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How to become a Web Developer?
Share your journey & guide aspiring web developers on their path.
Note: We've seen a lot of interest in this career, so we're looking for guidance from our community of professionals.
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7 answers
Allisson Santos
Software Engineer
21
Answers
New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Canada
Updated
Allisson’s Answer
Hello!
I'll try to concisely cover many aspects of being a Web Developer.
Before talking about coding, being a Web Developer (or Software Engineer) requires a few skills that I consider mandatory:
- Flexibility: Being flexible in different situations and with clients' or teams' requirements/requests is essential, especially if you are considering being a full-stack* by working with front-end, back-end, architecture, etc. Getting outside your comfort zone is very common in this area, so you should be used to the feeling and, based on my experience, doing so will help you learn many great things and be a better professional.
- Creativity: The more creative you are, the better you will perform as a Web Developer. Working with different problems, studying the aspects of the programming language you're working with and knowing its capabilities can boost your creativity even more.
- Resiliency: This is a tough one! But being resilient and going from one task to another without letting them affect each other is helpful. As a Software Engineer, you'll find yourself hitting walls from time to time, where nothing seems to work and you cannot think about anything to solve a problem. When that happens, take a walk, grab a coffee, explain the problem to a teammate (rubber ducking) and don't give up! There's nothing more satisfying than solving a problem that held you for some time.
- Note-taking: I'd say that this has saved me a lot of time lately. If I hadn't taken note of some clever way of solving an issue or about how to fix a weird error, I would've lost precious hours of work. Also, it can make you the person to go to to get a quick answer to something (because you have everything written down and don't need to keep everything in your brain to remember) and this is great for your image as a professional.
All the skills above are not exclusive to being a Web Developer but, still, they will help you be a better professional and make your life easier.
* A full-stack means that you can work in multiple areas of development, generally — but not limited to — frontend and backend (we also have other areas like Mobile development, AI development, etc.). That translates to you being self-sufficient and able to, for example, create a software/website/web app all by yourself.
Next: study. I'll share what I did because it worked great for me.
Studying multiple things at the same time can be overwhelming. Trust me, I've been there! So, the best is to start from the essentials: HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Web development revolves around these three and I consider them a core knowledge if you want to be a Web Developer. Some great resources to learn these are:
- W3Schools (https://www.w3schools.com/)
- Mozilla (https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web)
After getting a good understanding of why HTML, CSS and JavaScript exist and what they do — I suggest that you create at least one basic static website before moving forward —, you have just learned the basics of front-end! And now it is time to learn back-end.
The back-end has different concepts than the front-end and you also have way more programming language options, such as Java, PHP, Python, Elixir, Go, Node.js (written in JavaScript) and many others. If you liked JavaScript while learning it before, I suggest sticking to Node.js so you focus more on what back-end is while not necessarily needing to learn another syntax (how to write in that language). If you want to try another language, I suggest starting with PHP, but you can take a look at the others and decide.
The back-end essentially works "behind the scenes" of the website/web app by connecting with databases and other sources of information such as APIs and passing down data to the front-end. It can automate your website, making it way easier to add new features to it.
Some resources to start learning from:
- https://nodejs.org/en/learn/getting-started/introduction-to-nodejs
- https://www.php.net/manual/en/getting-started.php
After understanding the basics of the back-end and integrating it with the front-end, you can start calling yourself a Full-stack Web Developer! :)
However, being a full-stack is considered by some a "Jack of all trades, master of none". Many developers end up choosing to work with either the front or back-end and get specialized. It is up to you now!
Finally, it is time to spread your wings. You can start a degree in IT or apply to entry-level jobs, but one thing is constant in this area of work: never stop studying. There are always interesting languages, tools and frameworks getting released that can help all of us being a better engineer.
I hope I could help you somehow.
Best of luck!
I'll try to concisely cover many aspects of being a Web Developer.
Before talking about coding, being a Web Developer (or Software Engineer) requires a few skills that I consider mandatory:
- Flexibility: Being flexible in different situations and with clients' or teams' requirements/requests is essential, especially if you are considering being a full-stack* by working with front-end, back-end, architecture, etc. Getting outside your comfort zone is very common in this area, so you should be used to the feeling and, based on my experience, doing so will help you learn many great things and be a better professional.
