Learning how to become a web developer may seem daunting given the scope of the job, but the process itself is straightforward. Individuals wondering “What is a web developer?” can consult this guide for information on the education requirements to start careers in this field. Individuals can develop the necessary skills to become web developers by earning degrees, graduating coding bootcamps, or obtaining industry certificates.
This is why developers need a keen eye for detail — when they encounter bugs, it’s their job to scan the code for the source of the error. You’re also going to have fewer errors if you pay close attention to your code as you write it. The best web developers understand both the big-picture of their projects and the smallest details that can make or break a program. We’ve talked a lot about what coding languages developers use to drum up websites.
Step Three: Decide your learning pathway
FreeCodeCamp is a nonprofit, entirely free (yes, really) online learning service that offers certifications in front-end and back-end development. The platform is supported by donations, and you can complete any of its 10 certifications — each one takes approximately 300 hours to complete, around 8 to 12 months depending on your weekly commitment. EdX is another online learning platform offering courses from esteemed universities and companies, created by Harvard University and MIT. EdX’s course library covers many subjects in the realm of computer science. Starting out can be intimidating — that’s why we recommend first finding a mentor.
The first step in becoming a how to hire a web developer is learning how to use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. But knowing is only half the battle — you’ll also need practical experience. Having a portfolio of websites you’ve created will help impress potential clients and employers when you’re looking for a job. While a lot of people do their research, decide on programming languages to learn, and have a good go at learning web development, the majority of them fail due to a distinct lack of direction. A front-end developer is someone who takes a client or design team’s website design and writes the code needed to implement it on the web.
Web Design vs Web Development: 4 Main Differences
Python is another language many developers start with, and we recommend at least a familiarity with its syntax for all developers. Entry-level web developers typically maintain, troubleshoot, or create websites by drawing from their programming and graphic design skills and knowledge. Most professional organizations offer educational opportunities through training, certification, and continuing education programs.
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. Technical skills, like proficiency with different programming languages, are those you’ll use to actually build websites. 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.
She is most interested in bringing diverse stories to her readers and students. Note that it is very important to take an up to date course, like the on Coursera, as older versions of the language are quite different from the modern version (PHP7). If you’re looking to learn JavaScript and are a beginner, I’d recommend this edX’s course.
You might also try a lesson in JavaScript to get a taste of programming. The biggest advantages of online learning are its flexibility and low cost. However, your learning will be largely self-guided and independent, so you’ll need to have the discipline to stay on track and keep up with the challenging curriculum. Imagine coming into a new role at a company and being handed a group of files that another developer worked on — you’d want these files to be easily understandable, right? Organized code is essential for collaboration, updates, and bug fixing. If your code looks neat, it makes it far easier to track down tricky bugs, collaborate with teammates, and add new features down the line.
Based on the answers from thousands of professional respondents, we’ve put together an overview to help guide you toward the programming language you should begin learning now. A great Web Developer is also a great listener, adept at really understanding what everyone involved — from clients to stakeholders and finally to end-users — really wants. Also, Web Developers not only work with other Web Developers, Web Designers, and Engineers but also other teams across your company. Web Developers might find themselves working closely with a marketing, support, or sales team, or working directly with clients. Whether you’re working remotely or alongside your team, collaboration and communication with your peers and stakeholders are paramount to success. These programs attest to any additional skills or coding competencies learners possess and keep professionals up to date with the latest developments in this evolving field.
- Web developers may work exclusively on front-end code, back-end code, or both, and many modern jobs also require overlap in web design.
- Python is a high-level general-purpose programming language that’s very popular among web developers.
- Some languages and technologies don’t relate to one another, so it may not matter that you know them.
- According to the BLS, the projected job growth for qualified web developers is twice the average for all occupations nationwide.
- JavaScript is also becoming increasingly widespread as a back-end development language, while SQL is commonly used to manage and analyze data in website databases.
- It is responsible for storing and organizing data, and ensuring that everything on the client-side runs smoothly.
Listen to web development seminars and podcasts, test new plugins and frameworks, use social media responsibly, and be prepared to practice, practice, practice! Hours of diligent practice are required to become an expert and master the craft. A web programmer must write functional lines of code, but that’s not all. In addition, they must go above and beyond the tasks that have been delegated to them. Instead of merely doing what you are told, focus on what your organization requires. The Web Developer extension adds various web developer tools to a browser.
