Web development is the most popular job in 2022.
According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of web developers will grow by 13% from 2020 to 2030 which is higher than the average of all other job fields.
Web developers create websites for their clients or companies. And since every company has its website, they need to offer a seamless website experience to grow their business.
In the current time, the internet has become vastly popular and there is a huge scope for web developers to build their careers.
But what exactly does a web developer do? Is their responsibility any different from that of a web designer?
Here we will discuss the most common questions related to the role of a web developer so that you have an in-depth understanding of this job role.
- Who is a web developer?
- What does a web developer do on a daily basis?
- What are the different types of web developers?
- Web design vs web development
- How much is the web developer salary
- What degree do you need to be a web developer?
- How to become a web developer?
- What are the skills required for a web developer?
- What certifications a web developer must do?
- What is a web developer's working environment like?
- How long does it take to become a web developer?
Who Is a Web Developer?
A web developer is the creator of websites to offer a user-friendly experience. They accept the design created by web designers and turn it into a functional website by writing codes.
Web developers have the significant responsibility of turning languages spoken by us into a language that computers can understand. For this reason, they have to be experts in programming languages such as Java, Python, and HTML.
What Does a Web Developer Do on a Daily Basis?
Often the question would have lived rent-free in your head, and we are here to answer it.
What do web developers do?
Web developers build and maintain websites. They write the codes that power the websites. But is that all that a web developer's responsibilities include?
Let us look at the most common roles of web developers that they do daily.
- Utilize HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create websites by bringing what web designers have envisaged to life.
- They consider the demands of both clients and customers when developing a website.
- Web developers create and maintain software documentation.
- They scale the website, resulting in more traffic and business for the businesses.
- Keep up with technical advances and incorporate them into the websites they create.
- Update the websites they created for their smooth functioning.
- They use different programming languages, content creation tools, and digital media.
- Web developers create or validatee test routines and schedules guarantee that test cases are modeled after external interfaces and cover all browsers and devices.
- Keep a backup of all the files for smooth recovery when needed.
- Guiding and directing team members who are involved in website development.
- Checking and validating codes to meet the industry standards and support devices of all types.
- Identifying and resolving problems discovered through consumer feedback and testing or forwarding them to suitable people for remedial actions.
Also Read: How to write an impressive web developer resume for 2022?
What Are the Different Types of Web Developers?
There are four major types of web developers: frontend developers, backend developers, full-stack developers, and JavaScript developers. A web developer can work on any project and gain expertise in it.
Frontend Developer
A frontend developer is responsible for everything you see on a website, including menus, messages, photos, navigation bars, etc.
A frontend developer takes the design and turns it into a code that can be used on the website. Frontend developers use programming languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript more frequently than others.
Sometimes web developers also write content as and when needed for their websites. Frontend developers must ensure that the texts are arranged well into paragraphs, headings, and sequencing.
Backend Developer
According to Indeed, backend development is the [fastest growing job area in 2022.](The Top 14 Fastest-Growing Jobs To Consider in 2022 | Indeed.com)
Backend development deals with the server-side. They look for everything that goes behind the scene. Backend developers create code in order to interact with the server. They read algorithms and optimize complex systems, to put it another way.
When you register for a website and provide your information, the verification email you receive is the work of backend engineers. They're in charge of the entire website's architecture, programming, and database interaction.
Backend developers use programming languages such as Python, PHP, and Ruby. Java is the latest choice for backend programming too.
Also Read: What are the top interview questions for web developers?
Full Stack Developer
A full-stack developer is someone who conducts both frontend and backend development. They can develop complicated software solutions from the ground up using both specialties. They are proficient in various programming languages, frameworks, servers, networks, and web hosting.
A full-stack developer can create a website from scratch on their own. They are adept at writing codes for the front and backend, enabling them to work on big projects.
JavaScript Developer
As the name suggests, JavaScript developers work on the programming language Java. They are experts at it and can use it to create both backend and frontend web development. Thanks to their knowledge, they may change, enhance, and design websites that operate best for their clients.
Web Design Vs Web Development
Often the description of web designers gets confused with web developers. But these are different professions. While a web designer focuses more on the website's aesthetics, web developers make it happen.
Web designers look at how a website should look, and web designers breathe life into that first impression. In simple words, web designers are the visionaries, and web developers are the active soldiers with technical knowledge of coding.
How Much Is the Web Developer Salary?
According to a reliable source, the average salary of a web developer is $68,481 per year. They also earn a cash bonus of $2450 per year.
