I've discovered a way to finding new work with very little effort. Look at your old web sites, the code, the bad markup, the lack of structure, lack of accessibility and useability, probably lack of alt attributes. I'm already counting into the thousands of pounds worth of work sitting infront of me on client's sites that were set up over, well over a year ago to be honest.

18 months ago I didn't know half as much as I know now. If I really think about it, back then I knew how to tackle most problems with PHP. I could hand code in the HTML that I learnt in (back in 1996), I knew of the new 'rules' coming in with CSS and XHTML, but I only dabbled a little. I knew it was quicker to link up to a CSS style sheet and specify the font colour, family, size etc once and then when it needed changing I only had to change it once, instead of using the dreaded font tag. But I didn't know anything about CSS positioning. Even back in January 2004, I launched the new version of my busiest client site, and that still has tables upon nested tables in use for the layout. Half the alt attributes are missing, there are no header tags in use, and inline sessions which they keep deleting because they don't believe the session killer for Search Engine Spiders works as they can't see it in action (I've given up trying to explain).

However now I feel that in the past 18 months, despite me feeling like I've been working non stop, I've moved to setting up sites using strict XHTML and CSS, I've ensured that every site I now work on conforms to all of the basic rules. I've read up whenever possible about SEO tips and the facts and fiction on it. I've kept an eye on a lot more of the site statistics for various sites of mine, providing me with a lot more information about the various visitors. I've also started playing with Google Adwords (it's fun spending someone elses money) which has also prompted me to play with other tools and do a lot of research into searching methods etc. Of course I've managed to squeeze a little light SEO reading whilst at work, calling it research. Handy when I don't have much time at home to do this.

I'm actually quite impressed with the amount of improvement over the past 18 months now… thinking about it! I've got a long way to go yet. I've an aptitude for learning, but just lack the time. I still haven't read various CSS books and PHP books that I've got my hands on, I'm sure I could learn so much more. Unfortunately money comes first, even though the knowledge would increase the work flow and ease of work! It's a vicious circle I guess.