Discover How to Learn Web Building from Scratch

Learning web building from scratch can be a daunting task, but with the right approach, it's definitely achievable. You can start by understanding the basics of HTML and CSS, the building blocks of the web.

HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is used to create the structure and content of web pages, while CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is used for styling and layout. You can learn these skills by following online tutorials and coding boot camps.

One of the best ways to learn web building is by building small projects, such as a personal website or a simple landing page. This will help you apply your new skills in a practical way and see the results of your work.

The web is built with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, which are the fundamental languages you'll need to learn.

HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language and is used to create the structure and content of web pages.

You can start building web pages by writing HTML code, which is a series of tags and attributes that tell the browser how to display the content.

CSS, or Cascading Style Sheets, is used to control the layout and visual styling of web pages.

It's essential to learn the difference between HTML and CSS, as they serve different purposes in web development.

JavaScript is a programming language that adds interactivity to web pages, allowing users to engage with websites in a more dynamic way.

To get started with web building, you'll need a text editor or an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) to write and edit your code.

Familiarize yourself with the basic syntax and structure of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to build a strong foundation in web development.

Choosing a CMS is a crucial step in building a website. A CMS, or content management system, makes it possible to change the content on a website without needing to know how to code.

There are different types of CMSs, including Git-based CMSs, which are ideal for managing sites where you want every user to see exactly the same messaging and content. A Git-based CMS acts as a layer between your Git repository and the content editors.

Learning to use Git is the second step on your journey to learning web development, so Git-based CMSs are great choices for beginner web developers because they allow you to work with tools you're already familiar with.

Choosing a CMS that is easy for non-technical editors to use is crucial. By choosing a CMS like CloudCannon, you can provide your editors with a flexible interface and all the tools needed to build new pages themselves.

A CMS is easier to use than coding "by hand" or "from scratch", and it often has tools for hosting the site, creating your website, storing user information, and more. For example, WordPress has over 65% market share, making it a popular choice for website builders.

Your CMS is often used for ecommerce and blogging, but it's useful for all types of websites. A CMS provides the building blocks (like plugins and add-ons) and lets you create the structure with your code.

Popular content management systems include HubSpot, Joomla, Magento, and WordPress.

Building a website involves several key components. You'll need to build the back-end of your website, which handles the data that enables the functionality on the front-end.

The back-end is made up of two key components: databases and servers. Databases store, organize, and process data so that it's retrievable by server requests, while servers send, process, and receive data requests, acting as the intermediary between the database and the client/browser.

To build your website's back-end, backend developers will establish three things: your logic code, which sets the rules for how your website responds to requests and how objects interact; your database management, which organizes, manages, and retrieves data; and your infrastructure, which determines how your site will be hosted.

If you're storing user-entered information, you'll need a back-end to save and persist that data. Even a simple task like logging in requires a back-end to remember your login information and profile settings.

Having a portfolio site is crucial for web developers, and it's recommended to build one to showcase your work. This will make it easy for potential employers or clients to see your skills in action.

You can put your portfolio site on your CV, GitHub account, and professional LinkedIn profile, making it easily accessible to those who want to check out your work. Your portfolio site should be professional and visually appealing.

To start reaching out to potential employers, you can begin by applying to web development jobs on popular job boards. Freelance web developers can also use platforms to find clients.

As a freelance web developer, it's essential to have a growth mindset and be willing to learn continuously.

Creating a sitemap is a crucial step in building a website. It gives a developer the information needed to meet your vision.

A sitemap is not to be confused with sitemap.XML, which is an XML file that helps search engines crawl and find your site. You can create your sitemap on your own or work with your developer(s).

To create a sitemap, start by thinking about the individual pages you want on your site. Consider what content will be on those pages and how you can organize them into categories. A good sitemap will also help you determine the hierarchy of pages on your site and how they will link together.

Here are some key considerations to keep in mind:

It's a good idea to consult with other teams within your organization, especially if you have an SEO and/or content strategy team. Their input will be critical in the linking structure and categorizing of your pages.

Acquiring a domain name is a crucial step in building a website. Your website will have an IP address, but it also needs a memorable website name that your visitors can use to find your site.

Domain names are unique, so make sure the one you want to use isn't already in use. You can check this by looking at sites like GoDaddy and Hover, which help you purchase a domain name and register with ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers).

Most domain registrations are good for a year before you're required to renew. Website builders and hosting services, like WordPress and Squarespace, also allow you to purchase a domain name.

Learning to code is a fundamental step in web building, and it's essential to understand the basics before diving in. HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are the foundation of any web developer's knowledge, and learning HTML and CSS is crucial for any number of job roles.

You'll also need to become familiar with programming languages like JavaScript, SQL, and Python, as they're essential for web development. JavaScript is the most widely used language, with 75% of respondents citing it in a recent BrainStation Digital Skills Survey. SQL is used for managing and querying data in databases, while Python is useful for data science applications, including machine learning.

