Web development is an in-demand and popular skill in today’s digital age. This field offers several career opportunities and incredible growth potential. However, if you want to be a successful web developer, you need to hone your coding skills. However, the challenge is that learning programming is not for everyone and each programming language has different syntax.
It’s also worth noting that the average US web developer salary is about $83,000 a year. Many factors can affect your salary, including skill set, experience level, and cost of living.
Aside from an attractive salary, one of the perks of delving into this career is the ease of getting projects. All you have to do is Explore the world of web developer internship jobs Tailor your skills and experience to specific positions. Using this trick will get you on the fast track to building a successful web development career.
In this regard, we worked with professional web developers at job aggregator Jooble to enlighten some other key steps and tips to follow to build a successful career. This will be explained later in this article.
Who is a web developer?
Definitions vary slightly from person to person, but basically a web developer is someone who builds and maintains websites. Web developers write code to create web pages and programs. Also, web developer responsibilities vary by position, depending on their expertise, such as entry-level, intermediate-level, or advanced-level roles.
There are three main areas in web development that you can consider building a career in:
- front end
- back end
- full stack
Front-end developers build features for users, determine the structure and design of web pages, and ensure that the website is properly optimized to provide users with a great experience while surfing the platform. Back-end developers, on the other hand, work on hidden functional aspects and server-side functionality. Build and maintain mechanisms for performing actions and processing data on the website. In contrast, full-stack developers are cast and must perform both developer duties.
Steps to start your career as a web developer
If you want to pursue a career in web development, you can choose to work for a company or work as a freelancer with different clients. No matter which location you choose to establish yourself in, there are some important things to keep in mind.
build a strong foundation
One of the first things to do when you start working as a web developer is hone your programming skills. Growing up as a developer means becoming proficient in using a variety of her web development languages. Among her 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 her web development and are a great place to start learning.
You can learn the basics of web development using online courses or by reading a few books. If you have the resources and time, a degree in computer science will give you an added advantage. Whichever route you choose, building a solid foundation in web development is essential. But the most important part of gaining a solid foundation is identifying areas that are particularly challenging and exciting to pursue.
Expand your skill set
After learning the basics of web development, it’s time to take your skills to the next level. Being a successful web developer means standing out from your average web developer. And to achieve that, we need to stay up to date with the latest tools and technologies. So once you’ve mastered the basics of web development, expand your knowledge with frameworks like Angular or React for front-end development and PHP, Node.js, or Python for back-end development.
It may seem like a lot to get your head around, but being consistent will make you more proficient. So take advantage of some version control systems like those used in collaborative web development projects and improve your proficiency. As a web developer, your goal is to become proficient in all aspects of web development. So you can learn more about databases, cybersecurity, and other administrative skills.
build a portfolio
Practicing with real-world problems as you learn is a way to test yourself if you really understand the concepts. Hands-on experience in the web development industry is highly valued. It is advantageous to start building your portfolio early. Portfolio showcases your best work, including creative website designs, web applications, and other related projects.
Building a portfolio is not something you do in a hurry. It’s best to take your time and build your portfolio piecemeal, ensuring a clean and easy-to-use interface. WordPress offers an efficient way to build and maintain a portfolio site, but custom-built sites are also a great way to showcase your developer skills.
Remember to test and optimize your portfolio on different browsers, devices and screen sizes before launching it. And even after you’ve created an impressive portfolio, continually update it as you gain experience and complete new projects.
Networking and Engagement with the Community
A good network is an essential part of building a successful career in any field. Networking opens up opportunities at your disposal. There are several places where web developers can join communities and networks. For example, web developers can participate in local meetups, online forums, social media groups, and more.
Networking helps you build a successful career in web development by keeping you abreast of the latest trends, providing job placement, mentoring, and opportunities to collaborate on projects. These communities allow you to share and find like-minded developers who share their knowledge and expertise. This information will come in handy later in your career and save you time avoiding challenges. In general, these communities will help you learn more about web development while establishing yourself as a trusted contact within the community.
Stay curious and keep practicing
Finally, to build a successful career in web development, you need to keep practicing. The web development field is dynamic. In this way, we are constantly evolving. Therefore, it is important to cultivate a mindset of continuous learning. This mindset makes learning about the latest industry trends fun.
Stay informed about the latest industry trends by subscribing to relevant blogs and newsletters. And by following industry influencers, you can stay up to date with what’s happening in your industry and be better prepared for growth.
Conclusion
Starting a career in web development can be an exciting and rewarding journey. But building a career in web development requires a diverse skill set. Your skill set allows you to adapt to an ever-evolving industry. So be serious about building a solid foundation and always take every opportunity to expand your skill set. Also, don’t forget to create a portfolio that shows how deep your skills are to show potential employers what you do.
