Most of us interface with the internet hundreds of times a day, often in ways that barely register in our consciousness. That means that web development skills are vital to keeping the world running smoothly and building the next generation of web tools that make our lives easier and more efficient.
Web development refers to programming the functionalities of a web application, bringing it from the idea phase into the real-world. Web Developers will use a variety of programming languages to build webpages, digital applications, and other online services. Web development professionals create social media applications for mobile and desktop, media streaming sites, or online word processors and spreadsheets. Web development is also an essential skill for creating websites and online games.
Why Learn Web Development?
In today’s economy, few things are more important than having a polished website. Whether you are a freelancer looking to share your portfolio with the world or an established company looking to connect your services with a global audience, websites are the cornerstone of any digital presence today. As the demand for these sites continues to grow, coding professionals interested in website development have been able to reap the benefits. In fact, with web development being one of the hottest coding careers available today, there is no better time to start learning the basics or continue on your web development journey.
Part of what makes web development such an exciting field is the number of career paths individuals can take. For instance, professionals interested in the behind-the-scenes functionality of websites can choose to hone their skills as Back-end Developers. Meanwhile, professionals focused on a site’s visual identity and ease of use, typically referred to as user interface (UI) and user experience (UX), can find exciting careers as Front-end Developers. Development pros who perform all front and back-end duties may hold a title like Full Stack Developers.
Among the many development roles job seekers find in online listings are:
- Back-end Developer
- Developer
- Front-end Developer
- Full Stack Developer
- UI Developer
- UX Developer
- UX/UI Developer
Remember that the meaning of these titles can vary from industry to industry or even company to company. Especially in small businesses, a Web Designer can be a Front-end Web Developer with the right qualifications. And a small company that uses one Full Stack Developer for all their needs may call that role simply a Developer. No matter which path an individual chooses, however, they can be sure that web development will continue to offer exciting career advancement opportunities well into the future.
Languages and Styles
Learning web development requires learning how to code. Learning a programming language is like learning a real-world language since you’ll need to learn how to handle the vocabulary and syntax that communicates your intention to the computer that reads the code. Then, you will need to know how to read your own code and others’ existing code to understand what a program intends to communicate and how to check for and correct errors (a process known as debugging). This series of tasks can be intimidating for students with no programming background, but there are many accessible programming languages for new students to learn.
When you first begin to study web development, you’ll start with the foundations: HyperText Markup Language (HTML) and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). These are the foundational languages of web development since they are the programming languages that tell a web browser how to display information to the viewer. HTML is used to distinguish between lines, paragraphs, images, and other collections of text. Without HTML, all text would be displayed in a single, undifferentiated line, making a webpage virtually unreadable. CSS defines the visual appearance of text and assets on a webpage. For example, CSS tells the browser what size to display a paragraph and the font and color of the text. CSS is also important for allowing web browsers to display pages uniformly on different devices and platforms.
Although you can get by designing webpages using only HTML and CSS, modern expectations for webpages have long since outstripped what these two tools can do. Webpages developed with only HTML and CSS have a dated feel that is instantly recognizable to modern browsing audiences. To address this, most Web Developers will learn other languages that add essential functionality to their designs.
Most Web Developers will learn JavaScript to make their websites dynamic and interactive. JavaScript is used to program almost all of the interactive functionality in a webpage. That means nearly every time a user engages directly with a web application, a JavaScript program makes that interaction possible. HTML, CSS and JavaScript are essential for modern web development and an ideal place to start learning how to program web applications.
Together, these technologies make up front-end web development, which refers to any aspects of the web application that an end user sees or interacts with. Since this is the visual and interactive part of the web application, it is also typically the first aspect of programming that students learn. While there are other, more specialized programming languages for front-end development, most new students learn HTML and CSS and JavaScript as their first programming languages.
The other side of the web development coin is back-end programming. Whereas front-end refers to the elements of a web application that a user sees and interacts with, back-end, or server-side, refers to those elements hidden from the user. These include internal databases, data collection tools, and server-side infrastructure.
