Front End Developer Skills:

Becoming a Front End Developer requires skills for building the front end, or user-side, of websites and web applications. While many Front End Developers have four-year computer science degrees, thorough coding knowledge and experience can also qualify a person for the profession without needing a college degree. Individuals can make themselves more marketable by demonstrating proficiency with skills in coding and programming languages like HTML, CSS, C#, JavaScript, and SQL, which are required for working in front end web development. Methods for gaining employment as a Front End Developer include getting certifications or possessing a portfolio displaying projects that may appeal to potential employers. Front End Developers usually work with Back End Developers, Designers, Project Managers, and Product Managers. In a nutshell, duties for Front End Developers include building, maintaining, and troubleshooting websites, applications, and computer software.

Front End Developers should also possess strong time management skills, the ability to communicate well with colleagues, and have business sense. Front End Developers can also find plenty of opportunities as independent contractors or freelancers, earning around the same as someone working full-time at a corporation or government agency.

What is a Front End Developer?

Becoming a Front End Developer involves building websites and applications using common front end web development languages. The front end of a website is what users see on their web browsers and is built using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other coding languages. 

Web development includes creating websites and apps from scratch. This means applying front end, back end, and full stack web development procedures. Front end development focuses on how a user interacts with a website while back end development concerns the functionality of that website within browsers like Chrome and Safari, for example. Full stack development combines both those functions.

Skills needed for becoming a Front End Developer can also qualify you for working as a Web Developer or Web Designer.

Read more about what a Front End Developer does.

Hard Skills

Front End Developers are responsible for building the front end, or client-side, of websites and web applications. Front End Developers can find work with major corporations, nonprofit organizations, small businesses, government agencies, and startups. Front End Developers must have skills in coding such as HTML, CSS, SQL, JavaScript, and JavaScript libraries and frameworks as well as strong abilities with front end web development and web design, good time management skills, and the ability to communicate effectively in a working environment. Skills for becoming a Front End Developer also afford opportunities with freelance or independent contract work that offers salaries comparable to what someone might earn working at a major corporation.

Front End Developers are also responsible for keeping websites and apps updated, creating prototypes from wireframes, and making sure those websites and apps are always accessible for users. You can find work as a Front End Developer or a Web Developer without needing to have a college degree. Having a background and experience in coding along with a strong portfolio that demonstrates your skills and knowledge would be helpful in getting you started in the profession.

Front End Web Development

Learning skills for becoming a Front End Developer requires front end web development training, which involves creating websites through writing code. The purpose of a web browser is to translate the coding that generates websites into what users see on their computer screens. Front End Developers write coding that affects what users see on browsers.

Front End Developers create websites using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. A Front End Developer uses HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) for constructing web pages by coding and marking content while CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) defines the style and look of that content by establishing the website’s layout. JavaScript coding adds interactivity, animation, and logic to web pages. 

Coding

Coding is what makes the Internet work. Code runs behind web pages and plays an integral role in how technology essentially runs the world. Businesses everywhere depend on computer technology for production, distribution, and commerce. There are various coding languages that facilitate Computer Programmers developing websites, apps, and digital software as well as analyzing data or creating machine learning algorithms.

JavaScript

JavaScript is one of the three main coding languages that Front End Developers must learn along with HTML and CSS. While HTML codes content within a web page and CSS controls the look and layout, JavaScript programs how a website operates by making the site interactive.

JavaScript is a front end programming language that facilitates interactivity within a website through a wide-ranging library and adaptable frameworks, which is why it is the most popular programming language used worldwide. 

Web Development

Web development involves several areas for building websites and web applications by applying front end, back end, and full stack web development procedures. Front end web development focuses on how a user interacts with a web site while back end development emphasizes the powering and functionality of that website within browsers like Chrome or Safari, for example. Full stack development combines both those methods.

Soft Skills

While possessing hard skills such as coding, design, or development are essential for a Front End Developer, having “soft skills” are also indispensable. Soft skills involve the ability to interact, understand, and work with coworkers and managers. Soft skills for Front End Developers are critical for getting work done effectively.

