Is it hard learning how the different tools that is needed to build and maintain a professional website?

How long does it normally take to become proficient in learning how to build websites?

Depends. There is the "design" part (tools like photoshop, flash and dreamweaver are the most common) and there is the "coding" part (usually php, mysql and html)

"Professional Website", is a relative term. These days it's tossed around like yesterday's garbage. The truth of the matter is that the varoius aspects of web design and development are becomming so detailed that it would be extremely hard to become proficient in every aspect solo.

However compared to 5 years ago, the resources for acquiring these skills on the net have become far more concentrated and organised. It's far easier to access information to hone each web skill now but some fields still remain elusive, e-commerce for example.

The 'tools' used for website manufacture cannot teach you how to build a professional quality product any more than a hammer can teach you how to build a house. An education in the structure, limitiations, technologies and unique qualities of interactive communications is vital before you tackle 'tools'. The reason being that time invested in a solid understanding of how the web works and how users interact with the web will eliminate a vast wastage of time spent with 'tools' making ineffective products.

When I did my Master of Multimedia, student proficiency within the course varied widely. After 2 years, some students were producing websites that would sit nicely in a professional portfolio, others continued to produce mediocre sites that just blended into the vast mass of amateurism. After 3 years, all those who stuck it out were producing professional sites.

Depending on your aptitude, determination and access to quality tuition, I'd say your looking anywhere between 18 mths to 3 years to get your newbie stripes. After that you find your niche and specialise; another few years. After that, you continue to update your skills, stay abreast of technology and learn till the day you leave the industry.

well said meth0

I learned Photoshop, HTML, PHP, CSS, Game design :P, and other things in 4 years. Your first 2 years you will make the crappiest wesbites and laugh at them after some years, but year 3 of your website design should turn to pro, and you should learn easier and make much beter sites.

For me to learn how to make layouts, slice them and then code them into HTML took me about 2 months. But then again, it may be big for some and small for others.

I think the design all hindges on your imagination. If you cant think of anything, then you cannot design anything thus not being a good designer.

Hi!
I think it also has to do with how hard you drive yourself. Right now...web design is the only thing I care about. I have deadlines.

Having access to good texts is critical. See my thread addition on the Macromedia vs Adobe thread.

There are wonderful online resources as well. Webmonkey is one of the best I have ever seen:

http://webmonkey.wired.com/webmonkey/

Barebones to html has (and will always be, IMHO) a great place to start:

http://werbach.com/barebones/


Ok...a few basics on what makes a "good" website:
As has been said before, it's all relative.

Answer these few questions:
1) What is the goal of your website?
2) Are you aware of what your primary audience is? What they like to see? What they *really* want?
3) What are your competitors doing? Is it working?
4) Do you give people a reason to come back?

These are just a few...it's all I have time for right now. This will at least give you a few places to start.

Good luck,

Bryon