Anyone can become a web developer (yes, including you! 🫵) The only thing you need is a computer, the motivation to make the switch, and the in-demand web developer skills that employers look for in entry-level devs.
When thinking about web developer skills, most people think of hard skills — like coding languages and frameworks. While these skills will see you get the job done, they might not be enough to get you hired in today’s competitive job market.
Soft skills like communication, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence are equally important to developing your competency as a web developer.
Thinking about becoming a web developer in 2023? These are the 12 web developer skills you should learn 👇
Hard web developer skills
The technical skills you need to be able to call yourself a web developer.
1. Computer skills
“Computer skills” might seem like an obvious one — but all developers should intuitively know their way around a computer. This includes:
- Knowing how to install and manage apps
- Being able to distinguish the different types of file extensions like .png and .exe
- Knowing how to manage files
- Understanding how to troubleshoot internet connectivity problems
Once you start learning to code, you’ll also get to know command prompts to make bigger file changes and run programs.
2. HTML
HTML stands for Hypertext Markup Language. HTML tells your browser how to display user interface elements like graphics, links, fonts, and colors. It’s the foundation and structure of your website.
HTML is a fundamental technical skill that every web developer needs to have. Over 55% of developers have used HTML within the past year to build a website.
3. CSS
Cascading Style Sheets, or CSS, is a web language used to add design elements to HTML websites. CSS calls out specific elements in an HTML file and allows each to have a custom appearance. It’s how developers add colors, layouts, fonts, interactivity, and more to HTML.
CSS and HTML go hand in hand. You can think of CSS as the muscles and skin that go over HTML’s “skeleton” to create what looks like a functioning and appealing website. Without CSS, all websites would look the same based on your browser’s default style settings.
4. JavaScript
JavaScript, sometimes just called JS, is a scripting language designed to create dynamic web pages. Essentially, anything that changes on a website or app without you having to manually refresh the page is run on JavaScript. That includes animated graphics, fillable forms, photo slideshows, weather reports, and more.
JavaScript is the most commonly used programming language in the world and it’s one of the most in-demand skills in web development.
More than 65% of professional developers reported using JavaScript to build a website in the past year. It’s one of the most versatile programming languages you can learn because it can be used for frontend and backend development.
You can learn more in our beginner’s guide to HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
5. A frontend library or framework
The terms library and framework tend to be used synonymously. Essentially they are both reusable collections of prewritten code. They help developers create standard websites and apps more efficiently.
Libraries are smaller chunks of code that you can think of as individual tools. They make up only one aspect of a website or app. Frameworks are like blueprints or entire toolboxes for larger portions of a website or app. They’re templates of reusable standard code that you can use as the foundation of your website.
4 libraries and frameworks Frontend Developers Use:
- React ⚛️: React is the most commonly used JavaScript library. It’s used to create user interfaces. Over 41% of professionals used React to build a website in the past year.
- Angular 🔺: Angular is a structural JavaScript framework that allows developers to use HTML as a template language allowing dynamic applications to be built with smaller amounts of code.
- Vue 🍏: Vue allows developers to build user interfaces and single-page applications on top of HTML and CSS code.
- Svelte 🍊: Svelte is also used for building user interfaces similar to React and Vue, but it uses a different memory API.
6. Working with APIs
Application Programming Interfaces, a.k.a. APIs, are built-in to web browsers and web applications. They extend the capabilities of web browsers and web servers. Almost all social media applications have APIs that allow you to display the media hosted on their platform to any website.
Other examples of APIs include payment processors, weather reports, third-party log-ins, and travel booking apps.
3 Ways Frontend Developers Use APIS:
- Authentication 🔒: Frontend developers use API authentications to verify the identity of software users trying to access sensitive information.
- REST 🌐: Most Frontend Developers also use Representational State Transfer (REST) to architect networked applications.
- Promises 🙏🏻: Promises allow asynchronous programming in javascript. They essentially act as proxies for actions that will happen after the page loads.
7. Git and GitHub
Git is a standard version control system used by developers to keep track of the changes they’ve made while developing their code. Whether you’re working on a team, an open-source project, or a solo project, Git is what you’ll use to keep your work organized.
GitHub is a cloud-based version control website that allows developers to store, manage, and track changes to their code. GitHub is the most widely used version control system with over 90% of professional developers relying on it.
Soft skills
The interpersonal skills and traits that'll make you an attractive hire for development teams.
8. Problem-solving
To be a good developer, you need to learn how to think like a programmer 🤔.
Technical skills are important, but you can’t learn those skills without problem-solving. Alongside writing the original code, you also need to know how to test your code and debug it. Analytical skills, or lack thereof, can make or break your career as a developer.
9. Communication
As a developer, you’ll be working with other coders but you’ll also be working with less technical team members like designers, marketers, and project managers.
The ability to explain technical matters clearly and then listen to what your team members have to say will set you apart — and for good reason! It makes you better at the job. Coding is collaborative. This soft skill will come in handy for job interviews, collaborative meetings, and speaking to stakeholders during project planning.
10. Interpersonal skills
Web development is often hailed as a dream job for introverts — but almost all development jobs will see you to work on a team or for a client, which requires stellar interpersonal skills.
Read next: 9 Common FAQs about web developer requirements, answered
As a new developer, you often need to show your potential and prove you’re a good investment. That means managing time well, being receptive to feedback, being approachable and personable, learning to collaborate, and having a positive attitude.
11. Learning quickly
Technology is a fast-paced and constantly-changing industry. There will always be something new to learn — whether it’s a new codebase, a newly-released feature, or something you haven’t encountered in the vast world of programming yet.
You’ll also need to continually adapt to company changes, and quickly onboard with new systems and processes. Overall, becoming a developer means learning how to learn.
12. Getting hired
Getting hired is a skill that involves using LinkedIn, confidently holding your own in technical interviews, and job-hunting strategies. You’ll need to create a strong portfolio, build momentum through networking, and apply to dozens of jobs that you’ve sought out. It’s all about practice and persistence.
The good news is, according to our expert guests on The Scrimba Podcast, once you get your first job it gets easier each time.
Round up: The web developer’s skills pyramid
And that’s a wrap on our roundup of core web developer skills! To help you along your way, you can think about frontend web developer skills as a pyramid:
At the bottom of the triangle, HTML and CSS set the foundation for JavaScript. JavaScript is the prerequisite to building dynamic web applications.
You can look at JavaScript libraries and frameworks, APIs, Git, and Github as the components that make your job as a developer expand efficiently. Then, your soft skills are the whipped cream and cherry on top that makes you a great developer 🍒.
Despite the current economic climate, the opportunities for frontend developers are still abundant. Once you learn these foundational skills on a career-focused course like Scrimba’s Frontend Development Career Path, you could be on your way to a junior developer job within a year.