You may have read about the field of web development and thought, “this sounds like it could be a really cool profession!” But then you might wonder, “how do I get started? What skills do I need to succeed?”
That’s what this article is here for. It will cover everything you need to know in order to get your foot in the door as a web developer: what kind of training you’ll need, how to decide which language(s) to learn, where to go for help and advice online (like coding forums or social media groups), and more.
If you’re interested in becoming a web developer but aren’t sure where to start, then this is the perfect place for you.
I have been working as a professional web developer for over six years now. I’ve seen firsthand how difficult it can be for people who are new to this career path but also how rewarding it is when they finally figure out all of their questions about getting started with coding as well as other aspects related to programming languages like HTML/CSS, JavaScript, PHP, etc., so there’s no reason not to give up hope if things seem daunting at first glance!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Web development is a rapidly growing field with high demand for skilled professionals. |
| To become a web developer, you need a solid understanding of programming languages, frameworks, and design principles. |
| Building a strong portfolio is essential for landing web development jobs. |
| Continuous learning and staying up-to-date with the latest technologies and trends is important in web development. |
| Collaboration and communication skills are also critical in web development, as you’ll often work with teams or clients. |
How You Learn To Code Matters
You’re going to be on a long, fun journey to becoming a web developer it’s not something that can be achieved overnight. To get you started and keep you motivated on your path, you must use a variety of learning tools and have the right perspective.
No single resource is going to teach you everything you need to know. You’ll become the best version of yourself by using tutorials, books, and videos for guidance, using the best tools for the job, and asking questions when you run into trouble.
One of the most common ways to learn about software development is through tutorials. There are lots of great tutorials out there that explain how to build all kinds of things. If you’re building a blog from scratch or trying out some fancy JavaScript library, there’s probably a tutorial for it online! Many developers also like to pick up books about programming topics they are interested in.
A nice thing about books is that they often cover one topic in-depth (unlike blogs or tutorials), so they can give much more thorough coverage than short articles could provide.
The quality of your learning materials will directly affect what kind of programmer you become down the road. As such, try finding resources that are highly regarded by other programmers who have come before you!
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You Need To Know The Fundaments
Of course, you’ll need to know a little bit about each of the languages that build a website.
Let’s start with HTML: HyperText Markup Language. It’s used to mark up the content of a website and place it in relevant sections like headings, paragraphs, lists, and more. Everything on the Internet begins with HTML!
Next is CSS: Cascading Style Sheets. This is the language that specifies what fonts, colors, and styles are applied to the HTML elements on your website. Only after this step do things start looking pretty!
The third and final language is JavaScript. If you’ve ever wondered how it’s possible to create games or make websites interactive (like Google Maps or Gmail), then JavaScript is your answer! It allows websites to be dynamic and responsive by manipulating the DOM (Document Object Model) as users take actions such as clicking buttons or typing in text boxes.
You Need To Understand What’s Happening Behind The Scenes
To get started as a web developer, you must understand what’s happening behind the scenes. Having a basic level of understanding of how the web works will help you make informed choices as you practice and build your skillset.
Here’s a quick rundown of how the web works in 30 seconds!
- Every time you visit a website, it sends information to your computer (this is called requesting).
- Your computer requests this information from an actual physical server where all the data is located. This can range from something small like your home computer (if it’s serving up local files) or huge enterprise-like systems with racks of servers that can serve up thousands of requests per second.
- The server finds the information and sends it back to you (this is called responding).
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When You Can’t See The Code, Troubleshoot Your Projects By Reading The Error Messages
When you use the inspect feature to access the console, you’ll see any errors that are occurring. Similarly, if an error occurs on your page, it will often be displayed in red text. If this happens, don’t fret. It’s normal for errors to occur especially when you’re starting out but the important thing is learning how to read them and use them as a guide for correcting your code.
The first step is to simply pay attention to where your error messages are showing up:
- On your page
- In the console
Even though they may not be perfect or always helpful, error messages are a great place to start troubleshooting when you run into issues because they provide specific information about what went wrong with your code.
When I’m new to a project and can’t see what’s going on under the hood, reading these errors helps me figure out where I might have gone wrong in my code so I can better understand what needs fixing. This can be particularly useful when I’m working on projects with other people’s codebases because each developer has their own way of writing and organizing code; anything that helps me make sense of it all is especially valuable!
