Ask HN: How to move from web developer to just developer?

I have been working with web development for a decade, started being a web master then a designer then a frontend engineer.

Having no formal education I am interested to hear what steps are recommended to find a more technical job.

I have the impression that no serious company will hire somebody with my background.

I am considering everything at the moment, from backend to system and mobile. I have time for small projects/portfolio work but I have tried doing that before and they ended up being too simple for the position I was applying for.