How to become a web developer: an honest guide from people who hire them

I have always been into computers and building things.

Long before web development was a career path, I was experimenting with game builders on a Commodore 64. Later, I wrote Visual Basic software to optimise my newspaper delivery routes, working out the most efficient order. Even then, the goal was simple. Solve real problems.

During work experience at Anglian Water, I helped test systems running inside Java virtual machines for the millennium bug. I later studied Computer Science at the University of East Anglia between 2002 and 2005, at a time when the web was still finding its feet. Browsers behaved differently, JavaScript was barely taken seriously, and building anything online required patience.

That period taught an important lesson. Technology always changes. Fundamentals last.

After graduating, I took a three month contract as a web designer for a physiotherapy and rehabilitation company in Suffolk. They were entirely paper based. Patient notes were faxed between clinics. My task was to build a secure web portal so staff could scan and upload notes digitally.

That short contract turned into a full time role as a web developer.

Over time, I progressed from web developer, to senior developer, then IT manager, Technical Operations Director, CTO, and now CEO of kwiboo. Along the way, I have interviewed hundreds of developers and hired some great talent.

Despite the job titles, I still write code every day. Not because I have to, but because I enjoy it.

This guide is written from real experience. It reflects over 20 years of building software, working with clients such as Mitsubishi Electric and SEGA, and delivering digital products that actually work.

If you want the honest version of how to become a web developer, this is it.

What becoming a web developer really means

Most people think becoming a web developer is about learning the right language or framework.

It is not.

At its core, development is about turning unclear human requirements into working software. Clients rarely arrive with perfect specifications. They come with ideas, frustrations, spreadsheets, and workarounds.

Our job is to make sense of that and turn it into something reliable, scalable, and easy to use.

That is why how you think matters more than what tools you know.

Frameworks will change throughout your career. The ability to analyse problems, make decisions, and adapt will not.

At kwiboo, this mindset underpins everything we build, from complex data integrations to bespoke web and mobile apps. You can explore more of how we work on our software development services page.

The skills that actually matter to employers

When people start learning development, they often focus on tools.

Which framework pays the most.
Which course promises a job.
Which technology is trending.

Those questions are understandable, but they rarely reflect how hiring decisions are made.

When we interview developers, we focus on understanding how they think.

One of the biggest challenges we see with junior developers is confidence in their own code. Many can build something that runs, but struggle to explain what it does or why certain decisions were made. This has become more common as AI tools grow more capable.

AI is a powerful assistant. We use it ourselves. But it only adds value when you understand what it produces.

If you cannot talk through your own code, it becomes difficult for a team to trust and support it.

Strong fundamentals matter far more.

Understanding how the web works, how data moves between systems, how databases store information, and how version control fits into team workflows builds confidence that lasts far longer than any framework.

Communication matters too.

Developers work with designers, project managers, and clients. Being able to explain technical ideas clearly builds trust and keeps projects moving.

Above all, curiosity stands out.

The developers who progress fastest are the ones who want to understand why something works, not just that it works.

University, bootcamp, or self-taught: an honest assessment

There is no single correct route into web development.

We have worked with developers who came through university, completed bootcamps, and taught themselves entirely. Some of the best developers we have worked with are self-taught.

What matters far more than the path you choose is how seriously you take it.

University provides strong theoretical grounding and suits those who want a broad understanding of computing. Bootcamps can provide structure and momentum, but often prioritise speed over depth.

Being self-taught demands discipline. Without deadlines or guidance, progress depends entirely on commitment.

Whichever route you choose, the expectation is the same.

You must go all in.

Effort, consistency, and curiosity matter far more than where you learned.

What to learn first: a realistic progression

Trying to learn everything at once is one of the fastest ways to burn out.

Start with the foundations.

HTML and CSS come first. Understanding structure, layout, and responsive design helps you build interfaces that users actually understand.

