影响Web开发者职业发展的六大障碍

我们使用Web的方式，在不断促进Web开发领域的发展。我们不再仅仅希望利用互联网来宣传我们的商业信息。

现在我们希望网站可以提供更丰富的内容，提供更多与访问者交互的方式，同时采用动态的交互方式。

自由Web开发者可能认为，他们所做的事不会影响他们的职业发展。但不幸的是，该领域的很多人的某些行为正无意识地阻碍着自己的发展。

1.偏执于某种技术

如其他任何领域一样，Web开发者通常用他们喜欢的语言、数据库或平台来工作。但在技术领域，我们可能需要更加脚踏实地。

无论你偏爱于微软技术、开源技术，还是一个苹果迷。执着于某一种技术，将自己局限于一小角落中，这在面临任何特殊技术时，不是一件好事。以开放的心态，学习多种处理事情的新方法，你可以发现更多为你敞开的大门。

2.孤立于网络

参加技术型大会、行业展销会，不失为获得领域内新知识的好方法，但与其他开发者保持网络联系也是一个不错的方法。

保持领域内的联系，是极其重要的。你会发现这是一个了解客户的很有价值的信息源，还可以帮助你解决工作中遇到诸多问题。

3.承担来自亲朋好友的项目

你的姑妈希望售卖果冻。如果要为此开发一个在线网站，很自然，你会是首位被要求做这件事的人。

当你被一个极难取悦的客户（朋友）缠住，他们可能希望你免费为他们工作。亲朋好友很难区分这是属于个人还是专业范围。

当然，如果你说“不”，那当节日到来时，你可能就不会受欢迎。

当面对这些项目时，最好的办法是从一开始就设置一些合适的条款，并收取少量的费用。这会强化一个的事实：你做此类工作，是需要收费的。这也可以告知他们，他们并不是你唯一的客户。

4.低价售卖项目

我确信，每个人都会记得在我们职业生涯的早期，都有过低价售卖某一项目的经历，而这甚至会发生于更有经验的开发者身上。

首先，向你支付更少的费用只会降低你在客户心中的重要性。如果他们把你看作廉价的替代品，他们就不会视你为专业人员。

其次，廉价会严重令市场缩水。那些正争取每个客户的同僚们会快速失去对那些每次都低价出售自己项目的人的尊敬。

5.不懂得推销自己

我曾经见过一些Web开发者，他们并没有自己的个人简历网站。这正如吸烟、一日三餐吃油腻食品的医生一样。

如果你想发展你自由职业者的事业，就必须学会销售你的专业技能。当然在线网站并不是达到该目的唯一可以做的事。

向Web开发类的Blog、网站，贡献一些博文，为其他人解答、解决问题，花费一些时间（和金钱）加强广告宣传，都是我们可以做的事情。

6.忘记为什么被雇佣

开发者被雇佣，是为了向那些缺失专业知识、缺失专业技能的客户提供某种专业服务。这是最基本的原因。

所以当他们不理解Ajax无法简化他们的网站时，就需要你来教授他们。

确实，有些客户并不会去努力地理解那些可以增强其网站性能的技术，和这些客户一块工作，确实会让人十分沮丧。这时我们不应该得意忘形，应该宽容。（编译：陈秋歌）

6 Ways Web Developers Can Damage Their Career

July 30, 2012
18 Comments

The web development industry is one that is always growing because of how we use the web. No longer do we expect the Internet to simply host a digital pamphlet for a business.

The expectations nowadays are for a site to be rich with content, provide the means for visitors to interact and be dynamic in every interaction.

With the demand at an all time high, freelance web developers may think that there is little they could do to harm their career. Unfortunately, there are many ways that people in this industry sabotage themselves when it comes to their career.

1. Clinging to technologies

Like any industry, web developers usually work with their favorite languages, databases or platforms. However when it comes to technology, we sometimes tend to be a bit hardheaded.

Whether you prefer to work with Micro$oft, Open Sores or you are a die hard Apple fanboy, painting yourself into a corner when it comes to any particular technology is never a good thing. Be open to learning new ways to do things and you will find more doors
open to you professionally.

2. Fail to network

Attending conferences and trade shows are a great way to learn about what is new in the industry, but it is also a great way to network with other developers.

Maintaining relationships within the industry is extremely important. You could find it a valuable source of referrals for clients and a support system to help you solve problems in your own work.

3. Taking on projects for family and friends

So your aunt wants to sell her fruit jellies that made her a local legend. Of course, you are the first person that is called on to help her launch the online portion of her business.

Now you are stuck with a client that can be extremely hard to please and they may be expecting you to work free of charge. Family and friends often have trouble distinguishing between personal and professional boundaries as well.

Of course if you say no, you might not be welcome when the holidays come around.

The best bet when taking on these projects is to set the parameters right from the beginning and charge a small fee. This reinforces the fact that you are actually paid to do this type of work. It also helps let them know that they are not your only client.

4. Underbidding on a project

I am sure we can all remember a time early in our careers when we underbid on a project, but it happens even to more experienced developers as well.

Whether we blame the economy, the scope of the project or the slick talking of the project manager underbidding never works out for the best. Even if we need the work.

First of all, paying you less only undervalues your importance to the client. If they see you as the cheap alternative, they won’t view you as a professional.

Secondly, underbidding seriously waters down the market. Colleagues who are fighting for every client quickly lose respect for those who undercut them every chance they get.

5. Failing to market

I have actually met web developers who don’t have their own portfolio site. That’s kind of like the doctor who smokes and eats fast food for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Marketing your skills is a must if you want to grow your freelance business. But an online portfolio isn’t the only way you should be doing this.

Contribute guest posts to web development blogs and web sites, answer questions and solve problems for others and spend some time (and money) advertising.

6. Forgetting why you were hired

The bottom line is a developer is hired to provide a service for a client that lacks the technical knowledge and/or skills to do the job themselves.

So when they don’t understand that AJAX won’t be used to clean their web site it is up to you to educate them.

Yes, working with clients who don’t make any effort to understand the technology that powers their web presence can be extremely frustrating, it is imperative that you don’t come across as pompous or intolerant.

Of course, we would like to hear from our readers any thoughts they may have on things they feel can “damage” their careers.