A web developer with less than a year of experience earns $61,157. Like any other job profile, with years of experience, the salary for web developers grows too. A web developer with more than ten years of experience earns $86,510 per year.
New Jersey, Virginia, and Massachusetts are some places in the US where the salary of web developers is above the national average.
Also Read: What is the salary trend of a web developer in 2022?
What Degree Do You Need to Be a Web Developer?
To become a web developer, you need to complete your bachelor’s degree in a specific field, such as computer science or programming. An impressive educational background would enhance your chances of finding a high-paying web developer job.
You can also opt for a master’s degree in computer science to expand your knowledge base.
However, you can also enhance your web development skills by opting for certifications or boot camps. Web developers need to prove their skill set via learning new technologies and tools in their field throughout their careers.
How to Become a Web Developer?
There are some basic steps that you can follow to become a web developer. Becoming a web developer is not an overnight task. You need to get the right knowledge and learn the technicalities of web development to become a successful web developer.
Here are some steps that can help you navigate how to be a web developer:
Step 1: Complete the bachelor’s degree.
Step 2: Get the relevant certifications and enhance your knowledge of programming languages.
Step 3: Build a portfolio to showcase your skills and expertise.
Step 4: Set out on a job hunt and top target companies.
Step 5: Learn and gain experience.
Step 6: Keep upgrading your technical skills while in service.
Also Read: What does it take to become a web developer in 2022?
Skills Required for Web Developers
The skills of a web developer can be divided into hard and soft skills. While the soft skills include interpersonal skills, the hard skills comprise technical knowledge.
Here are some essential skills that you must have to land the best web developer job:
Hard Skills for Web Developers | Soft Skills for Web Developers |
---|---|
Programming Language | Interpersonal Skills |
Responsive Web Designing | Analytical Skills |
JavaScript Skills | Problem Solving Skills |
Testing and Debugging Skills | Time Management |
Search Engine Optimization | Attention to Detail |
Data Analysis | Creativity |
What Certifications Are Required for a Web Developer?
As a web developer, you will have to upgrade your skills with the new technologies. How will you do that? With the help of web development certifications, you can stand ahead of the crowd.
Here are some top certifications that you can do as a web developer.
- Professional Certificate in Coding: Full Stack Development With MERN by MIT
- Professional Certificate in Front-End Web Developer by edX
- HTML & CSS Certification Course for Beginners by Udemy
- Technology Leadership Certificateby eCornell
- Programming Foundations with JavaScript, HTML, and CSS by Duke University
- The Springboard Software Engineering Certification by Springboard
- GIAC Certified Web Application Defender (GWEB) by GIAC certifications
What Is a Web Developer's Working Environment Like?
A web developer’s working environment consists of several meetings, reportings, quality testing, and interactions with product managers and stakeholders.
Web developers go through the code and locate the possible scope of fixing and rework on the code. Often, they pick up new tickets that are raised for bug fixes. Once the code is recreated, web developers send it across for “pull requests” for a review done by peers.
Every ticket that a web developer handles daily is a challenge. Sometimes they even require re-familiarizing themselves with the codes used to create the website in the first place and optimize it as per the need.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Web Developer?
Becoming a web developer can take 8-12 weeks of a boot camp or a 3-year dedicated bachelor’s degree. The additional certifications to hone web development skills can take another few months or, if pursued simultaneously with the educational degree, can give you a headstart.
Another way to boost a web development career can be by engaging with online communities for web developers, interacting with them, creating codes, and running the testing.
Mostly, the best way to learn web development is by blending formal and informal learning. It is upon you how fast you can learn and acquire the essential skills for web development.
Also Read: How to create a professional junior web developer resume?
Key Takeaways
A web developer builds websites to meet clients' needs and ensures that users have a pleasant experience. Here are some key points from our reference guide on that you can keep in mind about what does a web developer do.
- There are different types of web developers: frontend, backend, full-stack, and JavaScript developers.
- By using programming languages, a web developer gives life to the websites created by web designers.
- On average, the web developer salary is $68,481 per year. It can increase with experience.
- To become a web developer, you should have a degree in computer science or a related stream and top it up with certifications.
- Skills like knowledge of programming languages, testing and debugging, and SEO can help you land a good-paying web development job.
Being an active job seeker, you might also be looking for resume-building assistance because of tough competition for web developers across the globe.
Hiration's Online Resume Builder is the best pick for such cases, as it comes with AI-powered features to help you build a job-winning web developer resume. It also has 24/7 chat aid and professional assistance with all your job & career-related queries.
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