Is frontend development a safe career?

Is frontend development a safe career?

Companies often require various Frontend development skill sets, from backend JavaScript libraries to various CMS platforms and SEO requirements. It can be surprising how many different Frontend developer skills are necessary for these positions.

Given that no two frontend development job descriptions are alike, you may be left wondering: what skill sets do I require to become an effective frontend web developer? Additionally, how do I decide what type of Frontend developer I want to become?

That’s exactly the question we aim to tackle in this post.  Plus, you’ll discover how to acquire these skills and take action toward becoming a Frontend web developer.

Ready?

What Is a Frontend Development?

A Frontend web developer creates web designs using various coding languages (such as HTML/CSS and JavaScript). On any website, almost everything you see on the front end – from page layout to navigation menus – was likely designed by one of these skilled individuals.

Are you wondering how to become a Frontend engineer? Generally, the terms “developer” and “engineer” are interchangeable. 

Frontend vs. Backend

What sets frontend web development apart? As their name implies, frontend web developers focus on designing the “front” of a page or app (the client side), meaning what you see and can interact with. Conversely, backend developers use languages like Java, Python, and C# in the background or server side of things.

In essence, the front end is what users see when engaging with a website, while the back end explains how things function behind the scenes.

Frontend Development Job Roles

“Frontend developer” “Frontend development” and “frontend engineer” are the two most common frontend job titles, but other jobs exist that perform similar responsibilities and tasks. Here are some examples:

  1. Web designer: Frontend developer with professional design skills who may prioritize design over coding.
  2. Web developer: This term encompasses frontend, backend, or full stack (both ends) developers.
  3. UX/UI developer: Frontend programmer with interaction design abilities.
  4. WordPress Developer: A frontend developer experienced with the WordPress platform.
  5. Mobile Developer: An experienced front or backend programmer focusing on mobile apps instead of web pages and applications.

Frontend Development Responsibilities

Now that you understand what a frontend developer roles are , what are some common tasks and duties they accomplish? Some common duties and tasks might include:

  • Transforming static designs into functional web pages (i.e., when an artist provides you with the design and instructs you how to replicate it using HTML/CSS and JavaScript).
  • Enhancing the aesthetic and user experience (UX) of web or mobile apps to provide rewarding user experiences is key to success.
  • Identification, diagnosis, and resolution of performance issues
  • Collaboration with other departments/teams or clients to gather requirements, understand needs, and offer technical expertise and recommendations
  • Implementing new Frontend components and tools.
  • Testing and upgrading web and mobile applications
  • Ensuring interactions run smoothly (e.g., animations, scrolling)
  • Collaborating with backend software engineers, other frontend developers, designers, business analysts, etc., to get projects completed effectively
  • Making sure code adheres to accessibility and usability standards
  • Participating in the full development cycle from concepts and designs through deployment and launch

Are You Wondering If Frontend Development Is A Worthy Career Option?

Before you make any moves, you’re likely wondering: is frontend development that great of a choice for me? And if so, knowing if this field of work is in demand and what kind of salary I can expect is essential. Let’s dive right in.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for “Web Developers and Digital Designers” is projected to grow at an annual rate of 13% from 2020 until 2030 – higher than average growth among all occupations combined.

Frontend development skills are in high demand (and highly profitable). Not only that, but this career path offers plenty of flexibility as many work-from-home opportunities exist, and freelancers can work as Frontend developers as well.

Frontend skills are in high demand across various industries, so you’re sure to find something that resonates with your interests and talents.

Frontend development technologies used by popular tech companies

Since frontend development  job postings can vary so widely, it’s beneficial to focus on narrowing your focus. 

Here’s a brief look at some popular companies’ frontend tech stacks:

  • Airbnb uses React, Sass, CSS/HTML, and JavaScript
  • Uber utilizes Node.js and React
  • Shopify utilizes React along with TypeScript
  • Instacart utilizes React as well.
  • Unacademy utilizes React, Bootstrap, Node.js, jQuery, and HTML5, while eBay relies on JavaScript, Node.js, and ES6 programming languages.
  • Reddit utilizes JavaScript, jQuery, Node.js, React, HTML5, and Markdown for its Frontend developer requirements. If you could work anywhere, which companies would you pick? Search job postings to discover which frontend developer skills they typically request; then learn those to reverse-engineer your dream job!

What Coding Courses and Bootcamps Teach?

Let’s look at some increasingly popular developer bootcamps to see what they teach. My reasoning behind looking into coding bootcamps is that if someone spends thousands of dollars to learn frontend skills, the course better teaches industry standards.

FunctionUp is my primary example, their Frontend Development course covers frontend languages like 

  • HTML5
  • CSS3
  • JavaScript (ES6)
  • APIs
  • Version control through Git and GitHub

What Skills Do I Need to Become a Frontend Developer?

So now that you understand the most in-demand frontend skills, what should you start learning? Looking at job postings, coding bootcamps, company tech stacks, and expert insights can seem overwhelming at first glance, but let us simplify it down to what’s essential:

Based on all four elements of research above, here is the consensus: these are the essential tech skills required to become a frontend developer:

HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language):  HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) is the webpage’s standard language. Unlike programming languages like Python and Java, HTML describes what you see on a webpage (format, structure, layout). With just two to three weeks of study, on average, it should only take you some basic understanding of how HTML functions so you can start coding with it!

CSS (Cascading Style Sheets): CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) Work hand-in-hand with HTML (which is why it’s often referred to as “HTML/CSS”) to enhance websites beyond what skeleton HTML can achieve, adding color and life (e.g., layouts, colors, fonts).

JavaScript: JScript is the engine behind websites, providing them with functionality. With it, you can easily create games, animations, and scrolling effects. As predicted by 97% of website owners, learning this skill set will likely remain a core frontend dev requirement shortly. With its use on 97.6% of all websites worldwide, it’s an invaluable asset to master.

JavaScript Frameworks: JavaScript frameworks are collections of libraries (e.g., jQuery) that offer pre-written code to speed development. They’re like templates you can use, so you don’t have to write everything from scratch. Knowledge (or production experience) in JS frameworks like React is advantageous; React is an excellent starting point.

Version control software platforms: Git, Subversion, and Mercurial are popular version control systems real-world developers use to track code changes and collaborate. Git helps track changes quickly and accurately while ideal for working in teams.

Frontend Development Skills to Stand Out

It is great to start with the fundamentals but pick up some advanced Frontend web developer abilities to give yourself a competitive edge when job hunting. And it can (literally) pay off. As the dev manager from above notes, “If a job seeker can demonstrate more than just the core 3 (HTML5, CSS3, JS), they will likely come out ahead of their competition and be offered an offer with more money or receive an increase shortly after starting.”

Make yourself stand out by adding these Frontend web development skill sets!

One or Two (Or More!) Javascript Frameworks Choose some frameworks from this list: jQuery, React, React, AngularJS, Ember, and Backbone Vue.js.

Conclusion: You Have What It Takes to be a Front End Development!

Are you interested in becoming a Frontend web developer but unsure where to get the skills? 

FunctionUp provides access to our FrontEnd development bootcamp, providing all the knowledge necessary for success – everything from HTML/CSS to responsive web development, Git, or JavaScript all are covered here and more – everything you’ll learn will pave the way for the  field of work!

This comprehensive program will give you all the skillsets necessary for any Frontend web developer job offer. With FunctionUp, you can become a professional Frontend web developer starting as early as today! 

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