Although the title may lead you to believe that this article only discusses issues involved with leaving your "other job" to become a free-lance Web builder, don't be mistaken - A
Small business website design’s job is hardly ever finished, and the normal work-hours of "9-to-5" will soon become a thing of that past, if you're ready to take that big step. Web builders can frequently be found in their offices at odd hours of the morning, and often on weekends, so don't be too surprised if, once you're full-time in this profession, you get a call at 2:00 a.m., asking you where you put such-and-such a file, or what the password for some odd FTP site is. Computer professionals in general are well-known for their rather free working styles and hours, as well as often times not seeing the light of day, for weeks on end. This becomes especially true, when you have clients in foreign countries, which operate on time zones different than your own.
Many of you out there are not yet employed full-time in a Web professional capacity, but are more likely starting out, either as hobbyists, freelancers, or part-timers for organizations that have limited Web development needs. But, as time goes on, the urge to develop bigger, better, and more sophisticated sites will take its toll, and you may be called upon to make a decision as to whether to try your hand at Web building full-time or not. In most cases, builders want to give it a go, and make a full-time career out of the Web industry. One thing in particular that will be a challenge is convincing prospective employers that you have enough experience, and skill to fill the position being sought.
So, how should you prepare for this, and when is the correct time to make your move into the Web industry, as a permanent career switch? To say, "Seven months, two days, and 14 minutes after you build your first site is the correct timing" would be an impossible thing to do. Bringing it down to specifics is not a science, but more like an art, and you'll have to rely a lot on your own instinct, as well as the self-confidence you have in your own abilities. Look at the position you're applying for, in regard to the skills you possess. If you find yourself consistently not possessing the skill-set sought, then you need to spend more time honing your knowledge in these subjects.