To get started, focus on building experience with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and SQL. You can also start exploring other programming languages and tools like Git, which is a version control software that helps you track different versions of code.

Coding is a way of writing code for servers and applications using programming languages, which have their own vocabulary and grammatical rules for communicating with computers.

These languages include special commands, abbreviations, and punctuation that can only be read by devices and programs. All software is written in at least one coding language.

Languages vary based on platform, operating system, and style, and they fall into one of two categories: front-end and back-end. Front-end and back-end are the two main categories of coding languages.

A full-stack developer is someone who has expertise in both the front and back-end.

Developing your skills as a web developer is a continuous process, and it's essential to start with the basics. Learning HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is crucial for any web development project.

To begin, you'll want to familiarize yourself with static site generators (SSGs) like Eleventy, Astro, and Hugo. These tools can help you build faster-performing static websites.

You should also spend time learning about popular UI frameworks like React, Svelte, and Vue. This will enable you to build interactive components to embed within your static web pages.

As you progress, you'll need to develop a greater understanding of backend web development to build dynamic sites. This involves learning server-side languages like PHP, Python, or Ruby, and working with APIs and frameworks like Next.js, GatsbyJS, and Nuxt.

To gain hands-on experience, start building projects that challenge you and help you develop your skills. Focus on technical skills like programming in SQL, using the jQuery library, and working with tools like Git for version control.

Here are some essential programming languages to learn:

In addition to these languages, it's also beneficial to learn about responsive design, which ensures a website responds to different screen sizes and platforms. This is crucial in today's mobile-dominated world.

Ultimately, the key to success as a web developer is to stay up-to-date with industry trends and continuously develop your skills.

Front-end development is all about creating the visual and interactive elements of a website or software. Front-end developers focus on the client- or user-facing side of websites, programs, and software, designing and developing the visual aspects, including the layout, navigation, graphics, and other aesthetics.

Front-end developers aim to build interfaces that help users reach their goals, which is why they often have a hand in the user experience aspect of their projects. This involves understanding how users interact with a website or software and designing an interface that is intuitive and easy to use.

Some popular front-end web development languages include HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. These languages form the backbone of web development and are essential for building interactive web pages. With a grasp of these basics, you can begin building and gaining experience using an ever-growing set of web developer skills.

Python is a versatile and more beginner-friendly programming language known for its readability and simplicity. It's a great choice for back-end development, especially for tasks like database management and handling HTTP requests.

Python offers a wide range of frameworks, such as Django and Flask, that simplify back-end development tasks. These frameworks make it easier to focus on building a great user experience.

With Python, you can use its extensive libraries and frameworks to create efficient and scalable back-end systems. This is especially important for Front-End Developers who need to program the screens that users interact with.

To get started with Python, you can start by learning its basics and then move on to more advanced topics, such as using the Django or Flask frameworks.

Learning HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is the backbone of web development, and it's essential to master these languages to become a proficient front-end developer. HTML is the language that provides the structure and content of a website, while CSS is responsible for styling and layout.

HTML is the backbone of any web page, providing semantic structure and defining elements such as headings, paragraphs, images, and links. You can learn HTML by using interactive online tutorials, courses, and coding bootcamps, which are excellent resources for beginners.

CSS is the meat of a website, responsible for styling the visual appearance and creating responsive web pages that adapt to different screen sizes. With CSS, you can customize colors, fonts, layouts, and other design elements.

JavaScript is a programming language that adds interactivity to a website, allowing users to interact with a website and play videos, expand or minimize images, and more. You can learn JavaScript by using interactive online tutorials, courses, and coding bootcamps.

Here are some free resources to help you learn HTML, CSS, and JavaScript:

Mastering HTML, CSS, and JavaScript takes time and practice, but with persistence and dedication, you can become proficient in these languages. Remember to take notes, research errors, search for answers, and communicate your problems to other developers.

Here are some key programming languages to focus on:

These languages form the basic tools involved in virtually all aspects of web development.

HTTP is a set of rules that defines how messages are sent over the Internet, allowing clients and servers to communicate with each other.

It's essentially the translator between you and the Internet, reading website requests and translating them into a website that you can see.

HTTP provides a framework for the client and server to speak the same language when making requests and responses over the Internet.

This protocol is what connects our website request to the remote server that houses all website data.

jQuery is a fast and lightweight JavaScript library designed to simplify HTML manipulation and event handling.

It's a game-changer for front-end development, making it easier to create interactive web pages.

jQuery provides a variety of functions and methods to select elements, which is a huge time-saver when working with complex web applications.

This library is compatible with all modern browsers, ensuring that your code works seamlessly across different platforms.

