Web3 is one of the most popular topics in the tech space in 2024; the exciting and practical potential of web3 spans across many industries. Today, early adopters are positioned to lead others in the future. If you are considering a career in web3, there are many areas like security, policy, and finance, but one of the high-paying jobs in web3 is web/software development because it is the foundation of web3.
The demand for web3 developers has increased in the last three years, with projections for more jobs by 2030. This article is a guide to help you chart a path from a novice or a beginner to a competent web3 developer.
What is Web3 Development?
Web3 is often called the next generation of the Internet and refers to the development and use of blockchain technology and decentralized applications (dApps) on the internet for various purposes, ranging from finance to security and even entertainment. The hallmark of web3 is a more secure, open, accessible, and user-controlled internet where there are no centralized authorities with the power to impose limitations or censors.
Web3 development involves building internet-based solutions for web3. Whether you are new to web and software development or you have some experience with them, becoming a web3 developer requires specific knowledge of tools and programming languages.
Who is a Web3 Developer?
A web3 developer or engineer is a person who builds blockchains and blockchain-based products such as software and systems for web3. Web3 developers use a variety of programming languages, such as Rust, Python, Javascript, and Solidity, to build applications based on the principles of decentralization, privacy, transparency, and security. Web developers for web3 are tasked with building the frameworks, infrastructure, and applications that power web3 ecosystems.
Role of a Web3 Developer
There are three key roles that web3 developers fulfill. These are:
- Building and implementing products and solutions: Developers design, build, and test smart contracts, blockchains, and decentralized applications for web3. Smart contracts are contracts that self-execute when pre-coded instructions are triggered, while decentralized applications leverage the power of interconnected nodes to distribute and collect data. Smart contracts and decentralized applications are arguably the most important concepts in web3, ensuring true decentralization and privacy.
- Security and stability: web3 developers are also tasked with building secure systems and apps, identifying and removing security threats, and generally ensuring the stability of web3 ecosystems. These are important for maintaining functionality in web3 for optimum performance.
- Community management: web3 developers also get to interact with communities built around products and services, where they receive feedback on their products and share ideas or collaborate with other developers and professionals involved in web3 projects.
Essential Skills For A Web3 Developer
Now you have decided to learn web3 development, here’s what you should do.
Learn the Basics
There are foundational topics that you must strongly understand to be a successful web developer. These concepts form the base on which your knowledge of web3 will function. Some of these are:
- Blockchain technology: You’ll learn what a blockchain is, how the technology works, and the different types of blockchains and their protocols. You’ll learn the advantages and drawbacks of the top blockchains and how they work.
- Blockchain primitives: these include hashing, digital signatures, consensus mechanisms, and other basic building blocks of blockchain technology. You’ll learn how these interact as low-level algorithms to bring functionality to blockchains.
- Cryptography: cryptography is the practice of securing information from loss and unauthorized access. Blockchain cryptography is key to securing blockchain data and on-chain information. You’ll learn how to implement and manage cryptographic protocols.
- Blockchain architecture: this is the way that a blockchain network is designed, implemented, and maintained. There are two main types: centralized and decentralized. You’ll learn how to design, build, and enhance blockchain structures in web3.
- Smart contracts: smart contracts are widely used in web3 because they are self-executing, hard-coded, tamper-proof, and discrete without third-party approval. You’ll learn how smart contracts work, how they are designed, and the various uses across fields like finance, security, supply chain, voting, and real estate, among others.
These basic topics do not require technical knowledge, but you’ll have to put in the work to understand them.
Choose a Programming Language
When you become familiar with the foundational concepts of web3, it is time to move to the more technical aspect of development: learning to write programs and scripts in specific programming languages. There are dozens of programming languages used in web development; web3 developers use a variety of languages to build web3 products and solutions.
No matter the language you choose, you’ll have to learn the following concepts, which are found in most languages.
- Variables
- Data types and structures
- Operators
- Control flow
- Functions
- Objects
- Classes, generics, and concurrency
- Error handling
Learning these makes it easier to learn any programming language, so you can become proficient in building web3 products in several languages.
Choosing a programming language
For starters, learning HTML, CSS, and Javascript will provide the foundation for building front-side websites, but you'll need to learn other languages to build backend programs and web3 software.
Some of the widely used languages are Solidity, Rust, Go, Python, Vyper, Move, and Cairo. These languages have unique advantages that make them suitable for various purposes. See Top 10 Programming Language to write smart contract.
For example, Python's syntax resembles the English Language and is easier to learn. It is also a high-level programming language with many applications, but it is slower to execute compared to some other languages.
