How to Become a Front-End Developer in 2024: The Ultimate Guide

Thinking about a career in tech? Front-end developers are in high demand for 2024. The best part: you can master this career path even without prior experience in coding. This guide breaks down the steps to become a front-end web developer from scratch.  We’ll also dive into the core skills and responsibilities of front-end developers and explore your potential career prospects.

What is a Front-End Developer 

Front-end developers essentially bring websites to life. They create the visual elements and interactive features that make websites and web applications function smoothly. Specialists working in front-end programming use languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to transform designs into responsive web pages. They focus on making web pages visually appealing and user-friendly across devices and browsers.

What Does a Front-End Developer Do?

Front-end developers wear many hats, but here’s what their typical tasks look like:

• Developing user interfaces (UI): Front-end developers translate design concepts into code. They determine a website’s layout, colors, fonts, images, video, etc.

• Building interactivity: Front-end programmers ensure a smooth user experience by creating various navigational and interactive elements (e.g., buttons and forms).

• Ensuring device responsiveness: They also write code to adapt websites to different device types—e.g., desktops, tablets, mobile phones.

Should You Become a Front-End Developer in 2024?

The short answer is: yes. The job market for front-end developers is booming. In the US alone, the projected growth rate is 16% between 2022 and 2034—much faster than the average across many other sectors.

This translates into around 19,000 job openings for front-end developers and digital designers each year. Even better news? Front-end development is a relatively accessible entry point into the tech world. With the right dedication and a structured front-end programming course, you can master it even without specialized education or experience. Let’s explore the key qualifications and skills you need to become a highly-paid front-end developer.

Key Front-End Developer Skills and Qualifications

Front-end developers focus on various aspects of creating web experiences—from the visual part to UX and functionality. Working in this field requires learning a few important skills, both technical and soft.  Let’s check the essential toolkit that equips successful front-end web developers.

Technical skills of front-end developers

Acquiring and improving technical skills is an ongoing process in programming. Here’s where to start:

1. Front-end programming languages 

Front-end coding languages are the fundamental building blocks front-end developers use to create websites and web applications. They include:

• HTML (HyperText Markup Language): Defines the structure and content of web pages.

• CSS (Cascading Style Sheets): Controls the visual presentation of a web page, including layout, colors, fonts, and animations.

• JavaScript: Adds interactivity and dynamic behavior to web pages, making them more engaging and responsive.

• TypeScript (TS): A superset of JavaScript that adds optional static typing for improved code quality and maintainability. It has gained popularity in recent years because it makes front-end development easier and faster.

It’s commonly used with frameworks like Angular and React.  However, there’ve been many conversations about TypeScript becoming the core front-end programming language. According to the report by The Software House, 43% of developers think that TypeScript will overtake Javascript and become a new front-end standard.

2. Web frameworks

These are pre-written libraries of code that provide a structure and set of tools for front-end developers to build websites and apps more efficiently.  

Frameworks leverage the core front-end languages while offering pre-built components to save you time and effort.  Here are some popular examples:

• React: A framework for building user interfaces, known for its component-based architecture and virtual DOM (Document Object Model). Can be written in either JavaScript or TypeScript.

• Next.js: A React-based framework that simplifies and enhances front-end development, particularly for building user-friendly web applications. 

• Angular: A comprehensive framework that offers features and tools for building complex web applications. Primarily uses TypeScript.

• Vue.js: A framework known for its balance of flexibility and ease of use. It can be written in either JavaScript or TypeScript.

According to the same report, these four frameworks are the most popular among front-end programmers.

3. UX design principles

You’ll need to learn to translate design concepts into code and gain an understanding of user experience (UX) principles.

4. Responsive design and cross-browser optimization

Websites must adapt to any screen size, from desktops to mobiles. Front-end developers help create seamless experiences across devices. You will also take care of cross-browser optimization of web pages.

