Web developers are 54% more likely to work at public companies as compared to private companies.
Businesses around the globe need skilled digital professionals, making this the ideal time to think about developing a career in web development.
In this blog, we will introduce you to web developers, what they do, the difference between a web developer and a web designer, and much more. Read on to know more.
What does a web developer do?
Also known as web programmers or coders, web developers fundamentally make a website work by building the site’s functionality, interactivity, and visible structure, generally based on the conception of designers and other significant roles.
Web developers also ensure that a site functions well on all browsers – desktop and mobile – through testing. Once a site is live, a developer updates other maintenance tasks as and when required.
What is the difference between a web developer and a web designer?
As the role of a web developer and web designer are interdependent, they are also very different regarding their required skill sets and functions.
Web designers, on the one hand, create the aesthetic components of a site, including all the visuals, graphics, and images. The utilization of image editing software such as Photoshop is essential to their role.
On the other hand, web developers take the website design designed by the web designer, then make it a functioning website.
Web developers can be split into two areas of responsibility and skills – front-end and back-end. Front-end developers focus on programming languages like HTML, CSS, and Javascript to design a website’s visual and interactive parts – essentially the details you can see.
Back-end developers are also responsible for developing the logic that runs on a server. It usually involves intercommunicating with a database and speculating data before passing it back to the browser and presenting it to the user. Typical programming languages used include PHP, Ruby, ASP are SQL.
Within an agency, the roles tend to follow a framework:
- Creatives – the task of web designers, responsible for design work, use software like Photoshop and Sketch.
- UID – User Interface developers – also called front-end developers. They will create interactivity using HTML, CSS, and Javascript, including mouseovers, on-screen validation, and interactivity.
- Back-end developers – write code that interprets user input and either stores it in a database or performs functions on the information, such as calculation libraries or templating systems.
- Most modern sites will require both back-end and front-end development. Back-end technologies consist of languages like C# and sit-in frameworks like the .Net framework.
While it may seem like the coding languages are much more challenging to grasp, once you have conquered the basics, they become much more comprehensible.
What qualifications do you need to become a web developer?
While no formal or specific qualifications are required to become a web developer, a certified degree in maths or science will be helpful.
You should also preferably have an aptitude for – or an experience of – elements such as:
- User experience (UX)
- User interface (UI)
- Visual design
- Coding languages, including HTML and CSS
- Frontend web programming languages and skills such as JavaScript, Ajax, and web animation techniques
- Backend web programming languages such as C# or Java, PHP, and Ruby
- Design software, for example, Photoshop and Illustrator, and Sketch
- An understanding of SEO
- Web servers and how they operate
A future as a web developer is very specialized. While programs like Adobe Dreamweaver and powerful platforms such as WordPress are often regarded as replacing core coding skills – as they do indeed allow novice users to develop websites with basic knowledge – developing areas for corporate clients require high levels of customization, which cannot be met with the use of programs like Adobe Dreamweaver, as web developers are mandated to code in the raw language of the web.
A portfolio of your work is a perfect way to exhibit your skills as a web developer.
- Examples of websites you’ve worked on – This lets you share your work and help show potential clients what you can do. Don’t forget to include the following:
- Testimonials from clients you have previously worked with – this will reassure probable clients that you have worked for multiple clients and they were content with what you have delivered. Always ask your clients you work for to furnish a testimonial once the project is complete.
- Your USPs are the ideal way to sell yourself to soon-to-be clients, showing what makes you stand out and why they should choose you over others.
- Your contact details – your name, email id, contact number, and social media handles (like LinkedIn), plus a link to your portfolio
What skills do you need to become a web developer?
Essential skills required to become a web developer include:
- Computer knowledge
- Strong numeracy skills
- Strong creative ability
- Outstanding communication skills
- Excellent problem-solving ability
- A logical approach to the task at hand
- The ability to explain technical matters precisely.
- An eager interest in technology
What are the day-to-day responsibilities of a web developer?
While your specific duties will depend upon the websites you are working on and the type of company you will work for, the typical day-to-day tasks of a web developer generally include:
- Interacting with clients to understand what they want from their site.
- Developing design frameworks.
- Wireframing pages, positioning CTAs, links, and imagery.
- Adding multimedia features like sounds, animations, and videos, if applicable.
- Making sure that the site is responsive to render appropriately on all devices.
- Testing and improving the operation and rendering of the website.
- Uploading the site to the designated server.
Why should you build a career in web development?
A career as a web developer is attractive for multiple reasons, including:
- You’ll be working in the ever-growing digital industry, which is continuing to grow, expand and evolve.
- You can be as innovative as you want – from websites to apps to emails; you can make incredible designs.
- You can work abroad – web development proficiency is highly transferable, assuring you can work in any country you want.
- You can work flexibly – if you prefer to work as a freelance web developer, you must specify your hours plus your fee.
Choosing the role you’d like to work in helps determine where you want to take your career, as you can be based in a large company or a small association. If you don’t wish to work as either, you could always choose to work as a freelancer or even establish your own business once you have enough experience and skills.
With experience, a web developer could become a technical lead, then a technical architect. You can also become a web content manager or a design team manager. Alternatively, you could specialize in a code language, allowing you to focus on one development area. Basic knowledge of all the different coding languages will equip you to work on almost all platforms.
