The best web developer roadmap for 2024

Starting a career in web development is highly recommended for you if you’re aspiring to become a software engineer. Web technologies like HTML and JavaScript are more beginner-friendly than languages like Java or Python due to their less strict syntax rules. These foundational web skills ease your learning curve and teach valuable coding principles applicable across many programming languages.

The field of web development offers you broad opportunities, spanning various industries and emerging areas like online gaming, Web3, IoT, and AI integration. Despite the advent of AI coding tools that automate some tasks traditionally done by developers, the demand for skilled developers remains.

Now, you must ask yourself, “Can I be a web developer without a degree?.” Interestingly, you don't need a computer science degree to start in web development. With dedication and the right approach, you can learn how to become a web developer more quickly than expected. This skill set promises a solid career start and holds the potential for longevity in the tech industry.

What is web development?#

Web development includes programming, testing, deploying, and maintaining websites and web applications, often as part of your role in various organizations. As a web developer, you are tasked with designing, coding, and modifying websites to meet client specifications while ensuring they are functional, usable, and accessible. Your key specialization areas could include UX/UI design, SEO, web accessibility, internationalization, and localization.

Web development is accessible compared to other tech fields, offering you a lower barrier to entry. However, you have to learn more than just the basics to secure a well-paying job in this competitive and evolving market. You are responsible for creating the user's online experience, including writing web pages with markup languages, creating mockups, building WordPress sites from scratch, and maintaining and enhancing websites. Your specific duties can vary based on the job and your expertise.

Front-end developer vs. back-end developer vs. full stack: Choosing a specialization#

• A full stack developer combines the roles of both back-end and front-end development, making them versatile and capable of managing the entire spectrum of web development. 

• The frontend focuses on the visual aspects and user interface of the website, ensuring it's appealing and intuitive, encompassing elements you directly interact with, like menus and drop-downs. 

• Meanwhile, the backend, like the submerged part of an iceberg, is for the website's functionality, dealing with servers, applications, and databases. 

Why you should learn web development#

There's expected to be a demand of 8.52 million full stack developers globally. As technology evolves and the demand for digital services grows, the need for sophisticated apps and websites increases. So, web development is certainly in demand. 

Overview of web development roadmap#

• Education flexibility: While a degree in computer science is beneficial, you can start with self-guided online courses. 

• Portfolio development: Building a personal portfolio through small projects or contributions to open-source projects demonstrates your skills and enhances job prospects.

• Career progression: Starting as a junior developer, you typically advance by specializing in areas like frontend, backend, or full stack development, and eventually taking on mid-level roles with greater responsibilities.

• Continuous learning: Success in web development requires ongoing education to master new technologies and best practices, with opportunities for career transitions into roles like project management or UX/UI design.

How to become a web developer in 2024 #

To excel in browser-based technologies, follow these steps outlined in our web developer roadmap:

Core web technologies#

So, what are the foundational technologies that form the backbone of the World Wide Web and its contents? If you are pondering "What language should I learn to be a web developer?," start by studying these first:

• Core web languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript

• Key protocols including TCP/IP, HTTP/HTTPS, FTP, SMTP, and more

• Fundamentals of web semantics, accessibility, and usability

Learn about the types of web applications#

Then, explore different types of web applications to determine which best suits your needs. If you’re a beginner, familiarize yourself with the most commonly used types on the web, including:

• Static HTML pages: These web pages display fixed content that remains the same for every visitor, offering no real-time interaction or updates

• Dynamic HTML pages: These pages update content dynamically using JavaScript and other libraries, providing an interactive and real-time experience for users

• Server-side apps: These applications run on a server and generate content dynamically with languages like PHP, Python, or Java, which is then delivered to the client’s browser

• Single page apps: These are web applications that load a single HTML page and dynamically update the content as the user interacts with the app, resulting in a smoother experience

• Progressive Web Apps (PWAs): These provide a native app-like experience on the web, featuring offline access, push notifications, and fast loading times

• Hybrid apps: Built with web technologies, these mobile applications can operate both as web apps and native apps on various mobile platforms, combining the best of both web and native features

What are the tool stacks for web development?#

Building effective tool stacks is essential for web developers, given the web's decentralized nature and the variety of ways to accomplish similar tasks. Understanding and selecting the right combination of these tools can significantly streamline and improve any web development project. Here's a brief overview of the tools commonly used in web development:

Front-end development

• Core programming languages: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are the essentials.

• Frameworks and libraries: Tools like React, Angular, and Vue.js aid in creating dynamic, responsive designs.

• CSS preprocessors: Sass and Less enhance CSS maintainability.

• Package managers: NPM, PIP, and Yarn help manage libraries and dependencies.

