Web Development Journey: A Complete Guideline in 2022 (For Freelance/Full-time Developer)

Nowadays, online visibility has become necessary to be successful and famous. Whether you run a business or you are looking for a job, your online presence has a significant impact on all aspects of your life. Having a website is the best way to showcase your skills or promote your business. Your success or failure depends upon your online reputation, and almost all businesses are moving towards the Internet in today's world.

In such circumstances, everyone needs to have a website that ultimately increases the demand for Web developers.

Web development is a good career. Becoming a web developer nowadays is not a big deal due to technological updates, different no-code website builders and lots of tutorials available on various platforms. This article will discuss how to become a web developer in 2022. But before getting right to the topic, let us first see some basics of web development:

Who is a Web developer?

A person responsible for making and maintaining a website is a web developer. A web developer is usually a skilled person having expertise in different development technologies. Using their skills, they make static and dynamic websites.

Responsibilities of a Web developer:

Although web developers are part of the entire process of website development, they have some specific responsibilities:

• Create web pages using the markup languages
• Create mockups and prototypes
• Understand UX/UI, HTML, and CMS
• Maintain websites, managing backends and makes improvements wherever needed

Careers in Web Development:

Being a web developer, you can choose to be any of the following web developer roles:

• Front-end Developer: Mainly focuses on the physical appearance of the site
• Backend Developer: Mainly focuses on the functionality of the website
• Full-Stack Developer: This career combines the skills of a front-end developer as well as a backend developer

Now that you know the career options, you might be thinking about where to start as a web developer. So here is your answer:

Tools for Web Development:

Being a beginner, you might be wondering what things you would need to get started as a web developer, so here is a list for your guidance:

• First, you will need a Laptop/PC
• A modern web browser, i.e., Google Chrome, Safari, Mozilla, etc.
• An IDE to write and run the code, i.e., Visual Studio Code, Atom, Notepad++, etc.
• A GitHub Account and git installed in your pc if you want to host your code or collaborate with others

Yeah, that all the tools you need to start your journey as a web developer.

How to Become a Web developer?

Demand for web developers is rising as businesses become more dependent on the Internet. Who would not want to be the most in-demand, highly paid professional web developer in such circumstances? So, for you, here is the complete roadmap to becoming a successful web developer in 2022:

Step 1: Learn Basic (You have to learn all of them)

To be a successful and independent web developer, you will need to learn the core technologies of a website. These technologies include:

HTML

HTML stands for Hypertext Markup Language, and it is used to define the basic layout of a website. It has many tags, also called elements, that specify different controls on the web pages. Although HTML alone cannot make a complete functional website, it is the core of every website. All the websites you see on the Internet are based on HTML.

CSS

CSS stands for Cascading Stylesheet, and it is used to design the HTML elements on web pages. As stated earlier, a website written in HTML does not serve a purpose and is not attractive. So, to make it user-friendly, engaging, beautiful, and a bit interactive, you have to use the cascading stylesheets.

JavaScript

JavaScript is a client-side scripting language used to define the functionality of different elements on the webpage. It gives life on a web page, and it is used to make a website dynamic.

Step 2: Deep Dive on Frontend Technologies (Pick one that suits your need)

Now that you have learned the basics, you have to deep dive on some JavaScript frameworks. You can make websites with JavaScript alone, but top-tier developers are using different JavaScript frameworks to speed up their development process. Some popular Frontend Technologies include:

React

ReactJS known as a front-end JavaScript framework originally made its first appearance in 2013, and it has since grown to become one of the most widely used front-end frameworks in the field of web development. It is maintained by Meta formerly known as Facebook and an open-source developer community. Users can design their own microsystems and even wrap smaller parts of bigger ones thanks to its component-based architecture.

Angular

Angular is a popular JavaScript framework that was created in 2009 as part of a Google project by Miko Hevery and Adam Abrons. It is an open-source frontend framework that uses TypeScript to create lighter and quicker apps. Angular has a number of features that make it easy to make Single-Page Applications (SPAs) that are dynamic and interesting.