- Creativity: The more creative you are, the better you will perform as a Web Developer. Working with different problems, studying the aspects of the programming language you're working with and knowing its capabilities can boost your creativity even more.
- Resiliency: This is a tough one! But being resilient and going from one task to another without letting them affect each other is helpful. As a Software Engineer, you'll find yourself hitting walls from time to time, where nothing seems to work and you cannot think about anything to solve a problem. When that happens, take a walk, grab a coffee, explain the problem to a teammate (rubber ducking) and don't give up! There's nothing more satisfying than solving a problem that held you for some time.
- Note-taking: I'd say that this has saved me a lot of time lately. If I hadn't taken note of some clever way of solving an issue or about how to fix a weird error, I would've lost precious hours of work. Also, it can make you the person to go to to get a quick answer to something (because you have everything written down and don't need to keep everything in your brain to remember) and this is great for your image as a professional.
All the skills above are not exclusive to being a Web Developer but, still, they will help you be a better professional and make your life easier.
* A full-stack means that you can work in multiple areas of development, generally — but not limited to — frontend and backend (we also have other areas like Mobile development, AI development, etc.). That translates to you being self-sufficient and able to, for example, create a software/website/web app all by yourself.
Next: study. I'll share what I did because it worked great for me.
Studying multiple things at the same time can be overwhelming. Trust me, I've been there! So, the best is to start from the essentials: HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Web development revolves around these three and I consider them a core knowledge if you want to be a Web Developer. Some great resources to learn these are:
- W3Schools (https://www.w3schools.com/)
- Mozilla (https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web)
After getting a good understanding of why HTML, CSS and JavaScript exist and what they do — I suggest that you create at least one basic static website before moving forward —, you have just learned the basics of front-end! And now it is time to learn back-end.
The back-end has different concepts than the front-end and you also have way more programming language options, such as Java, PHP, Python, Elixir, Go, Node.js (written in JavaScript) and many others. If you liked JavaScript while learning it before, I suggest sticking to Node.js so you focus more on what back-end is while not necessarily needing to learn another syntax (how to write in that language). If you want to try another language, I suggest starting with PHP, but you can take a look at the others and decide.
The back-end essentially works "behind the scenes" of the website/web app by connecting with databases and other sources of information such as APIs and passing down data to the front-end. It can automate your website, making it way easier to add new features to it.
Some resources to start learning from:
- https://nodejs.org/en/learn/getting-started/introduction-to-nodejs
- https://www.php.net/manual/en/getting-started.php
After understanding the basics of the back-end and integrating it with the front-end, you can start calling yourself a Full-stack Web Developer! :)
However, being a full-stack is considered by some a "Jack of all trades, master of none". Many developers end up choosing to work with either the front or back-end and get specialized. It is up to you now!
Finally, it is time to spread your wings. You can start a degree in IT or apply to entry-level jobs, but one thing is constant in this area of work: never stop studying. There are always interesting languages, tools and frameworks getting released that can help all of us being a better engineer.
I hope I could help you somehow.
Best of luck!
Chris Powers
Sr. Director of Engineering
8
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Chris’s Answer
Becoming a web developer is an exciting journey, and there are several paths you can take to acquire the necessary skills. Here are some steps you can follow:
Learn HTML First:
* HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is the foundation of web development. It’s used to create the basic structure of websites. You can start by learning HTML through online tutorials or courses.
* Avoid using Microsoft Word for writing HTML – instead, use a simple code editor like VSCode.
Understand CSS and JavaScript:
* CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is essential for styling web pages. It controls how elements look, such as fonts, colors, and layout.
* JavaScript is a programming language used for adding interactivity to websites. Learn the basics of JavaScript to enhance your web development skills.
Learn Both Design and Development:
* Web designers focus on creating visually appealing layouts using tools like Adobe Photoshop. They work closely with web developers.
* Web developers handle coding and functionality. They write the code that makes websites work.
* Some professionals become full-stack developers, combining both front-end (design) and back-end (development) skills.
