Web Developers

LiE · 3 Jun 2009 at 10:26

Anyone here work has a web developer? I'm considering moving into this area and would like to know what the job is like? what languages you primarily use? and if the pay is decent

Thanks.

LiE · 3 Jun 2009 at 10:52

Thanks for the replies.

Spunkey - at the moment I'm not skilled enough to do web development, and possibly not even design. So far I'm comfortable with photoshop, (x)html, css, sql and small amounts of php/javascript. The plan is to skill up in my weaker areas so I can get my foot in the door at developing, or possibly design.

Traditionally what type of projects do you work on?

LiE · 3 Jun 2009 at 11:28

I'd like to earn between 25-30k, but I understand I would need a lot of experience before reaching this pay bracket.

LiE · 3 Jun 2009 at 11:46

I hear the freelance gig is pretty tough to break into. Besides, starting up my own business isn't really an option with bills to pay. I need consistent income.

LiE · 3 Jun 2009 at 11:53

What kind of projects do you usually work on?

LiE · 3 Jun 2009 at 12:10

Interesting stuff

how did you get into the role?

LiE · 3 Jun 2009 at 14:25

Are most of you self taught?

LiE · 3 Jun 2009 at 14:58

Thanks for all the help guys, appreciate it.

One last question - best resources for learning? I've got some books and some websites, any other recommendations?

LiE · 3 Jun 2009 at 21:31

I've just read through the tutorial for php on Tizag which was great, php is very nice. I now have some ideas of what to do with it and I will start out by creating something for my girlfriends website.

LiE · 5 Jun 2009 at 13:49

Guys - what framework do you commonly use for PHP in your roles? Thanks.

LiE · 6 Jun 2009 at 10:45

nolimit - I can pretty much do most of that with the exception of php and javascript, which is what I am currently learning.

Regarding the frameworks - do companies expect you to be familiar with any of them? I'm playing with codeigniter at the moment which I understand to be good for MVC?

LiE · 6 Jun 2009 at 22:45

20-22k is something I'd be willing to go to from my current salary, even if it's a large pay cut.

LiE · 7 Jun 2009 at 16:33

Spunkey said:
Very true. Somewhere in the region of £15-£18k is more likely.

This is very disheartening. I've been building websites for many years, but not commercially. My current job isn't really what I want to do in terms of career, which is where the whole web dev idea came from. As mentioned, I have a lot of skills already in this area but I'm in the process of filling in the gaps.

Financially I couldn't drop to anywhere near 15-18k from my current 33k. I've spoken to my friend who's a IT recruitment consultant for the local area and he thinks he can get me in at around 20-22k. Hopefully he's not wrong.

LiE · 8 Jun 2009 at 14:08

£15-18k is a joke. I could walk into any sales job tomorrow and be earning the same if not a little more

edit:

I plan to do some freelance work and build a portfolio over the next year before I even start applying for positions.

LiE · 8 Jun 2009 at 14:30

I didn't realise that most people knew php, sql, javascript, ajax, photoshop, css, xhtml? For that skillset, and to be able to implement excellent websites, I can't believe people work for £15-18k.

LiE · 8 Jun 2009 at 15:01

tsinc, I understand your point, and I'm definately willing to take a pay cut. I'm on 33k now, but if I want to make this career move I can't drop so low because ends won't meet.

Speaking to my friend whos an IT recruitment consultant he thinks I could get 20k with a decent portfolio and the skills I listed above, in my area.

LiE · 9 Jun 2009 at 07:52

Thanks for the replies.

Back to the topic of frameworks. I'm learning PHP and I'm not sure if I should jump straight into using codeigniter or instead write code from the ground up?

LiE · 10 Jun 2009 at 16:42

Good call Cuchulain.