Web development is one of the most promising careers you can select today. The Internet and web-based commerce are becoming more critical every day, and web designers and developers are in high demand. Web developers tackle tough and rewarding assignments, enjoy high salaries, and peer respect. But, how long does it take to learn web development?
If you’re wondering how to learn web development, this is the guide for you. In it, you will find all the steps you need to take to launch a successful career in web development, as well as the ways in which you can learn web development online. This process will help you, whether your goal is to become a full stack, backend, or front end developer.
What Is a Web Developer?
A web developer is someone who designs, builds, and maintains a website. Simply put, they create a website or web application for clients or themselves.
Web developers have the tools and knowledge to create and design websites from scratch. They have a strong understanding of UX design, create prototypes, and provide website maintenance.
Through web development, you have the potential to work in a long-lasting and fulfilling career. Web development allows you to create, update, and enhance websites as a freelancer or for a company.
How Long Does It Take to Be a Web Developer?
So, how long does it take to learn web development? The answer is that it depends on which route you take. For instance, if you opt for the traditional path of obtaining a bachelor’s degree, it can take you three or four years to acquire all the skills and knowledge.
Another option is to enroll in a web development coding bootcamp. With this route, it takes around 5 to 6 months to learn web development from scratch. This is if you spend a few hours studying every day. Whatever path you choose, your success will also depend on how may hours you spend learning web development and how committed you are to your own success.
How to Learn Web Development Fast
If you want to learn web development fast, your best bet is to enroll in a bootcamp. Not only is a coding bootcamp the fastest way to learn web development, but it will also provide you with the most relevant training over a short period of time, as well as career services so you can find work immediately upon graduation.
Is Web Development Hard to Learn?
You may be wondering, is web development hard to learn? It is not very hard to learn web development, even if you are a complete beginner. It does, however, take a lot of effort, dedication, and attention to detail.
Through your learning journey, you will need to develop a wide range of development skills, learn the key concepts, learn basic coding theory, and practice as much as you can on your journey toward development mastery.
The Best Ways to Learn Web Development
The best way to learn web development will ultimately come down to your personal preferences, career goals, experience level, and the time and money you want to invest. There are several resources, both online and in-person, to teach you web development. Below is a list of the more common methods of learning.
College and University
It’s not uncommon for someone to go to university for web development. Over the course of three or four years at a web development college, you will gain the skills needed to build responsive websites, mobile apps, and more.
One of the great advantages of going to college is that the experience contributes to your personal development as well as your professional development. You will also be able to network with a community of students who share similar interests and goals.
Online Courses
Online web development courses are a great way for beginners to learn the basic concepts of web development, and can be useful for all skill levels. Courses for beginners can teach you to build static websites, the basics of front end development and backend development. They are also a great way to learn more about a specific coding language or a popular framework.
Online learning platforms such as Coursera or Udemy offer great tutorials for web development. They are a great way to pick up skills in your own time while maintaining a normal day-to-day life.
These platforms also a great way for absolute beginners to get an introduction to specific topics, such as using a markup language or user experience design. Many courses provide certificates upon completion.
Coding Bootcamps
The best coding bootcamps are alternatives to traditional higher education. These programs teach you everything you need to know to work as a web developer. Some programs take six months or less to complete.
The top web development coding bootcamps teach you how to become a professional web developer, but they also have several additional resources. Some of the best coding bootcamps come with mentors, career coaching, and job placement guarantees, and are great for those aspiring to become either front end, backend, or full stack web developers.
Top Coding Bootcamps for Web Development
Free Web Development Courses
There are many free web development courses available for you to pick up the necessary skills to kickstart a new career. If you want to learn web development for free, keep reading to see some of our recommendations.
Computer Programming | Khan Academy
- Audience: Beginners
- Duration: Self-paced
This course offered by Khan Academy is a perfect place to start for complete beginners. It is great to receive introductions to JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and SQL, some of the most popular programming languages in the field.
Introduction to Web Development | FutureLearn
- Audience: Intermediate users
- Duration: 3 weeks
This introduction to web development course is geared towards students who already have an understanding of the basics of web development and want to further develop their HTML and JavaScript skills. By the end of the course, they will be able to design and create their own websites.
Responsive Web Design Fundamentals | The Gymnasium
- Audience: Intermediate users
- Duration: Self-paced
This online course is designed to teach students through hands-on training. Some prior experience is preferred. By the end, students will become adept in responsive web design strategies using CSS, JavaScript, and HTML.
Online Web Development Books
Books for web development are a fantastic way to dive into the field and learn web development at your own pace. The best web development books are packed with knowledge and resources to help you thrive in the field.
The Pragmatic Programmer: Your Journey to Mastery
This book by David Thomas and Andrew Hunt is a great choice for beginners and is considered a must-read in the field. It covers standard languages, frameworks, and methodologies that will provide you with a solid foundation to become a successful programmer.
Speaking JavaScript
This book by Axel Rauschmayer is a perfect tool to move on from the most basic JavaScript concepts into more advanced and useful knowledge and practices. It covers JavaScript syntax, functions, and variable types, offers an overview of the history of this language, and provides tools, tips, and best practices.
HTML & CSS: Learn the Fundamentals in 7 Days
This book by Michael Knapp is a great way to learn front end web development. It is a great choice for absolute beginners wishing to learn the ropes. It teaches the fundamentals of HTML and CSS, and also provides some useful information about SEO and analytics.
Web Development Resources
Alternative web development resources are also a great way to learn web development if you don’t want to follow the traditional route. Keep reading to find out about some of the best resources to learn web development.
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Stack Overflow
Stack Overflow is a forum launched in 2008 where a community of web developers can ask questions and provide answers for each other. If you run into an issue with a project, you can post a question here and quickly receive a variety of answers from fellow developers.