Practice What You’ve Learned By Building Projects Out Of Them
Now that you have a basic understanding of the different programming languages out there, you might be wondering how you’ll be able to practice and test your knowledge. While it’s important to keep in mind that every developer has their own way of doing things, below are some resources for practicing what you’ve learned by building projects out of them.
- Practice makes perfect: The best way to practice any skill is to do it on your own! If you’re just beginning, try starting with something small like the CSS Animal Trading Card assignment. Once you feel comfortable with what you’ve done so far, try pushing yourself further by taking on a project that’s bigger and more complex—take the Pixel Art Maker project (which combines HTML, CSS, and JavaScript) as an example!
- Teamwork makes the dream work: Two heads are always better than one! Working together not only lets you combine your skills and efforts towards a common goal but also gives everyone new perspectives on solutions they may not have considered before. So if possible, try working with others or even just finding people who can give feedback and review your work along the way.
- Do I really need four years of college? While there is no question that many famous developers today have at least a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related field from an accredited university or college (e.g., Mark Zuckerberg graduated from Harvard University), these institutions aren’t always necessary for someone looking to get started as an entry-level web developer-
Especially if they already know some programming languages! If this sounds like something that interests you then head over here for more information about how I got my start without going through higher education first.
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Use Frameworks To Add Functionality To Your Sites Quickly
Frameworks are essentially a collection of code written by other developers as a way to add functionality to your sites quickly. For example, if you want to add a contact form on your site, with a framework you can quickly pull in the necessary HTML and CSS, without having to start from scratch.
Frameworks are most commonly used for building responsive websites since they come with predefined grid systems that make it easier for your site to look good on laptops and mobile devices.
Although frameworks can be overwhelming at first, they’re definitely worth learning as they’ll help you speed up development and ensure that your sites are consistent across different browsers. The majority of frameworks are written in either JavaScript or Ruby, so you’ll need basic knowledge of these languages before diving in. Frameworks are available for both front-end and back-end development, but it’s best to start with front-end ones such as Bootstrap and Foundation.
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Collaborate With Other Developers And Designers Early And Often Through Github
Your next step is to set up a GitHub account. You should do this now, as you’ll be using GitHub throughout the rest of the article.
GitHub is a platform that tracks and stores code that multiple people can edit at once and works with many programming languages, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and more. Its primary purpose is to allow many users to work on one project at the same time and easily store all of their changes in one place.
You can use GitHub for free if you’re working on open source projects (things like Wikipedia are created on GitHub). Otherwise, there are paid options for private accounts that cost between $7and $21 a month.
You can also receive free private repos (repositories) by being invited by another user who will be paying for them. There are plenty of resources online where people look to join teams, so keep yourself open to these opportunities. This way you can learn valuable skills while networking with other professionals in your field!
You Have To Have A Solid Understanding Of The Fundamentals, But You Also Need To Know How A Project Is Put Together So You Can Troubleshoot Your Own Work And Contribute Effectively To A-Team
The fundamentals of coding are a crucial piece of any developer’s training, but what will really set you apart is knowing how to put your project together so that it works seamlessly. You’ll need to understand how the parts interact with each other to be able to troubleshoot and debug on your own, as well as be able to contribute effectively to a team.
In addition to learning about the individual syntaxes for each language, you’ll also need an understanding of how they interact with one another and when it makes sense for an application-level developer like yourself to use one versus another – this will help you write better code by picking the best tool for each task at hand instead of relying on familiar routines or practices that might not serve your current project very well.
It’s also important that you have an understanding of frameworks so you can build something scalable without having too many lines of code; otherwise, it would take much longer time than needed which could cause stress and frustration.
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Final Thoughts
To get started as a web developer, it’s important to understand what web technologies are, how they work together, and the best way to build your foundation in these skills. Web technologies encompass the HTML language that provides the structure of a website, the CSS language that styles and colors a website’s layout, and JavaScript which is used to update content without refreshing the page.
The key elements for any web project include content you’re displaying on your site (text, images), design (how everything looks/feels), and function (adding interactivity).
When you’re starting out as a web developer, it’s helpful to understand how each part of a project works with all of the others. HTML provides a structure for text and links. CSS makes everything look pretty. JavaScript adds functionality that can update information on the page without needing to refresh it each time something changes.
