With the Internet taking a larger role in the lives of people and companies every year, the incentives to become a web developer become even larger. Web developers usually make a good salary, get to work in relatively dynamic situations, sometimes are able to telecommute, and are part of a cutting-edge movement in technology. There are many different tools available for the aspiring web developer, and the route you take depends on your personal inclination and what path you want to pursue.
There are two main tracks of web development, although some people pursue both. One type of developer focuses on client-end programming, such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The other type focuses on server-side programming, such as PHP, Ruby, Perl, and Python. This second sort of web developer is often referred to as a web programmer. Generally, web developers need an understanding of all levels of the technical process, so those who focus on HTML and CSS they will still have an understanding of PHP, and visa versa.
The most obvious route to take to become a web developer is to attend a traditional four-year university and get a major in computer science, with a focus on web development. Although many people choose this route, the fast-paced nature of the Internet can sometimes mean that the technologies you study will shift during the time you're in school, so your learning needs to continue even after graduation. Attending college for web development is often best for those who are pursuing a job with a large company that places an emphasis on formal education.
A secondary route to a web development career is to attend a vocational school that focuses on this field. Although often not as prestigious as attending a four-year university, vocational schools often allow students to focus exclusively on development, without having to fulfill any other requirements. This means that the number of hours you'll spend studying web development relative to the program length is much higher than at a university.
One of the most common routes to become a web developer is self-directed study. There are many resources available for those who want to study any aspect of web development, and large communities have grown up around supporting and tutoring those who want to join. While some of these online classrooms charge a fee for their services, the vast majority are free, supported exclusively by advertising or run by people who simply want to share their knowledge.
You can go online and find an introductory class to HTML and CSS to start learning web development. Learning the basic building blocks of web pages is important to understanding how the more complex interactions happen later. Once you have a decent grasp of HTML and CSS, then you'll probably have to choose to either focus on something like JavaScript, or to focus on server-side solutions like PHP and SQL. Whatever track you choose, you're likely to find many resources online for every language and ideology of design and implementation.