Build a Portfolio:
* Create your own projects to showcase your skills. Build simple websites, web apps, or contribute to open-source projects.
* A portfolio demonstrates your abilities to potential employers.
Education Options:
* Coding bootcamps and online courses can provide focused training in web development.
* Alternatively, consider formal education in computer science, information technology, or graphic design. Some universities offer web development degrees.
Practice and Explore:
* Practice coding regularly. The more you build, the better you’ll become.
* Explore different technologies and frameworks like React, Angular, or Vue.js.
Remember that persistence and curiosity are key! Keep learning, building, and refining your skills. Good luck on your web development journey!
Learn HTML First:
* HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is the foundation of web development. It’s used to create the basic structure of websites. You can start by learning HTML through online tutorials or courses.
* Avoid using Microsoft Word for writing HTML – instead, use a simple code editor like VSCode.
Understand CSS and JavaScript:
* CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is essential for styling web pages. It controls how elements look, such as fonts, colors, and layout.
* JavaScript is a programming language used for adding interactivity to websites. Learn the basics of JavaScript to enhance your web development skills.
Learn Both Design and Development:
* Web designers focus on creating visually appealing layouts using tools like Adobe Photoshop. They work closely with web developers.
* Web developers handle coding and functionality. They write the code that makes websites work.
* Some professionals become full-stack developers, combining both front-end (design) and back-end (development) skills.
Build a Portfolio:
* Create your own projects to showcase your skills. Build simple websites, web apps, or contribute to open-source projects.
* A portfolio demonstrates your abilities to potential employers.
Education Options:
* Coding bootcamps and online courses can provide focused training in web development.
* Alternatively, consider formal education in computer science, information technology, or graphic design. Some universities offer web development degrees.
Practice and Explore:
* Practice coding regularly. The more you build, the better you’ll become.
* Explore different technologies and frameworks like React, Angular, or Vue.js.
Remember that persistence and curiosity are key! Keep learning, building, and refining your skills. Good luck on your web development journey!
Veasna Chin
Staff Software Engineer
2
Answers
Canada
Updated
Veasna’s Answer
Great question! To become a web developer, there are many paths you can take that will lead to success.
I am a Staff Software Engineer who builds large-scale web applications, focusing on all aspects, including the web portion of our applications.
My career path included:
- Developing a keen interest in programming and building things.
- Choosing to enroll in a Software Engineering degree at my local university.
- Finding an internship at a company to apply what I had learned in a real-world setting.
- Securing a job at a software company after graduation.
- Continuously learning and improving my skills as the web evolves and new technologies emerge.
However, having been in this industry for over 15 years, I can say that you do not need to follow my path to be successful. Many of my successful colleagues are self-taught.
The internet is a great resource for understanding what web development encompasses and what you need to learn to become successful.
My personal recommendation for becoming a successful web developer is to learn a very popular framework called React.js. There are many tutorials available to help you get started and learn how to build your first web application. This is assuming you have some experience in programming.
If you do not have any experience in coding, I would check out online platforms like FreeCodeCamp.
I am a Staff Software Engineer who builds large-scale web applications, focusing on all aspects, including the web portion of our applications.
My career path included:
- Developing a keen interest in programming and building things.
- Choosing to enroll in a Software Engineering degree at my local university.
- Finding an internship at a company to apply what I had learned in a real-world setting.
- Securing a job at a software company after graduation.
- Continuously learning and improving my skills as the web evolves and new technologies emerge.
However, having been in this industry for over 15 years, I can say that you do not need to follow my path to be successful. Many of my successful colleagues are self-taught.
The internet is a great resource for understanding what web development encompasses and what you need to learn to become successful.
My personal recommendation for becoming a successful web developer is to learn a very popular framework called React.js. There are many tutorials available to help you get started and learn how to build your first web application. This is assuming you have some experience in programming.
If you do not have any experience in coding, I would check out online platforms like FreeCodeCamp.
Anmolpreet singh Brar
Lead Software Engineer
6
Answers
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Updated
Anmolpreet singh’s Answer
I started as a software engineer post graduating from the university with my bachelors in computer science. Got hired via a campus placement into a software consultancy company and started working over there.
