HOW TO BECOME A WEB DEVELOPER – This article is a guide to those who wanted to become a Web Developer. The guide gives certain aids in overviewing the needed development skills and more in becoming a Web Developer.
Learn Web Development Fundamentals
The first step to becoming a web developer is learning the basics of web development such as JavaScript, CSS, and HTML.
Coding bootcamps are very popular with aspiring web developers as they provide a way to quickly improve your knowledge.
These bootcamps are short in duration, comprehensive in nature, and focus on practical skills and job placement.
These are considered valuable assets or investments for anyone wishing to enter the field of web development.
Today’s employers value skills and experience over formal education, making boot camps a viable option for people of all backgrounds looking to make a career transition.
Choose a Development Specialization
As you continue to learn about web development, your skills will also be honed, and you’ll be needed to choose an area of specialization.
The web development is categorized into three main types these are:
- Front-End Developer – The Front-End Developer is the one that is working on the “clients side” of the web development. This indicates that this is the portion side of the app or site that interacts with the users. This includes the design, the site’s layout, and the way in which the users interact with.
- Back-End Developer – The Back-End Developer is the one working on the e “server-side” of the web development. This part focuses on the way that the site functions and this includes servers, database, hosting, networks, and many more.
- Full-Stack Developer – The Full-Stack Developer is the one that is familiar with and works with both front-and back-end of the development.
Build Projects to Develop Your Web Developer Skills
To become an efficient web developer, it’s important for you to have a solid foundation in using the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript , as well as the necessary programming skills needed.
As you continue to progress, you will gain enough practical experience in regard to the wide range of web development skills.
Included in these skills are technical skills such as SQL or Python programming, also utilizing the jQuery library for efficient coding, and employing the tools like the Git for version control.
Build a Web Development Portfolio
The compelling Web Developer portfolio is important for any job application in the field.
In order to create a portfolio that stands out, you may consider the three key factors:
- Firstly, you must include various range of the web development projects that easily showcase your strongest skills and highlights your versatility as an individual.
- Secondly, in building your own Web Developer portfolio, you must consider what sets you apart from others and highlight your unique qualities. Showcase your standout web development skills not only through the projects that you included but also in the presentation the portfolio itself.
- Lastly, demonstrate your problem-solving skills by providing any case studies that narrate your thought process and the challenges you face with each project.
Is Web Development a Growing Field?
Definitely, the field of web development is definitely booming. In the country of North America more than 1.3 million Developer Jobs are available, and there are more than 47,000 newly created developer jobs in the past two years.
It has the market expectation to grow 15% more in the coming 5 years. Mondo thinks that “Web Developer” is literally the most in-demand job and also one of the top-paying jobs.
What Is the Salary of a Web Developer?
A web developer in the United States has an average salary of $71,531 and a Senior Web Developers has an average of $95,325.
This puts web development as one of the most profitable positions that does not require any degree.
How Can I Become a Web Developer Fast?
The coding bootcamps have gained much popularity among aspiring Web Developers for they offer hands-on learning experience and opportunity that is needed to acquire the job-ready skills in a short period of time, this often takes 12 weeks.
Traditionally Web Developers started with formal education in software engineering or computer science, increasing the number of professionals that are transitioning from different industries.
What Is Needed to Become a Web Developer?
To become a Web Developer, it is important to have a comprehensive understanding of the web works. Including deepening your knowledge about HTML and CSS in order to build and style advanced static web pages.
Additionally, learning the front-end frameworks like React, a JavaScript framework, is crucial for creating complex and dynamic web pages in a professional-level of user interfaces.
How Many Programming Languages Should I Know?
The languages that a web developer should learn depend on different factors. This is usually influenced if the developer is a beginner or an expert.
As for the beginners it is advisable to start with the basics, also specializing in a specific language will give you an extra edge.
It is crucial to identify the various languages that are relevant in the field.
The More Programming Languages You Know, The Better
Web developers can certainly say that they are in fact part of the growing industry.
It is projected that in the year 2026, the demand for web developers would increase by 15%, as it is reported by the Bureau of Labor in the US.
The rapid growth has led to an influx of new talent, according to the survey 58% of the respondents have five years of experience or less.
The Most Popular Coding Languages
According to a survey, 80% of the respondents identified JavaScript as the primary language that they use, this is followed by SQL 47%, Python 35%, and Java 27%.
These are considered to be important for the web developers. JavaScript and Python were also included in one of the most enjoyable languages to work with, this indicates their continued increase in popularity in the future.
Fastest-Growing Languages
The survey shows that the most commonly used programming languages are likely to change as new applications emerge.
The majority of respondents (78%) see artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning as the biggest opportunity for industry growth over the next 5-10 years.
