A Beginner’s Guide to Web Development
Have you ever entered the words “web development companies near me” in search engines? If you have, it means you are interested in learning web development. Figuring out where to start is the trickiest part. This is due to the countless web development courses, languages, and tools you need to learn or master. A Beginner’s Guide to Web Development is all you’ll need to master this trade!
However, it is not as complicated as you think. You may have to invest in a full-stack web development course or two. But big things grow from small; once you become an entry-level web developer, the sky becomes the starting point for your illustrious career.
So, where should you start from, you ask? This article is the guide you need as you will learn what you need to know about web development. Understanding the basics is crucial whether you want to work for a web development company or be a freelance web developer.
Let’s get into it, shall we?
Understanding the Basics – What is Web Development?
Web development involves writing software programs that work on browsers. When you become skilled at web development – or website development, as it were – you are referred to as a web developer.
A web developer builds websites and web applications. They can also add or retrieve information from a database when users request it via a browser. They can locate and debug bugs or shortcomings in existing code. They can also read other coder’s code and make changes they desire.
Web development is one of the fastest-growing professions worldwide. According to the United States Bureau of Labour Statistics forecasts, web developer jobs will grow by 8 percent between 2019 and 2029, which shows the massive job potential in this field.
For instance, you can work remotely as a freelancer at a web development agency. It is also not uncommon for a web development agency to work with a web developer from anywhere in the world. Web development is a field that requires continuous learning and professional growth.
Types of Web Development:
Web development can be categorized into 3 major types:
Frontend Web Development
Frontend web development is a field in which a developer writes code for the user interface (UI), which is the part of a website you interact with or see. The code you write is known as frontend code.
You can log in, check different dashboards, or sign up for a newsletter. As a front-end web developer, you can ask for information from the backend to enable users to log in to a site.
Technologies you need to acquaint yourself with as a frontend web developer include CSS, frontend JavaScript frameworks such as React – for writing programs – and HTML.
Backend Web Development
On the other hand, backend development involves writing business logic, i.e., how information passes between the backend and front end. Users do not see the software’s “backend.” For instance, no user can see the database that houses or stores their login information or data.
In other words, the backend is abstract. As a backend web developer, you can write codes dictating how data flows between a database and a user. You can also generate or write API or application programming interface code, allowing additional functionality.
Application programming interface enables you to add any functionality to a web application. For instance, you can enable payment functionality through a payment service portal or interface like PayPal.
A backend web developer must be conversant with MongoDB and JavaScript backend framework technologies such as Node.js and PostgreSQL.
Full-Stack Web Development
As a full-stack web developer, you can write back and frontend code. You will be capable of creating the user interface, handling payment integrations and other functionalities, and also writing the logic for data that flows from the backend to a user.
As a full-stack web developer, you should be skilled at building entire applications using technologies like CSS, HTML, and backend and frontend JavaScript frameworks.
Getting well-versed in these technologies is crucial because they are considered the three pillars of the web. HTML defines how content is displayed on a site, CSS tells a browser how that content should be displayed, and JavaScript makes that content interactive.
As you become more familiar with the basics, you should consider learning and getting good at Python web development. This involves learning Python, which is essential for backend development. Python is easy to learn, and many versatile web developers use it when creating web applications and sites.
What Is the Difference Between Web Design and Web Development?
You might wonder if there is any difference between web development and web design. Web design is an essential part of web development. It focuses on how an application or website feels and looks when a user interacts with it.
In other words, web design is all about user experience or UX. It involves whether or not the application or website is intuitive for the user, how easily the user can find specific information on the site, etc. Since web design considers user interface, web designers are also commonly referred to as UI/UX designers.
Web development and web design are intertwined. The latter creates a vision of how the application or website will look, starting from the wireframe, which is the basic sketch of a website.
A web developer implements the laid-out design using code. The primary goal of web development is to bring web design to life using nothing but code.
5 Stages of Web Development You Need to Know
Here are the five stages of web development you need to know:
Requirements
In this stage, user stories are defined and broken down into specific features a web developer should build. Product owners usually provide these requirements and present them to the developer.
Wireframing
This is the stage where you create a wireframe using the product owner’s experience and discuss the site’s design.
Development
This stage involves building the features specified and discussed with the product owner, keeping in mind the user stories.
Testing
Skilled web developers write tests before they begin development. After completing the project, carry out advanced tests to see how the site performs when an influx of users occurs.
Launch and Feedback
This is the stage where you allow users to access the website or application. When users give feedback, you go back to the drawing board to fix anything that doesn’t work. No product is perfect, but tweaking it continuously based on quality feedback will get the product there.
Is Web Development Hard to Learn?
Learning a new skill is an uphill task. This is why learning web development at the beginning may seem hard but of course, not as hard as learning Ai development. However, it only looks that way if you do not plan how to consume information.
First of all, start by learning web development basics. As you already know, there are several technologies you need to get good at. Learn and understand these different parts daily. Putting in the work daily will help you master these technologies quickly.
Will AI Replace Web Developers?
A lot has been said or discussed about how AI (artificial intelligence) will take over many jobs. This may be true, but not in all cases.
For instance, AI will not replace you as a web developer. An experienced programmer stated in a New York article that only a programmer can wield ChatGPT impressively. No layperson will be good enough to use AI to overcome computing.
In other words, you can only use or work with AI when you have a solid grasp of the fundamentals. This knowledge will enable you to draft excellent prompts. The prompts will make your work faster while generating impressive output.
Finding The Right Opportunities In Web Development
Knowing where to look is crucial if you’re looking for the right job opportunities. You can find great web development companies near you when you search online locally. Many of these companies constantly need beginners and experienced web developers.
You can also work freelancing on Fiverr, Freelancer, or Upwork. This is the easiest route to get your feet wet, as you can take up web development projects from anywhere in the world. This enables you to build your mental muscles, problem-solving skills, and experience while building your portfolio.
You also need to network by attending web development conferences and meetups. Connect with other developers in person and online. This is another excellent way to promote your web development skills. Connections like these can result in valuable advice, job recommendations, or referrals.
Finally, stay updated with new technologies and trends in web development. Being conversant with the latest services to offer will attract good clients.
Conclusion: A Beginner’s Guide to Web Development
So, as you can see, web development is not rocket science. We have covered what web development, what it entails to become a web developer, and everything in between.
You can get good at web development if you put in the time. Of course, you have to get your hands on a few web development courses. If you want to focus on becoming a full-stack web developer, just find a good full-stack web development course made by a reputable coach.
