website? [/B]
I plan to pursue this as my career one day and i'd like to make any side money I can off of this, but I just don't know where to start.
I have an extreme fear of overselling myself, I guess. I feel like I shouldn't put myself out there, because a 'client' may ask me for something that I don't know how to do yet. That just scares the shit out of me.
[B]Where should I start? Who should I ask? Should I put up any sort of local ad anywhere? Obviously, I don't want to do anything big. Maybe just something for a local business. Just something to bring in a little money.[/B]
Is it possible, or is it just too early for me?
I can show you guys a personal project or two if you want something to base my skill level on.
Thanks, guys.
[QUOTE=Th3applek1d;45569615]
[B]I guess my question is, would it be too hard for me to make any money off of this at my age? Would anyone trust a kid in high school with designing them a website? [/B][/QUOTE]
Make a personal website to show all your completed works (Like a portfolio). That's, I think, the best way to be "trusted".
You have to show to people what you are capable of ;)
The most important part is finding opportunities to make money or offer your services. It doesn't matter about skill level, if you aren't very good then find work which doesn't have to be highly skilled. Constantly seek out people who you could say, "Hey, would you like me to do this for a price?", and sooner or later you'll start making money here and there.
sign up for freelancer sites, elance is the one I have the most luck with.
[editline]2nd August 2014[/editline]
though you won't do well without either some deeper php knowledge to do more backend stuff or more javascript, i highly recommend you get a month of codeschool.com and learn JS through that, just blow through all the classes that sound useful for you
[QUOTE=Shadaez;45571703]sign up for freelancer sites, elance is the one I have the most luck with.
[editline]2nd August 2014[/editline]
though you won't do well without either some deeper php knowledge to do more backend stuff or more javascript, i highly recommend you get a month of codeschool.com and learn JS through that, just blow through all the classes that sound useful for you[/QUOTE]
That site is pretty cool from what I can see. Thanks m8.
I just graduated high school this past May. During my senior year I decided to focus on my love for the web and the development of such. I googled web design in my area, found a random company with a interesting portfolio and asked to intern. This gave me a unique look on the inside and prompted me with a job almost immediately after starting the internship.
My advice and what I currently am working towards... Network with people. There is a ton of money to be made on websites. Even the mom and pop stores that you wouldn't ever go to. Develop some ties with local businesses and you're likely to be pursued by people in your area!
Best of luck my friend,
-Mini
[QUOTE=Mini`;45582890]I just graduated high school this past May. During my senior year I decided to focus on my love for the web and the development of such. I googled web design in my area, found a random company with a interesting portfolio and asked to intern. This gave me a unique look on the inside and prompted me with a job almost immediately after starting the internship.
My advice and what I currently am working towards... Network with people. There is a ton of money to be made on websites. Even the mom and pop stores that you wouldn't ever go to. Develop some ties with local businesses and you're likely to be pursued by people in your area!
Best of luck my friend,
-Mini[/QUOTE]
Hey, sorry for the late reply. My family is pretty close with a lot of popular local restaurants and businesses. Should I just start asking around?
[QUOTE=Shadaez;45571703]sign up for freelancer sites, elance is the one I have the most luck with.[/QUOTE]
I would [B][I]strongly[/I][/B] recommend going and meeting and talking to local people who might need your services above this. Freelance sites like this have tons of overseas workers on them who are able to work for way lower prices than you should want to work for. You can't (and shouldn't want to) compete on price.
Word of mouth is going to be the best way to get business. Build a portfolio and make sure that everyone you know knows about it and knows what you do. EVERYONE. You never know who's autn or uncle might be looking for a website.
I started creating a godsawful Joomla website as my first "paid work". Once I had proven my dad I could write some PHP he had some jobs for me and if I didn't know something he'd explain me. His methods were usually old and weird so I ended up telling him what he did wrong, even though he had been using PHP for way longer. Since then I work for him, a massive company as prototype developer and make websites for multiple small businesses. Just trying to make the websites look visually appealing too, so I can add them to my portfolio. The more portfolio I make the more I can ask (not that €35/hour is bad).
I would like some more jobs that I can do in my holidays so I don't have to stress about shit while in university. Plus the fact that some clients are slow with replying. I am still waiting for a reply to an offer I made, has been 6 weeks since I sent it, 2 weeks since I sent him a reminder and he said he'd call me last week when I ran into him at the bank. Another company I'm working for has been extending the appointment we made to review the work I did. I already got 2/3rd of the complete payment paid, but they still have no clue what I made, what stage of development I'm on and I really do need their input before I continue working.
So, basically, it's not hard to get yourself going, keep your prices somewhat low, build up a portfolio and then go to the slightly bigger boys. They will have more money (Like, €2k for a website isn't that much for a profitable company) and if you have a portfolio to show and sound like you know what you're doing, you can get the job quite easily.
-edit-
I started writing PHP when I was 15, and have been working for others since I was 16, so, I used to be "that highschool" guy too. "Ooooh, so you actually have a registered business" is what one of my clients said when I first met them, as if I was some child who just said it to play businessman.
I started doing paid work around 15-16 too and people were always surprised how young I was when I actually met with them for the first time. Never had any projects fall through because of it though which was rad. Being really confident in your abilities, but still candid with people goes a looooong way.
Cool, thanks for the replies guys.
I plan to start working on my portfolio soon, i'll post it in waywo when I get something pretty going.
Like I said, my family is friends with some pretty successful local business owners, and of course they have friends in the same business too. Maybe I will get lucky.
Yeah that's a really really great initial connection to have. Work that as hard as you can.
[editline]7th August 2014[/editline]
Also, while you're building your portfolio, remember that businesses are looking for people to solve problems for them, not just for people who make pretty websites. Try to make all your portfolio pieces solve a problem and make sure you explain what the problem was and how you approached it. If you do that well you will stand out from the crowd a lot.
[URL="http://99designs.com/"]99designs[/URL] is a great website for what you want.
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