• Build tools: Webpack, Gulp, and Grunt automate tasks and optimize code.

• Testing tools: Jest, Mocha, and Jasmine are used for robust testing.

• Developer tools: Built-in browser tools are critical for debugging and tuning performance.

Back-end development

• Programming languages: Common languages include Java, Python, PHP, and Ruby.

• Frameworks: Spring, Django, and Express.js speed up development.

• Database solutions: Options include SQL databases like MySQL and PostgreSQL, and NoSQL choices like MongoDB.

• Web servers: Nginx and Apache manage HTTP requests and static content.

• Authentication tools: OAuth and JWT ensure security and user authentication.

• API tools: These are essential for creating and testing RESTful or GraphQL APIs.

Start with HTML 

HTML, or HyperText Markup Language, is the fundamental building block for creating web pages. If you’re starting your web development career, begin with HTML to learn the basics. Get to know its elements and then build exciting web pages to see how it all comes together in practice.

It uses various tags such as table, form, and p. HTML is engaging and offers immediate visual feedback in browsers like Firefox, Edge, or Chrome, making it ideal for learning the basics of syntax, code structure, and troubleshooting. While memorizing all 145 HTML tags isn’t necessary, understanding how tags function and how attributes modify their behavior is important.

Style with CSS

HTML structures webpages, while CSS styles them, adding colors, fonts, and layouts to enhance readability. Creative individuals will appreciate CSS's capabilities for crafting 2D artwork and animating text, making static pages more engaging.

Learn to code with JavaScript

JavaScript is essential for web developers because it enables dynamic user interactions like form validation and event handling. It powers advanced tasks such as DOM manipulation and API integration. Both Vanilla JavaScript and libraries like React and jQuery facilitate the creation of interactive, complex websites.

Other dev tools to learn 

As a budding web developer, you'll start with essential tools like text editors or IDEs. Text editors, such as Notepad and TextEdit, are great for basic HTML coding, while advanced code editors like VSCode and Sublime Text offer richer features for web application development. For back-end tasks, an IDE can enhance productivity by integrating various development tools. Version control systems like Git, alongside platforms like GitHub, are crucial for tracking and managing code changes. Additionally, package managers such as npm streamline the installation and management of software libraries. Familiarize yourself with browser DevTools for debugging, and enhance your setup with helpful Chrome extensions like JSON viewers and screen recorders.

Responsive web design #

Responsive web design ensures websites function well across all devices. Bootstrap dominates the market with its 12-column grid system that adapts content to different screen sizes. Understanding Bootstrap's responsiveness applies to other CSS frameworks, making it a crucial skill for web developers.

Domain registrars and site hosting#

After mastering HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and responsive design, consider launching a website to explore hosting, domain registration, SSL configuration, content tools, and DNS management. Freelance developers often handle these tasks for small to medium-sized business clients.

Progressive web application frameworks#

Frameworks like Angular, React, and Vue simplify complex app development. Learning one, such as the market-leading React or newcomer-favorite Vue, alongside TypeScript, enhances your web development skills.

Defer compute cycles to WebAssembly#

Web development includes four official languages: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and WebAssembly, the latter of which the W3C added in 2018. WebAssembly allows embedding high-performance code from languages like Java or C++ into browsers, enhancing computing capabilities. Developers should understand its role and integrate it with JavaScript.

Integrate with RESTful APIs#

To enhance functionality, you'll use JSON and RESTful APIs to process payments, integrate with social media, and manage user authentication. This will enable your web applications to connect with a global network of SaaS functions and online services, marking a pivotal milestone in the web development journey.

Testing#

Thorough testing ensures code quality and smooth operation. This includes unit testing with Jest, Mocha, or Jasmine, integration testing, end-to-end testing with Selenium, Cypress, or Percy, responsiveness testing across devices, accessibility testing for compatibility, and performance testing.

Deployment#

Now, you have to get your application live. This requires skills in version control with Git, containerization via Docker, and orchestration with Kubernetes. Automate builds, testing, and deployment using CI/CD tools like Jenkins and GitLab CI. Use cloud providers like AWS and monitoring tools like Prometheus and Google Analytics.

Building a portfolio and getting it out there#

This blog has given you a holistic path to learn web development for beginners. Now, it’s time to build your portfolio. To build a compelling web developer portfolio, create personal projects, contribute on GitHub, and develop an online profile. Network through local events and make resumes for online applications. Your success in web development depends on mastering fundamentals, adapting to changes, and ongoing learning. 

Beginner web development projects#

1. Build a Data-centric Web App Using Streamlit

2. Deploying a Web Application to Heroku Using CLI

3. Web Scraping Using Selenium in Python