COURSE STRUCTURE
There are six modules in the certificate. There are five core modules and one elective module. Click on the links below for more information on each module.
Core Modules
Electives
Choose one elective module from -
WORKING AS A WEBSITE DEVELOPER
Website developers work with businesses and organisations to design, create, maintain and manage websites of all types.
Some developers are employed in house by medium or larger organisations, where the website may be a significant part of the organisation's overall business (eg. online retailers, online publishers). In such cases, they may be working on the same small group of websites, so the nature of the work may be more maintenance and improvement, and less development.
Others work from job to job, either within a small web development firm, or as an independent contractor.
Individuals just starting into this industry, once they develop some useful skills, will often find part time employment either on a contract or casual basis, developing websites.
The most successful web developers are often small business operators, either working alone or employing no more than a handful of specialists (for example programmers, graphic artists/designers).
Some larger operations (for example marketing/advertising firms) will employ web developers to service their clients.
Self-employed web developers can command very high hourly fees if they are able to create and maintain a site that performs for their client. Often the difficulty is in being able to show success though. A site that gets a lot of traffic will not be successful if it is the wrong type of traffic. If your client is trying to sell high priced goods in highly developed countries, traffic from underdeveloped countries, where there are few customers, will be of little value.
Obviously, it is impossible for 100% of programmers to be in the top 10%; but if you can combine skills in I.T., with an understanding of commerce, an awareness of the core purpose of the site, and an innovative approach - you will have a good chance of setting your work apart from the competition, and attracting site visitors that your competitors don't attract.
People who can program fast, without mistakes, and in desirable languages (e.g. ASP.Net) are in demand and will get work easier, and should be able to earn as much if not more than other professions (e.g. A medical doctor). You don’t walk into the ultimate job without experience though. Your first work is more likely to be irregular and paid at a relatively low rate; but in this field, the opportunity to advance to a highly paid position within a few years of starting out certainly exists for those who can demonstrate appropriate skills.
Risks and challenges
Though there are many people who learn to program computers (and websites), there are many unemployed programmers. Often this is because the programmer has learnt languages which are not in demand. This is an industry where being up to date is absolutely critical!
Other challenges a website develop may face include:
- Meeting Deadlines (Don’t over commit, and remember things can go wrong; so give yourself some breathing space)
- Not updating programming skills
- Staying up to date (e.g. aware of industry developments, SEO changes, competitor activity, software updates, etc)
- Network security (e.g. virus protection)
- IT or power failures
- Standard business risks such as cash flow, market competition, staffing, etc.
Becoming a Web Developer
Finding work is often easier than finding well paid and consistent work. Sustainability of a career depends upon how good you are, and particularly on having a broad base of skills. Programmers who specialize too much may earn big money for a short time; but they must be able to adapt to other things when the industry changes.
Website developers often begin by studying a course such as this. Qualifications rarely matter a lot; but the amount of learning you have matters a great deal.
The most successful website developers are likely to be:
- Self employed
- Good communicators (in writing, verbally, on the phone and in person)
- Technically skilled (e.g. writing programming languages, using software); and able to learn new technical skills fast.
- Fast, accurate and focused with their work.
- Aware of the world beyond computers. This is important in order to keep what you do "relevant" to everyone in the wider world who uses your sites.
- Very well networked (being aware of industry developments including new technologies, search engine policies, problems such as spyware and viruses etc).
- Skilled in illustration (e.g. Design, photography, using programs such as photoshop)
- Skilled in marketing
Setting Up Your Own Business
This and other such courses will give you a lot of what you need to get started as a web developer; but that isn't the same as getting started as a self-employed small business owner. The reality of today's world is however, that most work opportunities are in self-employment; and that situation is likely to only strengthen in the years to come.
If you are planning to set up your own web development business; discuss what you should be doing with one of our academic officers, before you complete your course. We do provide free advice to our students, and will point you in the right direction, to help avoid common business pitfalls. We have books we can suggest you read, and we have arrangements in place with insurance companies to help make sure your risks are minimized. Consider Professional Indemnity Insurance and discuss other needs pertinent to your situation with an insurance agent.
What Are the Advantages of Studying with ACS Distance Education?
- You can start at any time to suit you.
- The courses are self-paced.
- You can study when and where suits you. They are flexible to fit in around you and your lifestyle.
- Keep up to date on your learning.
- Update your CV.
- It is not just a course, it is a package of learning that includes – course notes, tutor feedback, self-assessment tests, research tasks and assignments.
- Our tutors are all experts in their field, with years of experience in their field.
- They are also keen and enthusiastic about their subject and enjoy working with students to improve their knowledge and skills.
- Courses are also updated regularly to meet the demands of the changing needs for knowledge and to keep our courses up to date.
What Next?
This is a self-paced, 600-hour online course focussing specifically on website development.
You will study with experienced tutors and successful web developers.
This is a results focussed course. We teach you to build sites that look good AND get the traffic and sell the goods.
You can enrol today by clicking the “Enrol Now” button above.
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