Should I create a Web Development Tutorial Blog?

[EasyBlue]

One of Steve's greatest quotes/ideas is that you shouldn't run a blog unless you feel you can offer genuine value to people. Here's my dilemma.

I have many years of experience with HTML, CSS, web design, databases, hosting, site analytics, SEO, content management systems, working with clients etc...

I would like to start a website to help people learn how to create their own sites. I feel I have much to share, and I would like to be a teacher, and I feel this is genuine value. However, I fear there is already a plethora of these types of sites on the web.

My idea to offer unique value is that I would attempt to create a community of people who all wish to learn together. Instead of unrelated articles on web technologies, I would use a simple blog format, and write in a personal tone, and take my audience along a ride. From absolute beginner to experienced web developer. I would begin posting about the basics of HTML, and then get into more advanced CSS and then get into WordPress, etc... I would also explain the basics of Search Engine Optimization. I would also include general articles on what makes good designs vs what makes bad designs.

So my question is... would anyone here be interested in such a site? It's already more than possible to teach yourself how to create websites... I learned everything I know from other websites, but it took me many years. Perhaps I could concentrate everything I have learned into one site and people would be able learn much more, much faster, much easier than I did. I would also make the site personable and have a sense of humor and try to give people a reason to use my site to learn from instead of the millions of sites out there.

Instead of people using Google for countless new searches on their quest to learn web design & development, once they found my site they could stick with it, almost like a trade school, and progress at their own speed, and look for help in our message boards, etc...

So, do you think this is worth a shot, or with all the other similar sites out there... does it seemed doomed from the start? My goal isn't necessarily to make much money from the site. Ad revenue would be nice, but I would also be interested in making the site even without monetizing if only I felt people would actually use it.

Any ideas? Any feedback? Any input is greatly appreciated!


Thanks,
Have a great day,
EasyBlue

[Brutha]

I don't really believe in bottom up learning of webdesign.

Installing a CMS and afterwards googling or asking questions at doctype/stackoverflow about your problem seems to be the better way to learn.

[chrisrushton]

Originally Posted by EasyBlue

I would like to start a website to help people learn how to create their own sites. I feel I have much to share, and I would like to be a teacher, and I feel this is genuine value. However, I fear there is already a plethora of these types of sites on the web.

...


Thanks,
Have a great day,
EasyBlue

You said yourself that you'd think it was genuine value. That's all that matters in my opinion. I agree with Brutha on the style of learning but just because it isn't for me doesn't mean that other people won't find it valuable. I say go ahead with it.

Also, something like this, with your specific outlook would probably work quite well in terms of eBook sales and courses. You might want to think of structuring your website as a platform to promote these products. Also, I'd try and write the website in a funny way. Like adaringadventure.com or something. I've seen way too many boring technical pages with no soul on this topic. I just cant be bothered to read through them, let alone absorb what they're trying to say.

[ellie]

I like the way of learning. I like to learn from the ground-up.

I too have at times thought of doing the same thing. The thing that annoys me about all the sites that offer theses services is they just give dribs and drabs on different projects, rather than going through a complex project from start to finish.

I would love a tutorial site that would put a complex site together with all the little things possible senarios and teach how to go through this step-by-step. I have developed course notes myself this way and although I don't publish it to the general public (rather to my students I teach). I reckon this is the best way of learning.

[ssandra]

Originally Posted by EasyBlue

My goal isn't necessarily to make much money from the site. Ad revenue would be nice, but I would also be interested in making the site even without monetizing if only I felt people would actually use it.

Any ideas? Any feedback? Any input is greatly appreciated!

If your goal is to just havefun while doing it, I would say go for it!

I would for sure like this. Usually sites are either very basic, so you don´t feel like you are growing, or you have to look all over the place for the next step information, which can be very annoying if you don´t know the right terms (google is great but searching for website making thingy with emails stuff doesn´t get you very far.)

I would visit your site for sure.

A tip would be to get one type of person in mind, and write for them. This can be an age group, a social group, whatever, but have your audience in mind when you write.

Another tip would be to offer emails that give you a "course" from lesson 0 - 10 or something. RSS feed is very nice ofcourse, but not if they happen to find your site when it is alreayd full. Make sure it is easy to find lesson 1 and progress from there.