When it comes to choosing a career, it is important to choose one that will be prominent and relevant in the future, a job that pays well as you gain
experience and skills, and a career that stimulates and fuels your desire for professional development. If you’re looking for a career that’s in demand now and will continue to be important in the future, then becoming a
website developer is an excellent choice.
Between 2014 and 2024, job growth for web development is expected to
grow by 27%. Furthermore, the
average salary in the UK for web developers is between £18,000 and £40,000. Of course, in large organisations, the pay can be much higher. For example, the average salary for a web developer for Amazon.com Inc is
over £78,000.
So, what does it take to be a web developer?
Firstly, it is important to decide what type of web developer you want to be. There are three main types;
Front end website developer
A front end developer focuses on the user or client-side of the website. Front end developers will create the functionality that the user will see and interact with. This essentially turns the web design into something operational and functional.
If you are interested in the user experience and user interface, then front end development may be the best choice for you.
Back end website developer
Back end development is often called server-side development. The developer will work with the server, database and application that does all the background work for the front end. Back end developers will work with the front end developers to create a cohesive and well-functioning site. A site that serves the needs of the client and the websites’ users.
Back end development requires a great deal of coding; as a result, back end developers will need to be versed in a range of coding languages such as CSS, JavaScript, Python, Ruby and Linux.
Full-stack developer
If you like variety, then becoming a full stack developer is the ideal choice as it is a combination of both front end and back end development. For this, a developer must have full knowledge of website development from the user interface, right through to the server.
As well as the range of coding languages and skills required for both the front end and back end, full-stack developers will also often support other aspects of the business and the website development such as web design and data structuring.
So, if you are looking for a career in web development, whether that’s front end, back end and full-stack developer, then there are a range of fundamental soft and technical skills that you will need to get you started and land your first job as a web developer.
The five basic skills you need to be a web developer
1. HTML
One of the first essential coding languages to get to grips with as a web developer is HTML. It is the code that tells a website what to display and uses an array of command words such as ‘image’, ‘link’ and ‘title’.
Out of all the coding languages, many consider HTML as very easy to learn. What’s more, it is the perfect starting point if you are considering a career in web development.
2. CSS
CSS, short for Cascading Style Sheets works hand in hand with HTML. While HTML provides the structure, CSS adds the style and design features. So, while HTML is quite functional, CSS is the look, and it works by interpreting documents written in a markup language. Due to the visual elements that CSS provides; knowledge of the language is crucial for front end developers.
If you want to get started in web development, then mastering HTML and CSS is essential. At TSG Training, we offer a comprehensive two-day course that covers both HTML and CSS. You can find out more about the course
here.
3. Creativity
While a web developer is responsible for the technical aspects of the website rather than its design, it will be the responsibility of the developer to turn creative ideas into something that works. This will require the developer to have a blend of creative and technical skills so they can bring an idea to life. You may find that designers come to you with ideas but not the technical know-how of how to implement it – that’s where you come in.
4. JavaScript
JavasScript is a common language for front end developers but is now becoming increasingly common in back end development too. If you are looking to become a full-stack developer, then JavaScript can help you master both front and back end development.
It is important to remember that website developers use JavaScript to create specific content such as the interactivity and responsiveness of the website. These elements of JavaScript will then link in with HTML, so it is not enough to learn JavaScript alone.
If you want to get to grips with the basics of JavaScript, then our
three-day certified training course is a fantastic starting point.
5. Communication
As a developer, you will be responsible for transforming a client or organisation’s vision into a fully functioning website. With this, you’ll need to have great communication skills in order to fully understand precisely what the client wants. Moreover, great communication will help you to go about delivering a product that meets their expectations.
Communication could be through meetings, emails or project management applications. It is vital to be clear with your communication as well as asking the right questions to get all of the information that you need to succeed with the project.
Begin your website development career today
If you’re ready to become a website developer then TSG Training offers a comprehensive introductory five-day
Web Development 1 course. This covers the essential technical skills of HTML, CSS and JavaScript. After this course, you’ll have the basic knowledge and the skills you need as well as a training plan. All of which can help you decide on the type of web developer that you want to be. If you’d like to find out more about this course, please call our friendly advisors to chat about your requirements for free on
08000 199337.
