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Learning the Web Through Experience

I started as a website designer several years ago. At that time, website management was the #1 job in the country to have. So what did I do? I went to school to learn about website management. It took me a couple of years to realize just how huge and unspecific the term "website management" was. It wasn't a brief description like "PHP Programmer" or "Database Programmer." It was broad, covering the whole industry and if you think about it, it kind of implies that the person calling themselves a "website manager" can do everything. The same holds true for those individuals that call themselves "Web Masters."

I think working in the web/internet industry is sort of like being a doctor. You need to figure out what area you're going to specialize in and become very strong in that area. In my industry, it's best to figure out whether you're a good manager and can manage big projects, of if you really like design and graphics, or if you're great at programming and think in numbers and code. Whatever your desire, focus on it and become really good at it.

I decided to specialize in design and I think I'm pretty good at it, or so people tell me I am. I love it anyway and I guess you have to love something to be good at it, at least for an extended period of time. I've been tempted over the years to diversify and add things to my set of skills. I've tried PHP and started a class, but my design work got too busy and I had to remove myself from the class. Then I tried graphic design and print work. Then I got screwed on a job and had to eat $500 because of an error on the print work that the client approved. So I took that as a sign to focus on the web and my design skills. But a strong business isn't built with design skills alone, at least not for me.

After a couple of years working my design business, I got more confident and started to take on larger jobs. Then I got the call one day to develop a website that had a content management system that and a special feature that would create other websites and pull from the same database. My first notion was to RUN! But I remember my favorite professor telling me that I should "never turn down a job that I thought I couldn't do" and that "I should look at it as a learning opportunity." That was probably the best advice I've ever gotten. I still use it today and every time I think I can't do something, I just remember, every challenge is a opportunity for growth. How did I do the project? I hired a group of programmers to do the job for me and I did the design work. It's been a few years since that project and we're still working together today.

I'm still facing some challenges today. I am in the process of opening a full service website development company and there are several areas that are new to me. I've been around them in some capacity for some time but they really are new territory because I'm taking them on. I'm looking at website development and hosting as well as templates and website marketing. For a designer, this is all a challenge and I allow it to be and I face the challenge. I can't tell you how many times I've had to call support. And the one key feature I look for when taking this stuff on it, 24/7 live customer support. If the companies I chose didn't have that, I would really be lost.