Vue

VueJS is an open-source progressive JavaScript framework that is used to create interactive web interfaces and single-page applications. Evan You, a former Google employee, created it. The goal of the framework is to bring together the best features of Angular and React. Vue keeps Angular's template syntax and React's approach to data binding, props, and component-based development.

Step 3: Learn Backend Technologies (Pick one that suits your need)

Backend technologies refer to the languages used to define the internal working, such as storing the user data, retrieving it, or performing different operations on it. The most popular backend technologies include MySQL and PHP:

NodeJS

NodeJS is another one of the most popular backend technologies being widely used by developers worldwide. It provides you with built-in libraries and functions to save a lot of your time. It’s a framework of JavaScript.

PHP

PHP is a server-side scripting language used to specify what a server should do whenever a user performs an action on a webpage. PHP stands for Personal Home Page or Hypertext Preprocessor.

Python

As you might know, Python is a popular programming language, extensively used in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Besides this, it is also popular in web development, so many developers use it to work on the backend of their applications.

Django

Django is a back-end framework that is open-source and is utilized for the development of complex websites that are feature-rich and data-driven. It is a flexible framework that may be used for a variety of applications, including content management systems, social networking applications, and computing platforms. Django makes it easy to build sites quickly, authorization users, make sitemaps, SQL injection and cross-site scripting as well as make webpages that can grow quickly.

Java

Java is a super scalable and high-level programming language that is open-source and operates under the principle of "write once, run anywhere". This method makes it possible for Java programs to run on any platform, making them easy to move around. On any platform with a Java virtual machine (JVM), you can run a built Java program. This applies to both desktop computers and mobile devices.

Ruby on Rails

Ruby on Rails is a framework that is built on the Ruby programming language and is licensed by MIT. It makes use of a variety of web applications, web pages, and database architectures. Ruby is an open-source framework and requires minimal backend work, allowing developers to rapidly develop and deploy applications.

Step 4: Learn Database Technologies (Pick one that suits your need)

When your website will scale up, you’ll need database technologies to store and collect data. Database technologies are widely used to create dynamic websites. The database stores all the information and contents needed for a website to work so it can be easily retrieved, organized, edited, and saved. Database technologies come in two different varieties. (1) SQL and (2) NoSQL.

1. SQL Databases

• MySQL
• PostgreSQL
• Oracle
• MariaDB

2. NoSQL Databases

• MongoDB
• Firebase
• Redis
• CouchDB

SQL databases are best suited for analytical, logical, and high-integrity applications. And you should go with NoSQL database management solutions if you are primarily concerned with speed, performance, or the ability to manage a big volume of data.    

Step 5: Learn UX/UI Prototyping (Highly Recommended)

When you are done with learning frontend and backend, now it’s time to learn how to design a good UI. Most of the websites never build directly. They were first prototyped then developed matching the wireframe. So, if you want to be expert web developer, you have to grasp both the design and the development. If you know how to develop but can’t design attractive websites, you will lose lots of clients.

Therefore, you have to create a good design sense by practicing and demystifying popular websites to ensure your long-term success. There are a bunch of popular applications that are used to create protypes:

• Figma (Most popular for Windows Users)
• Sketch (Popular for Mac Users)
• Adobe XD  

Step 6: Learn SEO (Highly Recommended)

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization, and it refers to the techniques used to be visible on SERP (Search Engine Result Page). Web development and SEO go hand in hand. If you build a site and do not consider SEO, it will not serve its purpose.

The reason behind it is that search engines already have much stuff related to each topic, and they cannot identify or rank the new content instead of the existing one. So, to be visible on the Internet, i.e., on the search engine whenever people search for something, you have to SEO optimize your content (your website in this context).

These are the web developer's key skills. Without acquiring these skills, you cannot be an efficient web developer.

