The data doesn’t lie, companies can’t find web developers fast enough! The field is expected to see a 13% increase between now and 2028, making this the perfect time to hone your skills for an exciting new career.
But before you apply for that next exciting job, you’ll need to make sure you have the front end developer skills businesses look for.
Keep reading to learn about three key tools you’ll want to have in your toolbox as you look for web development work!
HTML
HyperText Markup Language is the backbone of all web-based communication experiences. First created in 1993, HTML dictates how a user sees web data.
If you were to right-click somewhere on this page and hit ‘see source’, you’d be able to see the entirety of this particular page’s HTML code!
While it might look like a bunch of gibberish, HTML is the golden standard for two reasons.
First, it’s become the industry standard. HTML5 has found its way into nearly every site you use, particularly if the sites feature media that would traditionally require a plugin like Flash or Silverlight. Through HTML5, web designers no longer have to incorporate these extra plugins — everything you need to incorporate multimedia functionality can be achieved through the code itself.
However, HTML is also the responsive web design language to learn. It’s often the first web developer language programmers learn due to its straightforward ruleset. Plus, you don’t need any special coding software to program with HTML — an application as simple as a text editor is a great place to practice!
CSS
Think of HTML and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) as the peanut butter and jelly of the programming world. HTML provides the base functionality for a website, while CSS focuses on the page’s aesthetic.
CSS determines a page’s color, image placement and sizing, font, and more. Essentially, if it’s a visual component, CSS plays an important role.
Like HTML, CSS is among the first languages you’ll learn. However, it can be a bit trickier to master than HTML, so we suggest practicing as much as you can.
WebSockets
In today’s era of content streaming, communication, and security concerns, WebSockets are a vital resource for a company’s front-end frameworks. Through the use of WebSocket APIs, businesses can give their customers a safe, fun, easy to use browsing experience.
The best way to understand the concept is to think about a chat application.
When you’re using a product like Facebook Messenger or Slack, a connection between both parties must be established. WebSockets allow the transfer of real-time data (instant messages, ‘…’ to indicate when a person is typing, etc.) so that the flow of data feels instantaneous.
With more businesses adding chat functionality to their websites, learning how to incorporate a traditional or an angular websocket could help you land your next great gig.
The Skills You Need to Become a Front End Developer
As a front end developer, you’re responsible for everything the user sees and interacts with. By focusing on HTML and CSS, as well as learning to incorporate WebSocket functionality, you’ll prove to be a fantastic candidate!
Don’t let the technical jargon scare you away, either. These are all skills that you can learn with a bit of practice!
For more tips on in-demand tech skills, be sure to check out our other great content.
