How to Become a Developer: Our Step by Step Guide

Web development is a rapidly growing field with a high demand for skilled developers. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in web development, there are several steps you can take to build your skills and gain experience. This guide will provide you with a step-by-step process to becoming a web developer, including tips on finding the right resources and building your skills.

Photo by Domenico Loia on Unsplash

Here’s a breakdown of what we’ll cover:

• Understanding the Basics of Web Development
• Getting a Solid Foundation in Web Development
• Choosing Your Specialisation
• Learning the Necessary Programming Languages
• Building Your Portfolio
• Networking and Finding Job Opportunities

Understanding the Basics of Web Development.

Before diving into the world of web development, it’s important to understand the basics. Web development involves creating websites and web applications using programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. These languages allow you to create engaging and functional websites. It’s helpful to think of building a website much like building a house, where each component serves a specific purpose. Let’s dive in and explore each component. 

HTML (HyperText Markup Language)

Just like the structural framework of a building, HTML provides the basic structure and defines the content of a webpage. HTML elements are like the rooms, walls, doors, and windows of a house. 

It provides a set of tags and elements that define the different components of a webpage, such as headings, paragraphs, links, images, tables, forms, and more. HTML is responsible for organising the content and giving it meaning, allowing browsers to interpret and display the webpage correctly. It forms the backbone of every web page and provides the structure that other technologies, like CSS and JavaScript, build upon.

CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) 

This is the interior design and decoration of your house. It adds style, colour, and visual appeal to your website, just as the furniture, paint, and decorations make a house attractive and comfortable.

CSS is a styling language used to control the presentation and appearance of HTML elements on a web page. It allows you to define the colours, fonts, layouts, and other visual aspects of the content. With CSS, you can apply styles to HTML elements individually or in groups, using selectors to target specific elements or classes. CSS provides a powerful set of properties and values to manipulate the visual aspects, such as width, height, margins, padding, borders, backgrounds, and more. It enables you to create visually appealing and consistent designs across multiple web pages.

JavaScript (JS)

JavaScript is like the electricity and automation system of your house. It’s a versatile programming language thatruns on the client-side (in the browser) and allows you to add interactivity and dynamic functionality to web pages. Just as the electrical appliances, switches, and sensors automate various tasks in a modern house.

It enables you to create interactive features like form validations, animations, image sliders, responsive menus, and more. JavaScript can manipulate the HTML and CSS elements dynamically, respond to user actions or events, handle data input and output, make asynchronous requests to servers, and perform calculations or data manipulations. It is widely used for frontend development but can also be used on the server-side (with Node.js) to build full-stack web applications.

In addition to this, it’s valuable to understand web design principles, user experience, and web server technologies. These are essential for creating well-designed and user-friendly websites.

Web Design Principles

These refer to the fundamental guidelines and best practices for creating visually appealing, user-friendly, and effective websites. Some key principles include:

• Layout and Composition: Designing the structure and arrangement of elements on a web page to create a clear and organised visual hierarchy.
• Typography: Selecting appropriate fonts, sizes, and styles to enhance readability and convey the desired tone or message.
• Colours and Contrast: Choosing a cohesive colour scheme and utilising contrast effectively to highlight important elements and improve visual aesthetics.
• Visual Imagery: Incorporating relevant and high-quality images, graphics, or icons to enhance the visual appeal and convey information.
• Consistency and Branding: Maintaining a consistent design style, navigation, and branding elements throughout the website to create a cohesive user experience.
• Mobile-Friendly Design: Ensuring that the website is optimised for different screen sizes and devices to provide a seamless experience for mobile users.

User Experience (UX) 

UX focuses on understanding and improving the overall experience of users when they interact with a website or application. It involves considering the users’ needs, goals, and expectations to design intuitive and enjoyable experiences. Key aspects of UX include:

• User Research: Conducting research to gain insights into users’ behaviours, preferences, and pain points.
• Information Architecture: Organizing and structuring content in a way that is intuitive and easy to navigate.
• Usability Testing: Testing the website with real users to identify usability issues and make improvements.
• Interaction Design: Designing how users interact with the website, including the placement of buttons, forms, menus, and other interactive elements.
• Accessibility: Ensuring that the website is accessible to people with disabilities, considering factors like keyboard navigation, screen readers, and proper labelling.

Web Server Technologies 

These primarily involve the tools and technologies used to handle the server-side of web development. This includes:

• Server-Side Scripting: Writing code that runs on the server to handle dynamic content and data processing. Common server-side scripting languages include PHP, Python, Ruby, and Node.js.
• Databases: Storing and retrieving data for web applications examples include MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or Firebase are commonly used.
• Server Configuration and Deployment: Setting up and configuring web servers to host websites and web applications. This may involve using technologies like Apache, Nginx, or Microsoft IIS.
• APIs (Application Programming Interfaces): Creating and consuming APIs to enable communication between different systems, allowing data exchange and integration with third-party services.

