Web Development Fundamentals Experts Wish Everyone Understood

When discussing web development fundamentals with senior developers, one concept consistently rises to the top: semantic HTML—using the right HTML elements for their intended purposes rather than generic containers.

"Properly structured HTML is like the foundation of a house—invisible to most visitors but determining whether everything built on top will stand or collapse."

This might seem like a minor technical detail, but its importance extends far beyond code aesthetics:

I've found that accessibility isn't just a moral consideration—it's often legally required:

"In many countries, accessibility isn't optional—it's legally mandated. But beyond compliance, it's about writing better code that should have been done right from the beginning, not treated as an afterthought."

The practical benefits extend beyond SEO and accessibility:

"Semantic HTML is simply more efficient. If you use a <div> for a button and want it to be disabled, you have to manually add all that functionality. A proper <button> element just works."

Another consistent theme I've observed is the value of keeping web implementations as simple and lightweight as possible:

"Match your tools to the project's needs. If HTML, CSS, and JavaScript will solve the problem, use them. Not every local business website needs a React application—simplicity often leads to better results."

The importance of file size optimization shouldn't be underestimated:

"A well-built site can be under 20KB. When standard framework sites balloon to ~1MB, that's a red flag. Not every project needs extensive JavaScript libraries."

Through mentoring junior developers, I've emphasized code organization principles that prevent maintenance nightmares:

"Don't abstract code until you've implemented it at least three times. Premature abstraction creates more problems than it solves."

This principle prevents overengineering—a common cause of delays and bugs in development projects.

I've also learned this valuable perspective:

"There's no perfect code. Every line written is technical debt, even the most well-crafted ones. Always maximize impact while minimizing your code footprint."

Through security audits and code reviews, I've identified that security is often overlooked despite its critical importance:

"Never trust user data. Frontend validation is easily bypassed. Always consider how your application might be attacked and defend accordingly."

A recurring issue I've observed:

"Too many developers still implement their own security mechanisms rather than using established standards. From SQL injection protection to authentication systems, security isn't where you should reinvent the wheel."

From my experience building production systems, I've learned that understanding the broader development ecosystem is essential:

"Don't stop at frontend or backend development. Learning infrastructure and deployment technologies like containers, Kubernetes, and Infrastructure as Code provides career advantages and gives you greater control over your projects."

Through consulting with business stakeholders, I've developed these recommendations for working with development teams:

When evaluating developers or development teams, I recommend asking these questions:

• What's your approach to semantic HTML and accessibility?
• How do you balance performance with functionality?
• What security practices and processes do you follow?
• What's your philosophy on code organization?

Based on my journey and observations of successful developers, here's my advice for strengthening your foundation: