Web development is a sought-after and popular skill in today’s digital age. The field offers several career opportunities and incredible growth potential. However, you need to hone your coding skills if you want to succeed as a web developer. But the challenge is that learning programming is not for everyone and the syntax of each programming language is different.
Also, it’s worth noting that the average annual salary for web developers in the US is around $83,000. Many factors can affect salaries, such as skill set, experience level, and cost of living.
Aside from the attractive salary, one of the advantages of delving into this career is that it is easy to project. All you have to do is Explore the world of web developer internship jobs and tailor your skills and experience to specific positions. Using this trick will put you on the fast track to building a successful web development career.
In this regard, we have partnered with professional web developers at job aggregator Jooble to bring you some other essential steps and tips to follow to build a successful career, which we will cover later in this article.
Who is a web developer?
The definition varies slightly from person to person, but essentially, a web developer is someone who builds and maintains websites. A web developer writes codes and creates websites and applications. And web developer duties vary depending on their position, such as an entry, mid-level, or senior-level role, depending on your experience.
There are three main areas of web development that you can consider in building a career and they include:
- front end
- rear end
- Full stack
A front-end developer builds user-facing features, defines the structure and design of web pages, and ensures that the website is well-optimized to provide users with a good experience while surfing the platform. On the other hand, a back-end developer works on the functional aspect and server functions that you cannot see. They build and maintain the mechanisms that perform actions and process data on a website. In contrast, a full-stack developer should perform the duties of both developers.
Steps to start a career as a web developer
When you want to build a career in web development, you can choose to work for a corporation or as a freelancer with different clients. Whichever place you choose to establish yourself, there are a few key things to keep in mind.
Buy a solid foundation
One of the first things you’ll want to do when working as a web developer is brush up on your programming skills. Growing up as a developer means using different web development languages. Some of the most basic web development languages that anyone interested in building a career in this field should understand are HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. These programming languages are the foundation of web development and a great place to start learning.
You can learn the basics of web development by using online courses or by reading some books. And if you have the resources and time, a degree in computer science will be an added advantage for you. Whichever route you choose, it’s essential to have a solid foundation in web development. But the most critical aspect of acquiring a solid foundation is identifying the areas that are particularly useful and interesting to you.
Expand your skill set
After learning the basics of web development, it’s time to take your skills further. Success as a web developer means standing out from the average web developer. And to achieve this, you need to be updated with the latest tools and technologies. So, as you become more sophisticated about the basics of web development, expand your knowledge with frameworks like Angular and React for front-end development and PHP, Node.js or Python for back-end development.
It may seem like a lot to wrap your head around, but with consistency you’ll get better at it. So use several version control systems, such as those used in collaborative web development projects, to improve your knowledge. Your goal as a web developer is to become well-rounded in all aspects of web development. As such, you can learn about databases, cyber security and other management skills.
Create a portfolio
As you learn, practicing with real-world problems is a way to challenge yourself to see if you really understand a concept. Having hands-on experience is highly valued in the web development industry. This will help if you start building your portfolio early. Showcase your best work in your portfolio, such as creative website designs, web applications, and other relevant projects.
Building a portfolio shouldn’t be something you rush into. It’s best to take the time to build your portfolio in small chunks to ensure it has a clean and user-friendly interface. WordPress offers an efficient way to create and maintain your portfolio site, but a custom-built site is also a great way to showcase your developer skills.
Remember, before you launch your portfolio, you will test and optimize it for different browsers, devices and screen sizes. And even after creating an impressive portfolio, constantly update it as you gain more experience and complete new projects.
Network and engage with the community
Good networking is another vital aspect of building a successful career in any field. Networking expands the possibilities available to you. There are several places where web developers can get involved with the community and network. For example, web developers can get involved in local meetups, online forums, social media groups, etc.
Networking helps you build a successful career in web development by helping you stay up-to-date on the latest trends, providing opportunities for job referrals, mentoring, and project collaboration. You can share or find like-minded developers who share their knowledge and experience in these topics. This information can be useful later in your career, saving you time in avoiding challenges. In general, these communities help you build your understanding of web development as you establish yourself as a trusted contact in the community.
Be curious and keep practicing
Finally, building a successful web development career means you should always keep practicing. The field of web development is dynamic. As such, it is constantly evolving. So developing a lifelong learning mindset is vital. This mindset makes it fun to learn about the latest industry trends.
You can keep up with the latest industry trends by subscribing to relevant blogs and newsletters. Also, by following influential figures in the industry, you can learn about industry updates to better prepare yourself to thrive.
conclusion
It can be an exciting and rewarding journey to start your career in web development. But to make a career in web development, you need to have a versatile skill set. Your skill set allows you to adapt to an ever-evolving industry. So get serious about building a solid foundation and always take advantage of every opportunity to expand your skills. Also, remember to build a portfolio that shows how deep your skills are to show your potential employers that you know what you’re doing.
