Apr 04, 2023
by Humera

Careers in web development are in high demand and growing in popularity. This is due to the fact that experts in this industry create websites and programs that are essential to modern life. Between 2020 and 2030, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 13% increase in web developer jobs, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Is it hard to learn web development? Due to its reliance on a number of cutting-edge tools and technologies, web development can be challenging for beginners. The majority of individuals, including those with no prior experience, can learn the fundamentals of web programming in a few months and obtain an entry-level career.

This blog is a comprehensive guide for those interested in a dynamic and successful web development career. We'll talk about each step you need to take to become a web developer and why it's a good idea. In addition, we will cover some frequently asked questions regarding web design and development, like how to become a web developer from scratch? What are the important languages? Is Python used for web development? What is the most popular web development framework in 2023?

 How Do You Become a Web Developer from Scratch?

Before becoming a full-time web developer, it is essential to conduct extensive research in the field. Here are six simple steps explaining how to become a web developer.

1. Analyze the web design and development potential

You should be sure that creating websites as a profession is what you want to do before pursuing a career in web development. As with any other career path, doing something that you are genuinely interested in will boost your chances of success and the quality of your work. Web developers need a passion for computers and programming languages since they write the code that makes websites run. When deciding if a job in web development is right for you, think about the advice below:

  • Think about your skills: In order to learn web programming, you need to be patient, resourceful, flexible, logical, and creative. If you have these qualities, web development could be a good fit for you.
  • Contacting a career counselor: A talk with an expert can help you decide how to arrange your career and what measures you must take to reach your goals. They can also guide you toward opportunities that are a better match for your abilities.
  • Talk to people in the business world: If you have any doubts about becoming a web developer, senior developers are the best people to ask. They will be able to help you avoid the pitfalls that face most new web developers.
  • Look at the drawbacks: A web developer's flexible schedule doesn't prevent them from sitting for long periods of time, which can cause both eye strain and back pain. If the idea of a sedentary job makes you uncomfortable, you might want to look elsewhere.
  • Learn how to use the necessary tools: Among the technologies you must master are Sublime Text, Git/GitHub/other version control software, Chrome Developer Tools, and jQuery.

2. Choose a specific area of web development

In web development, one can frequently specialize in one of three subfields.

A front-end web developer handles the aesthetics and user experience of a website. They make sure that every visual aspect is practical and appealing. Web designers that specialize in the "front-end" create interface elements including buttons, layouts, navigation, and animation. A front-end web developer is the person responsible for making a web page visible to users.

A back-end web developer works on the portions of a website that the user never sees but are essential to the site's performance and functionality. When creating a website, back-end developers focus on the server. Data administration, programming, and framework use are all included in their job description. They assist front-end developers in ensuring that the visual components of the website function as planned.

A full-stack developer is capable of working on the front and back ends of a website or web application. Experts in all aspects of web development who can build a website from scratch and fix any problems with it are essential. Many individuals who now identify as "full-stack" engineers began their careers as "front-end" or "back-end" specialists. If you put in the time and effort, you can eventually become proficient in both the front and back ends of web development.

Be sure that the area of expertise you pursue is a good fit for your interests and skills. Mastering a framework that complements your strongest area of expertise is optimal. Therefore, it is unnecessary to master each of these web development frameworks. It is challenging to select which framework is best for web development in 2023. Angular, React, Vue, Ember, and jQuery are famous for front-end development, while Django, Ruby on Rails, Laravel, Spring, and Express are often used for back-end development.

3. Start learning programming languages

Different web development tools and computer programming languages are used to create each website or web application. Any aspiring web developer must be familiar with the principles of programming. The majority of web development jobs require proficiency in at least one of the following languages:

HTML: HyperText Markup Language, or HTML, is the language used to generate webpages and documents on the World Wide Web. To give just one example, HTML is responsible for identifying the page's title, headings, and body content.

CSS: In conjunction with HTML, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) are used to specify the appearance of a document in HTML. Modifying the text style, background color, and other aesthetic aspects of a website is easy with CSS.

JavaScript: It is a form of computer code that allows a website to communicate with its visitors. JavaScript allows programmers to make slideshows and photo galleries with interactivity.

