From the most basic apps to the most
revolutionary inventions, technology plays a significant role in our daily
lives. Every website or piece of software we come across was created by a
developer—but what exactly is web development, and what do they do?
All of these questions will be addressed in
this guide on how to become a web developer.
To the untrained eye, it may appear to be a
complicated, perplexing, and somewhat inaccessible field. So, in order to shed
some light on this fascinating industry, we've compiled the ultimate guide to
web development and what it takes to become a full-fledged web developer.
What is web development?
The process of creating websites and
applications for the internet or a private network known as an intranet. Web development is not concerned with the design of a website; rather, it is
concerned with the coding and programming that powers the functionality of the
website.
From simple static web pages to social
media platforms and apps, e-commerce websites to content management systems
(CMS), developers have created all of the tools we use on a daily basis via the
internet.
What does a web developer do?
The web developer's job is to create and
maintain websites. Web developers can work in-house or freelance, and the tasks
and responsibilities will differ depending on the type. If you want to learn
how to become a web developer, you should consider whether you want to be a
frontend, backend, or full-stack developer. Full-stack developers specialize in
both the frontend and the backend; we'll go over what a full-stack developer
does in more detail later.
Web developers are responsible for creating
a product that meets the needs of both the client and the customer or end user.
Web developers work with stakeholders, clients, and designers to understand the
vision of how the final website should look and function. A significant portion
of web development is also concerned with identifying and fixing bugs in order
to constantly optimise and improve a website or system. Web developers are thus
adept problem solvers, constantly devising solutions and workarounds to keep
things running smoothly.
Of course, all web developers are fluent in
at least one programming language. However, depending on their job title and
area of expertise, different developers will work with different languages.
Let's take a closer look at the various layers of web development and the tasks
associated with them.
How to become a web developer
A rewarding job market
A career in web development is challenging,
financially rewarding, and offers excellent job security. The Bureau of Labor
Statistics forecasts 13% job growth for web developers and 22% for software
developers between 2020 and 2030, which is much faster than the national
average. Furthermore, web developer was ranked as the sixth best job title in
tech in terms of salary and employment rates, with software developer coming in
second!
The average base salary for a web developer
in the United States is $70,863 per year at the time of writing. Of course,
salary varies depending on location, years of experience, and the specific
skills you bring to the table; check out our guide on how much you could earn
as a web developer for more information.
Decide your learning pathway
Learning the necessary languages,
libraries, and frameworks is the first step toward a career in web development.
You'll also need to become acquainted with some of the tools mentioned above,
as well as some common terminology. Start with these 50 web development
buzzwords that every aspiring coder should know for a beginner-friendly
introduction. The languages you learn will be determined by whether you want to
specialize in frontend, backend, or full-stack development. Regardless, all web
developers should be familiar with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, which is why most
web development or software engineering programmes include them as part of
their curriculum.
If you want to be a pro at web development,
then take a online web development course.
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