</p>
<h3>Learn SEO</h3>
<p>What’s the point of developing a website if no one ever sees it?</p>
<p>SEO, the process of improving a website's ranking within search engines, is something that no web developer can go without learning. While you may be thinking that knowing <a href="/how-to-get-traffic-to-your-website" rel="noopener" target="_blank">how to get traffic to a website</a> is the job of the marketer or content writer, the structure and code of the website play a part, too</p>
<p>This structure encompasses elements like headings, meta tags, meta descriptions, title tags, and more, that are part of the development process. When you understand the basics of SEO, there is a better chance that the website you’re developing succeeds with the end result of a happy customer.</p>
<a id="getting-started-as-a-web-developer" data-hs-anchor="true"></a>
<h2>How to get started as a web developer</h2>
<p>Once you have the skills, you’ll want to put them to work if you want a sustainable career as a web developer.</p>
<h3>Get on job boards</h3>
<p>If you’re looking to be a freelancer, make sure potential clients can find you for their web development needs. It’s important to keep your expectations practical with job boards, because you may find they attract clients who have unrealistic time frames, budgets, or aren’t experienced hiring web developers.</p>
<p>Regardless, job boards are a great first step if you’re just starting out, and every gig you get will help you gain experience that you can leverage in the future.</p>
<p>Unsure which <a href="https://www.g2.com/categories/freelance-platforms" rel="noopener" target="_blank">freelance platforms</a> you should check out? You’re not alone. Check out the reviews for over a hundred platforms on G2!</p>
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<h3>Create a portfolio site</h3>
<p>An absolute must-have as a web developer is a portfolio site. Not only can it help you gain new clients, but it’s also a great way for potential clients to find you.</p>
<p>Whether you’re using it to show off your latest projects, display testimonials of past happy clients or provide your contact information for potential new gigs, your portfolio site should be a reflection of you and what you bring to the table as a front-end, back-end, or <a href="/full-stack-developer" rel="noopener" target="_blank">full-stack developer</a>.</p>
<p><img src="https://learn.g2crowd.com/hubfs/Portfolio_Site.png" width="500" style="width: 500px; display: block; margin: 0px auto;" alt="Web Developer portfolio site"></p>
<h3>Network your skills</h3>
<p>After you’ve scoured job boards and created a portfolio, it’s time to go out into the real world with your skills. It may be in your best interest to attend two or three relevant networking events each month until you feel like you have enough work coming in for your liking. These events should draw entrepreneurs, new business owners, or anyone else who may be interested in building a new website.</p>
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<td style="width: 710px;"><span style="color: #5a39a2;"><strong>Tip:</strong> </span>Nervous about going to a networking event? Learn <a href="/how-to-network" rel="noopener" target="_blank">how to network</a> and connect with anyone!</td>
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<p>As you make these new connections, you’ll expose yourself to fresh opportunities that you wouldn’t be able to find on a job board alone.</p>
<a id="advantages-of-web-developer" data-hs-anchor="true"></a>
<h2>Advantages of becoming a web developer</h2>
<p>Still need some convincing on making a career change to a web developer? These advantages may just sweeten the deal.</p>
<h3>Work remotely</h3>
<p>You can develop a website from anywhere in the world, whether that be sitting in a corporate office or at home in your sweatpants, as long as you have an internet connection.</p>
<p>Hiring remote employees is becoming increasingly popular, as it allows companies to save on the overhead of maintaining an office. As long as you can stay focused at home, this is a definite advantage to becoming a web developer.</p>
<h3>Get creative</h3>
<p>Let’s say inspiration strikes for your next big idea. It’s much easier and cheaper for you to build out the idea you believe will take the internet by storm yourself, rather than finding someone else to make it for you. Plus, you have full control over the concept and design from start to finish.</p>
<h3>Flexibility</h3>
<p>Gone are the days where working in tech means you have to work the typical 9-5 schedule, especially as a web developer. No matter if it’s your full-time job or you work as a freelance web developer on the side, you can take the time to create your own hours that work best for you.</p>
<h3>Salary</h3>
<p>Wondering if becoming a web developer will pay your bills? The answer is yes, but the actual salary you’ll make will depend on the city, the company you work for, and your official title.</p>
<p>For instance, according to <a href="https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/web-developer-salary-SRCH_KO0,13.htm" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Glassdoor</a>, the average Entry Level Web Developer makes $75,000 a year, while a Senior Web Developer makes upwards of $95,000 a year.</p>
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<td style="width: 100%;"><strong>TIP</strong>: Web development not your thing? Maybe mobile is more your speed. Learn what it takes to become an <a href="/app-developer" rel="noopener" target="_blank">app developer </a>from the experts.</td>
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<h4>Develop your career into the future</h4>
<p>Your career should be something you love and genuinely enjoy doing. Turn your passion for websites into a career as a web developer; with something new to learn each day, it’ll never feel boring. Keep the creative juices flowing, be ready to learn new skills, and never lose the joy of seeing something you worked so hard to develop come to life.</p>
<p><strong>Think that your website is done once it goes live? Think again. Learn <a href="https://www.g2.com/articles/how-often-should-you-update-your-website" rel="noopener" target="_blank">how often you should update your website</a> to keep it fresh and relevant.</strong></p>
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