How to Become a Front-end Developer?

We may flip through a lot of websites on a daily basis, but many of us may not know who works to make our visits to these websites memorable or difficult. They are front-end developers, a few of the highest-paid professionals in this world. When user-friendliness has taken a front seat among the criteria while developing a portal, there is no wonder the demand for front-end developers will keep hiking globally. However, if you aspire to be a front-end developer, you not only need a degree or school certificate, but you must understand the fundamentals of front-end development and how the front end works. 

What is front-end?

Every application has two major parts where one part interacts with users, called the front-end, and the other is the backend, which makes things work. For example, the welcome page, menu, site map, and other elements that make navigation and utility easier are collectively referred to as the "front end." The user interface, the area of the website or app created specifically for the user's experience, is a component of the front end.

Why become a front-end developer?

Who doesn't wish to have a rocking career which is an amalgamation of creativity and hefty pay? According to Glassdoor, the average yearly salary for a front-end developer in the US is $86,178. A "typical" front-end developer can make $71,350 per year, according to Payscale. If you are in the middle of deciding on your career path, check out the reasons below that help you determine why you should be a front-end developer;

• Get hefty salary
• Easy to get work
• Flexible working hours 
• Remote work is accepted
• All big companies hire front-end developers
• Rapidly growing field ensuring bright future

Having mentioned that, if you desire a flourishing career as a web developer and if you have the urge to learn new tools and techniques, you can have a bright future in the field of front-end development. 

What Does a Front-End Developer Do?

As explained earlier, a front-end developer is responsible for developing the components that the user sees. Thus, he/she is the person accountable for the user interface. Moreover, front-end developers must convert the designs and wireframes into high-quality codes coordinating with UI deployments, release, and alteration processes. Finally, they need to optimize various application components for maximum performance across a variety of devices and browsers. Keeping it not limited to technical skills, they also need to be good in soft skills which make the co-ordination with colleagues smoother.  

How to Become a Front-End Developer?

Front-end developers are an integral part of any organization, and understanding their value, almost all big enterprises are investing in hiring front-end developers. They often work on a Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), which contains various stages of analysis, design, development, testing, implementation, documentation, and evaluation.

Let us check out what you need to know if you see yourself as a front-end developer in the long run. 

1) Learn HTML, CSS, and JavaScript:

The first thing you must learn is HTML, the standard markup language for creating web pages which helps you to make the structure using it. The next step should be learning CSS, which enables you to create your web pages with beautiful colors, fonts, and styles. Finally, as you have learned HTML and CSS, the next step should be to know Javascript to create dynamic and interactive web pages. 

2) Practice JavaScript and CSS frameworks and libraries:

Today, there are plenty of Javascript and CSS libraries which are all there with the motive to make web application development easier. Three of the most popular among them are React, Vue and Angular. So, pick a few of such widely used libraries and learn them thoroughly. 

3) Understanding of APIs (Application program Interfaces):

APIs have a critical role in communicating with the backend logic and databases. Thus, it is essential to know how to use APIs and manipulate them. 

4) Build an online portfolio:

Every company is fascinated by a rich portfolio, so having a mesmerizing one can give you an edge over your peers. Of course, not all your projects in a portfolio need to be clients' projects, but you can be innovative, use various tools and create something spectacular to show your skills. 

5) Develop Soft Skills:

As a front-end developer is a mediator who communicates with the client and the technical team, it is imperative to have verbal and written language competency. In addition, they need to have a good understanding of the client's requirements and thus must have an eye for details. 

6) Master Command Line:

A command line interface is a text-based user interface accessed by typing commands as prompts. Single-line instructions can perform many tasks. Having expertise in CLI enables the developers to troubleshoot, perform regular duties, and have better control over managing the application development process. 

More than all these, a front-end developer must be a life-long learner because the technologies and Google algorithm keep evolving. Not only this, but with changing times, the client's requirements also change, which brings the need to revamp the applications. A front-end developer has to be ready to adapt to the changes to meet the expectations for responsiveness and appearance. Here, we have noted how being a front-end developer is attainable with some basic technical knowledge and a knack for being in tune with the dynamic world.