Back-end development courses typically focus on one back-end language. You can choose among Python, Ruby on Rails, .NET, PHP, or Java. Python is the most relevant back-end languages and one of the most popular worldwide. Students can learn any back-end programming language, but Python is the most commonly recommended for new programmers. An object-oriented language (OOP), Python organizes around data (objects) rather than logic (functions).
Development professionals who combine front and back-end web development typically hold the title Full Stack Developer since they design the ‘full-stack’ of code that allows a web application to function. For those ready to dive headfirst into a comprehensive career change, a Full Stack Web Development certificate program is one of the most efficient ways to get started on a new career path. There are hundreds of full-stack web development courses and bootcamps, many of which provide intensive training in months or even weeks.
website Builders
While you can find many services available for building websites, not all require the expertise of a Web Developer, either Front-end or Full Stack. However, that doesn't mean Web Developers can ignore them. Web development can require creating a website from start to finish, but it can also require working with upgrades to existing sites. Among the most common web builders are Content Management Systems (CMS) like WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal. Professional websites managed by multiple users may or may not use an open-source software like WordPress, but many do. Consider learning about the following top website builders.
- WordPress—The great granddaddy of web builders, WordPress has been around since 2003. According to Web Technology Surveys, of the websites that use a Content Management System, over 40% are WordPress. That does not mean everyone uses a CMS. The same survey finds that around 30% of monitored websites do not use one. Still, if you're planning to learn web development, expect many job postings for front and back-end positions to require WordPress expertise.
- Wix—A WordPress competitor, Wix is also a popular CMS. However, there are critical differences between Wix and WordPress. For one, Wix is not an open-source platform like WordPress. Secondly, although Wix ranks relatively highly among CMS websites, it lags WordPress usage by a long shot. And though somewhat popular, Wix does not even rank in the top 15 Best CMS Platforms to Start a website, according to web hosting provider Hostinger. That doesn't mean you don't need to know it; however, as a professional Web Developer, you won't likely use it to build a site from scratch.
- Squarespace—Promoted by celebrities and listed as a top CMS among existing websites, Squarespace nonetheless lags WordPress, Wix, and Shopify among popular content management systems. Though not necessarily as flexible as WordPress, it can be much more user-friendly, especially for non-technical creative professionals creating and maintaining their own websites. However, like WordPress, there’s always the possibility that a client will request Squarespace, so it's good to be familiar with it.
As a web development pro, you’ll want to have a number of tools in your tool belt—for custom from-the-ground-up builds to website builders like those mentioned above. Other content management systems to be aware of include:
- Adobe Systems
- Drupal
- Google Systems
- Joomla
- Shopify
- Web.com
Other Web Development Tools
One of the beauties of learning web development is that Web Developers have designed and built software and web applications to make programming more efficient. For example, almost all programmers will use a source-code editing application like Visual Studio (vs. Code to make writing, compiling and debugging code simple and quick.
Other tools make tracking changes to code and collaborating with other developers on large projects more efficient. These tools are constantly being improved and iterated upon, and many training programs teach these tools alongside training in skills like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The following are some of the best-known examples.
- Git/GitHub—GitHub is a cloud-based developer platform used by development pros worldwide. It’s open-source, which means you can benefit from the vast network of other developers. The free GitHub plan allows for unlimited Git repositories and collaborators.
- Bootstrap—Widely considered one of the best open-source CSS frameworks, Bootstrap is a staple for web development pros. Front-end Developers, Web Designers, and other programmers and coders use Bootstrap for variables, themes, and website customization.
- Sass—A self-described “CSS with superpowers, ” Sass is a CSS extension language compatible with all versions of the style sheet language. In fact, Bootstrap is one of the many frameworks built with Sass. You can install Sass on Windows, Mac, or Linux.
- React—If you learn JavaScript as part of a development curriculum, chances are you will learn React—especially if you train to be a Full Stack Developer or Software Engineer. Part of the MERN tech stack (MongoDB, Express.js, React, and Node.js), it's both a library and an architecture.
