Exploring Web Design Opportunities for 2025: A New Frontier
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Chapter 1: The Journey Begins
In today's rapidly changing world, new avenues for income are emerging, particularly in the realm of web design.
I stumbled into this field almost by chance; my initial steps were unplanned yet fortuitous—a phenomenon often referred to as serendipity. My journey began with programming, specifically Visual Basic, when my employer required a simple connection between two offices.
My first experience with code was as simple as "Hello World." Those initial lines marked my entry into programming, albeit as a novice. This experience naturally led me to delve into Microsoft ASP.NET, which was quite challenging for someone without a programming background.
Surprisingly, my knowledge of Latin—a language that has been dead for millennia—turned out to be an unexpected advantage. Latin, with its complex structure and syntax, shares similarities with programming languages in terms of rules and conventions. While Latin doesn’t require digital compilation, both forms of language demand a deep understanding from their respective users.
As time passed, I progressed to PHP and HTML, specifically within Zencart for our e-commerce platform, years before the advent of Shopify and similar systems. I spent countless hours resolving character errors that caused system failures. The satisfaction I felt upon fixing these issues was exhilarating and rewarding.
To enhance my e-commerce capabilities, I integrated Zoho Creator's Deluge language into my skill set. The learning process was lengthy, but the moments of triumph were immensely gratifying.
Later on, I was tasked with creating a website using WordPress. While I completed the project, it felt somewhat unsatisfactory as it involved merely downloading a template and adding graphics, which seemed too simplistic and almost like cheating.
Chapter 2: A New Era with No-Code Solutions
The first video, "Make $1,000 PER DAY as a Web Designer," discusses how web design can lead to significant earnings.
Then came another serendipitous moment—a call for assistance from Marin County, California. I was asked to troubleshoot a website issue involving Bubble, a no-code application at the time.
At first, I was perplexed by the term "no-code," but my curiosity led me to explore this new frontier. After a month of learning and a week of problem-solving, I was hooked. Bubble has since evolved, now offering a fully responsive platform that supports APIs for various external data sources.
No longer just a basic tool for creating minimum viable products (MVPs), Bubble has transformed into a robust application platform, now competing with traditional coding methods. It has integrated AI features and allows for API connections to platforms like OpenAI, making it a strong contender in the market.
My involvement with Bubble has led me to various projects, from a book application to an e-commerce platform for a vintage store, and even a customs brokerage app. The lucrative opportunities in no-code programming are substantial, with entry-level freelancers earning between $25 and $50 per hour, while experienced developers can charge upwards of $200.
Yet, a significant advancement is on the horizon: Bubble is set to launch a major update that will introduce native app design functionality.
The second video, "Make an Extra $5k Per Month as a Web Designer," showcases strategies for increasing income through web design.
Chapter 3: The Future of Native Applications
Native mobile applications, which can be downloaded from app stores, boast faster performance and enhanced functionality compared to web apps. They can interact directly with a device's hardware, such as the camera and GPS.
Although it's possible to convert a Bubble web app into a native one using third-party tools, the design approach must differ significantly from a web-based application. This challenge highlights the complexities inherent in app development.
While Bubble is not the only player in the no-code arena, it excels at simplifying the intricacies of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and SQL, allowing users to focus on functionality and layout. However, this simplification comes with limitations, as reliance on Bubble means that any server-side issues can hinder access to the underlying mechanics.
The impending release of Bubble's native app creator has generated excitement within the community, with many eagerly anticipating its beta version set to launch soon, followed by a full rollout in early 2025.
While the specifics of this new functionality will require the use of platform-specific languages, such as Swift for iOS or Java for Android, it opens up a world of possibilities for developers.
As I prepare for the challenges ahead, I am optimistic about the potential for mobile apps in the side gig economy. The year 2025 is poised to be a turning point, filled with opportunities for innovation and growth.
That's all for now. Let's continue to support one another in this evolving landscape.