How to Become a Web Developer from Scratch: Technology plays a huge role in our daily lives, from the simplest of apps to the most groundbreaking inventions. Whether you are on the path to a career change from another industry or want to rejoin the workforce after time away, there is a good chance a tech career offers the flexibility and salary you are looking for.
Web Developers carry out vital work that sustains our digital society. The increase in global e-commerce has made it imperative for almost every business to mark an online presence. Every business needs an impressive website, that’s why good web developers are in high demand. Further, the Internet opens up vast vistas for small and large businesses to develop and expand into new markets around the world through websites. These professionals create websites and work behind the scenes to ensure that applications run smoothly.
In this guide, we’ll detail the basics of web development and then show you the skills and tools you will need to break into the industry. If you decide Web Development is for you, the next step is to start learning those essential skills, which you can do in this free coding short course designed for beginners.
What exactly is Web Development?
Web development refers to the building, creating, and maintaining of websites. The web development process includes Web Design, Web Content Development, Client-Side/Server-Side Scripting, and Network Security Configuration, among other tasks. It is the creation of an application that works over the internet i.e. Websites. Web Development can range from developing a simple single static page of plain text to complex web applications, electronic businesses, and social network services.
A web developer’s job is to create websites. They rely on insights from Computer Programming, Software Development, and Graphic Design, often working alongside professionals in each field.
Are Web Developers In-Demand Right Now?
In Short…YES! There will always be a need for new websites, apps, and platforms. The web is not dying out anytime soon. Unsurprisingly, this has created a massive demand for web developers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, web development provided employment to 174,300 developers in the US alone. The BLS projects 8% growth for web development jobs between 2019-2029, doubles the national average for all occupations.
The British Chamber of Commerce found that more than 75% of UK businesses face a digital skills shortage, so a career in web development can be lucrative, as well as flexible. Companies continue to place great emphasis on hiring quality developers who understand the modern web tech stack.
Web developers will always grow and develop in future years. Mondo’s annual Tech and Digital Marketing Salary guide found that ‘Web Developer’ was the most in-demand job title in tech and one of its top-paying jobs.
So, if you want to become a web developer, congrats! It will be a great choice for your career. So, just read this article very carefully and follow the required process. Let’s Go.
Types of Web Developers
Web developers usually fall under one of three categories: Back-End Developers, Front-End Developers, and Full-Stack Developers. Let’s take a look at each of these roles.
Front-end Web Developers: Front-end web development is the development of the graphical user interface (GUI) of a website, through the use of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, so that users can view and interact with that website.
The main responsibility of a Front-End Developer is the User interface (UI). Simply put, create things that the user sees. This means how colors, types, icons, and images appear. Increasingly, front-end development has to account for how a website looks on all devices, from desktops to tablets to phones.
Back-end Web Developers: The Back-end of a website consists of a server, an application, and a database. Back-end web developers create the website’s structure, write code, and verify the code works. This code connects the website to the server and ensures that data flows properly to the website and that transactions are processed correctly.
Unlike front-end developers, who control everything you can see on a website, back-end developers are involved in data storage, security, and other server-side functions that you cannot see. The programming languages used for backend development are Java, PHP, and MySQL; newer languages include Python and Golang, etc.
Full-Stack Developers: A Full-Stack Developer is someone who works with both the front end (client side) and back end (server side) of a web application. Full Stack Developers have to have some skills in a wide variety of coding niches, from databases to graphic design and UI/UX management in order to do their job well.
Web Developer Roles and Responsibilities
Web developers typically work with web-based application servers. They are responsible for programming the code that tells a website how to function. They build websites that are ‘user friendly’, which means they are easy to navigate for those using them.
As a web developer, you could work for an MNC or Start-Up company or agency, or as a freelancer taking on projects for individual clients. Your tasks will vary depending on your work situation, but day-to-day responsibilities might generally include:
- Create a user-friendly website, design user interfaces and navigation menus, and test web applications.
- Writing and reviewing code for sites, typically for Client-Side: HTML, XML, JavaScript, CSS, etc. And for Server-Side: Python, Golang, Java, and so on.
- Troubleshooting problems with performance or user experience. They also collaborate with other designers, developers, and stakeholders.
A web developer’s primary role is to ensure the website is visually appealing and easy to navigate; many web developers are also responsible for the website’s performance and capacity.