5. Accessibility (A11Y)

Accessibility ensures that everyone can interact with web pages—including users with disabilities. That’s another critical task carried out by front-end developers.

6. Performance optimization

Fast loading times are crucial for a great user experience and search engine optimization (SEO). You’ll employ techniques like image optimization and code minification to improve this metric.

7. Testing and debugging

Identifying and fixing errors is an ongoing process for front-end developers. You’ll use various tools and techniques to polish and enhance the final product. As you progress in your career, you’ll develop other technical skills—for example, web analytics, animations, and others.

Soft skills for front-end developers

Coding skills are essential for front-end web developers—but don’t underestimate the power of soft skills.  Web developers collaborate with various teams and need to constantly adapt to changing conditions. Here are four key areas where soft skills can make a big impact on your career:

• Communication

Front-end developers collaborate with designers, back-end developers, marketers, and sometimes clients. For example, you might need to explain technical concepts to stakeholders and discuss website changes with a marketing manager. So, working on your communication skills should be your top priority.

• Teamwork and cross-team collaboration

Websites are rarely built by a single person. Working effectively with others will help you build a smooth development process. This involves listening to feedback, resolving issues constructively, and collaborating with stakeholders and peers at different levels.

• Problem-solving

Front-end developers deal with bugs and errors on a regular basis. That’s basically part of the job description. Strong problem-solving skills will help you adapt to these challenges and tackle them analytically. You’ll need to learn to identify the root cause of an issue and find an effective solution.

• Adaptability

New web development technologies and best practices emerge all the time. For example, recent advancements in voice user interfaces (VUIs) will probably require front-end developers to incorporate voice-activated features into websites. To stay on top of these trends, check updates in relevant communities, follow industry experts, and constantly learn new skills.

How to Become a Front-End Developer in 8 Steps 

Now, let’s find out how to get into front-end development in 2024—step by step. 

Step 1: Design your front-end developer roadmap

Start by thinking about your personal goals. Ask yourself:

Why exactly do you want to code?

Is it for a personal project? Are you looking to gain an edge at work? Or do you want to start a career in programming? Next, consider your ideal work setup. For example, would you like to become a freelancer or work in-house?

Finally, evaluate your current level. Do you already have some skills and knowledge, or are you starting from scratch?

Step 2: Create a learning plan

There are many paths you can choose to gain front-end development skills. Based on the Stack Overflow survey, it’s common to learn programming using online resources such as videos and blogs, at school, using books, and taking online courses.

In reality, it’s best to choose a mix of resources and opt for guided learning. Online courses and bootcamps offer a structured learning experience that can help you achieve paid projects faster. You can even land your first front-end developer gig after 3-6 months of learning—as long as you have a well-designed program and experts to guide you.

Explore online platforms like Mimo to accelerate your progress. It lets you choose between several beginner-friendly learning paths to quickly build your skills and a strong portfolio. It also offers access to a professional community and verified certificates.

The best part? You can try it all and start learning to code for free.

Step 3: Learn the information technology fundamentals

Do you think you know everything about the Internet? You might want to double-check this. Divining deep into the underlying concepts of the web can make your learning process go faster and smoother. Think about the following topics:

• How does the internet work? 
• What is HTTP, client-server architecture, etc.?
• What is website hosting? 
• How does Domain Name System (DNS) translate domain names into IP addresses?
• How do web browsers render and display websites?

It’s also a good idea to learn the basics of SEO, which is essential for many online businesses.

Step 4: Master the coding basics: HTML & CSS

Grasping HTML and CSS will create a solid foundation for your front-end development career. Why HTML and CSS? These two languages create the basis of everything you see and interact with on a website.

• HTML provides the structure and content for web pages, acting like the skeleton. 

• CSS defines the visual presentation, adding style and flair.

Start with creating simple static websites and gradually hone your skills. You can also try to replicate the layouts of your favorite websites to practice.

