The aim of this Web Developer career guide is to assist you in taking the first steps toward a rewarding career in web development. The guide covers everything from the programming skills you can learn to the best web development training options, web development career pathways, and how to become a Web Developer.
You should be familiar with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript if you want to work as a Web Developer. It’s also a good idea to catch up on CSS and CSS frameworks. These fundamental web development skills will provide you with the structure and reasoning necessary to communicate with programming languages.
Table of Contents
Learn the basics of web development
The best way to get started as a Web Developer is to learn the basics of web creation, such as HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), and JavaScript.
Many aspiring Web developers are now enrolling in coding bootcamps to expedite their learning. Since they are fast, immersive, and based on results and jobs, coding bootcamps have thrived.
Their mission is to help students learn job-ready skills as quickly as possible, making them a more valuable investment for aspiring Web developers. According to Indeed, four out of every five businesses in the United States have recruited a coding bootcamp alum.
In reality, the benefits of coding bootcamps are becoming increasingly apparent over time. For one thing, web development inevitably attracts people from all walks of life, many of whom are mid-career transitioning – people who value a straightforward and efficient path to ability expansion.
Skills and expertise over qualifications
Employers are increasingly valuing skills and expertise over qualifications, putting everyone who can demonstrate their abilities on a level playing field with Developers with a college diploma.
It’s worth noting that Web Developers, more than any other professions, must be dedicated to continuous learning in order to keep up with developments in web development and programming languages, software, and trends. This necessitates mid-career retraining, whether or not it is in the same area as your first job.
Make a decision on a development specialization
You’ll need to select a specialty as your skills develop. What are the different types of web creation, though? Web developers are classified into three categories:
- Front-End Developer. A front-end developer is someone who works on the front end of a website. This person is responsible for the “client-side” of web creation, which refers to any aspect of the site or app that users interact with. This can include the layout, design, and user engagement with a website.
- Back-end developer. A back-end developer is a person who works on the back-end of a website, on the “server-side” of the process. This is concerned with how a website operates and may include databases, servers, networks, and hosting, among other things.
- Full-Stack Developer. A full-stack developer is knowledgeable in both front-end and back-end web creation and can work on both sides of a website.
Key Programming Languages for Web Development
Whatever your field of research is, you’ll need to be familiar with a number of programming languages for web creation and design.
These are the most common programming languages for web development:
- HTML (Hypertext Markup Language)
- CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)
- JavaScript
The list goes on and on – these are just the beginning. In reality, web development is such a broad and varied area that a list of all the tasks it can entail (along with all the coding languages and markup languages you might use to complete them) will take up much too much space. Fortunately, as a professional, you will identify and focus on the ones that are most beneficial to you.
How many programming languages do I need to be familiar with?
A clear query with a convoluted answer. It’s complicated because, like so many things in life, it’s based on a variety of factors. Are you a novice or a seasoned Web developer? What kinds of projects do you already work on or would like to work on? What does the future hold for us?
If you’re a new Web Developer, it’s a good idea to start with the fundamentals—but a degree of specialization will help you stand out from the crowd. The solution, in the end, is to find out which languages are useful in your area, have the right level of specialization for you, and are increasing in popularity rather than declining.
AI and machine learning, IoT, augmented reality, and blockchain are all expected to develop. So, the languages do you need to learn? Although the answer varies depending on which of these five areas you want to concentrate on, the same three names came up repeatedly: C++, Java, and Python.
More languages, in addition to these three, are found within each of the aforementioned concentrations. Ruby and Solidity are two blockchain programming languages. C, JavaScript, and PHP are all used in the Internet of Things. R, Lisp, and Prolog are three programming languages used in AI and machine learning. C#, JavaScript, and Swift are also available in AR. In every case, however, C++, Java, and Python are among the top performers.
Build your web developer skills by working on projects
You’re ready to start building once you’ve learned the fundamentals of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, as well as a base of programming skills. You’ll gain experience using an ever-expanding range of Web Developer skills as you progress.
Some of these are technical or “hard” skills, such as SQL or Python programming, using the jQuery library of functions for more effective programming, or using version control software like Git. The best way to strengthen your web development skills is to start playing around with them; the more you use them, the better you will become.
There are a range of web design skills that Web Developers should possess, with the understanding that responsive design is perhaps the most important.
Although Web Developers aren’t usually in charge of the overall site design, having a good understanding of common design concepts is advantageous.
Front-end developers, in particular, program the screens that users interact with, and having a strong understanding of user-centered design can help them be even more competitive.
Build a portfolio of your web development work
When applying for web development work, your best tool is a captivating Web Developer portfolio that highlights your strongest skills. When creating a portfolio that stands out from the crowd, there are three things to bear in mind.
First and foremost, the Web Developer portfolio can showcase a wide range of web development projects. You don’t want to include any project you’ve ever worked on in your portfolio. Your professional portfolio should be a highlight reel that highlights not just your best work but also your versatility.
You want to be selective and highlight your best work, but your range should be broad enough to show a thorough understanding of the position’s various components.
When applying for Web Developer jobs, do some research on the business and the position you’re applying for, then fine-tune your portfolio by removing irrelevant examples and emphasizing your most important work.
Second, consider what distinguishes you and your work. Emphasize the web development skills that can help you stand out the most – not just in the work you include in your portfolio, but also in the way it is portrayed.
If you’re applying for design work, for example, your portfolio site should have a good front end – a friendly user experience with a pleasing interface. If you’re applying for a Web Developer job, make sure your portfolio is shown on a professional-looking website. That means you won’t have to deal with any clumsy code.
Third, explain your system. Employers aren’t only interested in the quality of your work; they’re also interested in how you solve problems. Don’t be afraid to present each example as a case study, with a narrative outlining your thought process and the issue you were attempting to solve with the project.
Providing context for how your projects were produced will help Recruiters and Hiring Managers appreciate your work and make it more than just a one-off piece. This is also an excellent opportunity to show your communication abilities, which are critical for success in any role.
A good Web Developer must:
- Write Working Code
- Write Code That Works Correctly
- Respect Timelines and Deadlines
- Follow Web Development Best Practices
- Write Code That Is Easily Maintained and Enhanced
- Collaborate With Their Team
What Is the Salary of a Web Developer?
The average salary for Web Developers in the United States is $71,531, with Senior Web Developers earning $95,325. As a consequence, web development is one of the most lucrative non-degree positions.
For your work quest as a Web Developer, you’ll need a portfolio of completed projects. Regardless of your personal preferences, it’s important to demonstrate your adaptability so that clients from a variety of industries can get a sense of your capabilities.
Conclusion
Technology is constantly changing, which is one of the aspects that makes it so interesting. Although some computer science concepts and methods have stayed consistent over the years, software development is continuously evolving.
Certain computing domains have a higher level of stability, while others have a higher level of instability. Legacy software is based on older technology, which necessitates more maintenance and little innovation, while emerging domains may necessitate regular rewrites every few years as conditions change.
That isn’t always a concern if it is acknowledged. Data science, UX design, product management, digital marketing, and SEO knowledge will help a Developer’s overall understanding of technology by allowing them to relate and collaborate with colleagues and clients across departments and industries.
In short, a successful Web Developer is a lifelong learner who strives to improve their knowledge and skills year after year.
