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Top 9 essential skills required to become a web developer

The world of technology is always evolving, new advancements, new features and new technologies happen every year. There are so many different careers in the tech industry, there’s a lot to choose from.

Are you considering a career in web development but not sure if it’s right for you? Luckily, there’s an easy way to gauge if web development is the right choice for you: all you have to do is consider what kind of skills are needed for the job, then Decide if you are ready to acquire the skills you lack. To help you make an informed judgment, here are the 9 most important skills required to become a Web Developer that Salasw collected. Hope will be helpful for you!

1. Coding

You’ll need to know how to use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to work as a Web Developer, especially on the front end since each of these languages plays a vital role in the creation of websites. HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is the standard markup language for creating web pages, providing instructions on how data should be displayed on a web browser. CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) works in tandem with HTML; it’s the language used to style elements on a website such as the fonts, color, and layout to give the site a unique look. JavaScript allows programmers to add interactive elements to web pages, making them more dynamic and engaging.

These languages will also prove useful if you decide to pursue a career in full stack web development. Aspiring Full Stack Web Developers should also pick up at least a couple of back end languages such as Python, Java, Ruby, and PHP. The coding requirements for Back End Web Developers are similar; they should know both HTML and JavaScript in addition to one or two back end languages, but CSS is not a necessity.

2. Version Control

Version control is the ability to track and control changes that are made to the code — something every Web Developer must be able to do. This is typically done through software designed specifically for the task. While there are a few options available to programmers, the most widely used version control system by far is Git

Knowing how to use version control software like Git is essential for Web Developers because it not only allows them to track and control code changes, it also makes it easier to fix mistakes; If a developer makes a few small changes that cause the website to stop working, they can simply revert back to the last functional version of the code and work their way forward again instead of combing through code to find the mistake.

3. Libraries and Frameworks

To become a Web Developer, you need to be willing to learn how to use libraries and frameworks. Though these two terms are often used interchangeably, they’re not the same thing; a framework provides a set structure that the developer must work within while the reusable bits of code contained in a library offer more flexibility with the developer determining the architecture.

Libraries and frameworks do have one essential element in common, though: they’re both used to simplify and speed up development, making them a necessary skill for potential programmers. Of course, you don’t have to learn how to use every single library and framework that’s ever been released; which ones you use will depend primarily on your job role and the project you’re working on. Anyone working on the front end would benefit from knowing React and jQuery, the most widely used front end libraries, plus Angular and Vue.js, the most commonly used front end frameworks. On the back end, the most popular frameworks include Express, ASP.NET Core, Spring, Flask, and Django.

4. Testing and Debugging

Another skill Web Developers must have is the ability to validate code, verify that it’s free of bugs, and fix any errors they may find. Testing and debugging are time-consuming and often complicated; in fact, a significant amount of a developer’s work hours is dedicated to the debugging process alone. In some situations, code verification may be completed by a separate person; however, it’s still vital for programmers to know how to check and debug their own code.

5. User Experience

Another skill necessary to work as a successful Web Developer is the ability to understand how clients and users will interact with the final product. The entire process of web development is essentially useless unless the website meets the needs of the users — they are the very reason the website exists in the first place.

Excellent Web Developers keep this in mind before they even start on a project; they know how vital it is to engage the user by creating a website that’s aesthetically pleasing, interactive, and user-friendly. While there are people who work exclusively as user experience (UX) designers, it’s a good idea for Web Developers to understand what the user needs, especially since a UX-minded programmer will have better job prospects than one who’s focused on coding alone.

6. Good Communication

Good communication is another important skill for Web Developers to have. Though people often imagine programmers sitting alone coding all day with little human interaction, that stereotype is nothing but a misconception. The process of creating a website doesn’t just fall on a sole developer, it involves a variety of people including clients, designers, writers, SEO specialists, and customers. In order for a website to be completed successfully, a Web Developer must be a skilled communicator with the ability to listen to the needs of others and clearly convey complex ideas to those who may not have a technical background. Developers should also be relatively skilled in written communication as they’re often required to write documentation for the software they create and use

7. Ability to self-learn and overcome fallbacks

The tech industry changes all the time. As discussed at the start of this article, technology is ever-changing and trends pop up and fade out, sometimes without much notice.

So as a web developer, you must be able to learn by yourself. New technologies, new programming languages, different platforms, or development trends will require you to stay on top of your game. This web developer skill is essential to be up-to-date always.

Sometimes you will have to learn something new to overcome a problem, this could mean you need to learn a new library or work with a new programming language, you just cannot predict it.

While asking for help is not an issue, you cannot expect someone to teach you everything along the way, self-learning and initiative go a long way.

8. Capable of explaining technical concepts to others

While you may be able to understand the solution you’ve built to solve a problem or a design you have come up with, you will need to be able to clearly communicate this to other people.

You will have to convince others that your idea, solution, or design is good enough and explain why it is the best approach to something. You cannot expect people to understand what is going on in your head.

Key web developer skills here are communication, the ability to explain in a simple manner, being able to design and present said design to others in a clear way, etc.

9. Logical approach to work

Any decision you make as a web developer will need to be based on a logical approach. If you want others like your boss or colleagues to understand your work, a logical approach will help make that simple. Simple web developer skill, but not very common at the same time.

Being logical means you can understand a problem, identify what is wrong, and come up with a solution that is effective, suitable, and feasible.

Logical people usually analyse the situation first, they take into consideration the inputs and feedback before working on a solution. You don’t usually go with your gut, it is more about working with facts and reason.