What Is the Role of a Web Developer (and How Can I Become One)?

Website developer design and maintain websites to ensure their dependability and effectiveness. Learn more about Web development techniques and how to get started.

While their significant responsibility is making the website aesthetically appealing and easy to use, many web developers are in charge of its speed and capacity. Keep reading 

Web Developer Types

Back-end developers, front-end programmers, and full-stack developers are the three types of web developers. Some web developers are also webmasters. Let’s look at many positions in more detail. Back-end web developers design the website’s structure, write code and test it. Their tasks may also include maintaining access points for individuals who need to control a website’s content. 

Front-end web developers concentrate on the website’s visual components—the pages that users see and interact with (also known as the user interface). They create the physical layout of each page, enable the user, and enhance the site with HTML and JavaScript.

Tasks and Duties of a Web Developer

You might work as a web developer in a web development company or as a freelancer taking up tasks for individual clients. Your chores will vary based on your job, but typical day-to-day obligations may include:

• User interface and navigation menu design
• Writing and revising HTML, XML, or JavaScript code for websites.
• Including multimedia material on a website
• Web application testing
• Troubleshooting performance or customer experience issues
• We are working together with designers, and developers.

A Career as a Web Developer

Many web engineers begin their careers focusing only on front-end and back-end development. They may pursue professions as full-stack developers or in adjacent disciplines such as managing projects, computer programming, or graphic design.

What do Web Developers Get Paid for?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median yearly compensation for web developers in the United States is $77,200. According to Glassdoor pay information, web developers in the United States may make up to $249,297. How much you make will be determined by various factors, including where you work, your industry, and your level of expertise.

The expansion of e-commerce is one of the leading causes behind this surge in web development jobs. Companies increasingly depend on functional websites that work across many devices to conduct business.

How to Become a Web Developer

A formal education is always essential for becoming an entry-level web developer. Some web developers have a degree in web design or computer science, but others learn how to code and create websites independently. While a degree might make you a more competitive applicant, a solid portfolio can help potential employers validate your talents.

Develop Your Web Development Talents.

Web developers are typically expected to have particular abilities that indicate their ability to meet the website needs of employers and clients. If you want to be a web developer, these are some skills you should work on to set yourself up for success.

Technical Skills

• For front-end design, standard programming languages include HTML, PHP, cascading style sheets, and JavaScript. If you want back-end development, probably learn Python, Java, or Ruby.

• Responsive design: People browse websites on a range of devices. Sites should be able to look as great on smartphones as they do on computer monitors.

• Many aspects of website design can influence a site’s search engine ranking. Understanding why search engines rank websites is helpful in the job of a developer.
• Version control allows you to track and manage changes to the original code without starting from scratch each time you encounter an issue.

• Understanding fundamental design concepts like using white space, selecting typefaces, and adding pictures will increase your marketability.

Workplace Skills

• Communication: Web developers spend time discussing design concepts with their clients and team members throughout the project.

• Customer service: A web developer produces websites for clients and should always keep the client in mind to obtain the best outcomes.

• Detail-oriented: Small changes in coding, for example, can significantly affect how a website runs.

• Keeping track of deadlines, project tasks, workflow, and budgets is essential if you want to finish a website design on time.

• Problem-solving: When developing websites, web developers frequently come into problems. They must have the patience & aptitude to identify and solve difficulties in design or code methodically.

View a Computer Science or Web Design Degree.

While a degree is not usually required to land a career in web development, it may surely assist. If you’re currently enrolled in school (or considering enrolling), specific majors may better fit your career objectives than others. 

Consider a computer science degree program if you’re more engaged in back-end web development. If you are more interested in front-end programming, you may pursue a degree in web design or user experience (UX).

Take a Web Development Course.

Working as a web developer does not need formal education. It is feasible to learn the necessary abilities on your own. For example, you may take a course to learn computer languages such as HTML, JavaScript, or CSS and then apply what you’ve learned to your website.

You may improve your skills while completing development projects for your portfolio by taking an online web development course, such as Web Design for Everybody: Basics of Web Development and Coding, from the University of Michigan.

Created a Web Development Portfolio.

This collection of projects demonstrates to potential employers how much you can produce. Include the project kinds that describe the work you want to accomplish. If you include code, annotate this to demonstrate your thought process.

Obtain Certification.

Earning a certification might help future employers recognize your skill set. There are both generic and vendor-specific alternatives available, such as Adobe Certified Expert (ACE), Microsoft Certified Solution Associate (MCSD), Amazon Web Services (AWS) Certified Developer, and Zend Certified PHP Engineer.

Final Verdict

A good developer understands that their web development reputation and career are their own. They endeavor to be a pleasure to work with and are continuously looking for ways to make their team’s burden lighter and more efficient.