Introduction
I’m writing this article because many people—whether at my workplace or in my friend circle—often ask me how to get started in programming, specifically in web development. Since my expertise lies in web development, particularly frontend, I wanted to share my experience to help beginners find their path.
Web development has changed a lot in recent years. When I started, I focused on the basics—HTML and CSS—before moving on to JavaScript and PHP. But what surprises me is that many developers today don’t have a solid grasp of HTML and CSS. They rush through a crash course and assume they’ve mastered them, only to struggle later.
The key to learning web development is to not underestimate the basics. If you truly understand and implement HTML and CSS properly, they are easier than they seem.
Now, let’s talk about getting started in development and, more importantly, finding your interest in the field.
Choosing Your Path
The first step in getting started with web development is deciding which area interests you the most. Web development is a broad field, and you need to figure out where you fit in.
Here are the main areas:
- UI/UX Design – Focuses on designing the visual and interactive aspects of a website or app.
- Frontend Development – Involves building the user-facing part of a website using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
- Backend Development – Works on the server-side logic, databases, and APIs.
- Fullstack Development – Combines both frontend and backend development.
How to Find Your Interest?
A simple way to decide is by looking back at your school days:
- Were you more creative, enjoying art, design, or making things look good? → You might enjoy UI/UX or frontend development.
- Were you more logical, enjoying problem-solving, puzzles, or math? → You might prefer backend development.
- Do you like both creativity and logic? → Fullstack development might be a great fit! (Just like me! 😎)
Of course, this is just an assumption based on experience. You can always explore and see what excites you the most.
Where to Start?
Once you’ve figured out your interest, here’s how to get started in each area:
1. UI/UX Design
If you’re interested in UI/UX, start by learning design principles and using design tools like:
- Adobe XD – Great for creating wireframes and prototypes.
- Figma – A powerful, cloud-based tool for designing and collaborating on UI.
- Sketch – A popular tool for macOS users.
Understanding user experience (UX) is crucial because a good design is not just about looks—it’s about usability. Read about UI/UX principles, typography, color theory, and accessibility.
2. Frontend Development
If you want to become a frontend developer, master the core three:
- HTML – The structure of the web. Learn semantic HTML to write clean, accessible code.
- CSS – For styling and layout. Learn Flexbox, Grid, and responsiveness.
- JavaScript – Adds interactivity. Start with vanilla JavaScript before moving to frameworks like React.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Skipping HTML and CSS basics. Many developers struggle later because they don’t understand how the web actually works.
- Jumping straight into frameworks (React, Vue, etc.) without understanding JavaScript fundamentals.
3. Backend Development
If you prefer working with logic, databases, and APIs, backend development is for you. Start by choosing a programming language:
- JavaScript (Node.js) – If you already know JS from frontend, Node.js is a great backend choice.
- Python (Django, Flask) – Python is beginner-friendly and widely used in backend development.
- PHP – Still popular for WordPress and server-side scripting.
- Java, C#, Ruby, Go – Other backend options depending on your interest and job market.
Besides programming, you also need to learn:
- Databases – SQL (MySQL, PostgreSQL) or NoSQL (MongoDB).
- APIs – REST and GraphQL for connecting frontend and backend.
- Authentication – Managing user logins with JWT, OAuth, or sessions.
The Biggest Mistake Beginners Make
One of the most common mistakes is jumping from one thing to another without mastering the fundamentals. Many people watch a tutorial on frontend, then switch to backend, then get overwhelmed by databases, and finally say "coding is too hard".
The key is to pick one and stick with it until you are comfortable. Don’t chase trends—focus on building a strong foundation first.
Another mistake is learning without building. Watching tutorials won’t make you a developer. You need to build projects, even simple ones, to apply what you’ve learned.
Final Thoughts
Web development is not just about learning a language or a framework—it’s about solving problems and building things.
- Start by finding your interest—UI/UX, frontend, backend, or fullstack.
- Learn the basics first—HTML, CSS, and JavaScript (for frontend), or a backend language if that’s your focus.
- Stick to one thing before jumping to the next.
- Build projects—practical experience is the best way to learn.
In my next articles, I’ll go deeper into UI/UX, frontend, and backend development separately and link them below. Stay tuned!
