Learn Web Development Online

How can I start to learn Web Development?

The field of web development is a popular one. Many start their tech journey here. Why? Because we all use the web every day, maybe every hour! Google, Facebook, and Amazon are just some of the top websites we use daily. Let's not forget all the news websites, e-commerce sites, photo galleries, forums, and blog posts we consume. The ability to build, edit, and connect websites will continue to be an in-demand career or side hustle since businesses will continue to seek to increase their online presence. 

Best way to learn web development

When you first decide that you want to learn web development, you may feel overwhelmed by all the information out there. Learning how to code can seem like a challenge (don't worry, you won't need a college degree in Computer Science), but let's start to untangle some of the mysteries. 

What web development language should you learn?

Suppose you want to become a Front-End Web Developer focusing on web design and user experience. In that case, the leading web development languages you will need to learn are HTML, CSS, and Javascript. The HTML/CSS programming languages affect the look and feel of web pages. Then it's a good idea to learn Javascript, which builds upon the functionality of a website. These languages will take you a long way in developing real-world websites and make you job-ready. 

If you want to become a Full Stack Web Developer, who builds web apps, add some Python and SQL to your toolkit. Python and SQL knowledge helps with the database integration that your application will need to function. Think of a travel booking website that needs flight and hotel information access. With Python and SQL, you can retrieve data from those respective databases.

Finally, If you want to be a back-end web developer, which is more advanced, you can look towards Java web development or learn React, which has become more widely used. To excel in these areas will require a solid knowledge base of HTML, CSS, and Javascript. So only consider these paths if you already have experience building sites or web applications. 

How can I teach myself web development?

Self-teaching web development can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. Here are some steps you can follow to get started:

1. Choose a programming language: Decide which programming language(s) you want to learn. Some popular choices for web development include HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Python.
2. Set aside dedicated time: Devote a set amount of time each day or week to learning web development. This could be as little as 30 minutes a day or a few hours on the weekends.
3. Get the necessary resources: There are many free and paid resources available online, such as online tutorials, video courses, and textbooks, that can help you learn web development.
4. Practice, practice, practice: The best way to learn web development is by building websites and web applications. Start small and work your way up to more complex projects.
5. Join a community: Join online forums or groups where you can connect with other web developers, ask for help, share your projects, and receive feedback.
6. Stay up to date: Keep yourself informed about the latest developments and trends in web development, such as new technologies, tools, and best practices.

Following these steps, you can create a structured and efficient plan to teach yourself web development. Remember to be patient, persistent, and not discouraged by challenges or setbacks. With dedication and hard work, you can become a skilled web developer.

Is web development a good career?

Web development can be a gratifying career, allowing you to use technical and creative design skills. It's a great career choice if you like working with teams, as you'll likely be collaborating with other developers, creatives, UX/UI designers, copywriters, and the client-side team to create the website's vision.

Web development also is an excellent jumping-off point for other technical careers. Since you get to work among diverse skill sets, you will continue to expand your knowledge, and perhaps it will lead you to another advanced direction in your tech education journey.

What is a web developer's salary?

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, web developers' median annual wage was $73,760 in May 2019. According to Glassdoor, the national average salary for a Web Developer is $68,524 in the United States. 

How long does it take to become a web developer?

Like any skill, the answer to this is "it depends." According to Udacity, if you dedicate 5 - 10 hours a week to their Front-End Web Development Nanodegree or their Full Stack Web Development Nanodegree, you will complete the coursework in 4 months. I think that is a good barometer of the time it will take. If you can only dedicate 2 hours a week, it will take you twice as long.

So if you want to learn these skills, I recommend setting aside one hour a day (yes, even on weekends) to focus on your personal growth. Your future self will thank you for it. 

Check out other tech learning paths if web development isn't right for you.