A Complete Roadmap to Become a Web Developer
A career in web development is challenging, financially rewarding, and has a lot to offer in terms of job security. More than that, web developer was ranked as the 6th best job title in tech based on salary and employment rates, with software developer finishing 2nd!
A formal education isn’t always necessary to become an entry-level web developer. While earning a degree can make you a more competitive candidate, a strong portfolio can go a long way toward validating your skills to potential employers.
Find out more about how each step can advance your career below:
1. Pursue CS or Web Development Related Courses
While you don’t always need a degree to get a job in web development, it can certainly help. A bachelor’s degree in Computer Science (CS) or a Web Development related field is preferred, and employers typically seek out individuals with experience in Internet technology. This is one of the traditional ways that most students follow to pursue Web Development.
In most cases, this is a computer science degree program with core courses in systems design, data management, and the essential programming languages used by industry professionals. During this course, a lot of major subjects help students to have a comprehensive understanding of Website Development, and modern approaches to software development.
2. Choose a Development Specialization
As you continue to grow your skills, you’ll need to choose an area of specialization. As we already mentioned, Web developers usually fall under one of three categories. So, choose the right web specialization according to your interest. Whether you want to be a:
- Front-end Web Developer (Client Side): The main responsibility of a Front-End Developer is the User interface (UI). Simply put, create things that the user sees.
- Back-end Web Developer (Server Side): Unlike front-end developers, who control everything you can see on a website, back-end developers are involved in data storage, security, and other server-side functions that you cannot see.
- Full-Stack Developer: Both front-end and back-end skills are required.
3. Learn Programming Languages
Web Development is especially great for people who love Designing and Programming. The ability to create or support applications and systems which other employees, consumers, and clients will use is rewarding in itself. Regardless of your area of concentration, you’ll need to learn to code and know how to use a handful of different programming languages for web development and web design.
Here we have mentioned some of the most used Programming Languages, Frameworks, and Libraries:
- Front-end Web Development: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, AngularJS, ReactJS.
- Back-end Web Development: Python, Java, Golang, PHP, Ruby, C#.
4. Learn Web Development Fundamentals Tools
Web development tools (often called devtools or inspect elements) allow web developers to test and debug their code. It allows developers to work with a variety of web technologies, including HTML, CSS, DOM, JavaScript, and other components that are handled by the web browser.
They are different from website builders and integrated development environments (IDEs) in that they do not assist in the direct creation of a webpage, rather they are tools used for testing the user interface of a website or web application. Due to increasing demand from web browsers to do more, popular web browsers have included more features geared toward developers.
5. Build Web-Based Projects
Creating a well-designed web-based project is essential for understanding website basics and gaining some practical knowledge. With a grasp of the basics of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and a foundation of programming skills, you are ready to begin building. Through this project building, you will learn how a website works, web fundamentals, data management, data processes, and more.
There are also many web design skills that are useful for web developers, with the understanding that responsive design is perhaps the most important. Although web developers are not usually tasked with overall site design, it is an advantage for developers to have a solid understanding of General Design Principles. As you go, you’ll gain experience using a growing set of web developer skills.
6. Built a Portfolio
As a web developer, your portfolio is often one of the most important parts of your resume. A well-briefed web developer portfolio that showcases your strongest skills is your best tool when applying for web development jobs. Some companies may require a portfolio when applying.
This collection of projects shows potential employers what you’re capable of creating. Keeping an updated portfolio that highlights the quality and breadth of your accomplishments will appeal to potential employers. Include the types of projects that represent the work you’d like to do.
7. Pursue Internship
While it’s not required, internships are great opportunities for growth and experience. Landing a solid internship as a new web developer provides vital work experience. Internship opportunities give learners the chance to apply their knowledge and develop new skills as they engage with clients and collaborate with other developers. An internship for students still attending college offers valuable hands-on knowledge and experience. It will provide you with knowledge of popular programming languages, databases, frameworks, operating systems, hosting services, and so on.
Even though previous work experience isn’t always necessary, companies do prefer students who have some practical experience. Working on real-life projects can also improve your portfolio. Plus, internships help you build up contacts that can be useful throughout your working life.
8. Apply For Jobs
Every aspiring web developer needs a concise and informative resume. Successful resumes highlight the skills and qualifications that make individuals stand out among other job candidates.
