I want to start a web development business, should I learn both frontend and backend languages

Hi dhruv kapoor,

I'm in the process of starting my own web design agency in the UK. I've been building websites for 4 years. Although this seems like nothing at all, that's 4 years in the industry. I started learning at 13. I'm now 21 :)

I am a front end dev, with a strong knowledge of WordPress, Web Hosting, SEO, Ecommerce and RWD. This is enough to get me going. I have a number of clients, and have just yesterday taken on another for SEO work. A portfolio is important, and for that you need your own site. You need to make your site eye catching, and salesy.

There's also the legal side of things like accounting, business registration etc.

I do offer bespoke services, and I outsource an old colleague for it.

There's a lot to it, so if you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Kind regards, Ash

Web development will require both front-end and back-end knowledge which enables you to be a complete web-service shop. Basically, what is key is the ability to leverage development skills and experiences to convert a customer's unique needs into a viable online site experience. This may require designing an information site (blogs, forums, etc.), or building some type of on-line store (selling goods, digital media, etc.). What are you able to and not able to build?

One of the best analogies I can mention is when you build a website- think of it as a painting and will you create something that resembles a stick figure, or end up looking like the 'Mona Lisa'? This entails you will know manage your time figuring out how to classify costs involved for paying the services needed based on discovering what a potential customer wants or needs. Most importantly you need how to make sure you do not do a lot of work for little pay- am sure you would like to make a living instead of doing charity work.

I would recommend what you should know is more a question about your level of understanding for these specialty areas. If you feel you can do a full-stack work on your own then I think you have a lot to offer. Otherwise, as I saw here, consider teaming up with specialists who are very good at what they do. You'll never know everything, but you have to know what you are able to offer for creating a web service business. It's competitive out there so the more you know the longer you'll be in staying in business, or find an employer who will pay you for your knowledge. Technology changes often so you need to always keep on learning.

If youre going to make web dev your business I'd imagine you'd want to know everything there is to know and know it well. Or get someone who knows and you just handle the business side

Thankyou everyone for reply.

So Ash tell me onething you have done some work on ecommerce, what do you prefer Woocommerce, Magento or Drupal. I know it totally depends upon the number of listings and traffic. Since you have already done ecommerce and I am just starting it, may be you can guide me. By the way if its allowed here, you can share your website link I would like to see your work or you can mail it to me.

Disclamer: I don't own, nor I owned a business. You need to be expert at it. You need to know all, yes, if you are in the webstuff, then you need to know the font-end and back end. Bare in mind that knowing technical stuff is one little fraction of business.

You need to set up your business, copyright, make it lega, you need to get customers, hire people at some point maybe?

You need to speak well.

If you don't then dont worry if you don't, and you don't have family don't worry lol just go out there and learn i suppose.

You could hire someone that brings clients on say 20% commision or whatever.

There is a lot ot it, not just setting up a website and i will have Bill Gates as my client.

Go look out in the web, google this stuff.