Is web development right for you? A guide

If you’ve always wanted to learn more about web development but had no idea what the field actually entails, then you’ve come to the right place. So, what is web development anyway? In simple terms, web development involves the building, programming and maintenance of websites and applications.

In our technological age, practically every business and organization has a website, so the demand for skilled web developers is constantly growing. Plus, there are also various different levels and specialties in web development, including front-end, back-end and full-stack, so there is truly a place for everyone.

This article will explore the many benefits of a career in the web development field, and will help you understand whether or not this career path is right for you. If this seems like the right fit for you, we’ll also discuss how you can start your journey in web development today through Lighthouse Lab’s free courses and Bootcamp.

Understanding web development: What does the job involve?

As mentioned, there are a few different areas in web development, including front-end, back-end and full-stack. A front-end developer deals with the more visual and aesthetic elements of a webpage that visitors see, which includes building user-friendly web designs and ensuring that clients have a functional and positive experience.

On the other hand, back-end developers work more behind-the-scenes (as you can tell by the name!) and deal with server-side programming and maintaining databases. Finally, full-stack developers work with both front and back elements, and are responsible for a webpage’s full development process.

Some typical tasks and responsibilities of a web developer include:

• Writing code to build a website’s front-facing display and/or back-end functionality

• Maintaining websites and checking for any bugs or updates

• Testing webpages to improve usability and to create an optimal user experience

• Implement SEO (Search Engine Optimization) strategies to ensure websites rank high in user search results

Web developers also have to frequently collaborate with other teams and use problem-solving techniques in their day-to-day life. As in every job, no day is exactly alike; however, knowing the primary tasks that will come up in a web developer’s routine will hopefully help you decipher whether these are things you see yourself doing on a daily basis.

Key traits and skills needed for success in web development

While it’s definitely important to have the education, experience and technical skills to become a web developer, you will also require a set of vital soft skills. Some of those include:

• Logical thinking & problem-solving: It is important for web developers to be able to break down complex problems and find logical solutions when bugs or other issues arise. Having a solution-oriented mindset is key in this context.

• Attention to detail: When writing code, even the smallest of errors can impact the entire code’s functionality. Because of this, web developers need to have a keen eye for detail and be very thorough in their work.

• Creativity: Especially in front-end development where visual elements are most important, web developers need to be able to balance technical skills with creativity.

• Persistence: Although debugging websites or having to learn new technologies can certainly be frustrating, web developers need to learn to become resilient and persistent in the face of challenges.

• Continuous learning: In the rapidly evolving tech landscape, applications and programs are constantly changing and improving. With this in mind, web developers must be life-long learners who are adaptable to new developments and best practices.

• Communication & teamwork: Despite the stereotype that web development and other areas of tech involve only independent work, the reality is that web developers have to collaborate with others quite a bit. Being able to communicate and work effectively with team members, including other developers, designers, and stakeholders, is essential in this line of work.

Assessing your interest and aptitude

Now that you know a bit more about web development and the key hard and soft skills needed in this career, let’s see if this could be the right job for you! Starting with some self-assessment, consider reflecting on the following questions:

• Do you enjoy solving puzzles and logical challenges?

• Are you interested in how websites and apps work behind the scenes?

• Do you find satisfaction in building things from scratch?

If you answered yes to one or all of the above questions, then you might be on the right path here. If you’re still not sure, though, why not try taking Lighthouse Labs’ Tech Skills Quiz to see if web development makes sense for you based on your current skills.

It might also be best for you to test the waters and try out web development for yourself. For example, you can learn more about coding and experiment with it hands-on by using free online resources, including Lighthouse Labs’ free Python Crash Course. There are also other programs that offer coding introductions at no cost, including Codecademy and freeCodeCamp.

Another suggestion is to try participating in coding challenges or hackathons. These kinds of events are a great way to demonstrate your knowledge while also getting the chance to meet other prospective web developers.

Common misconceptions about web development

As alluded to earlier, many people think that web development and tech jobs in general are solely independent roles. This is not true, and there are actually a few other misconceptions about web development that you should know about when considering this career path.

For example, most people think that you need to be a math genius in order to work as a web developer. In reality, the level of math required in this job is pretty minimal. Having familiarity with a basic level of math will definitely be helpful when it comes to algorithms and data structures, but more complex knowledge is not necessary.

As well, many assume that web development is all about coding. Although it is a big part of the role, there are also many different soft skills needed, including design thinking, logic and problem-solving. Rest assured that you will not be sitting behind a desk writing code all day long!

Lastly, there is a misconception that you absolutely need to have a computer science degree in order to pursue web development. While traditional academic routes work for many people, it’s important to know that many successful developers come from diverse educational backgrounds. You can learn web development in your free time by enrolling in flexible online programs or courses.

Lighthouse Labs offers a Web Development Bootcamp where you can get all the knowledge and skills you need to enter the workforce in just 12 or 30 weeks. Although a computer science degree might be a good foundation, online programs like the one at Lighthouse Labs will be more focused and specialized in web development specifically. Also, our programs are constantly being updated to reflect the real-world, in-demand skills needed in today’s day and age.

Success stories: Real-life examples

If you’re interested in web development but are scared about taking the leap, it might be helpful to learn about people who were once in your shoes and successfully transitioned to the field. There are even some examples of individuals from non-technical backgrounds who made their way into web development.

For example, Jotham Yelle worked as a Labourer for a scaffolding company before he pivoted to programming. It all started when a web application at the company was causing issues, so Jotham volunteered to help fix the program despite not having any experience.

After this, Jotham realized web development might actually be his calling, so he signed up for the Web Development Bootcamp at Lighthouse Labs. With enough determination and the right training, Jotham received a job offer at Adacado 2 weeks before finishing the Bootcamp.

There are also some great examples of people transitioning to different jobs within tech itself, like Madiha Waqar. Madiha started as a Software Quality Assurance Engineer and Tester back home, but when she moved to Canada, she shifted to working at a small business to prioritize her family.

As Madiha’s kids got older and she prepared to re-enter the tech world, she decided to try out web development and signed up for the Lighthouse Labs Bootcamp. In the end, Madiha says the program “has been a game-changer for [her] career!”

Next steps: How to start your web development journey

If you’re interested in pursuing web development and want to launch your career, there are a few actionable steps you can take today to kickstart your journey. For starters, there are many educational resources out there that are both beginner-friendly and free, including Lighthouse Labs’ free JavaScript Crash Course. You can also check out different blogs and online tutorials to slowly get acclimated to the web development world.

Once you’re ready for a more structured educational path, consider enrolling in bootcamps or courses like Lighthouse Labs' Web Development Bootcamp.

Another thing to consider is to join a developer community to grow your network. Whether it means joining an online forum or attending meetups or events in person, being part of a community will help you meet like-minded people in the industry. It will also allow you to grow your professional network which can potentially lead to job opportunities down the road.

Now that you know more about web development, hopefully, you feel more empowered to decide whether or not to take the leap and start a career in tech. There are so many rewards that come with a career in web development, and now you understand the necessary skills and traits needed to succeed and how to assess if it's the right path for you.

Although it might be intimidating to take that first step, the best and only way to get closer to your goals is by moving toward them! Once you take our Tech Skills Quiz, we encourage you to take action: do some further research and leverage online resources so that you can jump-start your career in web development.

Download the curriculum today to learn more about our Web Development program, which can be completed either as an intensive, 12-week Bootcamp or a more flexible, 30-week program. Whichever one you choose, rest assured you will come out with the necessary knowledge you need to become a Web Developer.