- CodePen—An online code editor and open-source front-end web development environment, CodePen is great for designing and sharing front-end projects. The CodePen collaboration mode allows multiple users to write and edit code in real time.
While these tools are all worthy resources, you can find many others, whether you take on a role as a direct employee or you’re a freelance contractor. Browse online job postings for entry-level Web Developers, and you'll find references to tools like T-SQL, Agile, RAD (Rational Application Developer), and other tools and skills specific to a company’s needs. Development is an exciting, growing field, and development pros constantly find new, better tools to replace existing industry-standard ones. In web and app development, you’re always going to be learning.
Web Development Careers
Web Developers are in-demand, and this career path is only growing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, open positions for Web Developers will likely grow 17% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than for other occupations. This exciting career path is also associated with high lifetime earning potential.
Unlike many careers, web development applies to every industry and sector. Most businesses have to hire Web Developers in some capacity at this point: if you cannot find an official website for a company, they probably will not survive much longer. The same holds true for non-profit firms, government organizations, advocacy groups, and political campaigns. Every organization that wants to do public outreach needs a strong web presence, and creating a professional website requires a web development specialist.
Since web development is one of the most in-demand tech jobs available today, development professionals can access various web development jobs across the country. While the availability of specific positions may vary by region, companies and clients in virtually every city are looking for ways to get ahead online, leaving plenty of work for web developers. In addition, web developers can often work remotely, meaning professionals with the proper experience and a standout portfolio of past work can build their careers wherever it suits them.
Many web and software development pros also learn mobile development, as it is similar to web development. In combination, as a Full Stack Developer, you could become a Product or Project Manager later in your career. Understanding the inner workings of web and mobile apps allows you to oversee building a complete cross-platform application.
Recent job listings from Indeed and salary figures from Glassdoor provide a great preview of the exciting career options available to Web Developers. For instance, salary averages indicate that Back-end Developer salaries start at around $100,000 nationwide, up to $180,000 annually in some cases.
Meanwhile, Front-end Developers can make anywhere from $53,000 to $140,000 per year, whereas Full Stack Developers skilled in both areas can make at least $97,000 annually in most cases and as much as $16,000 on the high end of the payscale. Other career options such as Ruby Developer or JavaScript Developer, pay similarly well, making any web development expertise a worthwhile investment.
Qualifying for Web Development Roles
According to ZipRecruiter, some of the highest-paying web development positions have neither the word web nor development in the title. Roles like Site Reliability Engineer, Digital Design Engineer, and Ecommerce Analyst can pay handsomely for tech pros with the right development skills.
Consequently, weigh all your options before starting a new career, whether you graduated from school recently or plan to transition from one role to another. Consider some of the following positions: their availability, how much they pay, and what steps you need to take to qualify for one of them.
- Websphere Portal Developer—The highly specialized Websphere Portal Developer role is one of the best-paying development positions, earning up to around $163,000 annually. These tech professionals master the IBM Websphere software, using their expertise to develop new applications, provide back-end support, and track the development process. Websphere Portal Developers typically hold a minimum of an associate degree in a relevant field.
- Graphics Programmer—The Graphics Programmer tops the list of highest-paying development salaries, earning up to $175,000 annually. While they may work with software and applications more than websites, both may be required. Graphics Programmers often work with other development pros on video game platforms, 2D and 3D animation, and other specialized tasks.
- Site Reliability Engineer—Site reliability engineering (SRE) is a specialized area that requires the ability to make new software work with existing code. Site Reliability Engineer salaries run as high as $166,000 in annual compensation, and the qualifications are strict: many companies require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, plus software engineering experience, to qualify for the role.
- Full Stack Web Developer—Training to be a Full Stack Developer can be one of the best options for development professionals. Many companies emphasize skill sets over education, so some development pros get entry-level full-stack development positions after taking an intensive certificate program—even without a degree. Full Stack Developers make up to about $128,000 annually, over twice the national average salary.
