What is a Web Developer and How To Become One?
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Web developers build websites for both desktop and mobile devices. They can work on client-facing or back-end projects and with various programming languages. Web development courses and boot camps allow anyone to learn the required skills and start a new career in this high-paying field.
The digital economy is expanding faster than ever before. Startup companies and established corporations constantly seek opportunities to grow their businesses and take advantage of an “always online” mentality. This expansion involves a robust web presence through websites and mobile applications.
Companies need talented individuals with technical skills and creative problem-solving abilities to build the frameworks and interfaces that make the web work. They need web developers.
We explore what it looks like to be a web developer, from daily job duties to the education and skills necessary to do the job well. We even touch on details like salary and job outlook.?
But for anyone curious about whether they should join this constantly growing field, the quick answer is this: Web development is a great career path for driven people who want to learn how the web works and become part of that process.
What Is Web Development?
Web developers create and maintain websites. From the website’s technical qualities, like performance and user capacity, to how the interface works and looks, web developers have a hand in it. Web developers must strike a balance between a website that’s secure, functions well, loads quickly and can handle heavy traffic.
Their daily work might include the following things:
Developers can build various websites, from e-commerce and news to gaming sites. They work to find ways to combine their clients’ websites with existing applications, or they may design custom solutions.
Types of Web Development
Web development typically falls under three different camps. These distinctions apply to where a web application runs. Web developers can work on client-side applications or server-side ones. Other web developers may focus exclusively on maintaining the quality of databases and improving the technology that underpins them.?
Client-Side
Client-side web development refers to anything in a web application that displays or takes place on the end user’s device (the client). Everything a user sees or any applications that take place on their browser.
A user’s browser interprets HTML and CSS (the markup languages that make up most websites) on the client side. This also includes dynamic pages that respond to “events,” such as mouse hover states. Sometimes people refer to client-side processes as “frontend,” but it does not exactly mean the same thing. Frontend describes the kinds of processes that run on the client side.
Server-Side
Server-side web developers focus on everything that happens on the server. In the past, this described all business logic like databases, push notifications and identity checks. Sometimes developers or other stakeholders might describe server-side development as “backend” development, but the backend only refers to the types of processes.
Database Technology
Databases are information systems where companies organize and store their valuable data. Web developers who focus on maintaining these databases do so in roles that focus on database technology. There are several different types of database management software, most of which concentrate on Structure Query Language (SQL), the programming language that allows for data manipulation.
Web Development vs. Web Design
One important note: Web development differs from web design, although some developers do design work as part of their role. Web designers use programs like Sketch, Figma or Photoshop to design the look and feel of a website. This includes fonts, colors, graphical elements and menus.?
Developers write HTML and CSS code that translates those designs into functional websites. In some cases, other types of code may be necessary to translate the design elements into functioning elements.
Web Development vs. Software Engineering
While web developers and software engineers may work together on projects, their specific roles differ. Software engineers create software to meet the unique specifications of operating systems or networks. They also commonly build products like word processing tools, organizational software for spreadsheets and even video games.
Software engineers usually write and test computer code to run locally on machines, whereas web developers build applications to run on the web.
Web Developer Job Descriptions
Job descriptions for web development need to be clear about expectations and daily responsibilities. This avoids confusion about what a developer will do as part of their job. Some web developers prioritize frontend or backend operations, while others dabble in both. Knowing exactly what kind of development a person will be doing is the primary way to ensure success in the role.
Frontend Web Developers
Frontend web developers focus on a website's visual layout, user interfaces and user experiences. They create the parts of a website that users touch and interact with daily. Frontend web developers will typically have excellent skills in the following areas:
Backend Web Developers
Backend web developers are programmers who create server-side components. They often have to write the code that powers application logic, databases, APIs and other behind-the-scenes processes.
Full-Stack Developers
Full-stack developers have a “jack of all trades” function in that they work with both the front- and back-end of a website. Because this job demands serious flexibility, full-stack developers tend to have skills that touch several aspects of web development.?
Full-stack developers can work in all types of organizations because their skills are in high demand. Some smaller organizations hire full-stack developers instead of dedicating resources to those who specialize in one area. As a website or company scales, it may need to rethink this practice to ensure performance does not degrade.
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Mobile Developers
Mobile developers are a relatively new niche when it comes to web development. Mobile device hardware differs significantly from desktop or even laptop computers. Smaller screens that rotate and have touch capability require different inputs and coding. Mobile developers have strong skills in responsive web design, including working with CSS to ensure device screen size does not impact user experience.?
Programming Languages
Web developers use a wide variety of programming languages to do their jobs. Some of them, like HTML and CSS, focus heavily on front-end web development. Others, like Python and Java, are vital server-side and backend development components. Full-stack developers use both, but most developers target JavaScript as their starting point for learning development.
Thinking about becoming a web developer? Front-end may be the place to start. Most developers take courses in HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
Where Do Web Developers Work?
Web developers can work anywhere with a steady internet connection and a powerful enough computer, but they typically work in office settings. Web developers can be short-term contractors or work as salaried employees.?
Are Web Developers in Demand?
This is an incredibly high-demand career field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates nearly 23 percent growth over the next decade — about 21,800 openings.
Web Developer Salaries
Salaries differ based on location and skill set or focus, but the median income for developers in 2022 is $69,430.
How to Become a Web Developer
Starting a career in web development can take a few different directions. Some developers go to school with an eye toward web development and earn a degree. In contrast, others end up in boot camps focusing on quickly building up rudimentary skills and an essential portfolio to achieve an entry-level job.
Earn a Degree
Some development roles require a college degree, while others may only need applicants to have a high school diploma. An associate degree can sometimes be enough to get an applicant’s foot in the door. The most common college degrees for web developers include computer science, programming or graphic design.
Choose a Specialization
Web developers commonly choose an area of specialization and hone their skills working on that platform. Learning front-end development skills are the most common way to enter the field, but some back-end roles offer higher salaries.
Apply for Internships
Internships are the gateway to professional experience because they introduce new web developers and students to the workplace. Practical experience is also good for developing a portfolio for prospective employers.
Build a Solid Portfolio
A functional portfolio is proof of experience web developers need to show off during the job search phase. A good portfolio includes examples of both desktop and mobile web development. Building mobile websites that load quickly and are easy to navigate is a crucial component of modern web development.
Earn Certifications
Web development best practices change frequently. Certifications are an excellent way for developers to show that they have stayed abreast of trends in the field. Web developers can also obtain certifications instead of a traditional college degree. Many certifications are available online for little cost, making web development an accessible and affordable career change.
Update Your Resume
An updated resume is vital for applying to jobs and finding the proper role. After each significant project, write down the key details and responsibilities for that job and major accomplishments.
Find a Job That’s a Good Fit
Entry-level web development jobs are plentiful, and many offer remote working conditions for additional flexibility. Because so many different organizations need web developers, it has never been easier to find a role in an industry or field that makes sense for them.
Final Thoughts on Becoming a Web Developer
The fantastic growth opportunities that web development affords make it an attractive career option for new college graduates and those who want to make a mid-career switch to a different field. And because online learning allows people to develop new skills without attending a school, it has never been more accessible or affordable.
Top Takeaways
What Is a Web Developer and How To Become One?
What Is a Web Developer and How To Become One
(Reporting by NPD)