With jQuery, you can simplify cross-browser development and focus on creating a great user experience.

Ruby is a popular choice for web development projects due to its elegant syntax and extensive ecosystem.

Its association with the Ruby on Rails framework provides a structure for building robust and scalable web applications.

The Ruby on Rails framework allows developers to build web applications quickly and efficiently, making it a great option for projects with tight deadlines.

Ruby's simplicity and readability also make it a preferred choice among developers who value ease of use and maintainability.

The Ruby on Rails framework is particularly well-suited for building complex web applications, thanks to its ability to provide a structure for organizing code and managing dependencies.

Developers who choose Ruby for their projects can expect to have access to a wide range of tools and libraries that make development faster and more efficient.

Java is a versatile and widely-used programming language known for its platform independence and scalability.

It's no surprise that 27 percent of respondents use Java, making it one of the most popular coding languages.

Java is commonly used for building enterprise-level web applications that require high performance and security.

With Java frameworks like Spring and Hibernate, building complex back-end systems becomes easier.

Despite its popularity, 33 percent of respondents still checked "Other" when asked about programming languages, indicating that while Java is a favorite, there's still room for other languages.

A good Front-End Developer writes working code that has been tested for correctness, in the time allocated, following accepted best practices.

According to BrainStation's Digital Skills Survey, 50 percent of executives say they will be doing the most hiring in development, making it a highly sought-after skill.

Writing working code that can be easily maintained and enhanced is crucial, as it allows developers to continuously improve their knowledge and skills throughout their career.

Companies are looking for developers who can collaborate with their team and deliver results in a fast-paced world where computers bring productivity and efficiency to reality.

To stand out as a Front-End Developer, you need to continuously improve your knowledge and skills, following the definition of a good developer: writing working code, testing for correctness, and following best practices.

Back-end development is what happens behind the scenes, making sure everything works properly. Back-end web developers work on servers, operating systems, APIs, and databases, managing code for security, content, and site architecture.

They collaborate with front-end developers to bring their products to users. Back-end developers are the ones who make sure everything runs smoothly, allowing front-end developers to do their job.

Some common back-end web development languages include SQL, Python, and Node.js, which is a JavaScript runtime that allows developers to run JavaScript code on the server side, opening up opportunities for full-stack JavaScript development.

The back-end of a website or application is the digital infrastructure that you don't see when you use the Internet. It's the behind-the-scenes work that makes everything function smoothly.

There are more back-end coding languages than front-end languages. This is because browsers, which are at the front-end, only understand a limited number of languages, such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. But a server, which is at the back-end, can be configured to understand many more languages.

The back-end is often made up of complex systems and networks that work together to provide services and functionality to users. This can include databases, APIs, and other technologies that are used to store and manage data.

Node.js is a JavaScript runtime built on Chrome's V8 JavaScript engine, allowing developers to run JavaScript code on the server side.

It opens up opportunities for full-stack JavaScript development, making it ideal for building real-time applications and APIs. Node.js is highly scalable and efficient.

Back-end developers need to have a solid understanding of databases, server management, and web security, in addition to their language proficiency, to work with Node.js.

Full stack developers work in both the front-end and back-end sides of a website, creating a website, application, or software program from start to finish.

This role is often sought after by companies looking to build or update their websites because full-stack developers require years in the field to build the necessary experience.

A full-stack developer's all-around knowledge helps them optimize performance, catch issues before they occur, and help team members understand different parts of a web service.

This comprehensive skill set is typically covered in a full stack developer course, which is a great way to begin if you want to be well-versed in all things web development.

Planning and Preparation is a crucial step in the web building process. It's much easier to create a roadmap at the beginning of the process than reverting your progress at a roadblock.

Before you start building your website, you need to connect with your teams and personnel across your organization to develop a plan. This involves answering questions like what is the goal of your website, who is your audience, and what type of website are you building.

To ensure your team is on the same page, make sure to chat with members of your web development, marketing, and financial teams to determine your priorities and make informed decisions. Answering the questions requires interfacing with these teams to determine your priorities and make informed decisions.

Here are some key components to consider when planning your website:

Understanding security is crucial for effective web development. You must grasp the basics of web security to protect your websites from threats.

HTTPS matters, and it's essential to understand why. It ensures that data transmitted between the user's browser and your website is encrypted, preventing hackers from intercepting sensitive information.

Cross-origin resource sharing (CORS) is another key topic to grasp. It allows web pages to make requests to a different domain, but it can also be exploited by hackers to steal data.

OWASP provides a cheatsheet to help you identify common web application security risks. This is a valuable resource to have in your toolkit.

Content Security Policy (CSP) is a security feature that helps prevent cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks. It allows you to define which sources of content are allowed to be executed within your website.

