How to Become a Front End Developer

Front-end web development involves making websites and web applications from scratch. This means applying front-end, back-end, and full-stack web development procedures. The front-end of a website is what people see on their web browsers and is built using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript coding. Front-end development focuses on how a user interfaces with a webpage while back-end development concerns the powering and functioning of that website within browsers like Chrome and Safari. Full stack development combines both those functions.

Training to become a Front-end Developer means gaining skills that emphasize the front-end, or user-side, of websites and apps, focusing on the visual appearance and user interfacing.

What is a Front-end Developer?

Becoming a Front-end Developer involves building websites and applications using common front-end web development languages. The front-end of a website is what users see on their web browsers and is built using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other coding languages. 

Web development includes creating websites and apps from scratch. This means applying front-end, back-end, and full-stack web development procedures. Front-end development focuses on how a user interacts with a website while back-end development concerns the functionality of that website within browsers like Chrome and Safari, for example. Full stack development combines both those functions.

Skills needed for becoming a Front-end Developer can also qualify you for working as a Web Developer or Web Designer.

Read more about what a Front-end Developer does.

What Tools Do I Need to Get Started?

Becoming a Front-end Developer requires skills in a variety of technical tools to qualify for working in the profession. This includes working with code editors, front-end boilerplates, and JavaScript libraries and frameworks as well as front-end frameworks. 

Front-end Developers work with code editors that help them write coding for the web pages they’re putting together. These editors provide plain text formatting needed for the coding that web browsers translate into websites. 

Front-end boilerplates are code templates that initiate the development process for creating web-based products by creating sets of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files that save time for Web Developers in creating websites. 

Front-end Developers also depend greatly on JavaScript libraries and frameworks. JavaScript libraries provide a collection of code that help to make websites and applications interactive. Libraries facilitate smoother browser activity as well as allowing Developers to add effects like animations, images, audio, and auto-completing form fields. JavaScript libraries include, but are not limited to, jQuery, which works with other libraries by providing several plug-ins that can be integrated into other features and tools used for building web pages and applications. Another JavaScript library is ReactJS, which facilitates being able to quickly build menus, search bars, buttons, and other user interfaces.

JavaScript frameworks also provide an important tool for helping Programmers and Developers simplify workflow. Frameworks provide structure for websites and apps using JavaScript as opposed to libraries that focus on specific areas for web pages. Frameworks like Vue.js provide flexibility with implementing interactivity in specific areas within a website. Other front-end frameworks help Front-end Developers with sets of files for styling and laying out websites that includes navigation menus, buttons, forms, typography, and other options.

Steps to Become a Front-end Developer

Front-end web development focuses on how users interact with websites. The front-end of a website is what users see on their web browsers and is built using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript coding. Front-end Developers write HTML to provide content for websites using coding while CSS arranges the style and layout of the webpage. JavaScript provides interactivity and animation to websites.

Set Your Path

Front-end Developers are responsible for building the front-end, or “client-side, ” of websites and web applications. Front-end Developers can find work with major corporations, nonprofit organizations, small businesses, government agencies, and startups. Front-end web development requires good time management skills and the ability to communicate effectively in a working environment. Skills for becoming a Front-end Developer also afford opportunities with freelance or independent contract work that offers salaries comparable to what someone might earn working at a major corporation.

Front-end Developers are also responsible for keeping websites and apps updated, creating prototypes from wireframes, and making sure those websites and apps are always accessible for users. You can find work as a Front-end Developer or a Web Developer without needing to get a college degree. Having a background in coding as well as a portfolio that demonstrates your skills and knowledge would be helpful for getting started in the profession.

Start Learning Front-end Development

Learning the skills to become a Front-end Developer requires front-end web development training, which involves creating websites by writing code. The purpose of a web browser is to translate the coding that generates websites into what users see on their computer screens. Front-end Developers write code that affects what users see on a browser.

Front-end Developers create websites using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. A Front-end Developer uses HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) for constructing web pages by coding and marking content while CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) defines the style and look of that content by establishing the website’s layout. JavaScript coding adds interactivity, animation, and logic to that webpage. 

Start Learning Web Development

Web development involves several areas for building websites and web applications by applying front-end, back-end, and full-stack web development procedures. Front-end web development focuses on how a user interacts with a website while back-end development emphasizes the powering and functionality of that website within browsers like Chrome or Safari, for example. Full stack development combines both those functions. 

Start Learning Coding

Coding is what makes the internet work. Code runs behind web pages and plays an integral role in how technology essentially runs business in today’s world. There are various coding languages that facilitate Programmers in developing websites, apps, and digital software as well as analyzing data and creating machine learning algorithms.

