How to Learn Web Development

Web development is one of those careers that guarantees you a stable job and endless opportunities to grow. Companies want visitors to have a positive user experience (UX) on their websites and they hire web developers to make it possible. In a real sense, then, web developers define how you experience the web. 

It is also one of the most interesting jobs around. And the best part is that, to learn web development, you don’t even have to attend a college. There are plenty of web development bootcamps and other resources to help you enter the industry. 

What Is Web Development?

Web development is the work of building a website and maintaining it. It’s what needs to happen to make a website easy to navigate, work quickly, and perform well for a consistent user experience. 

In recent years, content management systems like WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla have become popular shortcuts for web development. These tools make it simple for anybody to make their own websites using a web-based interface. A CMS manages the non-design part of building websites, which includes coding and writing markup.

While content management systems might seem to make web developers a less valuable commodity, that is not the case. There are certain limitations to what you can do with a website built from a CMS. To overcome these obstacles, a web developer must know how to create a website from scratch. 

What Is Web Development Used For?

Web development is used to create feature-rich web-based applications that perform efficiently and have intuitive user interfaces.

Web development brings value to industries everywhere, in sectors as different as business and entertainment. The Internet is the platform that enables businesses to promote their products. But they still need a stage to make connections with potential customers. In the wild world of the Internet, websites or web applications are those stages. 

Organizations today are aiming to connect with individuals around the globe at a more personal level than ever before. It is the web developers of today who are facilitating better, faster, and more intimate connections for the Internet of tomorrow.

Types of Web Development

Web development can be broken down into four main branches, which are as follows:

Front End Development

Front end web developers work with the visual parts of a website that users see and interact with through their web browser. HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are the three programming languages you need for an entry-level job as a front-end developer. 

HTML and CSS are markup dialects used for the structure and graphic design components of a website respectively. JavaScript, on the other hand, is a scripting language used to control dynamic content on the client-side of a webpage, such as looking over video, animated graphics, lazy loading, and interactive maps.

Back-End Development

Back-end web development, also called Server-Side Web Development, refers to the programming of the server. Back-end developers are responsible for the behind-the-scenes functionality of web apps. 

The back-end involves processing requests or queries from the web app and fetching data from the databases. Working in sync with the front end, it then sends the fetched data back to the web app, where it is presented to the user as the final result.

Scripting

A website communicates with web servers, using them to send and retrieve data from databases on behalf of the website’s visitors. Back-end scripting is useful for anything that requires dynamic data to be loaded, such as a notice that tells the user they’re signed in.

Database Design

Database design deals with the creation of a detailed data model of a database. The data model contains the parameters required by the web application. Database design is important for making applications scalable and ensuring that data is transferred with low latency.

Web Development Job Opportunities

According to CollegeGrad, the field of web development is expected to grow by eight percent over the next ten years. This is a much better growth rate than most other fields in IT post-pandemic.

Careers related to web development include computer and information systems manager, computer support specialist, computer system analyst, database administrator, software developer, and many more. Use the search function on a website like GlassDoor or Indeed to explore job opportunities that fit your qualifications and experience. 

Web Development Salary

According to Indeed, the average salary for a web developer in the United States is $86,827, ranging from $37,716 all the way up to $126,373. In addition, freelance web developers can earn even more by specializing in certain niches and selecting the right projects.

With every new advancement in technology, web development evolves. For any brand, no matter how big or small, online presence has become an indispensable part of growing a business. It should come as no surprise that businesses are willing to pay top dollar for skilled web developers to design their websites and boost their online profiles. 

Learning Web Development

Of all the IT skills, web development is arguably the best one to learn, since it has the best skill-to-pay ratio in the field of computer science. Ideal for beginners, most of the web development languages follow a markup structure that makes them easy to understand.

With all the different tools and APIs available today, it has become much easier to develop the web. You can easily design a responsive website with the help of some predefined libraries and website builders, most of which are free.

There are plenty of courses and training programs that can help you learn web development without spending four years in college, or even having to step out of your room.

How Long Does It Take to Learn Web Development?

Fortunately, for ambitious web developers, it doesn’t actually take too long to master this skill. You can get a bachelor’s degree in web development if you want, but as mentioned earlier, you don’t actually need four years in college to become a web developer.

You can master web development by taking one of the various online courses or web design bootcamps, which will take between four and five months of your time.

How to Learn Web Development: Step-by-Step

Before you start learning how to develop web applications, it is important to know what technologies are involved in making them and the real-world contexts in which they get made.

1. Get Familiarized. The first thing you need to do is to familiarize yourself with basics like how a web document looks and how to implement the skills in the real world.
   
   
2. Start learning. Start learning programming languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP, and enroll in a course or a bootcamp to practice how they work.
   
   
3. Take up projects. Get yourself involved in projects, and you will learn several things in the course of doing them. Keep practicing and keep yourself updated with the latest technologies and techniques.
   
   
4. Get certified. Various online courses offer certifications, which you can pay for to help you stand out from the crowd.
   
   

Web Development Certifications

Certifications provide proof that you have mastered a new skill and are ready to work in the real world. The web development certification below will add considerable weight to your resume.

Adobe Certified Expert (ACE)

Many companies prefer developers who use industry-standard Adobe software. By becoming an Adobe Certified Expert, you can advance your career. This certification proves your proficiency in web development software like Adobe Dreamweaver. Adobe certification exams cost $180 to take.

Microsoft Technology Associate: HTML 5 fundamentals

The HTML 5 application fundamentals by Microsoft is arguably one of the most highly ranked certifications worldwide. This course requires you to have in-depth knowledge of CSS and javascript. They should also be familiar with the Microsoft tools package.

It is apt for a developer job title and costs $127.

Online Web Development Resources

The Internet is an endless source of information. There are plenty of resources that you can use to learn and master web development.

The best resources to practice and learn web development are listed below.

• Coursera. This service provides countless opportunities to learn web development in the form of courses. Many of them are beginner-friendly, and quite a few are free.
  
  
• Books. Books are a great resource when it comes to learning a new skill. Check out Simple Programming’s list of the best programming books. 
  
  
• Team Treehouse. Team Treehouse offers individual courses as well as recommended tracks, including one for web development. It gives you a convenient place to interact with your instructors as well as fellow learners.
  
  
• YouTube. When we are talking about online learning platforms, YouTube obviously can’t be left out of the list. Several channels focus on web development, which you can browse from the comfort of your own home. Channels like DevTips and WebDevMentors are a great start to your learning journey. 
  
  

Should You Study Web Development?

The rising demand for web developers is all the reason anyone needs to choose this profession. As a web developer, you will have the flexibility to work as a freelancer, as a full-time or part-time employee for a company, or yourself.