When it comes to web development, there are so many things worth knowing about. It’s not just about writing lines code anymore. There is more than coding involved in developing a website, and you have to have a basic understanding of these other essential areas. From technical skills to soft skills, here are some of the things worth knowing about web development.
1- There are different programming languages out there.
The first thing you need to know about web development is that there are several programming languages out there. Some of the most popular programming languages include Python, Javascript, Java, C, C++, C#, and Ruby. Certain programming languages are very popular, while others are lesser-known. With a wide range of choices available, the language you learn will really depend on your preference.
Being familiar with one language can help you understand another as well. For example, learning Javascript at a young age can make it easier for you to learn Python later on. In addition, knowing how to write in one language can also help you develop an interest in learning another language.
2- Website design is a huge part of web development.
As mentioned above, web development involves far more than coding. You should also be familiar with the basics of graphic design and user interface design. These two elements are vital for creating something that people want to see. You don’t want to build a website only to find out it looks horrible when users visit it. Make sure that your web design is attractive and usable. Don’t forget to put a little effort into making your site visually appealing.
So, aside from programming languages, HTML and CSS are also important aspects of web development. Being able to use HTML and CSS effectively will allow you to create websites that look great but are still easy for people to navigate. They both help web developers make their sites interactive.
3- You need to be familiar with software testing.
Software testing isn’t only done after you’ve finished building your project. Before you launch your website, you must test it thoroughly to ensure everything works properly. There are different types of tests that you can perform on your website. The most common ones are unit tests, integration tests, and system tests.
Although software testing is known for being tedious, it has its benefits. For instance, this process ensures that your website functions correctly. If errors or bugs occur during the testing phase, then you’ll know what needs to be fixed before your website launch. Software testing can also prevent data loss, which could happen if you were to release a buggy product to the public.
4- Search engine optimization (SEO) is crucial to web development.
Search engine optimization (SEO) refers to techniques used to increase the visibility of a website within the results returned by online searches. This usually means getting higher rankings in search engines like Google, Yahoo!, and Bing. The higher you rank on search engines, the more traffic you’ll get.
Most people think that SEO is limited to using keywords and meta tags in your page titles. While those things do matter, they aren’t nearly enough to guarantee good SEO rankings. You have to take other factors into consideration such as your website’s code. Web developers who write code that makes sense for SEO purposes tend to rank better in search engines.
5- You need to know different web security practices.
As a web developer, you’re expected to know about different security practices as well. Most importantly, you need to know how to protect your website against cyber attacks. Hackers nowadays use various methods to break into websites. They could be trying to steal personal information, deface pages, or even delete them altogether.
To keep hackers out of your website, you’ll need to implement security practices such as SSL certificates, firewalls, and hashing. By doing so, you’ll be preventing hackers from accessing your sensitive data. In the EU, GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) requires all websites to implement these security features.
6- Problem-solving and communication skills are useful in web development.
Web development doesn’t just involve technical skills; it also involves soft skills such as problem-solving and communication. Sometimes, you may encounter problems while working on projects. Your ability to solve problems quickly and communicate with other team ms essential. Nowadays, it usually takes an entire team to create a website that’s attractive and functional. A web developer equipped with excellent problem-solving and communication skills can easily work with others and lead projects efficiently.
The Bottom Line
There’s no doubt that developing websites is one of the fastest-growing careers right now. However, being a web developer may require more skills than simply knowing programming languages. While it may be tedious to take your time in learning and honing all the necessary skills, having the right ones will open doors to opportunities and help you have a successful career in web development.