Other expected trends include the Internet of Things (IoT), augmented reality, and blockchain. Specifically, 83% have never worked on AI platforms or blockchain technology, and 80% have no experience with IoT devices.
What Languages Should a New Web Developer Learn?
Languages recommended for learning as they relate to the ‘Big 5’ growth areas including AI and Machine Learning, IoT, AR and Blockchain.
The three most cited languages in all these areas are C++, Java, and Python.
However, certain languages also play an important role, such as Ruby and Solidity for blockchain, C, JavaScript, and PHP for IoT, R, Lisp, and Prolog for AI and machine learning, C#, JavaScript, and Swift for AR. C++, Java, and Python are considered leaders in these areas.
Web Development Skills
Web development requires different skills, but coding is essential. Web developers should have strong programming skills and knowledge of various programming languages and libraries.
According to survey 75% of Digital Skills Survey respondents, JavaScript is the most commonly used language. SQL ranked him second with 47%, and 86% of respondents said he uses Git for version control.
Skills Required to Be a Web Developer
The web developers need a combination of education, soft skills, and technical expertise, but their primary job is writing code.
Furthermore, it requires advanced programming skills and a deep understanding of various programming languages and libraries.
The main languages include CSS, HTML, and JavaScript. If your coding experience is lacking or you only know one language, you can join coding boot camps to improve your skills.
Technical Web Developer Skills
Web development requires a variety of technical skills, including knowledge of programming languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript (JS), SQL, Python, and jQuery.
Additionally, knowledge of version control tools such as Git is a must. Design skills are also important, especially responsive design, as they allow your website to adapt to different screen sizes and platforms.
Soft Web Developer Skills
Web developers must possess a variety of soft skills to work effectively with a variety of teams. Communication is very important to interact with different departments and ensures the success of the project.
Problem-solving skills are essential for tackling debugging and maintenance tasks, requiring critical thinking and creative solutions.
Web developers also need good time management skills to handle multiple projects and prioritize tasks accurately to ensure on-time project delivery.
What Makes a Good Web Developer?
According to the Digital Skills Survey, executives believe that development is the area that employs the most talent. However, it is also difficult to find employees to engage in development work.
Organizations should look for developers who can write functional code, test its accuracy, follow best practices, work collaboratively with teams, and continually improve their knowledge and skills.
Aspiring developers can differentiate themselves by embodying these qualities and demonstrating a commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
Write Working Code
Accurate and error-free code is necessary for your computer to function properly. Therefore, attention to detail is very important for web developers.
Your goal is to write code that the computer can successfully process and produce the desired result.
Experienced web developers carefully review your code to ensure it’s clean and well-structured, and use tools to spot potential errors before you run them.
Write Code That Works Correctly
Code functionality is not the only important aspect. A code that returns wrong results is just as useless and even dangerous.
Developers should pay attention to finding and fixing bugs to prevent crashes, system failures, data corruption, security breaches, and user dissatisfaction.
Like physical construction, software must undergo rigorous testing to meet high standards. Good developers take a test-driven approach and create tests that anticipate potential bugs and validate code correctness.
Respect Timelines and Deadlines
In a world of computing where efficiency and productivity are paramount, web developers use their skills to make those ideals a reality.
However, the pressure to deliver quickly can lead to stress and burnout for software developers.
Estimating a project schedule can be difficult due to unforeseen problems and the temptation to underestimate the time.
Underestimation can have negative consequences, such as compromise and disappointment among the parties involved.
Follow Web Development Best Practices
Developers should consider the solutions offered by the large developer community and compare their own approaches.
Your own approach may be innovative, but it may lack considerations that other experienced developers have discovered over time.
Building software is about following best practices developed through collective knowledge and experience.
Following these practices saves time by applying existing solutions instead of trying to solve the problem from scratch.
Write Code That Is Easily Maintained and Enhanced
The ability to easily change code and incorporate new functionality in the future is an important consideration in software development. Computers can understand valid code, but it’s important for humans, especially developers, to be able to read, understand, and change code.
Software development is a collaborative process, and many people rely on code bases. Good programmers strive to write code that other developers can easily understand and change.
Collaborate With Their Team
Web developers spend a lot of time on their computers, but their work environment is social in nature. It is important for them to respect their team, understand their roles and responsibilities, and what is expected of them.
Aligned with the company and its role, developers should understand the company’s vision, mission, values, product suite, customers, and reporting process for problem resolution.
Conclusion
The technology is a dynamic field that’s constantly progressing. Some principles of computer science have remained the same, but software development is constantly changing.
Different software domains have varying degrees of stability, with older software requiring maintenance and newer domains requiring frequent updates.
Web development professionals must continually learn and adapt to new trends.
Additional Resources
- How to Become a Web Developer Without a Degree
- How To Become IT Risk Management Analyst?