I began designing and developing websites for small business owners and organizations in 2000. That was back in the day of tables and IE5. How far we have come in 13 years! Thanks to those in the W3C who have worked hard to bring standards to our internet driven world, we no longer need to serve up different websites for each browser. Front end developers can focus on more important things; how to bring to our clients the latest technologies and services the web has to offer and wrap it up in an elegant and easy to use website that can be easily found in a Google search.
This, of course, is not such an easy task. Since 2000 we have been introduced to blogs, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter. The web seems to reinvent itself every year and keeping up is challenging. In the past 3 years the acceleration of available web technologies and the impact of social media, tablets and smart phones has completely transformed this field. I’ve watched many of my fellow front end developers fall by the wayside in search of a more predictable career. I’ve also watched the emergence of many new, more social media savvy developers enter the market only to exit rather quickly once they find out it requires flexibility, an eye for user experience, an understanding of a variety of business models, the ability to work well with others, and above all, problem solving skills.
This field involves continually thinking outside of the box, persistence in seeking a better solution and motivation to stay current and fresh. I find myself fortunate in that I have had some amazing clients to work with. In working to define their internet marketing presence, I often find they bring new insights to me as well. I consider my client relationships as valuable partnerships. Their success is my success and vice-versa.
During the last four years I have worked with and built sites with a variety of open source software packages. I have found the good, the bad and everything in-between. Sometimes scrapping a weeks worth of work and starting over because I found that the support for the software wasn’t readily available or the product would be too difficult for the client to work with once the site was built. I am now very happy to say I have found some outstanding programs and developers across the globe that not only provide amazing products, but excellent customer service and support as well. These are my ‘virtual’ partners. They hail from Australia, South Africa, Italy, Utah, England, California, New York, Ohio and every where in-between. They are seemingly online all the time and often answer inquiries within minutes. In a time when we sometimes question work ethic, these people shine.
It’s certainly an exciting time to be involved with the World Wide Web.
Feel free to get in touch if you need assistance with your internet marketing web presence.
Best regards,
Nina J.
