self-employed web designer/ IT consultant

[John1]

I am currently working as a technical support advisor for ntl and I am considering getting qualified so that I can become a self-employed web designer/e-commerce designer/IT consultant working mostly from my West Wales home (except for visits to clients). Real option or pipe-dream? Which qualifications best to get? Currently considering Microsoft CIW and MCSD. Any advice greatly appreciated.

[OBonio]

Sounds ideal to me.  Things aren't as bad as they were 3 years ago so now is a better time to go into such a venture (I wish I had the nerve myself, but I prefer perm jobs).

As for qualifications, I don't really rate the specialist MS stuff (from a developer's point of view) though I'm sure it looks good to clients if you can quote spurious acronyms at them.  If you're going to, gor for the MCSD I'd say.

[Cyber]

I have looked into this with great detail,  my advice is to go for Microsoft CIW, I would do the same but it is too expensive for me, Look up CIW  on the internet it gives loads of info. Let me know once you have passed could do with a job.

Good luck