- Front-end Software Engineer—Many development roles have the title Software Engineer. A Front-end Software Engineer makes as much as $159,000 in annual salary and can expand their skill set to include back-end development. However, most software engineering positions require a bachelor's in IT or computer science. Like other front-end roles, these professionals typically know JavaScript and HTML and CSS, as well as other languages.
- Junior Web Developer—Another manageable goal is obtaining a role as a Junior Web Developer. These tech pros earn as much as $72,000 annually, and, as in full-stack development roles, you can easily qualify for many entry-level positions with a certificate from a respected course provider. Check job listings in your city for a better idea of starting salaries for Junior Web Developer openings.
- Back-end Web Developer—Finally, working hand in hand with Front-end Developers are Back-end Developers on the server-side. They earn up to around $126,000 per year on average. These positions, like that of Front-end Developer, are more common in larger companies. For a small company, a single Full Stack Developer may be all that's needed to handle front and back-end development tasks.
When training for a development role, consider factors like the industry or sector, specific job requirements, and whether you are willing to relocate for a position. Learning front-end fundamentals like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript—and back-end components like the MERN tech stack—can prepare you for a rewarding, in-demand career.
Learning Web Development
In-Person Web Development Classes
In recent years, many educational opportunities to master development have appeared to meet the rising demand for Web Developers. However, between in-person courses, online classes, and intensive bootcamps, it can be challenging to sort through all your options and choose the one that best meets your needs. To help development novices with this decision, Noble Desktop has created the Classes Near Me tool that allows users to search and compare web development classes in their area and live online.
In-person classes may be the best choice for those looking to master web development in the traditional classroom environment. These classes put students in direct contact with experienced instructors who can provide them with feedback and assistance on their work and who can guide them through the challenging early stages of a programming education. Many students also benefit from working in a classroom alongside other novice programmers with whom they can collaborate and share their work.
Luckily, you can find at least a couple of course providers offering in-person web and software development training in virtually every major U.S. city. Especially in major metropolitan areas like New York City, Los Angeles, or Chicago, in-person development training is standard among private course providers and colleges and universities.
Some of the most common providers of this education include NYC Career Centers, Certstaffix Training, General Assembly, Ledet Training, Noble Desktop, ONLC Training Centers, and Practical Programming. While NYC Career Centers, Noble Desktop, General Assembly, Practical Programming, and Ledet Training offer in-person classes, ONLC Training Centers and Certstaffix Training provide a hybrid model, combining remote instruction with in-person access to their computer labs and equipment.
Training from course providers like these covers many career opportunities for web development professionals. For example, General Assembly offers classes in JavaScript, front-end web development, and the parallel field of software engineering. Ledet Training and ONLC Training Centers offer coursework in HTML and CSS, among others. And Certstaffix Training hosts courses in tools like PHP,.NET, and SQL, to name a few.
Virtual Web Development Classes
While an in-person class may be great for some students, others find it difficult to fit one into an already-busy schedule. For these learners, virtual course opportunities offer unparalleled value. In addition to featuring the same high-quality learning that students traditionally associate with an in-person class, virtual classes also allow students to complete lessons and assignments from their home or office. Students can still work directly with their instructors and receive personalized feedback and assistance, making these classes perfect for students who prioritize flexibility in their educational journey.
Noble Desktop has provided industry-leading tech education for 30+ years to thousands of students in-person and online. Today, Noble Desktop is proud to offer virtual web development courses suitable for students of all skill and time commitment levels. In addition to classes covering many popular coding languages, Noble Desktop also offers comprehensive certificate programs, including:
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Front-end Web Development Certificate—The Front-end Web Development Certificate program teaches students with no previous coding experience how to design vibrant and memorable webpages using HTML and CSS and JavaScript. Students master programming fundamentals like reading and writing code, then learn how to build simple web applications using HTML and CSS. The certificate teaches participants how to add interactive elements to their designs using JavaScript, providing them with a well-rounded education in building the front-end of a webpage. Since this is a career-focused course, the aim will be to take students with no prior experience and prepare them for jobs in the field of web development. Students enrolled in this class will benefit from material-building seminars and 1-on-1 career mentorship sessions.
