How long does it take to become a web developer? Do you want to learn web development for a future career but are unsure where to start? Read on to learn skills, tips, and more to help with your career journey.
Updated April 21, 2022
The web development industry continues to grow, which means that the demand for the right web developers is increasing.
According to Linkedin, there are over 44,000 job openings for web developers in the US.
The opportunity is there – but how long does it take to learn web development?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Web Developer?
It should only take five to six months to learn everything from scratch.
A web developer is someone who designs, builds, and maintains a website.
If a person is committed to their studies, it might take less. However, it could ake over a year if there are other commitments and factors in play.
For curious minds eager to learn web development, this article will be your starting point for success in the field.
How Long Does it Take to Learn Web Development?
- Start by choosing your web development journey
- Discover what skills to become a web developer
- Get resources to learn web development
How to Become a Web Developer
The first steps in your web development journey start with deciding what type of web developer you want to be.
There are many different types of web developers, but here are the main categories:
- Frontend developers
- Backend developers
- Full-stack developers
- WordPress developers
If you’re interested in dealing with the visual aspects, then frontend development is for you. If you’re more interested in how the code and scripts interact with the frontend, your journey is backend development.
For creative web developers, explore Divi web design
Full-stack developers are skilled in both. These are also the developers that have been doing it for many years. While you’re just getting started, it is great to invest in the building blocks now if you want to be a full-stack developer.
WordPress developers work with a CMS or content management system. There are also other popular CMS platforms out there like Drupal and Joomla, but WordPress is the most frequently used. If you want to work well with other companies and expand your job opportunities, it might be worth considering your time in the world of WordPress.
The first skills any web developer should know are the two main programming languages: HTML and CSS.
HTML is a markup language that structures the entire website, and CSS involves the style, size, color, dimensions, etc. of the website. Knowing these two basic skills will help you build your first website and web development workflow with ease.
What Skills Do You Need to Learn Web Development?
Outside of HTML and CSS, a web developer must learn other website methodologies and skills to become a successful web developer.
Each type of developer deals with multiple frameworks. Frontend developers work with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, while backend developers use coding languages like PHP, C#, and more technical programs.
WordPress developers need to be able to manage a CMS while working with other basic languages. Full-stack developers need to be skilled in a variety of languages – it is best to start small and work your way up. Start with what languages interest you and then go from there once you know the basics.
If you have the basic skills down, you can start gaining experience by finding small jobs on sites like Fiverr and Upwork. This will also give you the chance to have projects within your portfolio.
Where Can I Learn Web Development?
There are a lot of options for students eager to learn web development.
If you’re starting your career journey, you can certainly go to college to learn web development. Having a degree in the field might help even more with employment. But it might take a lot of time to complete your studies, depending on the program.
Today, many online resources are self-paced and can help you learn web development. Free and paid courses are available on Lynda, Coursera, and other sites that provide you with certification after completion.
Coding boot camps are an option that will teach promising web engineers about everything they need to know. Some of these programs last six months or fewer to complete. These boot camps offer mentors, career coaching, and even guarantees for job placement.
Start Your Web Development Journey Today
Learning web development best practices can lead to a fruitful career for inquisitive minds. First, decide what type of developer you want to be and learn the basic skills before investing in more advanced capabilities.
Start your education in web development by choosing a program offering that will work well with you and your schedule. Your real-world practice will also leverage you to potential job opportunities.
How long does it take to learn web development? The answer depends on which journey you want to take.
Looking for web development jobs? Explore some of the top service providers for potential opportunities.
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