Step 5: Dive deeper into interactivity with JavaScript

JavaScript takes your websites from static to dynamic. For example, it can change a button color when it’s clicked or generate content that updates automatically. 

Focus on core JavaScript concepts like:

• Learn how to interact with the Document Object Model (DOM), the tree-like structure that represents the elements on a webpage. This allows you to dynamically add, remove, or change the content and style of your website.
• Websites become interactive by responding to user actions. Explore how to handle events like clicks, scrolls, key presses, and form submissions using JavaScript.
• Make your JavaScript code more logical and efficient by using control flow statements like if, else, for, and while loops. 
• You can also learn to leverage pre-written libraries to streamline common development tasks. For example:
  • jQuery: A widely used library that simplifies DOM manipulation, event handling, and AJAX requests.
  • Fetch API: A modern built-in browser API for making asynchronous HTTP requests to fetch data from servers.

Step 6: Explore the core design principles and related concepts

Front-end development is about understanding how users interact with websites. So, studying various design concepts will be an important part of your learning path. You can start with the following areas:

UX (User Experience) design

• User research: Discovering needs, expectations, and pain points of your target audience using tools like surveys and usability tests.

• Information architecture: Structuring website content in a logical and intuitive way.

• Interaction design: Improving the way users engage with your website, including working on navigation flows and website responsiveness.

Web accessibility

Web pages should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their physical abilities. Here’s what you’ll need to learn:

• Semantic HTML: Lets you leverage semantic elements that describe the content and its purpose. It helps improve website structure, accessibility for screen readers, and SEO.

• Color Contrast: It’s important to maintain sufficient color contrast between text and background elements to improve readability for users with visual impairments. 

You can try tools like WebAIM’s Contrast Checker to evaluate your color choices.

• Keyboard navigation: Websites shouldn’t rely solely on mouse interaction. You can let users navigate your website with just a keyboard—an alternative for those who cannot use a mouse.

Responsive design

Responsive design techniques allow you to create websites that function flawlessly across desktops, tablets, and smartphones. Here, you’ll explore:

• Media queries: Media queries are CSS techniques that let you target specific screen sizes and adjust your website’s layout accordingly.

• Responsive frameworks: Pre-built responsive frameworks like Bootstrap or Tailwind CSS can help you further streamline the process.

Step 7: Master version control with Git

Multiple developers can work on the same project at the same time. And it’s extremely important to see each other’s contributions and be able to revert to previous versions if needed.  That’s where Git comes into play. It’s a system that tracks changes made to your code over time. It also allows you to go back to previous versions if needed. You will most likely come across GitHub—a popular platform to store your code (called repositories) and collaborate with other developers.

Congratulations! At this point, you can already apply for front-end development gigs. Consider a few things before you get going.

Step 8: Build a project portfolio

Work on your first project portfolio before applying for development gigs. Wondering what to include there if you have no work experience? Here are some ideas:

• Sign up for a coding course: Leaning platforms like Mimo help you build real-life projects and assemble your portfolio as you learn. 

• Craft mini-projects: Start with small, personal projects showcasing your coding skills. For example, you could create a hobby website or a simple app.

Try to look for opportunities. Perhaps your friend needs a new website for their business idea? That could be a great sample project for you.

• GitHub: Publicly host your code on GitHub. It acts as your online resume, showing your problem-solving skills.

• Open source: You can also contribute to existing open-source projects and learn from experienced developers.

• Participate in online challenges: Test your skills and build small projects through online coding challenges. Then, you can add them to your portfolio.

Start with community platforms like Dev.to.

Step 9: Apply for jobs and land your first gig

Landing your first developer job might take time and dedication.  Focus on building your skills, actively search for opportunities, and don’t be afraid to demonstrate your passion.  Here are some tips for your job search:

• Target “Junior” or “Entry-level” front-end developer positions and projects.

• Apply to small businesses or startups. These companies might be more open to hiring someone with a strong skillset and eagerness to contribute—even without extensive experience.