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JavaScript Development Certificate—A student looking to become a Front-end, Full Stack, or JavaScript Developer can start with Noble's JavaScript Development Certificate program. This immersive 14-week course covers everything from Node.js, Express.js, and MongoDB to developing APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). The program also includes a React Bootcamp that covers React Hooks, Components, and a segment emphasizing the MERN stack (MongoDB, Express.js, React, and Node.js). Applicants should be familiar with HTML and CSS fundamentals prior to enrollment.
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Full Stack Web Development Certificate—Development beginners who want to work as JavaScript Developers or Full Stack Developers can get started with the Full Stack Web Development Certificate program. The 420-hour curriculum covers HTML and CSS, JavaScript, React, and the MERN stack, culminating in a professional-level portfolio. Check course listings for more detailed information.
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Software Engineering Certificate—If you’re a new development learner and want to become a Software Engineer or Full Stack Developer, the Software Engineering Certificate can get you there in less than half a year. This intensive program covers the same ground as the Full Stack Web Development Certificate but adds 90 hours of Python programming and development training to the curriculum.
Students can also enroll in courses such as Noble’s Web Development with HTML and CSS or Python Web Development with Django to learn foundational programming skills they can build upon later in their training. These classes are ideally suited for students who want to learn essential programming skills and techniques but cannot commit to a long-term career-focused certificate program.
DevMountain is another course provider that offers web development training, like their Web Development Immersive course. This 14-week program teaches students HTML and CSS, JavaScript, React, Node, and Git. Classes like this offer students robust web development training that can set them up for success on a new career path.
Other courses such as Ledet Training’s Fundamentals of Web Development, provide students with a less immersive introduction to basic skills such as programming with HTML and CSS. Courses like this can be an excellent resource for students who want to learn web development but aren’t entirely sure whether they can commit months of study and thousands of dollars to start a new career.
Noble Desktop’s affiliate companies also host live online web development classes. For example, NYIM Training’s virtual web development classes include courses on HTML, CSS, and Ruby on Rails. Their most popular shorter offerings include:
- JavaScript for Front-end—This 18-hour course focuses on JavaScript and jQuery, emphasizing web animation with the GreenSock Animation Platform (GSAP).Applicants should have advanced HTML and CSS knowledge before they enroll in this hands-on program.
- Intro to HTML & CSS—The beginner-level HTML and CSS workshop includes how to format paragraphs and lists, tag selectors, images, and attributes.
- Flexbox, Grid & Bootstrap—Students with experience coding HTML and CSS can take their CSS game to the next level in this 12-hour course. You can also save by taking the course as part of the Full Stack or Front-end Web Development Certificate programs.
Meanwhile, NYC Career Centers’ web development classes also feature JavaScript and front-end web development training. Among the many training options are the following:
- Web Development with HTML & CSS—This 18-hour introduction to front-end web dev gives development novices a jump-start on the two essential tools, HTML and CSS. There are no prerequisites, and graduates can retake the course at no additional cost for up to a year.
- PHP & MySQL Bootcamp—Another 18-hour course, the PHP & MySQL Bootcamp is open to students comfortable coding HTML and CSS. Attendees learn to work with form arrays, loops, and databases in a hands-on instructor-led environment.
- Web Development Industry & Portfolio—New JavaScript Developers can learn more about the industry, build a network, and master the fine art of interviewing in this practical workshop series. The course runs 24 hours. Applicants should have knowledge comparable to the JavaScript Development Certificate listed above.
High school students are also welcome to learn web development through Noble Desktop. Interested students should check out NextGen Bootcamp’s summer virtual web development classes for high schoolers. Top development choices include:
- Java Programming Summer Program Live Online—The high school student with no programming experience can learn Java fundamentals that prepare them for the AP Computer Science class in this hands-on program. The course is open to high school and college level students.
- Python Data Science & Machine Learning Live Online—Students interested in learning about data science and machine learning get more than just basics in this three-week program. Additional topics include advanced Python, advanced regression analysis, and essential tools like Matplotlib, Pandas, and scikit-learn.