W3Schools
W3School is an educational website that provides free learning resources to people interested in learning how to code fast. The courses they provide cover a wide range of web development topics, including programming languages such as JavaScript, Python, SQL, CSS, and more.
Discord Servers
Discord is a social media platform that allows users to communicate for free. Communities are formed around specific topics, such as coding or programming, allowing users who belong to the community to interact with and learn from each other. The best programming Discord servers, for instance, are a great resource for anyone wanting to learn this skill.
Web Development YouTube Channels
Sometimes, the best YouTube channel for web development can be the best place to start your learning journey. Keep reading to find out about some of the best channels where you can pick up the necessary skills to become a successful developer.
- DevTips. DevTips is a great channel for those interested in learning both about web development and design.
- Adam Khoury. This channel is focused on JavaScript and SQL, and offers both short and long format tutorials to help you develop skills in these languages.
- Web Dev Simplified. The content of Web Dev Simplified is designed to help students learn by doing. It is full of tutorials and practical exercises to help you learn the ropes.
- Net Ninja. This channel is a great resource for intermediate web developers. It offers over 1000 free tutorials covering JavaScript, Node.js, React, Vue.js, and more.
- ProgrammingKnowledge. This is a great channel for more advanced users. It provides informative videos and tutorials covering topics such as Git and GitHub, Django, Ruby, and TypeScript.
How to Learn Website Development
To become a successful web developer, you first need to understand the fundamentals of creating a website. There are aspects of web development that everyone must learn, including programming, design, and structure at the most basic level. This is how to learn web development.
To start with web development, you can choose a programming language and take an online course to learn the basics. Or, if you are convinced that this is the right track for you, you can opt for a more traditional route, such as enrolling in a web development degree or bootcamp.
It’s also a good idea to delve into related fields, such as web design principles and SEO. Seeing things from these perspectives can help you make better choices when creating your own websites. As you learn web development, make sure to stay on top of the latest trends and advances in the field.
Learn Programming Languages
To learn web development, you will need to master at least a couple of the most popular programming languages. These are the essential building blocks of any website. Keep reading to find out more about the top languages you should focus on.
HTML & CSS
HTML and CSS are two of the fundamental tools that will help you become a successful web developer, so it is essential that you master them. The first step is to learn HTML, the standard markup language that is used to determine the structure of a website.
Then, you need to learn CSS. CSS is a style sheet language that is used to describe the way that a website will be displayed in a browser or the ways in which website elements will appear. HTML and CSS work in tandem to bring websites to life.
JavaScript
If you want to become a successful web developer, JavaScript is definitely worth learning. This is an all-purpose, text-based programming language that is immensely popular among developers worldwide. It is used both in front end and backend development, and allows for the inclusion of interactive elements on a website.
Other Important Web Development Languages
Besides the ones mentioned above, which are the basis of how to learn web development, there are several other languages worth delving into.
- Python. It is important to learn Python as it is a programming language that emphasizes ease of use and readability. It is an interpreted, general-purpose, object-oriented language that is definitely worth learning. The best Python courses for beginners are a great place to start.
- Ruby. Ruby is a popular programming language that has been used to create highly popular sites such as GitHub, Hulu, Shopify, Basecamp, and even Twitter.
- C++. Compared to other languages, C++ has a steep learning curve. It may not be best for beginners new to programming. However, the versatility of C++ makes it a great language to learn. If you’re interested in going into other tech fields, consider learning this language.
How to Improve Your Web Development Skills
Part of being a professional web developer is an ongoing quest to enhance your website development skills. As you acquire more experience, you’ll want to dive into new languages and technologies that can help you master this field. Here are a few tips to improve your web development skills.
Learn Additional Programs
In addition to programming languages, you’ll need to work with other applications, such as Sublime Text and Adobe Photoshop. Master your lockup skills with Mockplus or a similar platform. Also, learn about content management systems. Specifically, research WordPress.
Create Responsive Sites
Another important thing to learn is creating responsive sites. Today, it isn’t uncommon for someone to find your another important thing to learn is about creating responsive sites. Today, it isn’t uncommon for someone to find your website through a desktop, smartphone, or tablet. Creating a responsive website means elements of the site change relative to the size of the screen.
Research UI and UX
If you have an interest in development, you should research user interface (UI) and user experience (UX). Don’t worry, you won’t need to become a designer yourself. However, having an understanding of UI and UX design makes the development process easier.
Should I Learn Web Development?
Yes, you should learn web development if you want to launch a successful career as a front end, backend, or full stack developer. This field is in high demand, meaning you’ll have no trouble finding a job that also comes with a lucrative salary. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for web developers is 13 percent for the 2020-2030 period.
If you want to learn web development, there are many paths you can choose. You can opt for a traditional degree, enroll in a coding bootcamp, or go for the self-taught route and use books, online WordPress courses, and other resources to learn the ropes and launch the career of your dreams.
Learn Web Development FAQ
Yes, it is possible to teach yourself web development. You can use resources such as books, online courses, YouTube channels, and Discord servers to master the basics. If you want to self-learn web development, make sure you dedicate time to put all the theory you pick up into practice as often as you can.
Is web development easy to learn?
Yes, web development is easy to learn if you dedicate time and effort to it. While you don’t need to be a math genius, having strong logical skills and a desire to learn can go a long way in making web development easy to learn for you.
Where can I learn web development?
If you’re wondering where to learn web development, know that there are many alternatives. You can go to college and earn a web development degree, you can enroll in a web development bootcamp, or you can scour the Internet for free or paid courses and other helpful resources.
What languages should I learn for web development?
HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are the basic languages you should learn for web development, as they are the fundamental building blocks of most live websites today. In addition, you would to well to delve into other popular languages, such as Python, Ruby, and C++.
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