By learning, then incorporating these concepts into your web development projects, you can enhance the overall user experience and create websites that are visually appealing, easy to use, and technically robust.

Getting a Solid Foundation in Web Development

To establish a solid foundation in web development, there are several key steps you can take, to help you build a strong base of knowledge and skills:

1. Learn HTML: Understand the basic structure of HTML documents, tags, and elements used to define the content and layout of a webpage.
2. Master CSS: Get proficient  in CSS properties, selectors, and layout techniques to control the visual presentation of your HTML documents.
3. Explore JavaScript: Learn JavaScript fundamentals, including variables, data types, functions, control structures, and Document Object Model DOM manipulation.
4. Practise Responsive Design: Responsive design ensures your websites adapt to different screen sizes and devices. Learn how to create fluid and responsive layouts using CSS media queries and flexible grid systems.
5. Understand Web Accessibility: Familiarise yourself with web accessibility standards and guidelines to ensure that your websites are inclusive and can be accessed by users with disabilities. Learn how to implement accessible HTML structure, proper labelling, and keyboard navigation.
6. Gain Backend Knowledge: Expand your understanding beyond frontend development and learn about the backend technologies. Get familiar with concepts like server-side scripting, databases, and server administration. Explore languages like Python, Ruby, PHP, or Node.js for backend development.
7. Work with Databases: Understand how to work with databases to store and retrieve data for your web applications. Learn about relational databases like MySQL or PostgreSQL, as well as NoSQL databases like MongoDB or Firebase.
8. Learn a Framework: Explore popular web development frameworks such as React, Angular, or Vue.js. Frameworks provide powerful tools and abstractions to streamline web development and create dynamic, scalable, and maintainable applications.
9. Build Projects: Practice is essential for solidifying your web development skills. Start building projects of increasing complexity to apply what you’ve learned and get hands-on experience. This will help you refine your problem-solving skills and understand how different components work together.
10. Collaborate and Seek Feedback: Engage with the web development community, join forums, attend meetups, and participate in online coding communities. Collaborate on open-source projects or work with other developers to receive feedback and improve your skills.
11. Stay Updated: Web development is a fast-paced field with evolving technologies and trends. Stay up-to-date by following blogs, subscribing to newsletters, and exploring online resources to learn about new tools, frameworks, and best practices.

Building a solid foundation in web development is an ongoing process. Continuously challenge yourself, explore new concepts, and practice regularly to refine your skills and stay relevant in this dynamic field.

Choose Your Specialisation

Once you have a solid foundation in web development, it’s important to choose a specialisation that aligns with your interests and career goals. Some popular specialisations include front-end development, back-end development and full-stack development. Consider your strengths and preferences when choosing a specialisation, and continue to build your skills and knowledge in that area.

Frontend (Client-side)

This involves creating the visual elements and user interface that the end user interacts with directly. To become proficient in frontend development, we’d recommend learning HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, as well as frameworks like React or Angular. 

Frontend development involves coding the visual elements of a website that users interact with, such as layout, fonts, colours, menus, and contact forms. To become a frontend developer, you should start by learning HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. 

Backend (Server-side)

Back-end development, also known as server-side scripting, deals with the behind-the-scenes functionality. In other words, everything you can’t see on a website.  This involves working with APIs, database management, website architecture and servers, as well as automated testing frameworks. To become a backend developer, some of the best programming and scripting languages to learn are (amongst others) Python, Java, PHP and C++.

Database technology

Understanding database technology is a really valuable specialisation, as databases are responsible for storing and organising website content. Most websites use relational database management systems, which run on servers and allow for easy retrieval, editing, and saving of website data. To become proficient in database management technology, SQL is a great language to start with. 

Full Stack Development

Full Stack development refers to the ability to work on both the frontend and backend of web applications. Full Stack developers possess a broad range of skills and are capable of handling various aspects of the development process. They can take a project from concept to completion, including the design, development, and deployment of web applications. 

To start, it’s important to learn programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for frontend development, and languages like Node.JS, Python or Ruby for backend development. Additionally, gaining experience with database management systems like MySQL or MongoDB is valuable for understanding how data is stored and accessed on the web. 

Learn the Necessary Programming Languages.