Nowadays, the bachelor degree is helpful, but not mandatory. You can always start from simple youtube courses and learn about basics of web development. Then there are leaderboard websites such as leet code etc where you can show your programming skills by solving problems and build a good profile. Next step would be to start networking on LinkedIn, reach out to recruiters who are hiring for similar roles you are interested in. Once you go through few interviews, you would understand what the recruiters are looking for and you can keep on brushing those skills.
Once you are hired, you are set for career progression.
Nowadays, the bachelor degree is helpful, but not mandatory. You can always start from simple youtube courses and learn about basics of web development. Then there are leaderboard websites such as leet code etc where you can show your programming skills by solving problems and build a good profile. Next step would be to start networking on LinkedIn, reach out to recruiters who are hiring for similar roles you are interested in. Once you go through few interviews, you would understand what the recruiters are looking for and you can keep on brushing those skills.
Once you are hired, you are set for career progression.
Sandra Samuels
Software Engineering Manger
1
Answer
London, England, United Kingdom
Updated
Sandra’s Answer
Explore the wealth of free courses and resources available for beginners in web development. Utilize these materials to build demo websites or applications, which will provide practical experience. Start by mastering the basics of web development languages like HTML, CSS, and Javascript. Once you're comfortable with these, you can choose to learn a popular framework such as React.js or Next.js.
Remember, consistent practice is essential in mastering these skills. Having a portfolio of examples to showcase during interviews can greatly increase your chances of landing your first job in this field. If you prefer a more structured learning approach, consider investing in paid courses. These often provide a more guided and systematic path to learning web development.
Remember, consistent practice is essential in mastering these skills. Having a portfolio of examples to showcase during interviews can greatly increase your chances of landing your first job in this field. If you prefer a more structured learning approach, consider investing in paid courses. These often provide a more guided and systematic path to learning web development.
David Allen
Data Analytics
10
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
David’s Answer
Becoming a web developer involves learning various programming languages, frameworks, and tools commonly used to create websites and web applications. Here's a general roadmap to help you get started:
1. Learn the Basics of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript:
- HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is the standard markup language for creating web pages.
- CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is used to style the appearance of HTML elements.
- JavaScript is a programming language that adds interactivity and dynamic behavior to web pages.
2. Understand Responsive Web Design:
- Learn how to create websites that adapt and display properly on different devices and screen sizes, such as desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
3. Explore Front-End Development Tools and Frameworks:
- Familiarize yourself with popular front-end frameworks like Bootstrap, Foundation, or Materialize, which provide pre-designed components and layouts to speed up development.
- Learn about front-end development tools like npm (Node Package Manager), yarn, and Webpack for managing dependencies, bundling assets, and optimizing performance.
4. Dive Into Back-End Development:
- Learn a server-side programming language such as JavaScript (Node.js), Python (Django, Flask), Ruby (Ruby on Rails), PHP (Laravel, Symfony), or Java (Spring Boot).
- Understand concepts like routing, handling HTTP requests, interacting with databases, and managing sessions and authentication.
5. Explore Databases and Data Storage:
- Learn about database management systems like MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or SQLite.
- Understand how to design and implement database schemas, perform CRUD operations (Create, Read, Update, Delete), and work with data efficiently.
6. Version Control with Git:
- Learn how to use Git, a version control system, for tracking changes to your code, collaborating with other developers, and managing project history.
7. Master Additional Skills and Technologies:
- Depending on your interests and career goals, you may want to explore additional technologies such as:
--Front-end frameworks/libraries like React.js, Angular, or Vue.js for building interactive user interfaces.
--Back-end frameworks/libraries for specific tasks like authentication, API development, or real-time communication.
--DevOps tools and practices for automating deployment, monitoring, and scaling web applications.
--Testing frameworks and methodologies for ensuring the quality and reliability of your code.
--Security best practices for protecting web applications against common vulnerabilities and attacks.
8. Build Projects and Gain Practical Experience:
-Practice your skills by working on projects of increasing complexity, such as personal websites, portfolio sites, or web-based applications.