• Check freelance platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Toptal.

• Highlight your transferable skills. Demonstrate your problem-solving, project management, and communication skills.

• Get creative and stand out. For example, you can reach out to a potential client or employer with a sample project. 
• Develop a simple app/website/project proposal and share it to attract their attention.
• Actively participate in online communities. Developer channels on Slack and Overflow, Reddit forums, and Discord servers can help you land new projects and meet interesting people.
  
  Remember: It’s totally possible to become a front-end developer with no experience or degree. Mimo features lots of inspiring learner success stories. For example, Tomasz learned front-end development from scratch using Mimo’s platform, built a great portfolio, and started his freelance career. 
  

Step 8: Go beyond the basics: master additional skills

As you progress in learning, you’ll acquire other fundamental front-end development skills. For instance:

• Front-end frameworks

Front-end frameworks like React, Angular, or Vue.js offer pre-built components and streamlined development processes. While not mandatory, learning a framework can help you improve efficiency and write code better—especially for complex projects.

• Performance optimization

Fast loading times are crucial for a positive user experience. You will learn techniques like image optimization and code minification to ensure your websites load quickly and smoothly. For example, tools like Google PageSpeed Insights can help you analyze and optimize your website’s performance.

• Automation tools

Front-end build tools like Webpack or Parcel automate repetitive tasks, saving you time and effort.

• API integration

You will also learn to integrate APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) into your projects.  This lets you fetch data from weather services, social media platforms, or e-commerce sites, adding functionality and enriching your applications.

• Testing and debugging

Working in front-end development means adding ongoing changes and fixes. You will learn how to write unit tests to ensure your code functions properly and explore debugging techniques to spot errors in your projects. 

Front-End Developer Salary

Front-end development offers a promising career path with competitive salaries. But how much can you expect to earn? Here’s a breakdown of US front-end developer salaries based on experience and industry, according to 2024 Glassdoor data.

The overall salary landscape

• Total range: $81,000 – $147,000 per year
• Most likely range: $108,000 per year

Year of experience

• Beginner (0-3 years): Average – $78,000 per year
• Junior (1-3 years): Average – $88,000 per year
• Mid-Level (4-6 years): $99,000+ per year
• Senior (7-9 years): $106,000 per year
• Expert (10+ years): Average – $113,000+, with a potential to reach $170,000 per year

Industry 

While the overall range remains similar, salaries can vary slightly depending on the industry. For example:

• IT & Finance: $91,000 – $161,000 per year
• Government & Public Administration: $81,000 – $147,000 per year

Location

Salaries also vary globally.  For example, base pay ranges from £37,000-£60,000 in the UK and €49,000- €65,000 in Germany. The good news? Many front-end developer roles are remote-friendly, allowing you to work with clients or employers in higher-paying locations.

The Future of Front-End Web Development 

Front-end development is a great career path to pursue in 2024 and beyond. More and more businesses want to develop a strong online presence—creating a high demand for web developers. Here are some of the key trends to explore:

• Data analytics: Front-end developers who can analyze user data to build web products will be in high demand.

• AI tools: AI assistants can help you handle repetitive tasks like code generation and debugging. Look into platforms like GitHub Copilot and Codeium.

• Full-stack development: Consider expanding your skills to full-stack development—mastering both front-end and back-end programming.

• Mobile-first approach: More and more web traffic is happening on mobile devices. Becoming an expert in this field will make you more competitive.

• Design thinking: Bridging the gap between design and development is a hot topic. Learning design principles and UX best practices will further increase your value in the job market. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Finally, let’s address some of the key questions about starting a career in front-end development.

What is front-end development

Front-end development translates design concepts into the interactive elements and visual language that users experience on websites and web applications.  It’s the bridge between user experience (UX) goals and the functioning interface that drives user engagement.