Here are some key security practices to keep in mind:

As a developer, it's essential to stay up-to-date with the latest security threats and best practices. This will help you protect your website from malicious actors and ensure the security and integrity of your users' data.

Forming a plan is a crucial step in creating a successful website. It's much easier to create a roadmap at the beginning of the process than to revert your progress at a roadblock.

To start, you need to connect with teams and personnel across your organization to develop a plan for your website. This involves answering questions such as: What is the goal of your website? Who is your audience, and what do you want them to do on your website? What type of website are you building?

Here are the essential questions to consider:

Answering these questions requires interfacing with your web development, marketing, and financial teams to determine your priorities and make informed decisions. It's especially important that your entire team is on the same page, so be sure to chat with members of your team you need to work with to make sure there's a sense of connection there.

Following best practices is crucial in software development, as it allows you to build on the knowledge and experience of others. This saves time and improves the overall quality of your code.

Writing software is a complex process, and there's a rich history of many minds thinking about the best way to solve common problems. A good developer learns the best practices of their company and applies industry-wide best practices.

Industry-wide best practices are like a foundation that you can build upon, giving you a common understanding with other developers. Company-wide practices are adapted from industry-wide practices and tailored to the specifics of your company's software domain.

Following industry-wide best practices saves time because problems don't need to be resolved, you can just apply existing solutions. This allows you to build on the shoulders of giants, as different developers contribute over time.

A portfolio is a must-have for any web developer. It's a professional website that showcases your work and skills to potential employers or clients.

Your portfolio should include a diverse selection of web development work, not every project you've ever worked on. This will help you stand out from the pack and demonstrate your versatility.

To make your portfolio truly unique, think about what makes you and your work stand out. Emphasize the web development skills that most make you stand out, and present your portfolio in a way that's visually appealing and easy to navigate.

Employers want to see more than just your work - they want to understand your thought process and how you approached problems. Consider framing each example as a case study, providing a narrative of your thought process and the problem you were trying to solve with the project.

Your portfolio should be accessible through your CV, GitHub account, and professional LinkedIn profile. This will make it easy for potential employers or clients to find and review your work.

Remember, a career in web development is all about continuous learning and growth. Don't be afraid to refine your portfolio as you gain new skills and experience.

Writing code is a precise process that requires attention to detail. Computers are extremely precise, digital machines that can't tolerate even the slightest deviation from what they expect.

To write code that works, a good Web Developer has to be meticulous and constantly scan code for anything that looks "off". They write clean code that is well-structured and uses tools to identify potential errors before the code runs.

Coding to convention is essential, as it helps ensure that code is written in a way that's easy to understand and maintain. Being browser-friendly is also crucial, as it ensures that code works across different browsers and devices.

Here are some key principles to keep in mind when writing code:

Writing code that works correctly is only the first hurdle. Code that doesn't work correctly is as useless as code that doesn't work at all, and potentially more dangerous.

To become a proficient web builder, you need to have a solid grasp of various skills and knowledge areas. HTML and CSS are the foundation of any web developer's knowledge, and learning these programming languages is crucial for any number of job roles.

You'll also need to learn JavaScript, which enables website functionality on both the front-end and back-end. Structured Query Language (SQL) is another essential skill, as it's used to manage, query, and manipulate data stored in a database.

Some other important technical skills for web building include proficiency in Git, a version control software, and knowledge of responsive design, which ensures a website responds to different screen sizes and platforms. Additionally, understanding user-centered design and user interface design can make you a more successful web builder, especially for front-end developers.

Learning new programming languages is essential for a Web Developer to move forward in their careers, and it's not just about knowing a few popular ones. According to a recent BrainStation Digital Skills Survey, JavaScript is the most widely used language, with 75% of respondents citing it.

Knowing how to code is at the top of the list of the most important web development skills, and Web Developers must have advanced programming skills, and be fluent in a number of programming languages and libraries.

The more experience Web Developers have under their belt, the more likely they are to work in full-stack development, and the broader their range of specialties. In fact, 58% of survey respondents said they've been working in development for five years or less.

Here are some key programming languages to focus on:

It's also essential to have a solid understanding of common design principles, including user experience design and user interface design, to be a successful Web Developer.

As a Web Developer, you'll be working with diverse teams, so it's essential to develop strong soft skills. This includes effective communication and interpersonal skills, which are crucial for staying on track and completing projects.

Effective communication is key, especially when working with multiple departments. Written communication skills are even more important for freelance Web Developers, who often work independently.

Problem-solving skills are a must, as a portion of every Developer's day involves debugging and maintenance. Web Developers earn a living by thinking critically and finding creative solutions to problems.

Time management is critical, as Web Developers are frequently tasked with multiple projects. Having excellent time management skills makes working with large teams easier, resulting in timely project delivery.

Analytical skills are also important, as good Web Developers are problem solvers who can work backward through a project to spot areas for improvement.