Comments on: 5 Reasons it Sucks to be a Web Developer

By: Robin Cox

Robin Cox — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 10:01:50 +0000

I have my own web company with people handling sales and customer relations so I am lucky enough to not be affected by number 1 – 4 but man am I affected by number 5. Our clients are all small and medium sized businesses so alot of them still use ie6, man do i hate internet explorer. The worst thing of it all is that ie7 and ie8 are crap to. Hope ie9 will be better.

By: John

John — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 04:18:50 +0000

I agree with #4 entirely especially if you are a small independent developer. I have two people that assist me but that doesn’t mean they are my full time minions. I love it when a customer who pays someone to do something for everything will tell you “why can’t you just make it happen”. This is entirely true if you work per project cost and not per hour cost. I have done nothing but web development for 12 years now but I have to say that I’m nearing my wits end with this profession.

I would like to add the client whom thinks you owe them life and liberty for that check they wrote you. I have come to learn the small easy projects are bigger money makers in time than the larger multi-thousand dollar projects. The more they pay the more they expect and no its not as easy as just saying charge and take to court if they don’t pay. They will drag your name through the mud if you are a regional developer.

I enjoy what I do honestly but it just wears on you after awhile. If you decide to get into this profession take my advice. Stick to your goals, know your worth and get a signature of a very detailed piece of paper.

By: Luminus

Luminus — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 12:48:26 +0000

I would like to revise point number 6 to just read Internet Explorer, because personally I think even IE 7 is not a piece of software but a Microsoft Authorized Bug.

By: John

John — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 14:42:38 +0000

I have just completed a job for a most horrifyingly abusive client. In the end it was delivered, they paid and they went away. I suppose the original objective was achieved, they wanted a web, I wanted the business. What happened in between was just bad luck. Web design & Web development is not for sissies. I suppose selling life assurance products may be worse.

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 06:53:50 +0000

Comparing a web designer to an airconditioner technician?? If you go about designing web pages like a aircon tech works, just following blue prints, then your pages must be really interesting. Web pages aren’t just code they consist of code and more importantly ideas and style. webdesign involves teamwork, a shared vision of the customer and the designer. uninstall.

By: Andy Brudtkuhl

Andy Brudtkuhl — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 21:56:54 +0000

Nisanthe: Why do you say that?

I am a web developer and come across these issues all the time..

By: Nishanthe

Nishanthe — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 16:46:55 +0000

I think most of the points you listed here are particular to WEB DESIGNERs..not WEB DEVELOPERS..
-Nish

By: Keith

Keith — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 13:35:32 +0000

Thank you for your honest comments. Yes, technology is exciting, but it certainly has its challenging aspects.

By: Nik

Nik — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 19:34:13 +0000

Hey, awesome article. I know a lot of people disagree on the clients thing, but I’m on your side. Every time I mention such a thing I’m met with the tried and true “but the client is always right”.

The client is not always right. No one is always right. It’s ignorant to say otherwise. I’m a designer, not a slave!

By: Deron Sizemore

Deron Sizemore — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 23:50:52 +0000

Very interesting article. Know it all and clients suck were on point.

It’s funny how web developers are suppose to know how to do everything. You see job openings and they are looking to high someone with experience with 50 different technologies, it’s crazy.

Yes, clients suck. That’s why I don’t deal with them much anymore. I take on some work every now and then, but I enjoy developing my own ideas and trying to monetize them.