All of these elements come together in building each webpage within a site—from how much space there is between different elements on their page to what happens when someone clicks on something. All of these parts are working together behind the scenes so that you have an interactive experience online!
You’ll need an understanding of both languages as well as some practice with them for this process not only to be successful but also enjoyable! The more you know about fundamental concepts like HTML5 tags or CSS3 properties before using them with frameworks like Bootstrap or MaterializeCSS will make developing websites much easier because they will allow you to add features quickly while still having control over how they look on your site.”
Further Reading
How to Become a Web Developer: A Comprehensive Guide: This guide offers a comprehensive overview of what it takes to become a web developer, from the necessary technical skills to tips for building a portfolio and finding work.
What Does It Take to Become a Web Developer? Everything You Need to Know Before Getting Started: This article provides an in-depth look at the skills, tools, and resources needed to start a career as a web developer, along with advice on how to get started.
Web Developer Career Guide: This comprehensive career guide covers everything you need to know about becoming a web developer, including job duties, education requirements, salary expectations, and more.
FAQs
What skills do I need to become a web developer?
To become a web developer, you should have a strong understanding of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, as well as experience with web development frameworks and libraries.
What education do I need to become a web developer?
While there is no formal education requirement for becoming a web developer, many employers prefer candidates with a degree in computer science or a related field. Online coding bootcamps and self-study programs can also provide the necessary skills and experience.
What is the average salary for a web developer?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for web developers was $77,200 in May 2020. However, salaries can vary based on experience, location, and industry.
What are some popular web development frameworks and libraries?
Some popular web development frameworks and libraries include React, Angular, Vue.js, Ruby on Rails, and Django.
What is the job outlook for web developers?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of web developers is projected to grow 8 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is driven by the increasing popularity of mobile devices and e-commerce.
What Are The Most Important Skills To Learn As A Web Developer?
I spent the last ten years learning a lot of different things, and I’ve come to realize that there are a handful of absolutely essential skills.
First, you need to know how to build a basic website. You’ll probably want to use something like HTML and CSS, but I would recommend learning Bootstrap. Bootstrap is a collection of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code that covers most of the basics for making a site look good and function properly.
Once you have your basic website built, you’ll want to learn some JavaScript. Not only does JavaScript give your website interactivity and animation—but it also makes it easier for users to share your content on social media. While it’s recommended that you learn jQuery at some point (if not now), I’d suggest learning jQuery in addition to JavaScript.
Once you have both these languages down pat, you’ll want to learn to use WordPress. WordPress is an easy-to-use content management system that allows you to create amazing websites with ease. With WordPress, you can install plugins, which add advanced features such as photo galleries or payment processing tools—and all without writing any code!
Where Can I Learn The Development Skills I Need To Get Hired?
While there are a ton of courses out there that teach you web development, we recommend taking Treehouse’s free development courses. These courses will teach you everything from basic HTML and CSS to advanced development skills like Object-Oriented JavaScript and Test Driven Development.
What Is The Difference Between Front End And Back End Web Development?
Front-end development refers to everything that is included in the user interface of a website, including text, links, images, and buttons. The front end of a website is what a user interacts with when they visit a website. The back end is what powers the front end. Web developers who focus on front-end development create websites using languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Back-end developers work with server-side languages like PHP, Ruby on Rails, and Python to create applications that run on web servers.
Do I Need A Computer Science Degree?
No, you don’t need a computer science degree. However, having a strong understanding of programming concepts, like object-oriented programming languages, will make it much easier to learn web development.
What Kind Of Web Developer Should I Become?
There are many different types of developers out there, from front-end developers who design how the user interface looks and feels to back-end developers who focus on creating the logic behind the application or website. You should decide which type of developer you want to be based on your skills and interests.
What Is Web Development?
Web development is a professional field that encompasses both front-end development and back-end development. Front-end developers build out the visual elements of a website or app, while back-end developers handle the more technical side of things, including server-side programming and database management.
In other words, front-end developers make sure your website looks great and does everything it’s supposed to do, while back-end developers make sure it’s running smoothly on the back end.
What Are Some Common Languages Used By Web Developers?
There are many languages used by different web developers, but here are some of the most common languages used by all web developers today: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, Ruby on Rails, Python/Django/Flask/Pyramid, MySQL/PostgreSQL/SQLite3.
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