How to Become a Web Developer And Where to Start?

A web developer’s day often starts with handling emergencies like fixing bugs in a new site. The second part of the day might include editing the previous day’s work, meeting with UI designers, or responding to error reports. Modern web developers use HTML, CSS, and other tools to build websites and apps for a technology-driven world. The front end includes designing sites and coding what users see, while back-end development involves writing code to ensure proper functionality.

Joining a professional organization or taking continuing professional education courses can help sharpen your skills and knowledge. Besides meeting their educational requirements, web developers also earn professional certifications. Common certifications include certified professional in Python programming, Adobe certified expert, and certified software development professional. Entry-level jobs often require only a small amount of formal education and training.

Many times they attract people who are inexperienced with hiring, which can create a lot of problems when you’re trying to work with them. Quite often, job boards will also attract people with unrealistic time frames and budgets. The websites which want users to enjoy their experience need great web developers – and they’re usually willing to fork over some serious cash to get these great web developers. Web and digital interface designers develop websites that look appealing through carefully selected fonts, colors, and graphics. Web development encapsulates several different roles, and all of them involve coding, using predesigned development tools, or a combination of both.

A frontend developer takes the visual design as provided by the web designer and builds it using coding languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript (more on those later!). A backend developer builds the more advanced functionality of the site, such as the checkout function on an e-commerce site. In this guide, we’ll go through the basics of web development in detail, and show you the essential skills and tools you’ll need to break into the field. The next step for you is to start learning those skills, so try this free coding short course for beginners. While you don’t always need a degree to get a job in web development, it can certainly help. If you’re already in school (or considering earning a degree), some majors might be a better fit for your career goals than others.

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Enabling as many people as possible to use websites, even when those people’s abilities are limited in some way. A reliable reference site for learning HTML, CSS and JavaScript which also mentions feature support across different browsers and known browser bugs. Cloning a site can help you familiarize yourself with web development and design. Here’s what you need to know to create a successful freelance sales pitch.

• In fact, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics has predicted a 13% growth in available web development jobs through 2030.
• The websites which want users to enjoy their experience need great web developers – and they’re usually willing to fork over some serious cash to get these great web developers.
• Web development is the process of building websites and applications for the internet, or for a private network known as an intranet.
• Just like with software engineering, you might also hear the terms “web development” and “web design” used interchangeably, but these are two very different things.
• Attracting ‘inbound’ attention to your work will ultimately land you the best (and highest paying) clients at the end of the day.

With these projects you can start to create your web developer portfolio—a great way of attracting attention among potential employers and future clients. If you’re focussing more on frontend development, then being able to show off your skills is even more important. Entry-level web developers typically maintain, troubleshoot, or create websites by drawing from their programming and graphic design skills and knowledge. Web developers create functional, user-friendly websites and web applications. They may write code, develop and test new applications, or monitor site performance and traffic.

Types of web development

If you’re more interested in back-end web development, consider a degree program in computer science. If you feel more drawn to front-end development, you might opt for a degree in web design or user experience (UX). Many web developers start their careers with a single focus, usually front-end or back-end development.

PHP is what makes a WordPress website dynamic, interacting with all of these different elements and properly updating the database as you go. Javascript is a programming language that allows you to implement elements on web pages. It powers features like interactive maps, https://www.globalcloudteam.com/ 2D/3D graphics, and more. Protecting users from data leaks and data theft, side-channel attacks, and attacks such as cross-site scripting, content injection, and click-jacking. For another (overlapping) set of links to learning resources, see the MDN Learning pages.

Instead, source code written in these languages can be run through an interpreter—a program that reads and executes code. Interpreted languages are generally used for running scripts, such as those used to generate content for dynamic websites. Now that you’ve been coding away by yourself, as well as getting familiar with the area you want to focus on, it’s time for the biggest step in how to become a web developer—education.

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You can learn the necessary skills through certification programs and hands-on experience. In an online certification program, you take courses similar to those in a degree program, such as creating content with HTML and elements of design. You may also choose to take individual courses to learn a specific programming language and develop your skills independently. To pursue a career as a web developer, you will have to learn the skills necessary to create and maintain websites. Some web developers opt to earn a degree in computer science or a related field, while others may take courses to learn specific skills like programming or digital design.

Check out our full web developer portfolio guide for advice and examples of how it’s done. This is also why web development programs and courses with a project-based emphasis are an excellent choice if you’re switching careers. For a beginner-friendly introduction to programming terminology, start with these 50 web development buzzwords that all budding coders should know. Following the ensuing tech layoffs due to over-hiring, web developers and engineers have found opportunities in a whole range of industries, from healthcare to finance. Those who can quickly develop and deliver software projects thanks to full-stack methods have the best shot to be at the top of a company’s or client’s wish list. Just like with software engineering, you might also hear the terms “web development” and “web design” used interchangeably, but these are two very different things.

Soft skills, like good communication, are those you’ll use to work effectively with others and drive yourself forward as a professional. Below, we’ll look at the different skills web developers need and explain how they play a role in their daily responsibilities. While generally software engineers tend to work more on operating systems and web developers on internet-based technologies, the reality is a little bit different. Both roles share programming languages and technologies, and as a result which term is used can depend on the location, the industry, and the company. To become a professional web developer, you’ll need to be able to demonstrate a level of proficiency in several coding languages and technologies.

A career in web development is challenging, financially rewarding, and has a lot to offer in terms of job security, as we discussed earlier. As you can see, web developers continue to be in high demand—regardless of how early 2023’s tech company layoffs made it appear. Software engineer came in seventh on Indeed’s list of the best jobs of 2022, with backend developer, site reliability engineer, and C++ developer also getting into the top twenty. In short, a web designer is the architect, while the web developer is the builder or engineer. Web design is an extremely broad field, and will often be broken down into more specific roles such as User Experience Design, User Interface Design, and Information Architecture. They model the layout of the website, making sure it’s logical, user-friendly and pleasant to use.

We are more than happy to talk to you, whether you are a learner, teacher, experienced web developer, or someone else interested in helping to improve the learning experience. Let’s take the example of JavaScript, the language, and jQuery, a JavaScript library. Rather than writing, say, ten lines of code in JavaScript, the developer can take the condensed, prewritten version from the jQuery library—saving time and effort. The Spotify music app, for example, uses databases to store music files, as well as data about the user’s listening preferences.

Discover the daily tasks and skills of a web developer, along with available career resources and salary information. Web developers work independently as freelancers or with company teams to create websites. These professionals may focus on front-end or back-end development, depending on their specific roles. No matter where you are, no matter which background you come from, these days it’s always possible to find a way to learn to code, to see if life as a professional web developer is for you.