I’m lucky enough to have a client I have worked closely with for years, which is perhaps why this worked, but I think it is worth a go anyway.

Some time ago I developed a database driven website for this client. This was prior to me finding the love for responsive design so it was aimed at desktop only. Recently I decided I wanted to learn about jQuery mobile to add to my box of tricks.

Instead of creating a standard hello world! / to do list application, I decided to create a mobile version of the desktop website. Even though it was a personal project, I put a little extra work into making it attractive (at least I think so) as well as functional so that it made a good first impression on my client.

I presented it, they were delighted and agreed to finalise it as a project. It became a very advanced prototype which I am just rounding off now. So, I got to learn something new, a paying project and a client happy that they could offer customers a mobile option. Best of all, the bit I find a pain in the backside; estimating how long a project will take, was easy as I’d already done the work!