Would you let a 14 year old design your website?

Hi, I like web design and I am 14 years old. I want to start making money from this, from local businesses. If you had a local business, would you let me design your website? Here are some examples of mine:

I'd charge about £40 a page, and £50 a page with flash elements and £60 per page for full flash (like the 2nd link). £40 is $61. Not sure about the prices yet, though.

(Bear in mind that all of these sites are prototypes, too)

me web old 14 would years let design you

asked Jul 24 '10 at 11:26

Timn96
4.7k●13●32●94

edited Jul 24 '10 at 11:42

14 Answers:

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I was exactly the same as you, Timn96. The best way to get started is voluntary work - it opens up doors. Don't claim to know everything, because you never will - this is something that will hamper your chance of getting in with well known companies; local companies, specifically.

At 14 you're seen as a minor, it took me time to understand this. I offered to design and run a small website for a local firm who I bought products from for a year or two previously, and my Dad many years previous to that. Showing good will, good skills and communication is key. Since then I have started to be paid for work that I do at very, very good rates. I have been self employed for a year now, running my own business. I have many websites under in my portfolio to credit my hard work, with many being 'offers' and more recently financially rewarding.

You should ideally work at an hourly rate that is proportional to your age, whilst taking into account your skills. In 'the city' (I'm from the UK, like yourself) you could charge £100 per page. You're suggesting £40 a page which is a little too high, I'd suggest something of around £25 - £35 per page. Also set hourly and day rates. For your age I'd suggest £15 - £20 per hour.

Learn how to code to standards, keep yourself up-to-date with the latest standards - HTML 5, CSS 3. I would also suggest learning at least one server-side language, such as PHP or ASP. I prefer PHP, but either is fine. jQuery (JavaScript Library - 'Write Less, Do More') is becoming more widely used and can be used to produce some fantastic user interface improvements; it really adds an extra dimension.

Content Management Systems are really taking off at the moment, find one which you prefer - evaluate each on it's merits and progress with this. When you get 'advanced' you could even design and develop your own, bespoke system to sell on - something which could be used in the right situation.

Summary:

Don't go in as 'Mr Big'. Make an impression; be yourself, learn and enjoy what you do
Learn something from every project as you're getting into things
Keep 'up-to-date' - don't ignore new trends
Look into and become familiar with CMS sites and services

As an extra note, ensure you can communicate effectively. Explain terms clearly, definitive quotes and don't let any site go live until it is 100%. Ensure you get a definitive list of your client's needs and goals from there websites - don't make promises that you cannot deliver. Build your reputation; It's your name, after all.

I hope this helps.

answered Jul 24 '10 at 16:45

swinnie
771●1●9●18

Thank you :D That was great help, I am looking in to more Web 2.0 things like JQuery, and i'm trying to start to learn a bit of it. I did wonder about the prices, so I think i'll alter those to a bit lower. Thanks for the advice man :D

(Jul 24 '10 at 17:08) Timn96

this has to be one of the bst answers i have ever seen

(Jul 24 '10 at 17:09) Tim Fontana

Timn96 - try to avoid terms like 'Web 2.0' with clients, particularly. I do not see the web going through this 'versioning' that some are referring to.

If you want to refer to what is going on, use names of standards - XHTML, CSS or the techniques that are being used - client side scripting, server side scripting etc.

It's all about being clear; but explaining yourself in the process.

(Jul 24 '10 at 17:31) swinnie

2	I don't see why not, but I'd prefer to have my web designer be local. I do my own graphics, and I just need a web developer to do the rest. Like redirects from iPad & Mobile browsers to iPad & Mobile browser friendly content. answered Jul 24 '10 at 16:26 r0bErT4u 31.0k●513●672●938

nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, i'd desing my own site for FREE and i'm only 12.

answered Jul 24 '10 at 11:44

Danish
(suspended)

That's great, but you're using a template, not designing from scratch. Anyone can design from a template, I was doing that when I was about 10-12

(Jul 24 '10 at 11:51) Timn96

by scratch..what do you mean...do you code html? im just wondering

(Jul 24 '10 at 11:55) SJP

I code HTML, make the graphics in Photoshop and the flash applications in Flash Catalyst. I use dreamweaver to code, I use a mix between the coded workspace and the design workspace, since some things aren't worth coding.

(Jul 24 '10 at 11:57) Timn96

LOL your site is being reviewed :L unlucky and yeh any one can do templates

(Jul 24 '10 at 13:08) Tim Fontana

1	i have to agree...noooooo..sorry but id rather make my own. your gonna have to show something more....better...but good try answered Jul 24 '10 at 11:46 SJP 4.6k●84●109●168

I would sure let you build on my website.(www.futokutei.com) Currently there is nothing but "Coming to a browser near you" I just don't have the time to work on my personal site :/

answered Jul 24 '10 at 11:45

Aqua Toshi
76●8●11●14

If you do actually need a design service then please get in to contact with me.

(Jul 24 '10 at 11:48) Timn96

Sorry. I think your work is good, but wouldn't pay you ~50 dollars for 1 page.

(Jul 24 '10 at 11:50) Aqua Toshi

like.....nooooooo I design my own for free lol. Didn't wasted my 3 high school years instead of studying on the computer learning those things.

answered Jul 24 '10 at 11:51

Patxi
12.6k●206●272●386

Apparently you skipped too many English classes :D Just kidding

(Jul 24 '10 at 11:54) Aqua Toshi

jajaja in my country 12th grade English is that of your 1st grade 2nd grade English, we practically go to university with no grammar/ LX knowledge, basically I learned this in Internet, TV and of course reading Death Metal and rock lyrics :p, I got A+ since I started and never read a book, notebook or studied in my school years lol

(Jul 24 '10 at 12:04) Patxi

0	£40 a page is an awful lot. I can put together a site and make it look however I like using Wordpress and Artisteer which are both really simple pieces of software. answered Jul 24 '10 at 12:26 edgy 2.1k●20●32●51

0	I'm 13 and design websites for many companies, usually making ~$500. It's a great business if you CAN design. answered Jul 24 '10 at 14:37 alexleiphart 1.9k●26●34●55 2 some one needs to drop their addiction to the bullshit pill (Jul 24 '10 at 17:11) Tim Fontana

I'd say that you're off to a good start. The sites provided are all fairly simple. You should brush up on some content management systems (CMS) if you really want to get into web design. Wordpress, Joomla, and Drupal are some of the ones that I've used in the past.

answered Jul 24 '10 at 14:43

TechRob
716●11●18●22

Thanks :D for that, I'm going to look in to Wordpress and Joomla theming.

(Jul 24 '10 at 17:09) Timn96

0	Honestly no. However, your off to a good start, but the kind of designs that I have in mind require more intense designing and I need a more experienced designer. answered Jul 24 '10 at 16:32 master 2.4k●24●39●64

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Asked: Jul 24 '10 at 11:26

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Last updated: Apr 14 '12 at 00:34

Would you let a 14 year old design your website?

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