Hi all I have recently made it one of my goals to learn web design and start making a passive income via the web. I have very limited computer skills (only started using one 6 months ago!) And have no clue about HTML and all the other jargon. I was hoping there are people out there who where once in my position, who would be willing to give me advice on where to start. I've noticed there are one or two (million) web pages on the subject, but I was hoping I could skip reading through all them and get some more genuine advice from the good people on this forum. Yesterday I bought a book called "How To Make a Fortune on the INTERNET" by Ajay Ahuja, now I'm not daft enough to think that if I read this book I will make a load of money any time soon. Infact at first I am not even bothered about making any money. I just want the knowledge to put myself in the position to make money when I have invested enough time and hard work in the project. I know that I could go to my local book store and buy books on the subject, but I've already looked and they all seem too advanced. I couldn't find one for an absolute beginner. Anyway thats enough of my blabber for now. Many thanks for reading Cheers
If you want to learn the basics of website design, I would suggest http://www.w3schools.com/ Read up If you venture into online marketing next, this will help you in many ways.
I'd buy a good book and start in on a site, any site.. to build as you go through the book. I'd try to use just about everything the book mentions in your practice site, just to get the exposure. THEN.. when you think of an idea for a site you want to build, and you invision it, you will have the tools and references (yoru book) to help you accomplish the look and functionality.
ABSOLUTE BEGINNER=Build Your Own Web Site the Right Way Using HTML and CSS by Ian Lloyd. Look at the library first. He starts with, what is a website? What is a browser? What is HTML? He tells you what you need, how you use it, and starts you off building a (fake) diving website (http://www.bubbleunder.com is what it looks like). He introduces you to CSS within the 3rd chapter, and adds things that most people want on their sites: a photo gallery, a contact form, a blog. There are a few bugs (printing errors) in the older editions which you can find the correct type on the associated website (the book has a website in it that's about the book itself and any reported errors). The problem with looking online is that there are too many people doing it the wrong way, wrong meaning various things: either downright invalid code, or code that makes the site inaccessible to some people or browsers, or simply overcomplicates it to the point that making any fixes or changes is damn near impossible. W3schools tells you the basics of what each tag is, does, and what other things can go with that tag. I couldn't get some of the example/do-it-yourself pages to work on my browser (FireFox) and it doesn't tell you how to build a website (what you want to do). ++ to what Mike Bell says.
My personal advice is gain the knowledge about what you want to do first, it may be website coder, ebook writer, software programmer or millions more work that can be done. Don't bother about how to make a fortune on the internet until you mastered them because there are many talented people out there ready to outwit you with their skills. Study hard and work smart, until then your fortune will shine. Hope this helps.
Thanks for all the great advice. It looks like I'll be doing quite a bit of reading in the next few months/years! Cheers again RagsToRiches
In my opinion, making money without knowing html and javascript is like wanting from a two months baby to learn how to whistle; You have big competition out there my friend. How can you compete without knowledge? If you want quick results attend to seminars but you must work in order to make money.