Front-end vs. back-end development

Front-end and back-end developers work together to bring websites and web apps to life. Both teams play an equally critical role in this process. However, they focus on distinct aspects:

• Front-end developers work on the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX), the visual elements and features that users directly interact with.

• Back-end developers operate behind the scenes and build the server-side functionality and the core logic that powers a website.

Is it hard to become a front-end developer?

Becoming a front-end developer is considered easier than in some other coding fields, making it a great entry point for your tech career. You can acquire core skills such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript in just a few months. Choosing a specialized learning platform like Mimo can further speed up this process.

The real challenge is keeping up with new trends and technologies. So, prepare for ongoing learning that never stops—which also makes front-end development more exciting.

How long does it take to become a front-end developer?

The short answer is: it depends. Overall, you could build a portfolio and land your first job in as little as six months. However, mastering all aspects of front-end development takes much longer. Creating a regular learning routine and using specialized front-end developer courses will accelerate your progress.

Do front-end developers get paid less if they don’t have a degree?

No, not necessarily. Some companies may prefer candidates with a computer science degree. However, your skills and portfolio hold greater weight on the job market. Many successful front-end developers land great gigs and progress in their careers even without a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree.

How to become a front-end developer without a degree

So, here’s your roadmap:

1. Master the essentials: Focus on core languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Online courses, tutorials, and bootcamps can help you acquire these skills.

2. Build your portfolio: Create personal projects or contribute to open-source projects. This demonstrates your practical skills and problem-solving approach.

3. Network and connect: Join online developer communities, attend meetups, and connect with other developers. This helps you learn from others and find potential opportunities.

Can I become a front-end developer if I’m already older?

Absolutely! Front-end development is open to all ages. Your drive and willingness to learn matter more than your year of birth. Many successful developers have transitioned into the field later in life—and from different backgrounds. For example, a Mimo student transitioned from being a restaurant owner to a front-end developer.

What is the best programming language to start as a beginner?

Start by mastering HTML and CSS to create static websites. Then, pivot to JavaScript to add interactivity. 

Do you need an internship to build a career in front-end development?

Many companies offer front-end internships, which are great for gaining hands-on experience. They can also help you secure a full-time position within the same organization. However, it’s not the only option. You can build your own projects or take on freelance gigs.

Can you become a front-end developer after completing the front-end developer career path on Mimo?

Absolutely! Mimo’s Front-End Developer Career Path equips you with: 

• The top front-end development skills (including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and React),
• 85 coding challenges,
• 12 guided projects for your portfolio.

All this puts you in a competitive position for entry-level jobs and gigs in the sector.

Has front-end engineering changed with AI?

AI is definitely changing front-end development—for the better! It automates repetitive tasks and boosts developer productivity. While it might handle some tasks, it’s nowhere near replacing human developers.

Instead, it lets you delegate repetitive, basic tasks and focus on complex problem-solving. Understanding how AI works in development is essential to staying competitive in 2024.

Will AI replace front-end developers?

AI can automate some routine tasks in development, but it’s unlikely to take over completely. It excels at repetitive coding tasks and helping fix minor errors. However, building user-friendly interfaces requires creativity, problem-solving, and a focus on user experience—qualities that AI cannot replicate. So, AI is more likely to become a helpful tool for developers, freeing them up to tackle more complex tasks.

Build Your Dream Career in Tech

Front-end developers are in high demand this year, and this trend will continue growing. We hope you found this guide helpful in mapping out your next steps. Here’s a quick recap of the main takeaways:

• HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are the building blocks of front-end development. Start by mastering these core programming languages.

• Next, leverage popular frameworks like React, Next.js, or Angular to improve efficiency.

• Expand your knowledge by learning about UX design, data analytics, accessibility, SEO, and more.

• Enhance your learning by taking on real-life projects and building a portfolio.

• Opt for expert-driven front-end development courses and certifications to achieve your goals.

Are you ready to start your dream career in tech?