Web development is an in-demand and popular skill in today’s digital age. The field provides several career opportunities and an incredible potential for growth. However, you must hone your coding abilities if you want to succeed as a web developer. But the challenge is that learning programming isn’t for everyone, and the syntax of each programming language differs.
Also, it is worth noting that the average annual pay 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.
Apart from the attractive salary, one of the perks of delving into this career is that it is easy to land a 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 a fast track to building a successful web development career.
In this regard, we have collaborated with professional web developers on job aggregator Jooble to enlighten you on 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 builds and maintains websites. The web developer writes codes and creates web pages and programs. And the duties of a web developer vary based on their position, such as entry, mid, or senior level role, depending on your expertise.
There are three main areas in web development you can consider building a career, and they include:
- Front-end
- Back-end
- Full stack
The front-end developer builds the user-facing features, determines the structure and design of web pages, and ensures the website is well-optimized to provide users with a good experience while surfing the platform.
On the other hand, the back-end developer works on the functional aspect and server-side functions that you cannot see. They build and maintain the mechanisms that perform actions and process data on the website.
A full-stack developer possesses skills in both front-end and back-end development, covering the entire spectrum of web application creation. They manage user interface design (front end) and server-side operations, including database management (back end). This versatile role demands expertise in technologies like bare metal hosting, allowing them to configure and optimize server environments for peak performance. In essence, a full-stack developer seamlessly integrates user interface design with server-side functionality, crafting complete web applications.
Steps to Starting 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 various clients. Whichever place you choose to establish yourself, there are a few key things to watch.
Acquire a Solid Foundation
One of the first things you want to do when starting as a web developer is to hone your programming skills. Growing as a developer means becoming proficient at using different web development languages. Some of the most basic web development languages anyone interested in building a career in this field must 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 using online courses or reading several books. And if you have the resources and time, pursuing a degree in computer science will be an added advantage for you. Whichever route you take, having a solid foundation in web development is essential. But the most critical aspect of acquiring a solid foundation is identifying areas 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. Succeeding as a web developer means standing out from the average web developer. And to achieve that, you must stay updated with the latest tools and technologies. So as you become 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 might seem like a lot to wrap your head around, but with consistency, you will become more proficient at it. So utilize several version control systems like those used in collaborative web development projects to improve your proficiency. Your aim as a web developer is to become well-rounded in all aspects of web development. As such, you can further learn about databases, cyber security, and other management skills.
Build a Portfolio
As you learn, practicing with real-world problems is a way to challenge yourself to know if you truly understand a concept. Having practical experience is highly valued in the web development industry. It will benefit you if you start building your portfolio early. In your portfolio, showcase your best works, like creative website design, web applications, and other relevant projects.
Building a portfolio shouldn’t be something you do in a hurry. It’s best to take your time to build the portfolio in small bits to ensure it has a clean and user-friendly interface. WordPress offers an efficient way to build and maintain your portfolio site, but a custom built site is also an excellent way to showcase your developer skills.
Remember, before you launch your portfolio, you test and optimize it across different browsers, devices, and screen sizes. And even after creating an impressive portfolio, continuously update it as you gain more experience and complete new projects.
Network and Engage with the Community
A good network is another vital aspect of building a successful career in anything. Networking expands the opportunities you have at your disposal. There are several places web developers can engage with a community and network. For example, web developers can engage in local meetups, online forums, social media groups, etc.
Networking contributes to building a successful career in web development by helping you stay updated with the latest trends, providing you with opportunities for job referrals, mentorship, and collaborating on projects. You can share or find like-minded developers sharing their knowledge and expertise in these communities. This info can be helpful later in your career, saving you time to bypass a challenge. Generally, these communities help you solidify your understanding of web development as you establish yourself as a reliable contact in the community.
Stay Curious and Keep Practicing
Finally, building a successful web development career means you must always keep practicing. The web development field is dynamic. As such, it’s constantly evolving. So, it’s vital to cultivate a continuous learning mindset. This mindset makes it fun to learn about the latest industry trend.
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 an insight into updates in the industry so you can better gear yourself to thrive.
Conclusion
It can be an exciting and rewarding journey starting 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, take building a solid foundation seriously, and always capitalize on every opportunity to expand your skill set. Also, remember to build a portfolio that showcases how deep your skills run to show your potential employers that you know what you are doing.
