Frontend development: what is it and is it worth studying in 2025?

Frontend Developer is a key figure in the world of web development. It is they who turn abstract layouts created by designers into functional interfaces that users see on the screen and interact with on a daily basis.

But who is a Frontend Developer in more detail? This is a specialist responsible for the client-side of web applications, working with technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. They must understand code, work with it, and also have an understanding of UX/UI design. Analyzing user behavior, adjusting interfaces for different screens, and ensuring proper functionality across all browsers.

Without Frontend Developers, the digital world would be dry and motionless. Any website that loads instantly, has convenient buttons, and is mobile-friendly is the result of the work of such specialists. However, they should not be confused with web designers: their tasks are much broader and more complex.

Master of User Interaction

To understand who a Frontend Developer is, it is necessary to understand what they do. Their activities start with interpreting layouts and end with creating interactive components.

The main technologies that a specialist masters include:

1. HTML (HyperText Markup Language) — responsible for organizing and styling web pages.
2. CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) — visual styling: colors, fonts, margins, animations.
3. JavaScript — makes the interface interactive and dynamic.
4. Frameworks (React, Vue, Angular) — help in faster creation and implementation of complex user interfaces.

In addition to this, frontend developers use APIs in their work, interact with backend developers, and ensure proper functionality across all browsers and adaptability on any device. They do not just write code but create user-friendly digital products that are understandable to users.

Frontend Developer: First Steps in the Profession

How to become a Frontend Developer? Entry into the profession is possible for both experienced professionals and beginners. However, it is necessary to master several key areas:

• Firstly: master the basics of web development — HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. These languages form the foundation without which it is impossible to progress further;
• Secondly: learn frameworks and libraries such as React, Vue, or Angular. These tools are used in most modern projects and enhance the competitiveness of the specialist;
• Thirdly: it is important to study theory and apply knowledge in practice. Creating your own pet projects, participating in Open Source, and completing test tasks help gain experience and expand your portfolio.

What a Frontend Developer Should Know

To become a sought-after specialist, it is necessary to constantly develop skills, learn new technologies, and gain practical experience:

1. Mastery of HTML, CSS, JavaScript. These technologies form the basis of frontend development. HTML is responsible for page markup, CSS gives them style and visual appeal, and JavaScript makes them interactive.
2. Good understanding of responsive design and the ability to create websites that work in all browsers. The developer must ensure the correct display of the interface on different devices and in different browsers.
3. Performance optimization. Interaction with Lighthouse, Core Web Vitals, and Google PageSpeed Insights helps speed up page loading and reduce delays.
4. Working with APIs and asynchronous requests. AJAX, Fetch API, and technologies for working with REST and GraphQL are required for data exchange with backend services.
5. Knowledge of modern frameworks. React, Vue, and Angular simplify development, make the structure understandable, and allow for the creation of complex applications.
6. Skills in working with version control system Git are necessary for team development, tracking code changes, and managing projects on platforms such as GitHub and GitLab.
7. Basics of SEO for frontend development. Understanding the principles of semantic markup, proper URL formation, and image optimization help in website promotion.
8. Web application security. It is important to understand threats such as XSS, CSRF, SQL injections, and know methods to prevent them to protect user data.
9. Soft skills. Skill in teamwork and effective interaction with designers and backend developers, presenting one’s work, and adapting to new technologies.

Without these skills, it is difficult to compete in the market. A Frontend Developer must constantly learn because technologies are rapidly evolving, and the requirements for the quality of web applications are constantly increasing.

Where Frontend Developers Can Work

Such specialists are in demand in many fields. They can work:

• in IT companies — product development, startups, outsourcing;
• in e-commerce — creating interfaces for online stores;
• as freelancers — developing landing pages, complex web applications;
• in media and marketing — creating websites, working with interactive elements.

Each option has its own specifics. In large companies, there is an opportunity to participate in the development of large-scale projects, but high professionalism is required. Freelancing provides freedom but requires high self-organization.

Frontend Developer Salary

Beginners are especially interested in the level of income for Frontend Developers. Salaries can vary significantly depending on experience, region, and company:

1. In Russia, entry-level specialists earn from 80,000 rubles per month, while experienced ones earn 200,000 rubles and above.
2. In the USA, the average salary exceeds $80,000 per year.
3. In Europe, it is around €50,000.

Income depends on knowledge of frameworks, understanding of backend technologies, and level of soft skills. The ability to use build tools (Webpack, Vite, Gulp) to optimize code and automate processes is also valued.

Difference Between Frontend Developer and Web Designer

Frontend Developers and web designers perform different tasks in web development:

1. A web designer works with HTML and CSS, creating static pages. They ensure proper markup, visual styling of the site, and adaptation to all screen types. Focused on design and its correct display, they work with clean code or CSS frameworks like Bootstrap. Career advancement opportunities for such a specialist are often related to deepening their design skills: User Experience / User Interface.

2. A Frontend Developer works not only with HTML and CSS but also with JavaScript. They create complex logic for web applications, integrate APIs, optimize performance, provide interactivity, ease of use, and stable site operation under high load. Frontend specialists work with libraries and frameworks such as React, Vue, and Angular. They can evolve towards Fullstack development, backend, or DevOps.

Thus, frontend development is a complex and in-demand field that requires knowledge in programming, design, and user experience optimization.

