If you’ve always been interested in web development, you may be wondering whether it’s too late to get started. While it’s true that it takes time to learn, there are plenty of resources and opportunities available.

Web developers don’t usually need a formal education to land an entry-level position. However, some employers prefer candidates who have a relevant degree.

You don’t have to be young

As a web developer, you can work on any part of a website or app, including its layout, design and the way users interact with it. You may work on a front-end (client-side) or back-end (server-side).

While a 4-year college degree can help, it’s not necessary for a career in web development. Instead, there are many ways to get started without one, such as going to a coding bootcamp or joining programming Meetup groups and tech recruiters.

Keeping your web development skills up-to-date is also essential for this career path, as you will need to learn new technologies and programming languages that evolve with the industry. Employers expect you to be a savvy user of the latest tools and systems, and to have access to relevant training.

You don’t have to be rich

Web developers create websites that help people connect with businesses, organizations and services. They do this through building functions that allow a person to contact them, sign up for a newsletter or make a purchase.

They also build sites that are aesthetically pleasing and easy to navigate for their users. They may also be responsible for developing a site’s back-end, which includes server-side programming, databases and cybersecurity.

As a web developer, you might work in an agency or tech organisation or you could freelance. Either way, you’ll need to know how to code in multiple languages and keep up to date with new developments.

One of the best things you can do to become a web developer is to take a coding bootcamp. These programs provide a comprehensive learning experience and develop job-ready skills in as little as 12 weeks.

You don’t have to be a computer whiz

Web developers use a variety of languages and tools to create websites, apps, and other content for the Internet. These include HTML, CSS, PHP, Java, and JavaScript.

Some programmers specialize in Front End (user-facing) or Back End (server-side) development, while others may be proficient in both. These professionals are called Full Stack Developers.

A good way to get started is to take a web development boot camp or online course. These programs teach you beginner web development skills and help you build a portfolio that employers can see.

Regardless of your path, you should keep in mind that becoming a web developer doesn’t happen overnight. You need to make it your mission to learn all the technical and soft skills you’ll need to succeed in this career.

You don’t have to be a perfectionist

While some people may feel that you need to be a perfectionist to become a web developer, this is not true. The skills required are very basic and can be picked up by anyone who is interested in learning to code.

The main requirements are a good understanding of HTML and CSS. Then you’ll need to know a few popular languages like JavaScript and Bootstrap.

Once you have a firm grasp on these basics, there are many ways to continue your education in order to progress up the career ladder. You can specialize in a frontend or backend developer, depending on your preferred technologies.

It’s easy to get stuck in the trap of trying to perfect everything before you put it out there. That can be harmful to your productivity and cause you to procrastinate on tasks that should be done immediately.