According to research by SWEOR, 57% of internet users don’t prefer websites with bad front-end UI, and 88% of online consumers will not return to a website with bad front-end design. That’s what makes front-end development critical for companies. Additionally, on LinkedIn, 70,000+ front-end developer job posts are available.
Do you want to make a career in front-end development? This article will provide you with a complete roadmap on how to become a front-end developer. Keep reading!
Who Is a Front-End Developer?
Why Become a Front-End Developer?
Front-End Developer Job Description
Front-End Developer Skills
How to Become a Front-End Developer: Step-by-Step Roadmap
Front End Developer Jobs
Front-End Developer Salary
Conclusion
Check out the video on how to Become a Front End Web Developer:
Who Is a Front-End Developer?
A few decades ago, web development was seen as a complete process. Back then, web pages used to be static, and their functionality was also minimalistic. But in modern times, dynamic websites have become trends, and so the divide has been established between the artistic part of front-end development and the hard-core technical part of back-end development.
Since good UI is essential for businesses, dedicated job roles for front-end developers were established. These professionals are tasked with creating awesome and intuitive user interfaces for companies’ web products to improve customer engagement.
Front-end developers are professionals who are responsible for creating websites and applications using various web languages, such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. While visiting any website, you interact with various design elements, such as headers, footers, buttons, forms, search bars, etc. Hence, creating an intuitive UI for users to interact with is something that a front-end developer does.
Why Become a Front-End Developer?
Whether it’s an MNC or a startup, every organization out there wishes to build good web applications and creative websites so that they can increase their engagement and retention of their product through intuitive websites. Thus, the role of “web developer” stands out as the most promising and highest-paying position, as indicated by Mondo’s annual Tech and Digital Marketing Salary Guide.
With the growing dependence on digital platforms, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also predicts a 15% increase in demand for web developers by 2026 in the U.S. According to LinkedIn, the demand for front-end developers in India is expected to grow by 25% in just 10 years, which is faster than the average of all occupations. Not only this, but the average salary of front-end developers has increased by 20% in the past year.
In terms of growth and demand, this profession is booming. So, if you are interested in creating an intuitive UI for websites, this profession can be best suited for you.
Front-End Developer Job Description
The best way to comprehend the roles and responsibilities for any job role is to go through the job description available on the job boards. We went through a couple of job descriptions highlighted below to compile the list of critical front-end developer responsibilities.
Below are some of the roles and responsibilities that front-end developer developers have to perform.
- Design and implement the functional techniques and principles of web design
- Create codes that are reusable in the future
- Define the right balance between functional and aesthetic design
- Enhance the speed and scalability of the website
- Monitor the performance of the website and fix usability problems
- Creating codes that can also be used in the future
- Develop tools and features that enhance customer experience
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Front-End Developer Skills
After going through multiple job descriptions, we realized that front-end developers need mastery over certain web development languages as well as development tools. Let’s have a look at front-end development programming languages as a technical must-have for starters.
Front-End Developer Languages
The viable programming languages for front-end developers at the current time are listed below:
1. HTML
HTML stands for Hyper Text Markup Language. HTML is used for defining the design of the website, designing the layout, and crafting a suitable structure for it. It is highly recommended for any front-end developer.
2. CSS
CSS stands for cascading style sheets. It is used for the creation of visually appealing websites. With the help of CSS, you can maintain and update the design of your website. Both HTML and CSS are the most used languages by front-end developers.
3. Vue.js
Vue.js is an open-source front-end JavaScript framework that is used for creating UI and single-page applications. This framework is used for building projects that demand quick delivery.
4. JavaScript
It is the only language that can be used for front-end as well as back-end development. JavaScript is used for communicating between the front end and the back end.
5. jQuery
This language makes use of JavaScript libraries for carrying out various functions such as HTML traversal, event handling, various animations, document manipulation, etc.
6. React
React uses a JavaScript framework and is used in big web applications such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, etc. React is very important when it comes to developing modern-day websites, want to know why? Read our comprehensive article on Why Use React in Web Development.
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7. Angular JS
Angular JS is used for creating single-page web applications and attractive visual designs.
The most commonly used front-end development tools are as follows:
Git is a version control system that allows developers to track the changes made in a file and collaborate with other developers on a codebase.
Chrome DevTools is a set of web development tools built into the Google Chrome browser. It provides a range of features for front-end developers, such as a visual debugger, source code editor, console, network inspector, and more.
Sass is a preprocessor that helps developers write more efficient and modern stylesheets.
Visual Studio Code is commonly known as VS Code, which is a source code editor developed by Microsoft for Windows, Linux, and macOS.
How to Become a Front-End Developer: A Step-by-Step Roadmap
We live in the era of full-stack professionalism. Today, when it comes to job roles, it’s not just about mastering one skill; you have to generalize yourself over other related domains as well, for example, full-stack developers. These professionals have technical know-how about both front-end and back-end technologies. So compared to that, becoming a front-end developer is not a difficult undertaking.