Once you’ve sought out proper training and certification, dabbled in projects, and prepared a layered portfolio, you’ll be ready to apply for jobs. If you have done all the above things, then it’s time to start looking for job opportunities. Create a resume, create a nice profile on different job portals, post your resume over there, check these websites on a regular basis and apply for the jobs, or you can work as a freelance web developer also.
How much do Web Developers Earn?
According to ambitionbox.com, a Web Developer’s salary in India ranges from ₹ 1.2 Lakhs to ₹ 7.5 Lakhs with an average annual salary of ₹ 3.0 Lakhs. Salary estimates are based on 11.5k salaries received from Web Developers.
According to Glassdoor, the national average salary for a Web Developer is $73,833 in the United States. Salary estimates are based on 14,375 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by Web Developer employees.
However, salary depends on many factors, such as Country, Client, Work Experience, Company, etc. Hence it may vary from one person to another.
FAQs on Web Development
1. Is Web Development Hard?
Web Development is generally easier to get started with as the tools and techniques are not complicated to learn. It isn’t hard in the sense that you don’t need to be a genius or a math wiz to be a Web Developer, but an eye for detail is key.
While learning the foundational skills to become a Web Developer is relatively straightforward, becoming a good Web Developer can be more challenging, requiring ongoing learning, creative thinking, patience, and effort over years.
2. Does Web Development Require Math?
This role typically requires basic mathematical skills. In addition, you will need to be comfortable working with formulas and variables. But, most web development projects don’t rely heavily on math at all.
3. How Quickly Can I Become A Web Developer?
Pursuing a college degree in web development, computer science, or computer programming takes 2-4 years, depending on whether you get an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree. This is the longest path to becoming a web developer. However, Web Development bootcamps typically take 4-6 months to complete and teach all the skills you need to qualify for a web developer job.
Of course, it all depends on the length and intensity of the program you choose. Learning web development from online courses could take anywhere from a single month to several years, depending on how much time you devote to your courses.
4. Can I Become a Web Developer Without a Degree?
In short…YES, a professional degree is no longer required to work in the web development industry. Many postings for Web Developer jobs will call for a bachelor’s degree or an associate’s degree, but it is not always a pre-requisite. There are a variety of ways to learn to code, both online and offline.
Especially right now when web development skills are in extremely high demand, it is possible to have a career as a web developer without a degree. You can learn the necessary skills through certification programs and hands-on experience.
5. Are Designing Skills Required For A Web Developer?
Web development is the act of converting a web design into a functional website using coding languages like HTML, JavaScript, PHP, and Python. If you have some designing skills along with development skills, it will be an advantage for you. When designing UI for websites you need to understand how to use typography, color, hierarchy, and layout.
6. Can Web Developers Work From Home?
If you are a freelancer, of course, you can work wherever you want. But if you are in a job then it totally depends on your company and employer.
The nature of the work gives Web Developers the ability to work remotely or anywhere with an internet connection, but depending on the kind of work, you’ll be presented with different employment options, including: Contract work, full-time employment, freelancer, etc.
7. Is Web Developer Same As Web Designer?
A web designer is a graphic artist who is responsible for designing the website layout, color complexity, and visual appearance of a website. A web developer is someone who builds and maintains the core structure of a website. So web development is slightly different from web designing.
8. Is Web Designing Easier Than Web Development?
Web developers require a solid amount of technical knowledge. This includes understanding different programming languages, frameworks, and libraries. While there is some research and analysis involved, a web designer’s role is less technical and more about the visual, graphic designing, and creative elements of a website. So, we can say that web development is a little bit more time-consuming and difficult than web designing. Just A Little Bit!
9. Who Gets Paid More, Web Designers Or Developers?
In general, various surveys show that web developers make more money than web designers, because of their coding skills, which are highly valued in today’s increasingly digital world. According to Skillcrush.com, web designers make $47,590 per year while web developers make $71,497 per year.
10. Who Earns More, Software Developer Or Web Developer?
Software developers typically earn a higher salary because of their more extensive technical knowledge and skill sets. According to intellipaat.com, a Web Developer’s salary is around $80,000 annually in the United States and around 7,00,000 INR annually in India. Software Developers have an average salary of around $120,000 in the United States and 12,00,000 INR in India.
Hopefully, this article will provide enough information on ‘How to Become a Web Developer from Scratch’ and help you to choose the right career option for you.
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