So, you are a web developer, or you are still learning to code in a bid to kickstart a career in web development? You are dedicated to achieving your goals as soon as possible, but you are still puzzled with the question “are web development certificates worth it?”, “do you need a web development certification to stand out in this world of increasing web developers?” This article will guide you on the value of having a web developer certification, not minding if you are an experienced or new developer.
WHAT ARE WEB DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATIONS?
Web development certifications are extra tests taken to prove your experience and competence on specific web development skill set or language. These certifications were made to increase the labor market value of web developers and also encourage them to continue learning to stay updated in the latest web development trends. The best web developer certifications are useful to new developers. They can use it to prove their competency and commitment to web development.
Web development certificates might look different depending on the course you choose to go after, but they all serve the same purpose of showing your professionalism in coding.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD DEVELOPER?
Web development is primarily about solving problems, therefore to become a good web programmer you need to master three things;
- Theory
- Practice
Theoretical skills are needed by web developers to know how to approach and understand the problem. Then a practical solution needed to tackle the problem is need.
You need first to identify a problem before you can solve it. So how do these two relate to coding certifications? You need to have the best web certifications to be able to identify and fix the trendy web development problems.
PROBLEMS RELATED TO WEB DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATES
Web development is an enormously diversified field. It is more like an industry than a career field. Every website you come across is unique, and they have different functionalities to serve different purposes.
This is similar to web developer certificates; every developer has a different story, and they have learned to use different tools and techniques for developing a website.
There is no specific web developer certificate/skillset you can acquire to cover the whole knowledge of web development, but choosing the best web developer certifications can help you narrow down the list.
For example, imagine every healthcare practitioner having just a “healthcare practitioner certification,” how do we differentiate the nurses, doctors, opticians, and vets?
ADVANTAGES OF GETTING A WEB DEVELOPER CERTIFICATE
There are several obvious advantages of getting a certificate in your career as a web developer. Let's list a few of them;
Thriving in a Growing Field
All internet-related jobs will experience significant growth in the nearest future. The web is now an important part of daily human activities.
As the web grows, the employment of web developers will grow too. Data from The Bureau of Labor, web development is expected to grow by 15% in 2026.
Building Your Creative Side
Having a web developer certificate allows you to utilize your brain regularly. Whether working with a team or independently, you will be given lots of opportunities to improve your creative skill set and develop something new.
Getting The Web Developer Job
Anyone can kickstart their career as a web developer without having a web developer certificate. If you are keen on building your career and getting a better job offer, the best web developer certifications are the first thing you should go after.
You can start and complete a certification course in a short amount of time. You need to invest your time in it.
“You don’t have the relevant experience or certification” this disheartening statement has been given to many jobs seeking web developers because they don’t have certificates. But with a certificate program, you won’t be given that statement. These certificate courses are built to prepare you and also prove you have the necessary skills for an entry-level web developer position.
WHAT EMPLOYERS WANT TO SEE FROM WEB DEVELOPERS
Employers are really looking for web developers with good learning and practical experience in this field, but these employers won't just employ anyone that comes out as a web developer.
Use this scenario; You are looking for a web developer to handle important projects in your company, and two applicants come in. The first applicant says he has great skills in web development, and the second applicant says the same and also has a web certificate to back up his claim. The second applicant would surely get the job.
As earlier stated, one certificate cannot cover the whole essential knowledge in web development, so developers pick out the best web developer certifications and enroll in them.
How Long Does It Take to Acquire a Web Developer Certificate?
Apart from the financial cost, you also have to spend some little amount of time. Applicants usual get the best web developer certifications in a couple of months. Some basic certifications take days to learn, depending on the skillset.
Online web development certificate programs give students the advantage of learning at their own pace so that an applicant can fit their needs and lifestyle into learning.
Conclusion: Are Web Development Certificates Worth It?
Having a certificate in your field of profession is a great way to create opportunities for you. It is hard to find anyone who invested their resources into getting a web development certificate. These certificate programs will heighten your skills, give you more experience, and make you stand out in well-respected places.
A web development certificate needs only a short time investment from you, and it would yield to an indispensable knowledge and other benefits to those who earn them. Investing in a web development certificate is worth it; there are several affordable online courses that you can register. There are few things that can be done to improve your career options in web development that requires little investment, and getting web development certificates is the best of them all.