Web development is not just the new hype; it has been the hottest and most demanded sector in the Job industry for the past few decades. Web Development encompasses the entire domain, including inception, web design, coding, programming, and database management. From the surface, it seems a pretty daunting field, but with passion and learning, it is an intriguing career path.
To delve into the world of web development and learn how to become a skilled web developer, read on. You will find the basic know-how of this ever-evolving, fast-paced industry and steps to guide you to plunge into this career.
What is Web Development?
As the term development suggests, Web Development is creating and maintaining websites and applications from scratch to allow smooth running and accessibility over the Internet.
Web development is accomplished with multiple programming languages such as HTML, JavaScript, Python, and CSS, along with frameworks and tools like content management systems. Web Development has a broader scope, including web programming, management, web designing, and user interfacing/experience (UI/UX). It enables the creation of online identities for individuals, organizations, and businesses, allowing them to interact and expand business and social connections over the Internet.
The Web Development life cycle method is standard for creating and maintaining websites and applications. It has 7 phases: analysis, planning, design and layout, content creation, development, testing, review, and launch, and finally, maintenance and update.
Types of Web Development
Web Development is divided into three categories based on expertise: front-end, back-end and full-stack development.
Front-End Web Development
As the name suggests, it deals with web development's front-end or the User side. Front-end Web developers work on user interface and experience. They determine how the users will interact, visualize, and feel the digital product by programming the layout and design aspects.
Front-end development requires sound knowledge and expertise in programming languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and UI/UX to translate web designs and layouts into programming code. Front-end development determines how the finished web product will look and function.
Back-End Web Development
Back-end development refers to the behind-the-scenes work of a web product. It is the opposite of front-end and deals with the server side of programming and management. It ensures the seamless functioning of the website or application by managing the resources and data and building a robust structure and framework compliant with the ever-evolving technology.
It develops site architecture, ensures responsiveness, and manages data securely by looking after user and network authentication. Back-end development requires in-depth knowledge of programming languages like Python, Ruby and PHP and proficiency in Git-hub, MySQL and Oracle.
Full-Stack Web Development
Full-Stack Development is a combination of Front-end and Back-end Development. It deals with both the user and server sides of web development. Full-stack development involves the entire website or application creation process from scratch; this requires a broader skillset, including various programming languages.
Full-stack means that each layer of web development is considered a stack, and knowledge and expertise of all the stacks denote Full-stack development. Full-stack developers serve as leaders or all-rounders due to their experience, which enables them to catch any issue before its occurrence and optimize the whole process and performance of team members and web products.
How to Become a Web Developer?
A web developer is a highly coveted job in this era, with its significance and demand increasing. To become a web developer, a proper skillset and certifications with practical exposure and experience are necessary, as given in the steps enlisted below:
Step 1: Research to Find Motivation and Determine Aim
The most important step is researching and finding motivation, enabling the individual to strive despite difficulties and not lose heart midway. First, find interest and motivation to carry out the required struggle in this career path, as being passionate about the field will guarantee satisfaction and success. Then, start with proper goals and aim for the short-term and long-term, which will serve as a guide.
Step 2: Learn Fundamentals and Build a Skill Set in Web Development
Start with learning all the fundamentals of web development, such as programming languages, web development tools, and frameworks. Take courses or start coding to get a better grasp of the fundamentals. To create the basic structure and contents of Websites with interactive layouts and designs, master the basics of Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML), Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), and JavaScript.
Furthermore, I learned how to build aesthetic layouts and designs. Also, train with version control employing GitHub or Git Lab. Nowadays, a faster process of learning coding is by joining coding boot camps that provide short periods of exciting and competitively focused training for coding.
Step 3: Determine the Specialization Field
After learning and getting the hang of coding and Web Development basics, choose which field to specialize in. Decide whether to be a front-end developer, back-end developer or full-stack developer. Specialization needs to be as per passion and interest. Front-end is a better option for those interested in the user interface and web layout. Moreover, if your passion lies in coding and the working structure of the websites, then a back-end developer would be best suited if you are equally passionate about both and want to be able to make the web product independently from scratch. Full-stack development will be the preferred choice.
Step 4: Learn Programming Languages and Get Certifications
Further, improve coding and programming skills based on the desired profession. Earn certifications or degrees to enhance your skill set. For Front-end developers, being thorough in JavaScript is essential, and for back-end developers, advanced skills in Python, PHP, or Java are preferred. Then, train with the associated frameworks of the chosen programming language.
Step 5: Gain Experience and Enhance Skills by Building Projects
Learning a programming language is not the goal, but efficient problem-solving in that language is the actual skill required; this is possible by building projects on your own; this will not only help you apply your skills but also give you experience. Build personal projects or offer free services for project building if you are still looking for a paid project. Do volunteer work for projects or on open-source project contributions, as this entire project-building exposure will evolve you further.
Step 6: Create a Web Developer Portfolio
Build a platform or portfolio website to showcase the skills and projects achieved. Be sure to highlight unique projects and skills to create an alluring and impressive display. Include projects and experiences from diverse fields to make your portfolio stand out against competitors. An intriguing portfolio is the essential tool required when applying for jobs, and it needs to highlight your personalized approach to problem-solving and quality of work.
Besides, start communicating and connecting with peers, mentors, professionals, and organizations to publicize your web presence and market your skills.
Step 7: Apply for Web Development Projects, Jobs or Freelance
After following all the mentioned steps, put your foot in the web development market by applying for jobs or positions in the web development industry. Be confident in the skills and expertise you have gained and highlight them in your applications. Search for job openings or internships by your career goals and apply. However, if the desired job application fails, keep hope; look for alternatives. Start freelancing or further improve your skill set.
Conclusion
Web Development is a rapidly evolving field, with its demand increasing daily. It is here to stay and has gelled into almost all the fields. Web development has a broad scope and generalized domain that covers all the aspects of website and application design, creation and maintenance. It has three types: front-end, back-end, and full-stack. The front end deals with the user interface, and the back end tackles the server side of web development, whereas full-stack refers to the entire setup development.
Becoming a web developer requires passion and constant skill learning. The passion for Web development drives the individual to learn and build a skill set and new projects constantly. It involves the art of problem-solving coupled with the skill of programming language to develop functioning websites and applications. A web developer needs motivation, an essential skill set, and fundamental knowledge of Web development with in-depth expertise in programming languages to build projects and gain experience; this enables an impressive portfolio depicting a Web developer's skills, experience and projects.