- Computer Science Summer Certificate Program Live Online—This immersive computer science certificate gives students the perfect option for managing their summer schedules: it runs three hours a day for six weeks. The course combines the Java Programming and Python Data Science & Machine Learning programs. Applicants can ask to be waitlisted if scheduled sessions have been filled.
Web Development Bootcamps
There are plenty of ways to learn web development today. Still, only a few select educational opportunities provide the learning environment needed to master the field and truly jump-start a career. Commonly referred to as web development bootcamps, these intensive courses usually immerse learners in weeks or months of comprehensive, career skills-focused training. While the time commitment needed for these courses is much greater than a single class, the payoff is more than worth it. In many cases, graduating from a web development bootcamp held by a reputable provider can replace a college degree on a job seeker’s resume.
Learners interested in web development bootcamps have in-person options in many cities and live online courses they can take from anywhere. Noble Desktop is among the top providers of these bootcamps, with options including the Full Stack Web Development Certificate and Python Developer Bootcamp programs. These courses are perfect for learners looking to become career-ready by the end of their program.
Those studying for careers as Front-end Wed Developers, Full Stack Developers, or Web Designers can benefit from the WordPress Bootcamp from Noble Desktop. This 18-hour course gives students WordPress fundamentals in an interactive, hands-on environment. Applicants should have knowledge comparable to that gained in Noble’s Web Development with HTML & CSS before enrollment. You can also save by taking the WordPress Bootcamp as part of Noble’s Front-end Web Development Certificate program or Full Stack Web Development Certificate program.
The other essential tool after WordPress is HTML email. You can dive deep through the HTML Email Bootcamp from Noble Desktop. This course also requires prior knowledge comparable to that from the Web Development with HTML & CSS class. You can also save by taking the HTML Email Bootcamp as part of the HTML Email Certificate program, which includes the Web Development class as an introduction.
Students comfortable coding HTML and CSS can continue their development education with the JavaScript Programming Bootcamp from Noble Desktop. This immersive 120-hour bootcamp prepares participants for diverse careers like JavaScript Developer, Front-end Developer, or Full Stack Developer. For the best savings, you can take the JavaScript Programming Bootcamp as part of the Full Stack Web Development Certificate program, JavaScript Development Certificate, or Software Engineering Certificate.
As part of a development curriculum, most students want to learn React, the open-source JavaScript library. You can learn how to build dynamic web apps with this essential tool in the React Development Bootcamp. Students learn to compose components, build web apps, and use the MERN stack as part of a 72-hour intensive curriculum. You can also save by taking the React Development Bootcamp as part of the Full Stack Web Development Certificate, Software Engineering Certificate, or JavaScript Development Certificate.
Another essential tool available in a separate bootcamp is Structured Query Language, or SQL. Business Analysts, Data Analysts, and Financial Advisors are a few professionals who use SQL. Many tech pros learn it within a broader development or data science curriculum. You can take Noble’s SQL Bootcamp separately, but you can also attend the SQL Bootcamp for free as an add-on bonus if you complete the JavaScript Development Certificate program.
In addition to Noble Desktop, providers like Full Stack Academy, DigitalCrafts, Ironhack, and Coding Dojo also offer live online bootcamps, with programs varying in length from 10 weeks to six months. Consider the following options:
- Full Stack Academy—Live Online Coding Bootcamp
- Coding Dojo—Online Full-Time Coding Bootcamp
- Digital Crafts—Full-Time Web Development
- Ironhack—Web Development Bootcamp (Full-Time)
- Tech Elevator—Full-Time Coding Bootcamp
With these and many other in-person or live online courses, novices and working tech professionals can get the training that meets their goals and needs. Whether you're starting out as an entry-level Front-end Developer or would like to uplevel to a Senior Software Engineer role, the vast number of customized training options has never been better. If you can find the training program that fits your schedule and budget, you can plan for success in this engaging, ever-changing field.