Getting started with web development basics
Learning about web development these days could prove to be a daunting task. This is due to the fact that there is more to learn these days compared to 15 years when I started off on web development.
The basics that are required of the modern web developer is essentially greater than the requirements needed of a web developer a decade ago as today’s developer is required to be competent at a variety of technological aspects such as JavaScript, HTML/CSS, Graphic Design, PHP and others which are essential towards being a good web developer.
HTML / CSS
As a beginner, it would be advisable for you to kick-off with HTML / CSS programming and grasp how they work together; there is a mountain of tutorials online that explain how to get started with this type of programming. HTML/ CSS can be very easily understood by most beginners; however it is important that you first learn to walk before you run. What you would want to do is to first create a simple static page, once you are able to do this, you could progressively move on to making or developing pages that are more responsive. This would primarily involve the use of CSS apart from some very small minor modifications using HTML and JavaScript or J-Query.
Basic Graphic Design for Websites
Once you are confident with your abilities with HTML / CSS, you may proceed towards working on your website design / graphic design work. Take your time and browse around for web templates and online stores for ideas on the most popular styles of design, and begin to build up your skills in your free time while you go through the hurdles of PHP/ SQL and JavaScript. Personally I use Photoshop for designing websites.
PHP Programming / MySQL Database
Learning a type of programming language will help you handle most technical website development jobs. Personally I would recommend starting with PHP programming and MySQL database. PHP can seem daunting at first but honestly once you get a few small pointers understood, it's very simple to use.
To extend your knowledge of how to do certain things in PHP, there is often a function already built in that will take most of the hard work out of your coding, these functions can be viewed at PHP.NET. You can learn PHP online along with how to use MySQL databases, you will need a hosting account from a Linux based web server, and using a web hosting company offering shared hosting with C-Panel is a good place to start.
Once you know the basics, you can try starting out building simple databases, then move on to Open Source software to understand how others create databases more efficiently. Personally I started out this way then moved on to OS-Commerce (not really used much these days) then Word press (which is still an essential program to understand when it comes to web development).
JavaScript
In addition to this, web development today is starting to critically require an advanced level of knowledge in JavaScript.
While there is a simple variant called jQuery which is important to understand for web design work, it's important to not limit yourself to jQuery only.
JavaScript currently runs a large amount of website features and is also the backbone for mobile apps development, something that is also needed more and more in website app development along with general websites.
My advice at this juncture would be to consider taking a short course in JavaScript to get started, as it will become fairly easy to understand with a little ‘education’, although it's a bit more difficult than PHP programming, they share some similar elements, A strategic move would be to jump straight into JavaScript as soon as you are confident with PHP / MySQL, or since PHP / MySQL is so simple to understand for someone who knows JavaScript, you could jump straight to this as it would provide you with the knowledge to master PHP almost instantaneously.
Further Learning
Following this, the above skills will help you in any further programming you will encounter and need in order to be competent at web development. Once you have mastered PHP and JavaScript, other programming languages will become far easier to master. The recommendation above is to assist new learners to establish a foundation to build yourself up so in a manner that will help you succeed with web design and development well into the future.
If you are aiming to start your own company or freelance, there are numerous universities that offer very low cost courses on digital marketing; and having an understanding of digital marketing would further solidify your position as a web developer as it would prove to be a great addition to the list of services that you are able to offer to clients. Having an overall idea of how SEO/ SEM works would enhance your market position by using it to build your own reputation online.
The path towards establishing a proper web design and digital agency is neither easy nor hard, but if it is of interest to you then pursue it wholeheartedly and secure all the knowledge that will make you credible. The most important thing to remember as an ‘endnote’ is “don't get lazy and stop learning!”, there is always something new for you to learn, and while you are in the mindset of acquiring knowledge, it's best to acquire as much knowledge as possible rather than taking wasting time on unnecessary breaks. Keep in mind that world of web development progresses rapidly and the moment you slack, you get left behind!
Article by Online Invent Web Development
