How to become a Web Developer

Web Developers create and maintain the millions of different websites and applications that people rely on for business, communication, entertainment, and a long list of other everyday activities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. employers will create about 16,500 web‑developer openings every year through 2033, and the median salary already tops $93,000 annually. However, web developers may also find it challenging to stand out from others working in this field in the United States. This means that if you want to become a web developer, it's important to understand what’s involved and how to set yourself up for success. This article aims to answer your questions and provide you with the advice you need to become a qualified web development professional.

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Steps for success in learning web development

If you’re new to the web development field, figuring out where to start and what skills to learn can feel daunting. However, there are some steps you can take during your educational journey that can help simplify the process and support long-term success. Each student’s path will vary depending on their unique goals, but overall, the below tips can break down the process into more manageable steps.

Think about your career goals

If you’re contemplating a career in web development, it can be beneficial to spend some time thinking about your motivations and goals. You can consider your reasons for learning web development and what you plan to do with your skills. This will likely include putting some thought into what type of web development you’d like to pursue. Web Developers often specialize in a specific type of development, such as software systems, ecommerce sites, mobile applications, Python development, front-end development, or back-end development. 

Enroll in a web development course

Everyone will follow a slightly different path to becoming a Web Developer, but most people find that one of the best ways to begin is to enroll in a web development course. While web development jobs span a range of different industries and include a variety of specializations, many require a similar set of skills, including a strong foundation in coding and a knowledge of frameworks, servers, and databases. A class is an effective way to learn these fundamentals. Many different schools offer web development classes, including colleges and specialized tech schools. If you’re a veteran, you might be eligible for one of the many government programs that provide educational assistance for veterans' web development classes.

In-person web development classes

In-person web development classes run face-to-face, in a physical classroom space, with a group of students and an instructor present. Outside distractions may be less likely in an in-person classroom, and it can feel easier to interact with your instructor and fellow classmates. Some people also find that this format is the most engaging and the easiest way to understand challenging concepts. A disadvantage is that you’ll have to commute to class. Additionally, if you don’t live in a major metropolitan area, you might find that there aren’t a lot of in-person web development classes available to you.

Live online web development classes

By learning live online, you’re likely to have more class options since you don’t need to physically get to a classroom. Like an in-person class, a live online one includes real-time interaction with an instructor and classmates. All you need for this format is a computer and an internet connection. Proponents of live online learning say that this format allows them to learn more comfortably and makes it easier to manage their time.

Self-paced web development classes

A self-paced class is an even more flexible way to learn web development. Unlike in-person and live online classes, self-paced courses are asynchronous. Many come with instructor support and the ability to interact with classmates, but you’ll be able to learn at your own pace, studying when and where you choose and progressing through the course material as quickly--or slowly--as you want to. If you have a busy schedule and lots of obligations, a self-paced course can make it easier to balance learning with your other needs.

Most Web Developers spend a lot of time working alone--for instance, writing code--however, that’s not all that’s involved in this job. You’ll also need to interact with other people, such as team members, clients, or employers. By making sure you have a strong, comprehensive set of soft skills, you can help ensure that these interactions will go smoothly. Soft skills that can help you work well with others include communication (both written and verbal), negotiation, collaboration, and teamwork. Soft skills can also help you complete your work more efficiently and effectively. Skills for this purpose include problem-solving, critical thinking, time management, and attention to detail. 

Soft skills can also increase your adaptability, which can aid you in successfully navigating a changing job market in the future. In a 2023 Forbes article titled “Why Non-Linear Career Paths Are The Future,” the author talks about the importance of being adaptable, arguing that as technology evolves, so will job roles, meaning that employees will need to be more adaptable than ever before. She insists, “Lifetime employment at a single job is largely a thing of the past. . . . . Companies now want flexible workers who can adapt to evolving work situations.”

Build a standout portfolio

While your resume and your credentials can look incredibly impressive, one of the most important aspects of your job materials is a practical demonstration of your ability to work as a web developer. Thus, most professionals will create portfolios of their work that they can show to prospective employers in order to highlight their work and show off what kind of developer they hope to be. Given the kinds of work that web developers do, this often means designing and developing your own web presence, usually handled by creating an online portfolio that serves as a reflexive demonstration of your skills.

Some common items for a web developer portfolio include:

• Websites or assets that you have coded or designed
• Assets programmed in a variety of languages
• Pieces of code that were part of collaborative projects
• Relevant certifications and credentials
• In progress work (to demonstrate process)

Practice daily

Practice is essential for learning anything new, particularly something like web development, which involves many technical skills. When you practice, the theoretical knowledge from the classroom is translated into real-world situations, and you gain a deeper understanding of what you’ve learned and how to apply it. Practice is also a great way to discover what your weaknesses are. Many web development classes include practice on real-world projects, but if you want to be successful, it’s beneficial to practice on your own, too.

Seek out mentorship and advice from experts

This step is also important. In web development, as in many other professional fields, experience counts for a lot. You’ll learn many skills in a class, but there are also many things that it is more difficult to understand until you actually start working in this field. By connecting with experts who already have experience, you can gain valuable inside knowledge about things like how to work more efficiently and common beginner mistakes to avoid. You can also learn about how the industry works and gain tips for success. Without mentorship or advice, these insights might take years to gain on your own.