Hey All,

Love this website. I never really looked into be a part of the web design community before, but I think I'll stick around for a while...

Couple questions:

First some background: I am 19 years of age, and I really like making websites. I would like to start making some more money then just pocket change from others that I design websites for. Currently I only make about 30 bucks a month for a site that I do for a friend, with web hosting fees I just about go out of pocket. I know a lot about HTML and CSS, but beyond that pretty much nothing. I make all of my sites from Dreamweaver CS3. I was wondering if it's possible to make a full living out of being a freelance web designer. I use to be an assistant webmaster for the nationaly sydincated Adam Carolla show, but quickly found out that 9 dollars an hours/4 hours a day/five days a week is nothing. I would like to make up to $3000 dollars a month. That would make me feel more confudnet in the aspect of my work actually being appreshated.

What are some steps I should take to make this possible. I apresheate all the advice.

Only to known as,
DynamicFlooder

Yes, it's certainly possible to make a living as a freelance web designer. The question is, what are your skills - besides using DW CS3 ? Can you do all your own graphics ? Do you code by hand and use CSS ?

i'm agree with LadynRed !

There are many sites on the internet that can help you get started as a freelancer. Don't expect to be making 3000 dollars a month to start. You need a portfolio, as well as reputation, before you will be raised up much more than about $10 an hour. You have to be willing to work for less if you want to get your "foot in the door".

Definitely more skills are required than knowing how to use Dreamweaver, as stated above. In general, it is important to be as well-rounded as possible. The lucrative positions in this field always go to those with many skillsets, but who are very good at a few specialized things.

There are four general categories of web-engineers:
1. Designers
2. Designer/developers
3. Developers - front-end
4. Developers - back-end.

Find out where you fit in. I'm #3.

There's money in web designing but it will be tough. Once you have a 'freelance' tagged onto you, people tend to push the price down. They are very demanding and are only willing to pay peanuts. Worse still, I have met a lot of freelance web designers (or claiming to be web designers) who are spoiling the market by charging at a very pathetic price.

If you are only going into it for the money, then forget it. You will need a lot of passion and it's going to require a lot of hardwork because the entry barrier to web designing is quite low. Anyone with an editor is able to create a website. To stand out you have to be equipped with a wide range of skills eg.CSS, coding, SEO etc. And expect to design websites the way people want, NOT the way you want. And don't expect big bucks to be rolling in immediately.

You want to be making $3,000 a month. I'm sorry but, seriously do you not understand how good you have to be to make $3,000 a month. I mean granted you get some "uneducated" people that are willing to spend alot for something that takes you no time. But, seriously $3,000...

To start at $3,000 a month would be sorta tricky but it isn't that far fetched to eventually work your way to that point. There are months you might find yourself making more than that!

I have found having a day job also offers some benefits you might not be able to afford, like health care. You also have to consider sales and customer relations. If you freelance, you will not only be the designer but, the person handling all of the sales calls and update requests (I'm still trying to figure this one out?) I find dealing with new and old customers to be more demanding at times than the actual work itself. Some customers can be real time suckers so, don't be afraid to say no once in a while or you'll find yourself doing nothing but work.

Taxes are a biggy too. Figure 30% right off the top to cover Uncle Sam. With expenses, the first year or two, you'll probably just about break even. This is one reason why I think it's a good idea to have a day job, not to mention it will give you a good feel for completing tasks under dead lines.

Any way your slice it, work is work. Get ready to work your tail off. As I have found, there is no shortage of work in this field but you definitely have to love what you do.

do you not understand how good you have to be to make $3,000 a month

I don't consider myself to be all that good and 3 grand isn't isn't a problem at all. If you incorporate business tactics like monthly maintenance and hosting, these things will add a residual income to the game as well.

Good Luck!

I am in the same situation. I taught myself HTML in 6th grade making clan websites for video games. Started with Yahoo! Geocities and "graduated" to notepad. Then I used Dreamweaver, SWiSH, some Flash and CSS.

Now I'm 20 and freelancing - last charge was $1500.

This book really helped me out: http://www.amazon.com/How-Start-Home.../dp/0762705612

How to Start a Home-Based Web Design Business

The authors website is http://www.blarneystone.com/

It helped me out a lot - and I got a good grasp.

Originally Posted by netraits

If you are only going into it for the money, then forget it.

i wouldn't agree with that - at the end of the day, its a job, just like many others. I absolutely agree that a lot of hard work is required, but theres nothing wrong with just going in to designing for the money (beats flipping burgers anyway - trust me )

I would like to add that you also need some sales skills and marketing besides design and development background. You have to go out and sell yourself because the jobs are not going to fall on your lap. Also, with a good sales approach you can get $2,000 instead of $1,200.

Originally Posted by darrenfox

I would like to add that you also need some sales skills and marketing besides design and development background. You have to go out and sell yourself because the jobs are not going to fall on your lap. Also, with a good sales approach you can get $2,000 instead of $1,200.

Yeah - that is very true - you might have the best skills in the world, but without personality, you won't be able to apply them. Nobody trusts a shy, shifty-eyed person - you have to be direct, outgoing, and confident.

Originally Posted by MatrixIT

i wouldn't agree with that - at the end of the day, its a job, just like many others. I absolutely agree that a lot of hard work is required, but theres nothing wrong with just going in to designing for the money (beats flipping burgers anyway - trust me )

Well... ya.. you can. But why go for web designing when you are not interested? Might as well work in the bank

Originally Posted by netraits

Well... ya.. you can. But why go for web designing when you are not interested? Might as well work in the bank

Yeah - web design can be very frustrating - pulling your hair out, etc - and if you don't have a desire or drive (not saying you don't) I can imagine it to be very easy to give up in frustration.

I don't think you should see it as a job at first. Do it for fun, do it because you enjoy it! The more you enjoy designing websites, the more it will show in your final product. Do this for a while, set up a portfolio of some sort; maybe make a website about designing and other general stuff that you like, make nice and unique layouts for it. Make sure you tell people you are looking for a job as a designer!

Starting out as a freelancer is great, you have spare time to build up and develop your skills in CSS, HTML and maybe some basic PHP theory. Start making simple templates for famous forum software (most templates for vBulletin goes for around $200) such as PHPBB, vB, SMF and the like.

Another thing you should drop is using Dreamweaver as standard tool, it limits the possibilities somewhat. I'm not saying it's rubbish, I'm just saying that it's not a standard in professional web development. Creating the layout and brainstorming in it is great, but you should know how to use CSS and HTML in stand-alone conditions.

Good luck with your quest!

Unless you truly enjoy your work, it IS 'just a job' and you'll never be happy doing it. The best designers and artists have a true passion for what they do, and they LOVE doing it, it's not 'just a job' for them. I've seen work done by people for whom web design is ONLY a paycheck - I've never been impressed with their work - they're not truly engaged in what they're producing.

" I would like to make up to $3000 dollars a month." - It's interesting.

If you show me some of your web design projects (send me PM), than I'll see how good you are and maybe I can give some offer for web design - to work for our Web Design and Development Company.