Learning from others is the best path to self-growth, especially in a field as dynamic as web development. Here are five hard-earned lessons from my journey that I wish I'd known from the start.
1. Plan with Figma (or Any Design Tool) First
Early on, I would dive straight into coding, figuring I’d design as I went. Big mistake! Jumping into development without a well-thought-out design was a fast track to wasted time.
Using a tool like Figma lets you lay out everything: the fonts, color schemes, layout flow, and user experience. This foresight saves hours of code tweaks later. So, take the time to design before you code; it will help you build a more polished, user-friendly site.
2. You Can’t Memorize Everything
In web development, you’ll come across endless HTML tags, CSS properties, JavaScript functions, and React components. Trying to memorize everything is not only unrealistic; it's counterproductive. What’s more valuable is mastering the art of finding answers quickly.
Resources like MDN Web Docs, CSS-Tricks, and Stack Overflow are your best friends. And remember, Google-fu (the ability to search efficiently) is a crucial skill for developers. You’ll never have all the answers—but knowing where to find them is just as powerful.
3. Communication Skills Are as Important as Coding
Asking questions and collaborating are essential. When I started, I hesitated to ask questions, fearing it might make me look unskilled. In reality, asking for help or clarity shows you’re open to learning.
If something’s unclear, reach out to a colleague, a mentor, or even online communities. Collaboration is key to growth, and effective communication is an irreplaceable asset in any team setting.
4. Prioritize Accessibility Over Fancy Designs
With the rise of tools like Webflow and Framer, there’s been a shift toward highly stylized websites. However, many of these designs come at the expense of accessibility, and fancy layouts are only impressive if they’re usable by everyone.
Fancy fonts, small text, and complex navigation might look stylish, but if they’re inaccessible, they’ll hurt user experience. Accessibility is key for reaching a broader audience, including those with disabilities. Embrace web standards, focus on usability, and remember that simplicity often enhances functionality.
5. Learning Doesn’t Stop After That First Course
In the beginning, I would scour the web looking for the “best” course that would teach me everything I needed to know. Spoiler: no single course can cover it all! Web development is an ever-evolving field, and learning is continuous.
Courses are valuable, but they’re stepping stones, not final destinations. Invest in multiple resources, try new challenges, and stay updated with new frameworks, libraries, and trends. The best developers are lifelong learners.
These are the top lessons I’ve learned from my experience as a web developer. Hopefully, knowing these now will help you avoid some common mistakes and set you on a faster path to growth. And remember, the learning never stops—embrace every opportunity to grow! 🚀
That's all for today.
And also, share your favourite web dev resources to help the beginners here!
Connect with me:@ LinkedIn and checkout my Portfolio.
Explore my YouTube Channel! If you find it useful.
Please give my GitHub Projects a star ⭐️
Thanks for 32156! 🤗
Top comments (2)
Subscribe to my YouTube Channel if you find it helpful! Subscribing is free, and it will motivate me to stay active here. 😊
Thanks for sharing these valuable insights! Every lesson here resonates—especially the importance of planning with design tools and mastering 'Google-fu' instead of trying to memorize everything.
For beginners looking to build strong foundations, here are a few of my go-to resources:
MDN Web Docs:
The ultimate source for in-depth, well-documented guides on HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It’s perfect for establishing a solid foundation.
Frontend Mentor:
A fantastic way to improve design and coding skills with hands-on projects that mimic real-world challenges.
CodePen:
Great for experimenting with code snippets and quickly prototyping ideas. Seeing live results as you try new things is a game-changer.
JavaScript.info:
A thorough guide to JavaScript, from basics to advanced, with examples and exercises to really cement each concept.
CSS-Tricks:
An invaluable resource for practical CSS techniques and layout tricks, from beginner-friendly basics to advanced styling methods.
These have all been incredibly helpful to me on my journey. Hope they’re useful to others, too!