As a webmaster working in an SEO company for over 3 years, I have primarily focused on projects for medium-sized businesses, involving corporate websites and online stores on various CMS platforms. Approximately 70% of my tasks revolve around layout and content management, with the remaining 30% related to PHP and JS.
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Lately, the issue of salary has become pressing, given the absence of a developer position and the limited compensation of not more than $1,000 for the range of tasks I handle.
In terms of skills, I am proficient in pure JS and PHP, as well as website layout using popular CMS. However, I lack experience with frameworks, which are not in demand for our current projects.
To increase my income level with my existing skill set, I could explore freelance opportunities that require my expertise in JS, PHP, and website layout. By taking on additional projects outside of my regular work, I can potentially increase my earnings.
What strategies can I employ to leverage my skills and experience for higher income opportunities within the industry? What would be a realistic income expectation considering my current skill set and experience?
There are several strategies you can employ to leverage your skills and experience for higher income opportunities within the industry.
1. Specialize in High-Demand Skills: You mentioned that you lack experience with frameworks, but they are not currently in demand for your projects. However, learning a popular framework such as React, Angular, or Vue.js could significantly increase your market value. By mastering these in-demand skills, you can position yourself for higher-paying opportunities.
2. Expand Your Freelance Work: As you rightly pointed out, taking on additional freelance projects outside of your regular work can be a great way to increase your earnings. Look for freelance opportunities that specifically require expertise in pure JS, PHP, and website layout. Platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr can be excellent places to find such opportunities.
3. Build a Strong Portfolio: Showcase your best work by creating a portfolio website that highlights the projects you've worked on and the results you've achieved. A strong portfolio can help you attract higher-paying clients and projects.
4. Network and Collaborate: Attend industry events, web development meetups, and conferences to network with potential clients and collaborators. Building relationships within the industry can lead to new opportunities for higher income.
5. Offer Consulting Services: With your expertise in website layout and content management, consider offering consulting services to businesses looking to improve their online presence. This can be a lucrative side income stream.
6. Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest trends and technologies in web development. This could involve learning new tools, attending workshops, or enrolling in online courses. This continuous learning will ensure that your skills remain relevant and in-demand.
Realistic income expectations can vary based on your location, the specific skills you possess, and the demand for those skills in the market. However, with your experience in SEO, CMS platforms, and proficiency in pure JS and PHP, you could aim for a significant increase in your current compensation. Depending on the complexity of the projects and your ability to deliver high-quality results, you might target an income range of $2,500 to $5,000 per month for freelance projects, with the potential for even higher earnings as you establish a strong reputation and client base.
Once upon a time, I found myself in a situation similar to yours. I had reached a plateau, and it wasn't just about the potential for promotion; I could have moved up. The issue was the limited scope of tasks I was handling as a webmaster, which were very fragmented (SEO, design, layout, content).
Despite how comfortable I was, I realized I needed to make a change. I switched to becoming a pure back-end developer. This allowed me to hone my skills in PHP, MySQL, and Git. Later, I transitioned to a new job where I learned Symfony, Clickhouse, and Kubernetes. Eventually, I even changed programming languages altogether and now work extensively with Python and a cutting-edge tech stack. Consequently, my professional opportunities expanded significantly, and my value in the job market increased. Most importantly, I derive great satisfaction from my work.
Don't hesitate to break free from your current situation before it's too late. Start planning for the future now.
I would like to elaborate on the points mentioned above.
It's quite intriguing how the perceived value of a professional can be influenced by a simple change in their job title. Take, for example, a webmaster who possesses a shallow understanding of both back-end and front-end frameworks and indulges in various tasks like SEO. By merely altering their resume title to "full-stack web programmer," the market perception of this individual immediately escalates in the eyes of potential recruiters. Therefore, it's essential to enhance one's proficiency in frameworks, establish a professional presence on platforms like GitHub with demonstrable projects such as a basic blog developed using Laravel + Vue.js, and distance oneself from the term "webmaster."
Furthermore, it's crucial to acknowledge that the market highly values specialists who excel in specific domains. Becoming a top-tier professional often necessitates focusing on a specialized area. Therefore, after mastering full-stack development, transitioning towards either pure front-end or back-end specialization is advisable.
Make sure you display positive customer reviews to increase Google's trust in your site.
Create relevant and helpful content.
Provide a positive user experience for website visitors.
Find ways to increase your visitors' dwell time.
Stay on top of your technical SEO.