Next comes JavaScript. Learn how the browser works, how logic flows, and how interaction is handled before jumping into frameworks.

Once comfortable, move into backend concepts.

At kwiboo, we work heavily within the Microsoft ecosystem, using .NET for backend development and SQL Server for data. While the specific technology is less important, the concepts are universal. APIs, authentication, data storage, and security all form the backbone of real applications.

Frameworks such as React make far more sense once these foundations are in place.

Version control should be learned alongside everything else. Git is how teams collaborate safely and professionally.

Finally, understand deployment. Software does not stop at your laptop. Seeing how applications run in the cloud, whether on Azure or AWS, changes how you design them.

This progression is not fast. It is realistic.

Why working effectively with designers matters

Great software is rarely built in isolation.

At kwiboo, one of the things that sets our work apart is how closely design and development collaborate. Our Creative Director is involved from the earliest stages, ensuring products look great and work brilliantly.

Developers do not need to be designers, but they do need to understand design intent.

Why spacing matters.
Why hierarchy matters.
Why a journey should feel effortless.

When developers understand this, conversations improve. Decisions become clearer. Products feel more polished.

Strong collaboration between designers and developers leads to better outcomes every time. You can see this approach reflected across our UX and UI design work.

Building a portfolio that actually gets interviews

A strong portfolio is not about polish.

It is about thinking.

One of our favourite interview questions is simple:

Tell us the coolest thing you have ever built.

We once interviewed a candidate who had built a home automation system using a Raspberry Pi. It was not commercial. It was not perfect. But it showed curiosity, experimentation, and problem solving.

That stood out.

Personal projects reveal how you think. They show imagination, persistence, and learning. One well understood project is far more valuable than five tutorial clones.

If you can explain what you built, why you built it, and what you learned, you are already thinking like a developer.

How to gain experience when you have no experience

Breaking into development can feel frustrating.

The most effective way to gain experience early on is to build things you care about.

Create projects you can bring to an interview and walk through confidently. They do not need to be finished. They do not need to be polished.

They need to be yours.

When a candidate can demonstrate creativity and passion, the conversation changes completely. That experience is real experience.

What we look for when hiring junior developers at kwiboo

We are not looking for perfection.

We look for understanding. Curiosity. Communication. A genuine interest in building.

We value developers who can explain their work, ask questions, and show a desire to improve. Junior roles are about growth, not mastery.

The strongest candidates are honest about what they do not yet know and motivated to learn.

That mindset matters more than any checklist.

Career progression: from junior to senior and beyond

Development careers rarely follow straight lines.

My own journey moved from short contract work to technical leadership, and eventually to running kwiboo. Each step came from taking responsibility and delivering value.

Junior developers focus on learning.
Mid-level developers work more independently and understand trade-offs.
Senior developers think about architecture, scalability, and team impact.

From there, paths diverge. Some remain deeply technical. Others move into leadership or product roles.

What never stops is learning.

Technology evolves constantly. The developers who thrive are the ones who accept that and adapt.

The UK web development job market: a realistic view

The UK market has changed.

Junior roles are more competitive, and AI now handles many basic tasks that were once entry-level responsibilities. That makes early roles harder to secure.

At the same time, demand for good developers remains strong.

Businesses still need people who can understand context, make sound decisions, and take responsibility for outcomes.

Salary expectations also need realism. UK salaries grow with experience and impact, not overnight. Long term progression remains strong for those who commit to learning and delivery.

Final thoughts

Becoming a web developer is not about shortcuts.

It is about learning how to think, how to solve problems, and how to keep adapting.

If you enjoy building, experimenting, and turning ideas into reality, this remains a rewarding career.

At kwiboo, we have spent over 20 years doing exactly that. Rolling up our sleeves and delivering technology that works brilliantly.

If you have an idea you want to explore, or want to understand how real digital products are built, get in touch with kwiboo.

We make IT happen, from idea to reality...