Once you’ve picked up the basics, you can practice your coding skills by looking at existing websites and trying to clone the layout and features you see. You’ll need other skills, too, but the same skill set required will vary from job to job. The other primary type of web development is backend development. The user doesn’t see a backend developer’s work, but it makes the website possible. The backend of a site includes servers, databases, backend logic, and APIs. You can find projects for other skills right below or visit our jobs page.
Your job may involve working with various departments within an organization. That makes soft skills such as time management, critical thinking, and teamwork vital for success in this field. While you may consider yourself a front-end developer, you’ll likely wear different hats on the job, such as graphic designer and programmer.
Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
Similar to CSS, the JavaScript library’s purpose is to simplify web development. Instead of adding multiple lines of code, you can get the job done with just one or a few. One of the best things about jQuery is that it has cross-browser support.
If you want to sell products on the internet a front-end engineer will need to bring together the clickable CTAs (Calls To Action) with back-end payment and ordering systems. Here are additional and specific examples that can inspire you to dive deeper and become a front-end developer. If you are working remotely now, know how to schedule and lead virtual team meetings and communicate the development work you are planning to do. A good front-end developer uses project tracking tools to track changes, demonstrate progress, and most importantly let their peers know why changes are being made and when. “A strong and effective front-end developer shows a determined focus and obsession on what users and customers need and want.
What is front-end development?
Other helpful skills include basic knowledge of search engine optimization (SEO). Many small business owners may not know about the significance of on-page SEO. As a front-end developer, you are in the unique position to help improve a site’s ranking frontend developer training by including the vital elements in your HTML code. That can extend your duties to optimizing media delivery and setting up website analytics. JQuery is an extension of JavaScript — it’s the most popular third-party library of prewritten code.
As a frontend developer, it’s helpful to have at least a basic knowledge of Bootstrap. There are many online courses and tutorials available but don’t dig in until you’ve developed a strong understanding of HTML and CSS. Bootstrap is a free collection of reusable pieces of code written in HTML, CSS, and (optionally) JavaScript. It lets developers quickly build fully mobile-responsive websites. You might have to use Node.js in your frontend developer job, so it’s a good thing to learn.
Front-End Developer Certificates and Courses
If you are a front-end developer, you need to communicate with your team. Lastly, the front-end engineer has and maintains high standards. They raise the bar for product excellence – speed, operational efficiency, security, reliability – and ensure that defects do not get sent down the line. The engineer never stops seeking ways to improve the product, or themselves. “A front-end developer is curious and this curiosity drives their ownership in the success and growth of a product.
Instead, just apply to job descriptions that meet your criteria. Start building maintainable JavaScript applications that can handle constantly changing data at scale. Discover not only how to create JavaScript-powered React applications, but how and why they work. This course dives deep into the tools and techniques you need to create custom web applications.
What makes a great front-end developer?
For example, Chart.js is a library that allows you to create charts and graphs for your website easily. JavaScript libraries and frameworks are tools that make JavaScript development faster and easier. If a website is doing more than displaying static information, it’s probably thanks to JavaScript. For example, you can use JavaScript to create a map that updates in real-time or to animate part of your website. Set the rate you want and enjoy a steady stream of income without the overhead.
For example, a developer might want to integrate weather data into their website. They could use an API that reaches out to a weather service and gets the data. An API (Application Programming Interface) allows an application or service to access a resource within another application or service. That means that you can update the web content on a portion of a webpage without reloading the entire page. They both provide reusable code, but the usage is a bit different. While HTML sets the framework and CSS defines style, JavaScript makes a website interactive.
Other Skills
General Assembly’s Front-End Web Development course equips complete beginners with the cutting-edge tools they need to build rich, interactive websites. Dive into essential programming languages, then round out your skill set with industry-relevant topics like responsive design, APIs, and version control. You’ll apply what you’ve learned to build a custom website from scratch.
- JavaScript can create time-based actions to display a sales banner during its availability.
- Understanding how to use various software development tools is a building block to a successful career.
- Since there’s no such thing as a website that doesn’t need to work on mobile anymore, understanding responsive design principles is a non-negotiable skill for a frontend developer.
- The best way to become a frontend developer is to learn everything you can about HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and related skills.
- These three languages are essential to anyone who wants to work in front-end development.
Many frontend developer jobs prefer or even require that you have a related degree. If you don’t have one, you’ll have to make sure your web development portfolio speaks for itself. The screening process is designed to evaluate your skills and give you a sense of the work we do with our clients. By screening every candidate and vetting every client, we ensure that Toptal maintains top-tier professionals in the network. Every client in our network understands our screening process, so when you’re picking up new work, you won’t need to do any traditional interviewing. A front-end developer creates websites and applications using web languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript that allow users to access and interact with the site or app.
Unlike JavaScript, it was designed to create enterprise-level applications. A front-end developer builds the front-end portion of websites and web applications—the part users see and interact with. You’ll find many online courses that teach the essential front-end development skills, such as Webflow University and LearnUX. There’s also no end of cheat sheets and YouTube videos to help you on your journey. Or you can put your education on the fast track by attending a coding boot camp. These programs are typically short and intense but focus on the skills that make you employable.
