10 Tips to become a better web developer

The web developer is one person who will never go out of a job. They are always held in high regard, and they will always have work. So if you are in the crossroads of life, and considering becoming a web developer, you can always choose to become one. However, web developers need to be aware of a lot of tips and tricks and perfect their skills to become one among the top. Every company is on the lookout for a productive web developer, so if you have a few aces up your sleeve, you will never run out of a job.

Whatever job it is, it is important to arm yourself with the mindset, skills and knowledge to stand out, to be the best in the crowd, so the focus will be on your work, and your skills. With the right skills and talents, you will never be elbowed out of the job, whether you are a freelancer, or a team player for a company. 

The tasks of a web developer

Of course, the job of the web developer is to build and maintain websites. They can choose to be either a freelancer or work in-house for a company. A developer can be:

  • Frontend developer – Code the frontend of a website; direct connection to the user
  • Backend developer – Working behind the scenes to ensure the technology functions well to power the frontend
  • Full stack developer – They are experts in both frontend and backend development

Here’s how you can become a better web developer

1.Curiosity and willingness to learn 

Interest in the job, of course. You cannot expect to stay on the job of being a web developer without being curious or having the willingness to learn. Web development is not an easy journey, so it is important to be motivated enough to try something new and succeed at it. 

2.Planning the project before diving in

Planning is the most critical aspect to any project. Without a place, it is not possible to yield good results, and you will land with disappointed clients, frustrated companies and disgruntled developer team. With a good website project plan, it would be easy to reduce risks, be aware of the project goals and objectives and manage the time and resources better. There are tools that would help you stay organised and be aware of roadblocks that are likely to happen during the course of the project. For example, tools like Writemaps help you create a website site map, Trello for creating a project board and collaborating with different members of the team and so on. 

3.Everyone likes a proactive person

In spite of proper planning, there could be bugs or roadblocks in the project that need someone with proactive competence to help analyse the problem, and find a solution. Proactive developers would earn the trust of their team and boost their credibility. When the developer is proactive, he would be completely professional, both in the eyes of the clients and with the boss. 

4.Identifying what interests you

If you are a full stack web developer, then you would be an expert at both front end and back end development. But if you enjoy design and visuals, then you are more of a front end web developer. If you prefer logic and problem solving, then backend development could be for you. But you cannot always really ‘see’ what you are doing, because all the information is stored in a server located somewhere in the world. This data would then be processed and sent to the browser. With front end development, you can see and interact with whatever is there on the browser. So analyse what really is your field of interest.

5.Ready to invest in yourself

A good web developer should be well-read, listen to webinars and podcasts on web development, experiment with new plugins and frameworks, be responsibly aware of social media and be ready to practice, practice and practice! Practice for hours with due diligence to become an expert and master the trade. So here investment is not made in terms of money, but knowledge.

6.Create business value, not just code

A web programmer has to produce lines of code that work well, but that’s not all. He is also responsible for going beyond the tasks that’s assigned for him. Attune yourself to what your company needs instead of just what you are asked to do. If you have the knack for identifying bad code, you will be able to analyse what’s good for the company, and what’s bad. Since web developers have problem solving skills, they will be able to provide valuable opinions that can turn the business around. 

7.Be open to criticism 

Your work may have to face solid criticism, even if you have facts to prove you are right. Sometimes, the other side may have a point too, so accept solid arguments when somebody expresses that. 

8.Cultivating discipline and commitment to work

A web developer should be productive, and for that there should be commitment and discipline. Create a work culture so good that others will follow suit. If you are a hard worker, don’t let that ruin your social life, because you cannot afford to be burned out. On the other hand, you need to manage your time, so you can be productive at the maximum and at the same time, enjoy a good time. 

9.Contribute to open source projects

The best part of being a web programmer is that when you are really good, people hear about you, so do your best and boost your credibility by contributing to the open source communities like GitHub, Automatic, Angular, Go and freeCodeCamp. 

10. Finally, stay active, both in body and mind

Being a programmer, it is only natural that you spend a good amount of your working time in front of the computer. If you are looking to recharge yourself and be more productive at work, you need to be outdoors, doing your favourite sport activity. Spend an hour walking/jogging/running/cycling/swimming or doing any sport activity of your choice and see the difference it makes in your work. 

Conclusion

Every website, and every piece of software that you see and use has been built by a web developer. The web development industry is enchanting and new things come out of it everyday. If you believe that web development is for you, and you definitely have a few tricks up your sleeve that can ace each project, then this job is definitely for you.   If you are thinking about a job change, or thinking about starting work as a web developer, now is the good time to plunge right in. 

The Covid 19 pandemic may have relegated a lot of other jobs to the background, but the web developer will always be in great demand. Technology will always be around, and websites and apps are omnipresent. With the pandemic, people are doing a lot of things online, more than ever before so there is always this demand for web developers who does their job flawlessly. With the rise and flourishing of remote work, there will always be a job for the best of you. So when you are brilliant at it, you will get the best remuneration in the industry. 

Interesting Links:

How to be an uncommonly good web developer?

What is a Web Developer?

Pictures: Canva


The author: Sascha Thattil works at Software-Developer-India.com which is a part of the YUHIRO Group. YUHIRO is a German-Indian enterprise which provides programmers to IT companies, agencies and IT departments.

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