Rust is popular for its performance and safety and is increasingly used for building web3 products. Solidity is the go-to for building smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain and is the most popular language for developing decentralized apps (dApps).
The programming language you choose should reflect your end goal. If you want to become a smart contracts web3 developer on Solana and Ethereum, for example, it would make sense to start with Solidity and then move on to Rust and other languages later.
If you want to integrate web3 technologies on other platforms, Python should be your language of choice. Whichever language you choose, remember that you can achieve your goal of becoming a web3 developer.
Create a Learning Schedule
A crucial part of becoming a web3 developer is creating a schedule for effective learning. If you are self-learning or taking a course, you’ll need to put in many hours weekly, for many months, until you form the habit. It may be difficult at first, depending on your previous experience with learning new things, but it is doable.
First, choose a time of the day when you are rested, able to concentrate, and can work undisturbed. This could be at any time of the day. Many developers eventually learn to stay up late into the night working. You’ll come to that point where you begin to enjoy writing codes and designing stuff, and you don’t track time when working.
Practice Your Lessons
The top developers were once newbies; they became good through consistency and dedication. You’ll need those two qualities to learn and practice until you become a developer. New web3 developers often start with excitement about their new path, but that excitement often turns into frustration when they get into the thick of things.
Learning to code is hard, and it can be frustrating when you seem to meet a block and can’t get around a problem. This is where your discipline should kick in and help you stay consistent in practicing your lessons.
Find coding challenges on platforms such as W3schools, LeetCode, and also from online communities.
Join a Community
Developer communities are mostly online but also offline/physical networks where developers interact, share ideas, learn, and build. You should leverage the opportunity to connect with more developers while you learn. There are many benefits you can enjoy, such as getting early access to premium tools, the latest industry news and insights, and having more experienced professionals willing to assist you when you have challenges with your code.
You, too, will become experienced and play your part in helping new web3 developers when they have issues. Developer communities are wonderful and will aid your growth. You can join Google, Meta, and other developer circles in your local institution or location or connect online through social media.
Build a Portfolio
A portfolio of applications and solutions you've built will tell potential researchers about your skill level and potential. Ensure you build projects as you learn and document your journey. GitHub is one of the most popular places to find projects that you can contribute to and also deploy your code for others to see. You can also explore platforms such as Hashnode to document your development process.
Get a Job
Remember that you are learning web3 development to build solutions; getting a job should be a part of your plans. There are lots of web3 developer jobs, but the competition also increases because there are many other people learning development. Landing a job involves a lot of things that we cannot cover here, but a few include knowing how to code and solve problems and positioning yourself where recruiters can find you.
You should also explore cold mailing as a way to reach out to potential employers. Look for new startups and firms and reach out to them. Explore job platforms like Remote3 to find high paying remote web3 developer jobs.
Challenges and Opportunities in Web3
Web3 is relatively nascent, and yet, there are already talks of web3. The fast-paced evolution of web3 and the complexity of programming are the two toughest challenges that web3 developers face. The best way around them is to go through dedicated learning, grit, and leveraging community support. You can and will become a sound web3 engineer if you stick to it long enough.
As for opportunities, web3 developers are some of the highest paid within the blockchain and crypto industry today; the average web3 developer banks an average salary ranging from $25,000 to $288,000 based on experience and role. As a web3 developer, you are exposed to some of the top projects that will shape the internet and many industries such as finance, real estate, entertainment, gaming, etc.
FAQ
How long does it take to become a Web3 developer?
Everyone learns at different paces, so your timeline may differ from others. Previous experience in web development may also shorten one’s web3 learning curve. Most developers spend at least 12 months to go from beginner to entry-level web3 developer based on committing at least 40 hours weekly. Lukas has shared how he became a solidity developer in 12 months which you can follow.
Is there demand for Web3 developers?
There is an increasingly high demand for web3 developers within many industries, but mostly in blockchain and cryptocurrency. The adoption of decentralization in gaming, entertainment, security, the Internet of Things, and other areas will also increase the demand for developers. Remember that web3 developers also have valuable skills to build web-based solutions for any niche.
How do I start Web3 development?
You can start by learning the foundations of blockchain and smart contracts, and decentralized applications, and then move on to learn a programming language such as Solidity, Rust, Python, Go, etc. You’ll also need to learn the mechanics of cryptocurrencies and cybersecurity to become a competent web3 developer.
Does Web3 require coding?
Web3 development requires knowledge and skills in one or more programming languages to develop web-based products and solutions. Coding skills are essential, and you can learn any language as a beginner.