Conclusion

Who is a Frontend Developer? This is a professional who turns designers’ ideas into working web products. They combine creativity and technical knowledge, creating convenient and fast websites.

Entry into the profession is open to everyone, but it requires persistence and continuous learning. The frontend development field is dynamic, salaries are increasing, and the demand for specialists is not decreasing. If there is a desire to master a sought-after profession, it is worth starting today. Perhaps this step will be the first on the path to a successful career in IT.

The IT market attracts thousands of new specialists every year. According to Gartner’s forecasts, by 2025, the demand for frontend developers will increase by another 28% compared to current levels. Companies are investing in specialists capable of creating user-friendly and fast interfaces, making the profession in demand and highly paid. The average income of a beginner frontend developer in Russia ranges from 70,000 to 120,000 rubles per month, while abroad it can reach $4,000.

Below, we will detail the courses that can be taken to become a good frontend developer.

## Best Platforms for Learning Frontend Development

In the online education market, more than 250 new courses for training frontend developers appear annually. A selection of the best programs will help you choose the optimal option and acquire the sought-after knowledge for remote work.

### Netology: Systematic Approach and Employment Guarantee

Courses for obtaining the profession of a frontend developer from Netology hold high positions in the industry. The online school has been operating since 2011 and offers systematic training. The full module lasts 12 months, with no more than 150 students per cohort, ensuring an individual approach to each student.

Program characteristics:

– 20 practical projects, including the development of landing pages, web applications, and adaptive interfaces;
– mentors from top companies: Yandex, VK, Tinkoff;
– support for graduates in employment: according to Netology’s statistics, 83% of students find frontend developer jobs online within the first two months after graduation.

Training here allows a beginner specialist to reach the Junior+/Middle level from scratch within a year, ensuring competitiveness in the labor market.

### Skillbox: Intensive Training with a Focus on Practice

Programs from Skillbox are aimed at a quick start in the profession. The emphasis here is on development and portfolio creation, necessary for successful employment. The full frontend developer course lasts 9 months and includes 360 academic hours of practice, including regular task checks by experienced mentors.

Program features:

– real cases from partner companies (Avito, Ozon, Mail.ru);
– mastering modern tools (React.js, TypeScript, Vue.js);
– guaranteed employment after training for 78% of successful graduates (data for 2024).

### Yandex Practicum: Interactivity and Deep Immersion

Platforms for learning frontend development, like Yandex Practicum, are the most popular among beginners in 2025. The plan is built on interactivity: the user masters over 400 hours of practical lessons in 10 months, participating in team and individual projects.

Features:

– weekly code reviews by experienced developers;
– 12 full projects to build a portfolio;
– a diploma project carried out jointly with major IT companies.

Yandex Practicum programs are regularly updated. In 2024, the platform received the “Best Frontend Developer Courses” award from the Russian IT Awards.

### GeekBrains: Training in Collaboration with IT Companies

GeekBrains is one of the oldest platforms in Russia, offering frontend training in 2025 with a guarantee of employment in partner companies. The program lasts 11 months, during which participants master key development technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React).

Features:

– 18 major partner companies, including Sber, Alfa-Bank, EPAM;
– 15 real projects and cases from employers;
– 76% of graduates receive job offers immediately after completing the course.

## How to Become a Frontend Developer: What to Consider When Choosing a Course

When deciding where to study, be sure to consider the following factors:

1. **Program Relevance**: Regular updating of educational material and compliance with technological trends (React.js, Next.js, TypeScript).
2. **Practical Component**: Number of practice hours (at least 60% of the total course), availability of regular task checks.
3. **Mentors**: Experience of teachers and presence of experts from the IT industry (e.g., leading developers from Yandex or VK).
4. **Employment**: Real employment rates of graduates, preferably 70% and above.
5. **Cost and Duration of Training**: Optimal balance of price and knowledge gained (from 70,000 to 150,000 rubles per year).

## Prospects of Working as a Frontend Developer Online After Completing Training

Frontend developer courses provide a specialist with broad employment opportunities in the global market. According to a study by HeadHunter, in 2024 alone, the number of vacancies for junior engineers increased by 32%, reaching 12,500 open positions monthly. On average, about 20 candidates apply for one vacancy, reflecting moderate competition in the industry and the possibility of quick employment with a quality portfolio.

The starting salary for a novice in Russia ranges from 70,000 to 120,000 rubles per month, depending on the region and company. For example, companies in Moscow and St. Petersburg offer salaries 20-25% above the market, sometimes reaching up to 150,000 rubles to start. More experienced specialists with at least one year of work experience can expect 150,000–200,000 rubles.

The international job market looks even more promising. According to the latest LinkedIn study for February 2025, the average salary for a Junior Frontend Developer in EU countries ranges from $3,000 to $4,500 per month. Companies from Germany, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia offer particularly attractive conditions, where the demand for frontend specialists increases by 18–20% annually.

The remote format significantly increases the number of available vacancies. Specialists who have undergone quality training can handle multiple projects simultaneously and increase their income by 30–50% compared to offline work.

## Conclusion

The frontend developer courses presented above have a reputation confirmed by the numbers and facts of successful graduate careers. A systematic approach, practical orientation, and constant material updating help new specialists adapt quickly in the profession and successfully find employment within a few months after completing their training. Choosing the right platform is a strategic decision that determines income level and career prospects for the coming years.