The following knowledge will help you create pro-quality sites and become proficient in web development field:
- HTML, CSS, PHP, SQL (MySQL), Ajax, jQuery, XML, etc. FTP, cPanel, localhost (xampp/wamp), Dreamweaver...
- eCommerce tools/plugins/ecom software like woocommerce/Magento/PrestaShop, and good knowledge of various payment gateways including PayPal, how to create shopping carts, creating templates, knowing https protocol, web security
- learn SEO (it's vast and not so easy as you may have read, mind you
), master(! ) KW research. learn some tools like Scrapebox, GSA Ser, etc.
- Learn how to use popular social networking sites (FB, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Tumblr, Instagram, etc.) esp for IM use
- may be learning some graphics applications like PS/Illustrator/CorelDraw etc. (just basic knowledge will also help for editing, creating web graphics)
- Many of the plugins are easily available to help you. Learning/creating Wordpress sites, HTML sites, Joomla etc will also help, but you can just concentrate on WP and html sites at present
- Learn more about SILO website architecture, creating tiered web structures, learn more about Web 2.0, Web 3.0, Web 4.0
- Join various online marketplaces to sell/buy services and tools
- Check BHW marketplace (BST section) for example, and see what sells and what is in demand, and learn those skills. Right pricing your services is one of the most important skills and it is dynamic in nature... means knowing how much to charge, how flexible you can be, how to take upfront payment, setting contracts, time management of your projects, bidding process, creating portfolios, getting feedbacks, local marketing research, staying above the competition, employing skilled help, freelancing, working as/employing a VA, networking with other experts/freelancers, reading/learning additional techniques/related technology, trying out/taking actions,), helping others!
Keep learning and master some of the above skills. There could be plenty more topics that are essential in IM, and learning some marketing/communications skills is a must! On this I can add learning tools like Skype and PM/Hangouts like tools... so you see, this is just the beginning and there is a lot beyond the horizon of web development as we see from where we stand at present!
