Web developers create websites like vulkanvegas.com. These people possess tremendous skills; they have what they call a stack, or a set of programming languages that complement each other to build a functional website.
We will show you how to become a competent website developer. This article will provide you with the skills you need to get a career in the web development industry.
The Types of Web Developers
There are three main types of this profession:
- Front-End
- Back-End
- Full-Stack
Let us explain the peculiarities and differences between each other type!
Front-End Developer
These are web developers that create the user interface of websites. They design the website with the user experience in mind. As such, a huge part of their task is to design web pages that get attention. They must also ensure that a site visitor finds the site easy to use.
Back-End Developer
A back-end developer writes the program that makes the website work. If a user clicks on a button or link, what happens next? It is the job of the back-end developer that the website will execute the user’s command.
In addition, the back-end developer also creates the backbone of the platform. They specialize in programming languages like Python, CSS, and PHP.
Full-Stack Developer
A full-Stack developer has the best of both worlds. The full-stack developer has expertise in both front-end and back-end development. As such, the full-stack developer has greater knowledge and may earn more salary.
The Tasks of Web Developers
Web Devs are in charge of building a website, making it work, and ensuring that it does what it is supposed to do all the time.
However, it is not the duty of the web developer to make the website secure — that is the duty of an information security expert.
To become a web developer, you need to learn several computer languages. Below are the most popular ones.
- HTML and HTML 5
- Python
- JavaScript
- PHP
- CSS
- SQL
You also must ensure that the site goes through regular maintenance procedures. If there are new developments in the industry, you need to keep up and apply new trends to your client’s website. Overall, you need to ensure that the platform works and that it is fast, trendy, and fully functional.
Steps to Become a Web Developer
Now, let us discuss the things you need to do to become a professional.
1. Earn a degree
Many schools and universities today offer a degree in computer programming. It is up to you to choose which language you want to learn. As a web developer, you must concentrate on the languages that we mentioned earlier.
You need a degree to ensure that you learn the entirety of the industry, not just the computer language. As far as computers go, there are overlaps, such as system security, content management systems, hosting, cloud hosting, etc.
2. Get an Internship
After graduation, or before that, you need to put your skills to use. While you can build sites alone to create your portfolio, it does not expose you to other challenges. You also will not get recommendations.
Like other professions, you must pursue an internship. Apply for a job in a web development company. As an intern, you will not get paid. However, you will certainly learn a lot from this job. In addition, you will get exposure to problems you may never have seen in school.
On top of this, you will be mingling with masters of the trade. They can show you a trick or two, and the things you will learn are invaluable.
3. Get Certifications
You can get this certification either from your university, college or online providers. There are schools that offer certification for branded programs like:
- Amazon
- Adobe
- Microsoft
If you got your certification from these companies, then you surely have evidence or proof that you have the skills to do the job.
4. Create a Portfolio
The next step is to build a portfolio. A portfolio is nothing more than a showcase of projects you have done in the past.
As a web developer, your portfolio is the websites you made. It is possible that you made these sites alone or you made them with a team.
These online platforms must be active. In your portfolio, provide the domain names of these projects and describe what you did or what your contributions are.
Finally, you must create a resume. Your resume should offer the client your expertise, experience, what you can do for them, and your portfolio. Keep your resume short. Nobody wants to read a long CV. Most people from HR just toss the resume in the bin — make sure that yours is appealing.
A web developer can earn a lot of money. You must be really good at it. On the side, you can take jobs from sites like Fiverr or Upwork. However, these side jobs pay so small because your clients are employees who want a small website.
Your goal is to work for big websites like Amazon or Google. These are the companies that will pay you a lot of money to develop and maintain their platforms. Of course, you need to start small – build your stack. Be good at it. Surely, you will become good enough to provide these companies with what they need.
