How to start learning web development in 2022

Web development is one of the most popular destinations among remote professions and freelancing. The threshold for entering it is not very high, however, in order to get a job or start taking orders, you need to master at least the most necessary skills. Plus, as in any online profession, here you need to constantly improve, updating your skills and getting new ones. A novice developer needs to plan their training, complete their first portfolio projects, write a resume, and pass their first interviews.

Decide on a direction

There are several directions in web development. To begin with, it is better to decide on them. There are three major areas in total:

1. "Frontend". The easiest direction to learn, since all work will take place with the external part of the site, minimally affecting the functionality. Required skills: HTML, CSS at a high level and JavaScript at least at an intermediate level. You will also need a good knowledge of derivative technologies, such as Bootstrap, Flexbox, and so on. It is also highly desirable to have a good command of popular graphic editors: Figma, Photoshop, Inkscape.

2. "Backend". Here, work is already underway on the internal part of the site, which is responsible for the functionality and correct operation. The entry threshold and the complexity of development are slightly higher, but the competition is lower and projects in this area are paid better. You will also have to study HTML and CSS, but the main emphasis will be on programming languages: JavaScript, PHP, Python, MySQL.

3. "Full stack". It implies project management both as a front-end and a back-end. At the initial stages, it is easier to find a job, since there are fewer requirements for the depth of study of a particular language or technology stack, however, the pay is also lower in this case. To make good money as a full-stack developer, you will have to spend a lot of time on training, and also devote more time to the project, since most likely only you will be responsible for it.

What skills do you need to learn and how to do it

Their list depends on the chosen direction, but in any case, at the initial stage, you need to master the following markup languages ​​and technologies:

1. "HTML". Since this is the framework of any web page, both front-end and back-end developers should be able to work with it. Even though the latter do not develop the skeleton of the page, HTML tags and blocks often need to be correctly used to implement one or another feature on the page, and without at least an average knowledge of HTML, it will be very difficult to do this correctly.

2. "CSS". It will be more useful for front-enders, but back-enders also need to understand it at least at a basic level, since the implementation of some functionality on the site may involve changing the styles of objects.

3. "JavaScript". The emphasis on this programming language should be done if you want to work as a backender, however, a frontender may also need it to create animations or implement some other design features.

Deep Learning

Git and related tools. Used for code versioning in web development. Every more or less professional development needs to learn it for successful project management.

Vue and React Libraries. They are written in JS, so before diving into their study, it is recommended to learn how to work with JavaScript at least at a basic level.

Static site generators. They are used to quickly create static sites or pages with minimal functionality and are actively gaining popularity among web developers and studios in 2021. Examples of such generators are Next, Nuxt, Gatsby, Gridesome.

GraphQL is a separate technology for working with APIs on websites, recently developed by Facebook. More useful for backenders.

Create and complete a portfolio

Probably, in the process of learning, you managed to create several pages, but it is not recommended to use them as a portfolio. It’s better to create a technical task for yourself to develop a small site or peep one on freelance exchanges and complete it using all the skills you have learned. Ideally, if at this stage you manage to take on some real project, albeit for a symbolic reward.

Development in the field of web development is impossible without a constant search for interesting projects. This is true even if you are going to work in the state. In 2022, for the successful development of you as a web developer, it is recommended not only to send a resume, but also to create accounts on freelance exchanges, and start actively communicating in professional communities. This will help to be in trend and from time to time to take on additional projects, if such a need arises.

Conclusion

In addition to the technical component, it is recommended to work on your own personal qualities: the ability to work in a team, responsibility, the ability to enter into the position of another person, communication skills, time management. Without these qualities, it will not be possible to grow beyond the middle positions. It is also important to always stay up to date with new trends and constantly learn, and for this you need to work with a variety of projects and interact with professional communities. This way you can continue to be competitive among web developers.