How I Started My Web Development Journey With Zero Experience

How I Started My Web Development Journey With Zero Experience

Introduction

Everyone has that story about where they started from, but not everyone shares it. For me, the path into my web development and tech career wasn't a straight road at all. I didn't just wake up one morning to become a skilled web developer. It was slow, painful, and sometimes exciting.

In this article, I will be sharing my complete web development journey for beginners to learn from and not give up on this journey. When I finished secondary school, I didn't have a single knowledge about coding, at that time, all I knew was that I loved technology and had always wanted to build something meaningful with it. 

This post is all about my personal journey, the real steps of how I started with nothing, how I used free resources like Sololearn and W3Schools, paid a private tutor, struggled with projects that were too big for me, how I earned my first pay as a web developer, and gradually built a career that made people refer me for bigger projects. 

If you are reading this as a beginner, my journey will teach you that you don't need to have all the answers to begin, you don't need to have a computer science degree, and you don't need to be a genius. The only thing you need is consistency, curiosity, and the courage to start your own journey.

My Life Before Coding

While in high school, we had basic computer classes, but it was more focused on Microsoft Office. While that was useful, it never satisfied my curiosity. I always wanted to understand how websites like Facebook, Twitter, and blogs I admired were built. At that point, I didn't even know the difference between website design and website development. I just wanted to be part of a world where people build things online.

However, after my secondary school exam, I had a lot of free time, so I decided to venture into learning web development online. And that one decision changed everything for me.

I came across Sololearn while surfing the internet, and it helped me learn basic programming languages in a fun way. I didn't have a laptop then; all I had was a smartphone, and that was enough to get me started. 

The very first thing I learned on Sololearn was HTML, and it felt like a new language to me, where I had to write instructions that told the browser what to display. Seeing a simple <h1>Hello World</h1>  appear on my screen made me very excited that I could type words, while a web page responds. 

I learnt HTML for a while, then proceeded to CSS. This was when I began to enjoy every moment of it because CSS allowed me to add colors and beauty to the raw HTML structure. 

The excitement was real, but there were also challenges. Sometimes, I would try a code, run into an error, and would have to spend hours trying to figure out what the problem was. Meanwhile, what kept me going was the feeling of solving even the smallest problem.

At that stage, I wasn't building any real website yet; I was just learning and experimenting, trying to understand the basics of web development. But I knew that the seed had been planted, and I was going to become a web developer.

Paying For a Private Tutor

As much as I was enjoying learning on free platforms, I knew I needed more structured guidance to leverage my skills. That was when I decided to pay for a private tutor. I found a local tutor who was into web design and development, and I signed up for lessons.

However, I stayed with this tutor for less than three months, but these three months were worth it. My tutor gave me small projects to practice, and I made plenty of mistakes, but each mistake turned into a stepping stone. One thing I promised myself was that I wouldn't quit.

One of the big lessons I learnt during the period was that mentorship can accelerate your growth, but being consistent is what truly makes you improve. I realized that no one can make you a developer except yourself. A private tutor can guide you, but your improvement comes from practice.

I turned the internet into my university. I watched countless YouTube tutorials, read blog posts, and joined online communities. Some of the resources I found useful at that stage were:

• W3Schools 
• FreeCodeCamp
• Stack Overflow

My learning routine was simple but consistent. I started creating things like:

• A personal portfolio page
• A basic calculator with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
• A to-do list app where I could add and delete tasks.
• Simple blog-style layouts with placeholder text.

Meanwhile, none of these projects was perfect. In fact, most of them were full of bad code. But looking back now, they were the stepping stones that gave me confidence.

My First Client as a Beginner Web Developer

Landing your first client as a beginner is not easy, but it’s possible. In my case, I didn’t get my first client from Upwork or Fiverr. Instead, it happened through my network. A family friend needed a simple website for their small business, and I volunteered to build it. When I delivered the website, I got paid. The amount wasn't much, but that payment was more than money to me. It was a validation.

My First Big Projects

At some point, I needed to challenge myself with real-world tasks. I made one of the boldest decisions of my journey: I began accepting projects that I had never done before. Imagine someone asks you to build a feature you have no idea of, and instead of saying no, I would accept, then spend nights researching and learning how to do it. Real projects will force you to grow faster than practice would.

How To Get Your First Client As a Beginner

If you are still starting and want to get your first client, here are a few things you should practice. 

1. Don’t wait until you are perfect. 
2. Use your network. 
3. Focus on value first before money. Y
4. Try to deliver your best. 

Advice for Beginners Starting From Zero

Looking back now, there are things I wish I had known earlier. If you are just starting, here's my advice for you:

• Learn the Basics Deeply
• Build Projects, Not Just Notes
• Use Free Resources First
•  Don’t Be Afraid of  Big Projects
• Network With People, and Share Your Work
•  Remain Consistent

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can you become a web developer without a degree?

Yes. Many developers are self-taught using free resources online. What matters most is your portfolio, not your degree.

2. How long does it take to learn web development?

It depends on your dedication. For me, after about 6–12 months of consistent practice, I could start taking on real projects. Full mastery takes years, but you don’t need to know everything to start.

3. Do you need a laptop to start learning web development?

Not at first. I started with the Sololearn app on my phone. But eventually, you’ll need a laptop for real projects.

4. How do beginners get their first client?

Start with your network. Offer your services to family, friends, or local businesses. Build small projects for free or cheaply to gain experience and referrals.