I read the thread by Chris Longman on starting up a web desing company. I'm also just sixteen and was completely inspired when I found out that Chris, a 14 yr. old guy, had started his own web design company.I also wanted to do freelancing just by reading that thread. Could you guys please advise me what freelance web design is, what skills I need to have in doing it and how and whrere do I present myself as a freelance web designer.
Any advice will be most helpful to me.
Thanks.

Hey its gr8 to hear that others also wish to become sucsessful in the web design buissness

Good luck !

hi well im 14 n i like to web design myself. Well first most people learn how to make web pages using html and design software like flash or adobe photoshop. As you get better you need to learn other languages such as javascript and php and mysql. These skills help you create better web pages. If you are just into the design part you could just make the design in photoshop and sell the psd that can get you around, and it varies, $10-$500. If youre english like me thats around £6-£400 i think. It depends on how good you are at designing or coding. Most people once able to design good web pages using photoshop go to communities like this and offer to sell there designs or offer to work on a custom design for someone.

If you have never used photoshop before go to a website called http://good-tutorials.com thats has alot of tutorials on photoshop.

I hope this has helped if ya have any questions feel free to pm me

Web design is one of the fastest-growing industries on the planet, with more and more people believing they can 'make it big' by creating websites. Such growth has it's downfalls, and supply now greatly outstrips demand. That doesn't make for a good industrial economy, giving the customer much more choice, but the company a lower chance of finding work.

As has become the case for people like Accountants, and Lawyers/Solicitors to some extent, you have to be able to really prove yourself in order to make web design pay as a living. This could mean a high profile client, or a vast portfolio of work that you have done, or contributed to. You then have to decide whether your talents warrant a hefty price tag should anyone wish to utilise them, or whether you want to aim a little lower and try to ensure a constant flow of lower-paid work.

Whatever the case may be, it will be no easy task to prove successful. The internet is a rapidly expanding marketing tool, yes, but conventional methods are far from dead and buried. To this end, it is probably better to offer a broader range of services (if you are able to), possibly branching out into graphic work.

It's a harsh reality, but there are literally millions of people who think they can whip up a smart looking website (or not so smart in some cases), and that this automatically qualifies them to charge insane amounts for their time. They build themselves up, ultimately, for a big fall. Unless you are well established already, are lucky enough to latch on to a number of decent projects, or are able to effectively market an almost unique talent you have (or at least make it seem as though you have something different to offer the client), being a web designer can be a long slog.

I think it's far more effective, and ultimately realistic, to target a particular industry, aiming your services directly at a select group of companies. This doesn't mean going through the business directory and mailing all the companies in a particular business area. Instead, focus on an entire market, motor sport, or engineering for example (the area can be literally anything). Having an interest in the area you choose is an obvious advantage, as you can tailor the website far better if you have a true understanding of the audience you are projecting to.

This is for me gives you by far and away the best of chance of 'survival'.

Don't want to be damning here but make sure you know your stuff before setting up a website design company - it is a very competitive market. It is not just your work, but the marketing and business side of it as well. Whilst you may have had a go at making websites and think this is a great way of earning a bit of extra cash while you are a teenager you need to be able to offer something for clients. Many businesses deal over the phone - can you compete with that? A mobile number/house phone isn't professional, nor is a phone line installed with an answerphone - there is also the payment side to contend with and the actual language you use when corresponding with clients, people are put off by bad grammar etc. Finally there is the question of deadlines - if you have schoolwork can you cope with business cliental wanting their site up fast?

Chris: I notice your threads slagging off websites, but Id take a look at yours - I HTML validated it for you Click here the search engines like nice clean sites, clients may like their sites SEO friendly. There is also a few grammatical errors, and the home page contains a dead link (the image) Whilst the site is clean to an extent, it does not look "visually stunning" IMO. I'm not trying to discourage you, it is great that you are trying to set up shop as a web designer, but my advice would be to learn as much as you can in terms of CSS, HTML, PHP and graphics - maybe attend a few courses whilst learning the business and marketing side of what is required, then you will have a better chance. On the other hand you have no financial pressure (I assume you are living with your parents) so it may be the perfect opportunity to build up some kind of business.

To all the other teenage web designers, by all means give it a go but get somebody else perhaps in the industry to critique your work, and more importantly take on voluntary jobs to expand your portfolio - this is vital. It is unlikely given the competition you will be able to pull in customers from search engines, so think about ways of marketing your business & the clientel you are aiming at.

Just my 2 cents anyway - I wouldnt want to discourage anyone, I have taken on a few design jobs in the past, but with the outsourcers from India as well as competition it is very hard to succeed - I look at other ways to make money online.

=---- Wow it's good to see so many opinions on this

I would say most "designers" are pretty poor.
Some fully fledged companies really don't have a clue about what looks good and what doesnt and that's before I've looked at their code

And yes you have to really sell yourself otherwise you are going nowhere.

You've probably seen me in the Reviews forum giving some harsh (but fair) critisism. A lot of people will post a site and a lot of others tell them that its great even if it isnt. I don't believe in doing that, you have to be honest. If someones site looks old fashioned or the colourscheme doesnt work then I tell them that.
Why build someone up if they arnt ready to begin doing web design seriously. Who's to say they won't be ready in time...

Notice I don't have a link to my site yet? That's because its not ready! And I won't be linking to it until it is. When I add my link I want to be 100% sure that I've given my best.

What a depressing thread!! lol!
I do have to agree with most of what everyone has said, but I have a few things to add.
-A lot of indutries are flooded right now. Especially in the US. Outsourcing is a problem, but again, most other industries are facing that issue too.
-If you are a teenager, this is the perfect time to learn as much as you can and really learn to make yourself stand out. If you dont have to worry about paying rent, you have time to work on the skills that will make you stand out in the field.
- Web design might not make you rich, but if it is what you love, you should give it your all and do it. I would rather do something I love and make a modest living than make a bunch of money doing a job that made me miserable.

What is money????? when its all done and over you will not be judged or rememberd by how much money you had but how much you gave....

So in other words give to something you love work hard and play harder the money will come with time