JavaScript is a front-end programming language that facilitates interactivity within a website through a wide-ranging library and adaptable frameworks, which is why it is the most popular programming language used.

Start Learning React 

React is a JavaScript library used for building user interfaces. Although created and maintained by Meta, React is a free and open-source front-end JavaScript library. Front-end Developers are in-demand, so learning a computer programming language like React could put you on the right path to your new profession.

Building an App

App development is one of the most in-demand skills needed for working as a Front-end Developer. Mobile apps are a widely popular software used for various purposes including everyday functions such as paying for items in stores, checking weather, and getting a ride home or communicating through teleconferencing and downloading music by simply using your smartphone.

Developing apps has become a key area in the billion-dollar communications industry. Front-end Developers must possess the skills to convert app designs into the code required for that app to be displayed properly on mobile browsers for users to interact smoothly with the application.

Free Seminars

While some people with coding and programming skills have considered becoming Front-end Developers, many of them hesitate about moving forward after considering the upfront costs or difficulty with scheduling additional education. However, there are free resources and video tutorials available for those people to get the necessary skills for working as a Front-end Developer through learning at their own pace on their own time.

Noble Desktop offers free seminars for design and coding classes, including Intro to Front-end Web Development, which provides tips for Front-end Web Developers on coding for websites being seen in browsers with lessons focused on various coding languages and web technologies. Other front-end web development related seminars include How to Get Started in Web Design, Intro to JavaScript, Intro to React, and Designing for Mobile.

Front-end Developer Career Path

Front-end Developers are responsible for building the front-end, or “client-side, ” of websites and web applications. Front-end Developers can find work with major corporations, nonprofits organizations, small businesses, government agencies, and startups. Front-end web development requires good time management skills and the ability to communicate effectively in a working environment. Learning Front-end Developer skills also provides opportunities for freelance and independent contract work with salaries that are comparable to what someone might earn working at a major corporation.

Front-end Developers may also be responsible for keeping websites and apps updated, creating prototypes from wireframes, and making sure those websites and apps are always accessible for users. You can find work as a Front-end Developer or a Web Developer without needing to have a college degree. Simply having a background in coding and a portfolio that demonstrates your skills and knowledge should be helpful in gaining a foothold in the occupation. It’s also a good idea to keep your LinkedIn profile and information updated because your background and experience are key elements in getting your desired position.

Read more about the typical Front-end Developer career path.

Why Become a Front-end Developer?

A Front-end Developer must have knowledge and experience in web development and coding with an emphasis on the front-end, which focuses on the user side for designing and building websites. Working as a Front-end Developer allows for creativity while working on a flexible schedule. Work in front-end web development also provides good salaries for an in-demand profession that continues to grow. 

Many organizations have websites and are looking to maintain or improve their web presence in today’s ever-evolving digital landscape. Becoming a Front-end Developer also provides plenty of options with the increasing expansion of technology. Companies not only have websites that need constant updating, but people also use their mobile devices for handling more and more functions with everyday life. Along with that, front-end web development has become essential because of the increased use of ecommerce for purchasing products online instead of venturing out to brick-and mortar stores.

Skills with front-end web development are relatively easy to pick up for becoming a Web Developer, which is a job an individual can qualify for without getting a college degree. Knowledge and experience with web development or familiarity with coding languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are good starting points. And as stated, the schedule for working as a Front-end Developer is flexible, with many able to work remotely. Skills with front-end web development can lead to working with corporations like Amazon or Accenture, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, or startups.

Read more about whether Front-end Developer is a good career.

Learn the Skills to Become a Front-end Developer at Noble Desktop

People have several options for learning to become a Front-end Developer, which include in-person and live online training courses, bootcamps, and certificate programs that provide real-time hands-on instruction. Noble Desktop offers several live online Web Development courses.

For example, with hardly any prior coding experience, an individual could complete the Front-end Web Development Certificate and get headed in the right direction for their new career with training in how to build the user side of a responsive website. This course aims to keep class sizes small so that students can receive tailored advice and guidance from their instructors.

If you would like to learn about designing websites or email programs from coding with HTML, CSS, or JavaScript, you can train for the Web Design Certificate. In addition, this course will teach you how to build websites using WordPress.

If you would like to learn about more options for building websites or apps from scratch through skills in front-end web development, Noble Desktop provides information on their Learn Front-end Web Development page, which can guide you through learning about several options for becoming a Front-end Developer, including what free resources are available and career advice.