PHP: It's a server-side language, meaning it's used to make websites and other server-side applications that are dynamic and interactive. For instance, PHP enables the sending and receiving of cookies, which can be used to store user preferences and web content data.

Java: Java is widely used for creating both web applications and mobile games. It is also frequently used for the development of "applets," which are small programs designed to operate within a web browser.

Python: Is Python used for web development? Yes, Python is a high-level general-purpose programming language commonly used for back-end development. If you're interested in computer programming, it's one of the simplest languages to learn to develop websites and other applications.

The yearly study of HR professionals and developers in 2023 found the following to be the top most in-demand programming languages: JavaScript (53%) and Java (43%), and Python (39%), are all in great demand among employers. One of the main reasons why JavaScript used in web development in 2023 is that it is so adaptable, simple to pick up, and can be utilized for so many different types of projects, such as web development, mobile app development, and even game design. When it comes to building websites, JavaScript is definitely better for web development beginners.

4. Take classes or attend web development bootcamps

After getting your feet wet in web development, the next step is to specialize in a particular area. Before you can work as a professional web developer, you need to take online classes or go to a "coding bootcamp." Signing up for some free introductory seminars is a fantastic option. If you're considering a career as a web developer but are concerned about the cost, this could change your opinion.

If you want to move up in your career as a web developer, you should look into paid courses and coding bootcamps. A bachelor's degree in computer science is another option for people who want to become web developers. Most coding bootcamps help students find full-time jobs and focus on teaching them by doing. Bachelor's degrees are not essential, although they do offer legitimacy to an application. Short computer science courses that lead to web development certifications are another option.

If you want to make sure you understand the material, you might want to work on a project while you study. By practicing on purpose, you can find out more about your strengths and weaknesses, as well as where you like to focus.

5. Acquire work experience for a smart portfolio

After learning about and getting good at web development, the next step is to get some work experience. This will expose you to the field, develop your knowledge of computer programming, and increase your employment opportunities. Volunteering is a straightforward way to get started. You can create a site to promote local events or a simple commercial site for a nearby store. Even if you have to serve for free, the experience you earn will be invaluable in your future job search. Also, you can utilize free hosting to test new project builds. Freelance web hosting is an option to think about later, when you're ready to grow.

Freelance web development is an alternative way to obtain experience. Advertise your web development services on freelance marketplaces such as Fiverr and PeoplePerHour to locate small-scale projects. You may also participate in open-source projects and collaborate with other web designers. You can enhance your coding skills and network with other industry professionals. You can also work with other web designers on open-source projects. When it comes to open-source project hosting, GitHub is hard to beat.

Build up as much coding experience as you can and keep track of it in a digital portfolio. An online portfolio highlights your skills, experiences, and accomplishments in a digital format. Possessing one will demonstrate your professionalism as a web developer and help you move through the ranks in your chosen field.

6. Get employment as a web developer

 Now that you have the required skills, you should begin applying for web development positions. These are posted on the official websites of businesses as well as on third-party sites such as Glassdoor and Indeed. You may also find work at a WordPress development agency, or you could sell your services as a freelance web developer.

Becoming involved in groups for web developers will open up additional doors for you professionally and help you meet other people in the field. Designer Hangout, Digital Point, WebDeveloper.com, and CoffeeCup are some of the most well-known online communities for web designers and developers.

A competent web developer is always studying new techniques

One of the most fascinating things about technology is how rapidly it develops. Despite the fact that many computing concepts and methods have been around for decades, software engineering is a rapidly evolving field. Many areas of software have varying degrees of volatility. While new fields may need rewrites every few years to keep up with the rapid pace of change, legacy software is rooted in older technology that necessitates more maintenance with less creativity. The pervasiveness of websites and web apps ensures that careers in web development will continue to be desirable in terms of both salary and job security.

To put it another way, people who work in web development are expected to look for ways to improve their skills and keep up with changes in the field. Developers who take the time to learn about data science, user experience design, product management, digital marketing, and search engine optimization (SEO) are better able to work with clients and colleagues in a wide range of fields. Thus, the most effective Web developers are those that view learning as an ongoing process and who strive to improve their expertise each year.