If you follow the roadmap highlighted below, we believe that you will be able to become a front-end developer within a year.
Step 1: Start with the Basics of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
The very first step is to learn the basics of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. HTML is the skeleton of a website. It means that using HTML, you can create the basic structure of your website. CSS will help you style your website for visually appealing and user-friendly websites. JavaScript will help you make your website dynamic and interactive.
You can learn HTML, CSS, and Javascript from various sources available online. Also, you can go for front-end course certifications, which will guide you to becoming a front-end developer from scratch.
Step 2: Learn JavaScript Framework
Once you are done with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, you need to learn at least a few web development frameworks, such as React.js, Next.js, Angular.js, etc. The JavaScript framework is a collection of ready-to-use functions, libraries, and tools that make it easy to create dynamic and interactive websites. These frameworks help in organizing, reusing, and maintaining code.
Step 3: Learn the Version Control System
One of the mandatory skills is knowledge of version control. Let us first understand the meaning. Version controls help in maintaining records of the changes or modifications (addition or removal) made in the code. Version control can be used to create either a repository or a copy of work. If you are skilled in version control techniques, it adds value to the team as the web development process is sped up.
Git is a majorly used tool for version control by many software development companies, here’s a learning resource to learn what is git and how you can use it.
Step 4: Understand Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)
Application Programming Interfaces are important components of software development that allow different applications or systems to communicate with each other. They provide a standardized interface for various software components to connect, share data, and conduct activities. An API is a collection of protocols, routines, structures, and tools that enable software components to interact with one another.
Step 5: Build an Online Portfolio
Now is the time to showcase your skills by building your portfolio. A well-designed portfolio can help you stand out from the crowd. It will help you demonstrate your expertise in a particular field.
You can simply create your portfolio using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and any framework like React.js. Additionally, it could be good to add contact information, the latest resume, and any relevant certifications or training.
Step 6: Prepare for the Interview, and Ace Your First Job
Once you have acquired the essential skills, start preparing for the interview. To do so, start practicing the concepts of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, frameworks, and the projects you have created. Remember, in most of the front-end developer interviews, they will ask you questions about JavaScript and the frameworks. So try to practice as much as you can on these particular topics.
Remember, before you appear for an interview, make sure to do thorough research about the company you are applying for. Now you are ready for your first job.
Front-End Developer Jobs
Professionals in this field have several job profiles that they can apply for. Some of those include:
- Front end developer
- Front end engineer
- HTML or CSS developer
- Front-end web designer
- Tablet or mobile front-end developer
- Front-end SEO expert
- Front-end accessibility expert
There are 16000+ jobs available for front-end developers in India, and more than 49000+ vacancies in the United States, as per the jobs listed on LinkedIn. These numbers could be much higher if we consider other job boards.
Source: LinkedIn
Now, let us check out the compensation of these professionals.
Front-End Developer Salary
The front end developer salaries range based on multiple factors such as the company they work for, their position in the company, geographical location, and others.
According to Glassdoor, the salary of a front-end developer in India ranges from 4 to 10 lakhs per annum. With a few years of experience, you can easily earn up to 17 lakhs per annum as a lead front-end developer.
On the other hand, according to Glassdoor, the salary of a front-end developer in the USA ranges from $62,000 to $97,000.
Source: Glassdoor
Conclusion
This blog has shed light on various topics related to front-end development and the professionals building or aspiring to build a career in it. The domain has evolved and will continue to remain a popular career choice in web development. We also learned about the various skills and steps involved in becoming a front-end developer. Considering that the future scope for web development is brighter, you should follow the suggested roadmap and become a skilled front-end developer.
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FAQs
How long does it take to become a front end developer?
Everyone’s learning journey is different. Give yourself at least four to six months to learn the fundamentals of front-end development, such as creating websites. Your next move is to go on to more advanced concepts like frameworks or preprocessors.
Is it hard to learn front-end development?
In front-end development we have to look out for client-side features of websites, which is generally done with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Even though learning front-end programming languages is easy, often you will feel like giving up due to errors and demands.
Does front-end require coding?
If you want to be a successful front-end developer, you will have to master coding with HTML and CSS. As for building websites, you need HTML for layout and CSS for styling which comes under front-end developer job description.
Is front-end enough to get a job?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), about 19,000 web developer job openings, on average, will be available each year from 2022 to 2032. That’s a good sign if you are going to become a front-end developer, as now companies are relying more on interface-based technologies.
What is the salary of a front-end developer?
According to Glassdoor, the salary of a front-end developer in India ranges from 4 to 10 lakhs per annum. On the other hand in the US, it ranges from $62,000 to $97,000. They are well-paid, and can go much higher if they keep upgrading their skills.