How to Get Started
as a Web Developer

If you enjoy programming and writing code, then a position as a web developer may be a good career choice for you.

The need for web developers is constantly increasing, and there are many different specializations a programmer can pursue. Keep reading to see how to become a web developer.

A web developer is someone who works to create and maintain websites. This includes several technical aspects like performance, speed, and capacity. Web developers may also create content for the site.

Web developers work on the technical side of a website. Whether they work on the front end or the backend, they ensure that the user interface is functioning properly. Digital designers are similar, but UX/UI designers tend to focus more on the look and functionality of a site than web developers do.

Developers use the tools of data science to find out what their competitors are doing with regard to site layout and details. They can use user experience data, for example, to match their designs to what users find effective. Data science thus helps developers streamline their work and set their designs apart from the competition.

Web development career paths vary in length depending on your personal goals. Educational requirements vary. This means you can become a web developer with only a high school diploma or pursue a bachelor’s degree.

Most degree programs will take two to four years to complete. That range may increase if you choose to pursue certificates or add to your skillset with web development or data science boot camp.

Where you study will depend on what your goals are. Since you don’t have to earn a college degree to have a strong career in web development, there are several options to choose from. You can stop at high school, go to a university, enroll in a bootcamp, or study web development online.

There is no minimum educational requirement for web developers. Most employers will be more interested in your work experience and skills, but some employers do prefer candidates with a bachelor’s degree in a tech-related field like computer science. Knowledge of programming languages, especially HTML, is also preferred.

The average web developer makes almost double the national average. The median web developer salary was $77,200 as of May 2020. The lowest 10 percent of web developers made $40,750 and below, whereas the highest earners made $146,430 and above.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of web developers is expected to increase by 8 percent between 2019 to 2029. This is much faster than most other occupations. Web developer jobs will increase as ecommerce and technology advance. Demand for web developers will also increase as the need for mobile site design rises.

Depending on their education and skills, a web developer’s job will vary. There are a few tasks that are common to all. Developers work primarily behind the scenes to create an easy-to-use website for users.

Below are a few typical duties for a developer.

Web developers must keep an eye on visits to their sites. This helps them adjust site capacity and performance. For example, if a site typically functions with 10 views at a time and traffic suddenly increases to 75 users at one time, site capacity and other functions may need to be adjusted. This helps the site run better.

This is one of a web developer’s primary duties. Web developers write code using programming languages like HTML, creating the layout for information displayed on a site.

Along with building sites from scratch, developers make sure a site remains functional and accessible. They ensure the user interface is clean and displayed properly.

Web developers need certain technical skills to progress in their careers. It is also useful to pursue certifications to help stay on top of trends and set themselves apart from other candidates. A solid foundation in languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and SQL is very useful for developers.

There are many reasons why becoming a web developer is an appealing career choice. It doesn’t necessarily require a degree, it’s in high demand, and it’s very lucrative. There are also opportunities for specialization, allowing aspiring web developers to get creative.