I could remember vividly that I spent 6 months perambulating in 2016, from HTML to C++ just to get my hands on web development. The learning curve wasn't easy because I made a lot of mistakes while trying to get started with web development. I studied if not all free courses available on Sololearn before I decided to research the actual language I needed for web development. This article aims to enlighten anyone who wants to be a web developer in 2021 on the steps to take to avoid the mistake I made in 2016.

After HTML and CSS What should you do next?

I would say decision-making comes next. It high time you decide on which end of web development you want to stay.

Although, sitting on the fence is allowed. When I say "which end", I mean you are to choose whether you are going Frontend or Backend.

If you are finding it hard to decipher the meaning of Frontend and backend, I wrote an article about those terms. In the article, I explained the terms frontend, backend, and API in such a way a four-year-old would understand. You might want to check it out.

While you are learning HTML and CSS, I assume you have an insight into the 'end' which suits you. Do you enjoy coding beautiful web pages or you prefer writing the logic behind those pretty pages? Whichever you choose would determine the 'end' that suits you. If you love the former, you should choose the frontend learning path, later? then stick to the backend.

Learn JavaScript

What do facebook.com, twitter.com, youtube.com, and other prominent websites have in common? its JavaScript!

Learn JavaScript First

Irrespective of the 'end' you choose, I would recommend you learn JavaScript. JavaScript is an essential programing language for adding dynamic features to your website. Javascript is powerful to run at the frontend (Vue, React, Angular) and the backend(Node.js).

Sololearn and W3CSS have great beginner-friendly tutorials to get you on track.

Do you prefer the front End?

You should get your thumbs busy with any of the frontend frameworks. Having a profound knowledge of the underlying technology stack of these frameworks is a prerequisite(JavaScript). Examples of front-end frameworks are Vue, React, and Angular.

Do you prefer the Back End?

Backend frameworks are built on different programming languages. To stay on track, you must have a good knowledge of the underlying technology of the framework. There are lots of backend frameworks which include Django, Laravel, Node, Ruby On Rail. Django uses Python, Laravel uses PHP, Node uses JS and Rail uses Ruby programming language. Whichever you use, it's important to understand the prerequisites.

Version Control

Also known as Source Control, is a practice of monitoring and managing the changes that happen to source codes. I would recommend Git for tracking and managing your source codes once you get started with the framework of your choice.

Learn version control like Git

You can learn git commands on Sololearn, they have a comprehensive and beginner-friendly tutorial on it.