Taking the Initiative: Building a Website for a Local Business to Hone Web Development Skills
Are you considering whether offering to create a website for a small local business is a valuable practice for enhancing your web development expertise? Here’s an insightful perspective on how volunteering your skills can serve as both a learning opportunity and a stepping stone into freelancing.
Background and Motivation
As a current Computer Science student at UoPeople, I am nearing the completion of my associate degree this upcoming fall/winter. My academic journey has largely centered around programming, particularly web development, which I recently wrapped up. To put my skills into real-world practice, I devised a plan to collaborate with a local business—specifically, a newly opened juice bar that currently lacks an online presence. They don’t have a website, social media accounts, or even a listing on Google Maps.
The Project Plan
My idea involves designing a straightforward Single Page Application (SPA) for the juice bar, aimed at establishing their digital footprint. The goal is to offer this service at a modest fee (possibly $300 or less) or even free of charge, depending on the circumstances. After launching the website, I would assist in setting up their Google Business profile—a process that typically takes around two weeks.
Moreover, I plan to negotiate ongoing services such as web hosting and potential future features, like an order management system or backend integration. While expanding the project in these ways will require additional practice and time, starting with a simple, static site seems most pragmatic initially.
Benefits and Learning Opportunities
This venture will not only enhance my technical skills—particularly in web programming—but will also introduce me to freelancing and client management. Successfully completing a project for a local business can serve as a foundational example in my portfolio, which is currently nonexistent. Additionally, engaging with small businesses in my community offers a meaningful way to give back while gaining real-world experience.
Seeking Feedback and Advice
Is this approach a good practice for someone building a career in web development? Have others in the developer community undertaken similar projects? I am new here and eager to learn from experienced colleagues. Any constructive criticism or suggestions are most welcome.
Update and Reflection
Based on feedback received, I recognize that starting with multiple static pages might be more practical initially. As I grow more confident and understand the client’s evolving needs, I can consider adding dynamic features or backend functionality later. This approach ensures I deliver value while continuously expanding my skills.
Thank you all for your encouragement
