Backend Developer Roadmap for Beginners

A simple, step-by-step plan to get your first backend developer job. You will build skills, learn tools, and create a real project for your portfolio.

Weekly Hours: 10
Estimated Weeks: 8

Phases

Foundations

Start with the basics of programming, tools and backend concepts. You will set up your coding environment and write small programs to get comfortable.

2 weeks

Understand backend basics
Set up development tools
Write simple code
Use version control

Run programs (Hello World in Node.js)
Use terminal commands (navigate files)
Write basic JavaScript (variables, loops)
Use Git basics (commit, push)

Intro to Programming Course
Beginner JavaScript Tutorial
Git Basics Guide

Submit one working JavaScript program
Push code to a GitHub repository
Write a README with instructions

Core Backend Skills

Learn how to build server applications. Practice handling requests, responses, and using databases for data storage.

2 weeks

Understand how servers work
Build a simple API
Connect to a database
Handle errors

Create routes (GET/POST in Express.js)
Store data (MongoDB or PostgreSQL)
Handle requests and responses
Write error handlers

Express.js Beginner Guide
MongoDB or PostgreSQL Docs
Basic API Tutorial

Deliver a working API with one resource (e.g., notes)
Save and read data in a database
Handle and show meaningful errors

Project Building

Combine your skills to build a real project. Focus on features, code quality, and covering more cases. This project will anchor your learning.

3 weeks

Design and plan a backend project
Add CRUD features (Create, Read, Update, Delete)
Manage project with Git
Write basic tests

Design RESTful endpoints (tasks API)
Implement user input validation
Write tests (Jest for endpoints)
Document API (simple docs)

REST API Tutorial
API Testing Guide
Project Planning Template

Complete a TODO list API with CRUD
Add and pass tests for all endpoints
Write simple API docs (endpoints, examples)

Deployment and Review

Make your project public. Deploy your backend, check everything works, and prepare for job applications.

1 weeks

Deploy project online
Test deployed API
Write a project summary
Collect feedback

Deploy to cloud (Render or Heroku)
Use CI tools (GitHub Actions)
Fix deployment bugs
Summarize work (project highlights)

Deployment Guide
GitHub Actions Tutorial
Project Review Checklist

API live at public URL
Show passing tests with CI badge
Project summary in README

Weekly Plan

Week	Focus	Why	Tasks	Deliverables
1	Learn programming and Git basics	Understanding the basics makes future steps easier.	Complete basic JavaScript exercises (variables, loops), Install Node.js and VSCode, Write and run simple programs, Initialize a Git repository, Push code to GitHub	Personal GitHub repo with at least 3 small programs
2	Understand backend concepts and set up tools	Tools and concepts are the foundation for backend work.	Read about servers and APIs, Install Express.js and test with Hello route, Practice using terminal commands, Update GitHub repo with notes and code	Hello World Express server on GitHub
3	Build your first API and store data	Creating and storing data is a core backend skill.	Create routes for posting and getting data (Express.js), Install and connect MongoDB or PostgreSQL, Save new items to database from API, Return data from the database	Simple working API with database on GitHub
4	Handle errors and refine API	Error handling keeps applications reliable.	Test broken requests on API, Add error messages for bad input, Log errors to console, Update and commit changes in Git	API returns proper error messages for invalid requests
5	Start main TODO project (backend)	Project building brings all skills together.	Plan project structure (endpoints and database models), Create project repository and set up base files, Set up CRUD routes (tasks: add, view, update, delete), Commit first working routes	Project repo with initial CRUD API and tasks
6	Improve TODO project and add validation	Validation prevents bad data and bugs.	Write checks for empty or invalid data in requests, Test API with valid and invalid data, Refactor code based on feedback, Update docs with usage examples	API rejects bad input and returns helpful messages
7	Test project and document everything	Testing and docs are expected in real jobs.	Write endpoint tests (Jest or similar tool), Fix any failing tests, Write simple API documentation (markdown file), Add example requests and outputs	All endpoints covered by tests and docs in repo
8	Deploy project and wrap up	Deployment makes the project ready for showcase.	Deploy backend to free hosting (Render or Heroku), Set up automatic tests with GitHub Actions, Write a brief project summary in README, Share link with a friend for feedback	Public API URL, passing CI badge, project summary

Daily Plan

Monday

Watch or read a short tutorial (20 mins)
Review last week's work
Write or fix small chunks of code

Tuesday

Read resource material
Practice one backend skill (router, data, Git)
Commit changes to repo

Wednesday

Work on a coding task for your project
Test code with example inputs
Fix bugs found during testing

Thursday

Write documentation or comments
Read an article or guide for inspiration
Update repository with latest progress

Friday

Review your week's work and notes
Share progress with a friend or mentor
Make a small improvement to code or docs