Web development is a highly sought after and popular skill in today’s digital age. The field offers various career opportunities and incredible potential for growth. However, you need to hone your coding skills if you want to succeed as a web developer. But the challenge is that learning to code 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 influence salaries, such as skill set, experience level, and cost of living.
In addition to the attractive salary, one of the advantages of delving into this career is that it is easy to get a project. All you have to do is explore the internship jobs in the world of web developers and tailor your skills and experience to specific positions. Using this tip will put you on a fast track to building a successful career in web development.
In this regard, we have collaborated with professional web developers on the Jooble job aggregator to inform you of several other essential steps and tips to follow to build a successful career which we will discuss later in this article.
Who is a web developer?
The definition varies slightly from person to person, but essentially, a web developer is anyone who creates and maintains websites. The web developer writes code and creates web pages and programs. And the duties of a web developer vary according to his position, such as an entry-level, mid-level or higher position, depending on his experience.
There are three main areas in web development that you can consider building a career in, and they include:
Front-end Back-end Full stack
The front-end developer creates the user-facing features, determines the structure and layout of the web pages, and makes sure that the website is well-optimized to give users a good experience while browsing the platform. On the other hand, the back-end developer works on the functional aspect and the server-side features that you cannot see. They build and maintain the mechanisms that perform actions and process data on the website. On the contrary, a full-stack developer should be chosen, who performs the functions 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 in a corporation or as a freelancer with multiple clients. Whichever place you choose to settle, there are a few key things to look out for.
Acquire a solid foundation
One of the first things you want to do when starting out as a web developer is hone your programming skills. Growing as a developer means becoming proficient in the use of 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 backbone of web development and a great place to start learning.
You can learn the basics of web development through online courses or by reading various books. And if you have the resources and the time, earning a computer science degree will be an added bonus for you. Whichever route you take, having a solid foundation in web development is essential. But the most critical aspect of acquiring a strong foundation is identifying areas that you find particularly rewarding and exciting to pursue.
Expand your skill set
After learning the basics of web development, it’s time to take your skills further. Being successful as a web developer means standing out from the average web developer. And to achieve that, you need to stay up to date with the latest tools and technologies. So as you get more proficient with 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 understand, but with consistency, you’ll become more adept at it. Therefore, use various version control systems like those used in collaborative web development projects to improve your proficiency. Your goal as a web developer is to be complete in all aspects of web development. As such, you can learn more about databases, cybersecurity, 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. You will benefit if you start building your portfolio early. In your portfolio, showcase your best work such as creative website design, web apps, and other relevant projects.
Creating a portfolio should not be something to be done in a hurry. It’s best to take your time building the wallet in small chunks to ensure it has a clean and easy-to-use interface. WordPress offers an efficient way to build and maintain your portfolio site, but a custom site is also a great way to show off your developer skills.
Remember, before launching your portfolio, test and optimize it on different browsers, devices, and screen sizes. And even after you’ve built an impressive portfolio, continually update it as you gain more experience and complete new projects.
Network and participation with the community
A good network is another vital aspect of building a successful career in anything. Networking expands the opportunities available to you. There are several places where web developers can interact with a community and a network. For example, web developers can participate in local meetups, online forums, social networking groups, etc.
Networking helps build a successful career in web development by helping you stay up to date with 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 communities. This information can come in handy later in your career, saving you time avoiding a challenge. In general, these communities help you solidify your understanding of web development as you establish yourself as a trusted contact in the community.
Stay curious and keep practicing
Ultimately, building a successful career in web development means that you should always keep practicing. The field of web development is dynamic. As such, it is constantly evolving. Therefore, it is vital to cultivate a mindset of continuous learning. This mindset makes it fun to learn about the latest industry trends.
You can learn about the latest trends in the industry by subscribing to relevant blogs and newsletters. Also, following influential figures in the industry can give you insight into updates in the industry so you can better prepare yourself to thrive.
Conclusion
It can be an exciting and rewarding journey to start your career in web development. But to build a career in web development, you need to have a versatile skill set. Your skill set equips you to adapt to the ever-evolving industry. So, be serious about building a strong foundation, and always take every opportunity to expand your skill set. Also, remember to create a portfolio that shows how deep your skills are to show potential employers that you know what you’re doing.