Some of the most popular programming languages used in web development include HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and Python. It’s important to learn these languages and understand how they work together to create dynamic and interactive websites. Here’s a general guide to help you get started in learning:

1. Set clear goals: Determine your motivations for becoming a developer and define your long-term and short-term goals. This will help you stay focused and motivated throughout your learning journey.
2. Choose a programming language: Research and select a programming language to begin with. Popular options for beginners include Python, JavaScript, and Java. Consider factors such as the language’s popularity, community support, and its relevance to your desired career path.
3. Learn the basics: Start by learning the fundamentals of the programming language you’ve decided to start with – such as variables, data types, control structures (if-else statements, loops), functions, and basic algorithms. Online tutorials, interactive coding platforms, and coding bootcamps can be valuable resources for beginners.
4. Practice coding: Put your learning into practice by working on coding exercises, small projects, and challenges. Building hands-on projects helps you gain practical experience and reinforces your understanding of programming concepts.
5. Explore programming concepts: Dive deeper into programming concepts like object-oriented programming (OOP), data structures, algorithms, and web design patterns. These concepts will help you write efficient and maintainable code.
6. Learn additional programming languages: As you become comfortable with your first programming language, consider expanding your skill set by learning additional languages that are relevant to your career goals. This will make you more versatile and adaptable to different projects and technologies.
7. Build a portfolio: Create a portfolio of projects that showcase your skills and demonstrate your ability to solve real-world problems through programming. This can include personal projects, open-source contributions, or even participating in coding competitions.
8. Collaborate and network: Engage with the developer community, participate in online forums, attend meetups or conferences, and join coding communities to learn from others, share your knowledge, and make connections in the industry.
9. Continuously learn and adapt: The field of web development is constantly evolving. Stay updated with the latest trends, technologies, and best practices through online resources, blogs, tutorials, and relevant courses. Be open to learning new languages and frameworks as needed.
10. Gain practical experience: Seek internships, freelance projects, or entry-level positions to gain practical experience working on real-world web development projects. Practical experience is invaluable in building your skills and increasing your employability.

A helpful note for you! Remember that learning programming languages is just one aspect of becoming a developer. It’s essential to develop problem-solving abilities, analytical thinking, and effective communication skills to excel in this field. To do this: 

• Engage in regular coding challenges and real-world projects that require tackling complex problems. 
• Break down larger problems into smaller tasks and adopt a systematic approach.
• Seek feedback from other developers, participate in coding communities, and actively engage in online forums to gain different perspectives and improve problem-solving abilities.
• Enhance analytical thinking by breaking down problems, analysing data, and learning algorithms and data structures.
• Improve communication skills through clear and concise written and verbal communication, actively listening to feedback, and explaining technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Participate in discussions and seek opportunities to present your work to further enhance your communication skills.

Stay dedicated, persistent, and practice regularly to hone your programming skills and embark on a successful journey  to become a developer.

Build Your Portfolio.

Building a portfolio is an essential step in becoming a successful web developer. Your portfolio showcases your skills and abilities to potential employers and clients. It should include examples of your work, such as websites you have designed and developed, as well as any other relevant projects you have worked on. Make sure your portfolio is well-organised and easy to navigate, and that it highlights your strengths as a web developer. You can also use your portfolio to showcase your creativity and problem-solving skills, which are essential qualities for any web developer.

As a newbie web developer, building a portfolio is an excellent way to showcase your skills, demonstrate your capabilities, and increase your chances of landing job opportunities. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you build a portfolio:

1. Identify your goals and target audience: Determine the type of web development projects you’re interested in and the audience you want to impress. For example, if you’re interested in web development, focus on building web-based projects.
2. Select projects that align with your goals: Choose projects that challenge you and allow you to showcase different aspects of your skills. Start with smaller projects and gradually tackle more complex ones as you gain experience.
3. Personal projects: Create personal projects that reflect your interests or passions, and demonstrate your problem-solving abilities. These projects can keep you motivated and can be anything from building a simple web application, creating a mobile app, or developing a command-line tool. 
4. Contribute to Open-source projects: Find projects on platforms like GitHub and contribute by fixing bugs, adding features, or improving documentation. This not only adds to your portfolio but also shows your ability to collaborate with others in a team environment.
5. Consider working on capstone projects: These are larger-scale projects that encompass multiple aspects of web development. These could involve creating a full-stack web application, developing a mobile web app, or building a web solution to address a specific problem.
6. Showcase your projects: Create a website or an online platform to showcase your portfolio projects. Include project descriptions, code snippets, screenshots, and any relevant documentation. Make sure your portfolio is visually appealing and easy to navigate.
7. Collaborate on team projects: This helps you gain experience in collaborative web development. This can involve contributing to group projects at coding bootcamps, participating in hackathons, or collaborating with fellow developers on shared initiatives. Highlight your role and contributions within these team projects in your portfolio.
8. Continuously update and improve: Regularly update your portfolio as you complete new projects or gain new skills. Add any new projects, revise project descriptions, and provide links to the source code or live demos. Aim to regularly enhance the design and presentation of your portfolio.
9. Document your process: Alongside the final project, document your development process. This can include descriptions of challenges you encountered, how you overcame them, and any lessons learned. This documentation demonstrates your problem-solving skills and thought processes to potential employers.
10. Seek feedback: Share your portfolio with mentors, peers, and experienced developers for feedback and suggestions. Incorporate their input to improve the quality and effectiveness of your portfolio.

