Become a Front-End Web Developer

Front-end developer is the most popular term for a web developer who focuses on code which is run by the web browser.

Front-end developers are also referred to as client-side developers.Positions seeking the general job title of Web Developer are often looking for front-end developers who have a basic understanding of one server-side language.

People who make good front-end web developers usually have one or more these traits:

  • Thorough
  • Empathetic
  • Strong communication skills
  • Good at working with diverse groups of people
  • Interested in design and aesthetics
  • The ability to visualize structure in a concept

Here are some benefits which being a front-end web developer has over being a back-end developer:

  • More jobs available than back-end developers.
  • You can be ready to pursue a career faster than a back-end developer, and your portfolio is easier to build.
  • The ability to work with and learn from different skilled personnel on a daily basis, such as designers and copywriters.
  • You get to work on the finished product which the end users will see.

If you decide to focus on front-end web development you need to include these steps in your plan to becoming a web developer.

Step 1: Learn HTML and CSS in Detail

The average front-end web developer spends their day working in those two languages.

We suggest you use a free resource for initial HTML training, and then learn and work with every HTML element available in a test environment.

One of the best resources is the HTML developer guide from Mozilla Developer Network. Go through each page of the tutorial. More resources for initial HTML training are available on our HTML page.

After you finish the HTML tutorial,  test every existing HTML element on a local HTML test page to get an understanding of what each element does.

Follow the same pattern for learning CSS. We suggest using the Getting Started with CSS Guide by Mozilla Developer Network to learn CSS. More resources for initial CSS training are available on our CSS page.

After you finish the CSS tutorial, test the available CSS properties by targeting a few HTML tags on your test page and applying a variety of CSS properties to each.

Step 2: Learn How to Build and Structure a Webpage

Once you know HTML and CSS you need to know how to combine them to create the webpage layout you desire.

A great way to do this is to get a good introductory book on webpage construction and follow along with the first few chapters.

The book will walk you through basic page layouts, how HTML elements affect each other, and how CSS can be used to move and shape the elements of the page.

Here are some good books on the subject:

If a book is not your favorite way to learn, here are some other resources for learning to build you first webpage:

Step 3: Learn Basic JavaScript

Most front-end development positions will require you to know a basic level of JavaScript.

As you progress in your career you will be expected to become an expert in JavaScript, but to get your first job you only need to be able to create simple JavaScript functions.

Again, the best way to do this is to get a good introductory book on JavaScript and follow along with the first few chapters.

Once you learn how JavaScript works and how to build simple JavaScript functions you will be ready for your first job.

Some good books on JavaScript include:

Videos for learning JavaScript:

2 comments

  1. Hi Robert Stowe,
    I am an Aspiring Web Developer, didn’t know from where to start for becoming a web developer, Later go to know your website , very thanks for the Information which is described here. For the persons like me need every bit of Information by experienced web developers like you.
    But what I wanted to know that “Is Php not essential in the journey of becoming a web developer ?”.

    Anu

    1. I don’t think PHP is essential. There are enough server-side languages that you do not ever have to touch PHP.

      However, if you move around enough you will run into PHP. For example, at every large corporation I have worked we have used PHP for external tools.

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