Do you dream of putting websites together that individuals around the world appreciate? Do you wish that your day job consisted of developing within the world of the web? It sounds like your ideal career choice would be that of a web designer!

Before jumping in headfirst and handing in your notice at your existing job to become a Web Designer though, it is important to understand that there are a few technical things you will need to know and understand. Have a look through this top five list; if your level of expertise is lacking in any one area then now is the time to get researching and practicing.

1. HTML

Chances are you’ve heard of HTML if you are interested in web design. This programming language is one of the most important things that you will need to learn as a web designer, as it will give you an insight into how websites really work.

2. CSS

CSS is another language used on the internet, this time for the purpose of styling the individual pages on your website. Without knowledge of CSS you will struggle to put together coherent, attractive and modern websites.

3. PHP & Other Web Languages

There are a whole host of web languages in existence today, from Perl to C++, Java to PHP. You don’t need to know them all to be a successful web designer, or at least not at the outset, but a knowledge of PHP will stand you in good stead for developing effective websites.

4. JavaScript

Have you ever noticed interactivity on websites? This often stems from the use of JavaScript, or Ajax (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML). You don’t need to know JavaScript to be successful as a web designer, but it is an optional extra that will help to move your development to the next level.

5. Content Management Systems

The internet is a constantly changing entity, and recently Content Management Systems have become the big thing, allowing relative novices to keep their own websites up to date. The big three systems are WordPress, Joomla and Drupal, with WordPress being generally the most favoured for its ease of use.

These five technical skills are just the start of all that you will need to know to become a Web Designer. A certain level of design ability, and an awareness of search engine optimisation (SEO), successful website navigation and the foibles of all of the favourite internet browsers are also essential for your success. You don’t need to know everything all at once though, so why not start working your way through the list now by introducing yourself first to HTML.

If you enjoyed reading the above, you may like to read more articles like this in our Articles For Web Designers category.