-Consider contributing to open-source projects or participating in coding challenges and hackathons to gain experience and showcase your abilities.
9. Create a Portfolio and Showcase Your Work:
- Build a portfolio website showcasing your projects, skills, and achievements.
- Include links to your GitHub profile, relevant code repositories, and any other online profiles or platforms where you showcase your work.
10. Stay Updated and Keep Learning:
-Web development is a constantly evolving field, so stay updated with the latest trends, technologies, and best practices.
-Follow blogs, forums, social media, and online communities to learn from others, ask questions, and share your knowledge.
Remember, becoming proficient in web development takes time, dedication, and continuous learning. Don't be afraid to experiment, make mistakes, and seek help when needed. Practice regularly, stay motivated, and you'll gradually become a proficient web developer.
1. Learn the Basics of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript:
- HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is the standard markup language for creating web pages.
- CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is used to style the appearance of HTML elements.
- JavaScript is a programming language that adds interactivity and dynamic behavior to web pages.
2. Understand Responsive Web Design:
- Learn how to create websites that adapt and display properly on different devices and screen sizes, such as desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
3. Explore Front-End Development Tools and Frameworks:
- Familiarize yourself with popular front-end frameworks like Bootstrap, Foundation, or Materialize, which provide pre-designed components and layouts to speed up development.
- Learn about front-end development tools like npm (Node Package Manager), yarn, and Webpack for managing dependencies, bundling assets, and optimizing performance.
4. Dive Into Back-End Development:
- Learn a server-side programming language such as JavaScript (Node.js), Python (Django, Flask), Ruby (Ruby on Rails), PHP (Laravel, Symfony), or Java (Spring Boot).
- Understand concepts like routing, handling HTTP requests, interacting with databases, and managing sessions and authentication.
5. Explore Databases and Data Storage:
- Learn about database management systems like MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or SQLite.
- Understand how to design and implement database schemas, perform CRUD operations (Create, Read, Update, Delete), and work with data efficiently.
6. Version Control with Git:
- Learn how to use Git, a version control system, for tracking changes to your code, collaborating with other developers, and managing project history.
7. Master Additional Skills and Technologies:
- Depending on your interests and career goals, you may want to explore additional technologies such as:
--Front-end frameworks/libraries like React.js, Angular, or Vue.js for building interactive user interfaces.
--Back-end frameworks/libraries for specific tasks like authentication, API development, or real-time communication.
--DevOps tools and practices for automating deployment, monitoring, and scaling web applications.
--Testing frameworks and methodologies for ensuring the quality and reliability of your code.
--Security best practices for protecting web applications against common vulnerabilities and attacks.
8. Build Projects and Gain Practical Experience:
-Practice your skills by working on projects of increasing complexity, such as personal websites, portfolio sites, or web-based applications.
-Consider contributing to open-source projects or participating in coding challenges and hackathons to gain experience and showcase your abilities.
9. Create a Portfolio and Showcase Your Work:
- Build a portfolio website showcasing your projects, skills, and achievements.
- Include links to your GitHub profile, relevant code repositories, and any other online profiles or platforms where you showcase your work.
10. Stay Updated and Keep Learning:
-Web development is a constantly evolving field, so stay updated with the latest trends, technologies, and best practices.
-Follow blogs, forums, social media, and online communities to learn from others, ask questions, and share your knowledge.
Remember, becoming proficient in web development takes time, dedication, and continuous learning. Don't be afraid to experiment, make mistakes, and seek help when needed. Practice regularly, stay motivated, and you'll gradually become a proficient web developer.
Laura Solis
Data Integration Consultant
1
Answer
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Laura’s Answer
Begin by taking advantage of no-cost resources to acquaint yourself with the fundamentals of programming. You can find a wealth of informative videos on platforms like YouTube or educational websites like w3 schools. It's also beneficial to learn directly from a web developer, perhaps by shadowing their work or seeking their mentorship. This will provide you with an understanding of the job and its career progression. Remember, it's not about mastering every programming language out there. As a mentor once advised me, becoming proficient in Python and C# alone can make you quite competent. Avoid the trap of trying to learn every language or framework, as it can lead to unnecessary stress and confusion.