[dsarosh]

Hi,
I would like to know from you guys where is the most potential to make money in web designing?
Can someone learn website design and work from home and make some decent money, or does one have to be part of a big or medium sized firm to make good money as a web designers.
If there are some free lancers here that have had success with web designing from home I would really appreciate if they would share some of their thoughts about the potential of earning some money by doing web design from home.
Thanks very much,
Sarosh.

[d*d]

Originally Posted by sheepy

.... but for most, there is very little financial security and lengthy periods between work.

Bit of a dismal outlook, there is no real financial security with freelancing but the lengthy periods between jobs is down to how well you build and maintain your client relations (and how competent you are) it can be a viable alternative to a salaried position

[pgo]

I think - and this is just my uneducated opinion - that if you're just starting out, it's best to get a job-job. That way, you learn the ins and outs - the business of it and all that. You'll learn how to manage a business, handle contracts, work with deadlines and so on and so forth.

That's where I am now. I'm not confident enough in myself to consider going fully freelance. I've got a lot to learn.

There's a lot that comes with being independent (and this is just from a USA perspective) - you've got to be your own boss, got to schedule yourself, pay yourself, manage your own time, handle all your tax issues (unless you can afford an accountant, that is), write contracts (unless you can afford a lawyer), and a million other things I'm probably not thinking of.

[dsarosh]

Thanks for all your opinions, its really valuable to get the opinions of people who are in the profession.
I hope this is not the wrong place to ask this question, but what do you guys think about the difference in demand between photoshop professionals and web designers. My guess is that a photoshop expert may fetch more payment per project than a web-designer, but I really am not sure at all, and it would be great to know your opinions.

Currently I am having free time with me, and I am learning a bit of html/webdesigning and photoshop. I am actually brushing up on these, because I have worked with them in the past.

However, when I see the large no. of highly skilled professionals available on the net, it seems that it will be almost impossible for me even to land my first project. Most employeers request for urls to some past projects you have done, and I dont know from where I can get them.

From you guy's experience, do you think a person/individual wanting to get a website design will consider a freelance webdesigner when he has so many established web designing firms to select from?
What about small/medium companies? Do they ever hand out projects to freelancers, or do they only deal with established web-designing firms with a good background?
Thanks to all again,
Sarosh.

[briljant oranje]

Originally Posted by pgo

I think - and this is just my uneducated opinion - that if you're just starting out, it's best to get a job-job. That way, you learn the ins and outs - the business of it and all that. You'll learn how to manage a business, handle contracts, work with deadlines and so on and so forth.

The best way to learn is to do.

generally getting a 'job-job' round here at entry level will teach you fuck all about the business, contracts, clients etc. you'll be at a mac re-touching images for some shit flyer and won't even get to see the client your working for.

going freelance teaches you loads. you'll make loads of mistakes and fuck stuff up no end, but thats part of it, and as long as you've got the drive and remain positive then you can earn good money. it'll be less than what you could get at a job to start with, and longer hours but much more satisfying.

thats my £5 quid's worth anyway.

[neil3eye]

Originally Posted by dsarosh

Most employeers request for urls to some past projects you have done, and I dont know from where I can get them.

I got round this by playing online games and building sites for the various clans. I also made a site for some freinds to use for chatting that included forums, gallerys etc, it's also good for trying new things with.

As for work .. I think all us freelancers could do with more