Remember, building a portfolio takes time and effort. Focus on quality over quantity, and to improve your projects and skills often. Regularly update your portfolio as you gain more experience and take on new projects. A well-curated portfolio will not only showcase your abilities but also demonstrate your commitment and passion for development to potential employers.

Network and Find Job Opportunities.

Photo by Antenna on Unsplash

Networking is a crucial part of finding job opportunities as a web developer. Attend industry events, join online communities, and connect with other professionals in the field. This can help you stay up-to-date on industry trends and job openings. You can also reach out to companies you are interested in working for and inquire about any available positions. Don’t be afraid to showcase your skills and enthusiasm for web development, as this can help you stand out from other candidates. 

Networking and finding job opportunities as a newbie web developer can significantly enhance your career prospects. Here are some effective ways to network and discover job opportunities:

1. Attend industry events and meetups: This allows you to connect with fellow developers, professionals, and potential employers. Engage in conversations, ask questions, and exchange contact information to build relationships.
2. Utilise online professional networks: Join online platforms like LinkedIn and GitHub to connect with professionals in the web development field. Optimise your profiles by showcasing your skills, projects, and goals. Actively participate in relevant groups and discussions to expand your network and gain exposure.
3. Leverage social media: Utilise platforms like Linkedin, Twitter, Reddit, and specialised developer communities to engage with other developers and stay updated on industry trends. Follow influential developers, join relevant conversations, and contribute valuable insights to establish your presence in the online tech community.
4. Attend career fairs, hackathons and competitions: Ese events like this to network with potential employers and industry experts. These events provide opportunities to showcase your skills, collaborate with others, and make valuable connections.
5. Seek mentorship: Find experienced developers who are willing to mentor and guide you in your career. Mentors can offer valuable advice, help you expand your professional network, and provide insights into the job market. Look for mentorship programs or reach out to professionals through networking events or online platforms.
6. Use job boards and online platforms: Websites like Indeed, LinkedIn Jobs, Stack Overflow Jobs, and specialised tech job boards can help you discover relevant job opportunities. Customise your profiles and resumes to highlight your skills and projects.
7. Build relationships with recruiters: Connect with recruiters who specialise in development roles. They have access to job openings and can help match your skills and experience with potential employers. Attend career fairs, join recruitment agencies, and engage with recruiters on LinkedIn to establish relationships.
8. Referrals and personal connections: Update your friends, family, and acquaintances about your career aspirations. They may have contacts in the industry or know of job openings that align with your goals. Personal connections and referrals can often lead to job opportunities.

Remember to approach networking with authenticity, curiosity, and a willingness to offer value to others. Building meaningful relationships takes time, so be patient and consistent in your networking efforts. Stay proactive, maintain an updated online presence, and seize opportunities to showcase your skills and passion for web development.

Conclusion

In conclusion, becoming a web developer requires a systematic approach and dedication to learning and honing your skills. By following the step-by-step guide provided in this article, you can establish a solid foundation in web development, choose a specialisation that aligns with your interests, learn the necessary programming languages, and build a strong portfolio. With continuous learning, practice, and dedication, you can embark on a successful career as a web developer.

FAQ

How do I become a web developer for beginners?

To become a web developer, you’ll need to learn programming languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You can start by taking online courses or attending coding bootcamps. It’s also important to build a portfolio of projects to showcase your skills to potential employers. Networking and staying up-to-date with industry trends can also help you succeed as a web developer.

What do I need to learn before becoming a web developer?

Before becoming a web developer, it’s important to have a strong foundation in programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You should also have knowledge of web development frameworks, databases, and server-side languages. Additionally, having experience with version control systems and project management tools can be beneficial. It’s important to continue learning and staying up-to-date with new technologies and trends in the industry.

Can I learn to be a web developer on my own?

Yes, it is possible to teach yourself to code and become a web developer. There are many online resources available, such as coding tutorials, free online courses, and coding bootcamps. However, it does require dedication, discipline, and a willingness to continuously learn and improve your skills.

Author: Katrina Walker

CEO & Founder of CodeOp,
An International Tech School for Women, Trans and Nonbinary People

Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, I relocated to South Europe in 2016 to explore the growing tech scene from a data science perspective. After working as a data scientist in both the public...

More from Katrina →