Front end web development requires good time management skills and the ability to communicate effectively in a working environment. The ability to empathize, think critically, and communicate with others are also vital for a Front End Developer being able to get work done efficiently.

Communication

A Front End Developer must be able to communicate effectively with managers, clients, and coworkers. Communication skills include, of course, being able to speak and write articulately but also using the various tools for communicating that are available in today’s world. Of course, there are smartphones that allow people to connect instantly with others as well as email, social media platforms like Slack, telecommunication platforms like Zoom, and instant messaging.

As a Front End Developer, possessing soft skills in communication are essential for succeeding at the job. 

Time Management 

Front End Developers typically work on time sensitive projects under varying deadlines. Therefore, effectively working as a Front End Developer does require strong time management skills.

The ability to juggle multiple schedules and assignments is crucial for any Front End Developer to be able to complete deadlines and get work done.

Self-Learning

Another soft skill that Front End Developers must possess is a constant desire for self-learning. It’s a good idea for Front End Developers to continually update their skills as well as keep up with the latest methods for working with technology.

Best practices are constantly changing in today’s perpetually evolving digital environment, so constantly learning new information is a career requirement. Front End Developers have options for finding full-time or part-time employment whether working on location or remotely. Many prefer the freedom of working freelance, which is also a viable option.

What Other Jobs Require These Skills?

Due to their versatility, web development and coding skills can provide you with several career paths. With these skills, you can become a Front End Developer, focusing on how a user interacts with a web page. Anyone new to web development can also find work as a Web Designer, which requires fewer technical responsibilities in a tech-related job that offers a good initial position for someone coming from a design background with knowledge in HTML and CSS looking to work in the tech industry.

Additionally, web development and coding skills can qualify you to work as a Back End Developer, which emphasizes the powering and functionality of websites working within a browser, or Full Stack Developer, which combines front end and back end roles. Other options related to finding careers related to front end web development include work as a Product Manager, Software Project Manager, Software Engineer, .Net Developer, and, of course, Web Developer. Positions similar to Front End Developers offer comparable salaries and interchangeable procedures but may use other coding languages. Learning programming languages like Swift, Objective-C, or Go as well as getting familiar with working in back end and full stack functions should appeal to potential employers.

Careers related to becoming a Front End Developer include Mobile App Developer, UI Designer, UI Engineer, and Software Engineer. Other work includes becoming Data Analysts, Data Scientists, or Machine Learning Engineers, which all involve working in data analysis, algorithms, and visualization.

Read more about other career paths related to Front End Developer careers.

Learn the Skills to Become a Front End Developer at Noble Desktop

People have several options for learning to become a Front End Developer, which include in-person and live online training courses, bootcamps, and certificate programs that provide real-time hands-on instruction. Noble Desktop offers several live online Web Development courses.

For example, with hardly any prior coding experience, an individual could complete the Front End Web Development Certificate and get headed in the right direction for their new career with training in how to build the user side of a responsive website. This course aims to keep class sizes small so that students can receive tailored advice and guidance from their instructors.

If you would like to learn about designing websites or email programs from coding with HTML, CSS, or JavaScript, you can train for the Web Design Certificate. In addition, this course will teach you how to build websites using WordPress.

If you would like to learn about more options for building websites or apps from scratch through skills in front end web development, Noble Desktop provides information on their Learn Front End Web Development page, which can guide you through learning about several options for becoming a Front End Developer, including what free resources are available and career advice.

Key Takeaways

• Becoming a Front End Developer demands skills for building the front end, or client-side, of websites and web applications.
• The front end of a website is what users see on their web browsers and is built using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other coding and programming languages. 
• Front End Developers can find work with major corporations, nonprofit organizations, small businesses, and government agencies.
• Front End Developers must have skills in coding that includes HTML, CSS, and JavaScript as well as JavaScript libraries and frameworks.
• Possessing skills with front end web development and web design can be the equal to having a college degree.
• Soft skills with time management and communication contribute to a strong working environment for Front End Developers.
• Due to versatility, web development and coding skills provide numerous career paths for prospective Front End Developers.
• Noble Desktop provides several options for learning how to become a Front End Developer, which include in-person and live online training courses, bootcamps, and certificate programs that provide real-time, hands-on instruction.