Alternative Step: Route to Web Development – CMS-based-Approach (Optional)

If you do not want to learn to code and want to do low-code development, you can use the tools such as WordPress, Shopify, Webflow, Wix and Ghost, etc. These are the website creation platforms where you can build websites in the minimum time possible without the need to write the code. You need to drag and drop the elements, select the themes, write the text, change the colors, add the gallery, and your website is ready! There are many well-known web development and design tools available, which include:

• Shopify
• WordPress
• Webflow
• Wix
• Squarespace

So, this is the partial end of your learning phase. Now you have to showcase your skills that you have learned to get hired. Wait! “The partial end of your learning phase” doesn’t mean that you have completed everything, in fact, technologies will always update, and you should never stop learning new things and updated technologies. The moment you stop learning, you will start to fail as a web developer.  

Getting in the field as a Web developer:

Now that you have acquired the web development skills does not mean that people will hire you blindfolded. You will have to work on your skills and build the dummy projects to gain some experience to prove yourself. This also helps you showcase your skills to the companies' hiring managers or build an online portfolio.

When you become a web developer, you have two choices to choose from:

1. Becoming a Freelance Web developer

Web developers can also work from home. Working as a freelance web developer is an ideal career choice if you cannot work a 9 to 5 job sitting in one place and working under the pressure of annoying bosses. When you do freelance, you are the boss, and you have the authority to decide which project to work on.

Perks working as a freelance web developer:

• You are the boss, and you decide how much you should be paid for a project.
• You are free to work on your preferred timings. No more sitting on a chair from 9 A.M to 5 P.M and following the instructions of annoying bosses, managers, and other colleagues.
• The facility of working from the comfort of your home.
• Having your own identity

To become a freelance web developer, here is what you need to do:

Make a profile on a freelance marketplace:

The first step towards the journey of becoming a freelance web developer is being available on a freelance site. There are many traditional and non-traditional freelance marketplaces where you can create an account for free. These platforms include Upwork.com, Fiverr.com, Freelancer.com, PeoplePerHour.com, etc.

SEO Optimize your Web developer Profile:

Many web developers are already working as freelancer web developers on freelance marketplaces. So, to stand out in the competition and be visible on these platforms, you will have to perform SEO.

Add your Portfolio:

Remember! No one is going to hire you unless you show them your skills. The only way to prove your skills in a freelance marketplace is by building an online portfolio. Your web developer portfolio should contain the websites you created for practice purposes or other clients.        

Bid on Projects:

All the freelance marketplaces provide the facility for the buyers to post what they want, and the seller so bid on what the buyer needs. All you have to do is read the buyers' request and decide if you can do that job or not. If yes, send an offer to the buyer mentioning how you can solve their problem and how much you will charge them.

By following these steps, you will be able to be a successful freelance web developer one day!

2. Becoming a Full-time Web developer:

If you do not want to work from home or think that freelancing is not a stable source of income, this option is for you. Working as a full-time web developer and getting associated with a well-reputed organization has perks.

Perks of Being a Full-time Web developer:

• Working with other web developers and learning new things
• You do not have to deal with the clients directly so that you can focus on your work better

To become a full-time web developer, here is what you can do:

Make a Portfolio:

When you code for practice, build a portfolio with outstanding projects to showcase your talent.

Search for the Jobs:

Use the online sources to search for the available jobs in the market. Various platforms let you know about the vacancies at different firms, for example, indeed.com, ziprecruiter.com, glassdoor.com, etc.

Apply for a job and get ready for interviews:

Once you find a suitable job that fulfills your requirements and fits your skill set, apply for it by dropping a CV online or visiting the office. Start looking at sites where people share their interview questions from different companies and review all the knowledge you've already learned to get ready for the interview.

Conclusion

Getting started as a web developer and earning a handsome amount seems difficult in this era of technology and Internet. Once you acquire the necessary skills and understand your capability, you can open the doors of infinite potential.

In this post, we have described what web development is, what web developers do, and how to get started as a web developer. We hope you found this article helpful! Thank you for reading.