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General Discussion

Colin Reid
Colin Reid
3,261 Points
Posted by Colin Reid
Colin Reid
3,261 Points

Where to start?

Hi,

I'm looking to get a job as a front-end web developer, do this i'm getting together a portfolio. So far i have 1 client...............my girlfriend.

To start things off I'm about to build a website for her music. The site will be quite basic at first, about page, page to buy her CD, contact info and media page with videos, itunes links etc.

I just don't know where to start. Should i use bootstrap, Wordpress other CMSs or just code from scratch using HTML, CSS, Javascript. Will would be employees appreciate coding from scratch as an example of hard work and determination or see it as someone who hasn't the gumption to realise there are shortcuts out there that make the work a whole lot easier.

I'm currently doing the Ruby on Rails course, as part of the web developer track but i'm losing interest quite rapidly. Should i just concentrate on building the website and use Treehouse for reference or just continue and finish the track?

Thanks

Colin

2 Answers

Jacob Mishkin
Jacob Mishkin
23,118 Points
Jacob Mishkin
Jacob Mishkin
23,118 Points

Think of breaking things down to there basic element. start off with bootstrap/CMS. Why a CMS? Most of the time a CMS is used in order to hand off a site to a client where they can add and remove content easily and without knowledge of basic code. Learning/using wordpress is a great way to get your foot into the door in web dev. 25% of the web runs on wordpress and if you can show skills writing php/wordpress functions/code it will make it easier for you to land that first job. Hardcoding or hand coding HTML/CSS is important, very important, but in most work environments you will be working with dynamic sites, not sites, so keep that in mind. Lastly, my advise is, write everything down for this site, whats on it, how users will use it, sketch it out, then build the first version of the site. Remember you can always do a 2.0 version or a 1.5.4 version of the site.

I'm a php guy, but I would of loved to of learned Ruby, there is a lot of things you can do with it, from apps to Treehouse. Treehouse is built on Ruby. What is most important is to find a language that you feel comfortable using, not easy, but comfortable.

So far as frameworks go, I prefer Bourbon, and neat as the grid. A lot less stress on the load time that bootstrap has, and I think a better fluid grid.

And If you are going to build a site that has a store on it, ie. buying cd's, remember you need to review security standards that are in place. I hope this helps and good luck.

Colin Reid
Colin Reid
3,261 Points
Colin Reid
Colin Reid
3,261 Points

Thanks for the advice Jacob, much appreciated,

Jacob Mishkin
Jacob Mishkin
23,118 Points

Not a problem. If you need help feel free to ask questions in the Community. We're happy to help.