How to become A Web Developer

• Web Content Developer

What do Web Developers do?

A Web Developer would typically need to:

• Discuss the needs and look of the website as well as the anticipated needs of the audience
• Create reliable and high performing internet applications and services; plan and prototype new applications
• Test sites and apps in different browsers and environments; fix bugs in existing projects
• Run performance benchmarking tests and test new features to ensure they perform the correct tasks
• Optimize existing code, write code in one or more programming or scripting languages; document code so other developers can understand and contribute to it
• Meet designers, developers, and project staff for progress updates; gather requirements from clients and users
• Stay updated on new technologies, frameworks, and languages; build and maintain databases
• Monitor website traffic and design information architecture within an application or website

A Web Developer may work full-time in a technology department or choose to conduct business from home. Freelance Web Developers may need to travel. A Web Developer’s dress code is casual unless meeting with clients.

Web Developers typically work regular office hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday. Agencies may sometimes ask Web Developers to work longer or irregular hours to meet deadlines and work on projects for clients in different time zones. Travel to attend workshops is common.

Remote and self-employment are standard options as the only equipment needed is a computer and internet connection. They also have the option of working in-house for organizations or different projects by different organizations. Some Web Developers freelance their skills to various organizations, while others prefer to outsource their skills to organizations by using their expertise to act as consultants or independent contractors.

Web Developers are generally employed by:

• Computer System Design Companies
• Publishers
• Consulting Services
• Advertising Companies
• Public Relations Departments

Professional associations and organizations are a crucial resource for Web Developers interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more looks excellent on your resume to bolster your credentials and qualifications as a Web Developer.

• Not much variety in projects when working in-house for an organization, or an agency specializing in a particular sector or a long-standing professional association with a specific client
• Varying amounts of work
• Keeping a healthy work/life balance

Web Developers gain invaluable experience through internships, volunteering, building their sites and applications, joining a web development or coding society, attending conferences, and getting involved with different entrepreneurship services that promote coding workshops and events.

Some entry-level positions do not require prior experience with employees training on the organization’s specific languages and technologies. Hence, it is important to keep a portfolio of all your work for career advancement.

An associate or bachelor’s degree in IT or web design is preferred. Web Developers need to have a thorough understanding of programming, graphic design, and programming languages. More technical developer positions require a bachelor’s degree in computer science or programming.

Employers often do not dictate how you gain the requisite skills as long as you can confidently demonstrate to them and talk about the job’s technical requirements.

Certification demonstrates competency in skills, typically through work experience, training, the passage of an examination, or some combination of the three.

Voluntary certification from an objective and reputed organization is often seen as evidence of an individual’s drive and motivation, giving them a leg up for raises and promotions. It can help you gain professional credibility and become an independent consultant.

Formal professional qualifications, including Adobe Certified Expert, Certified Web Development Professional, Zend Certified PHP Engineer, Microsoft Developer Certifications, AWS Certified Developer, and PMI Agile Certified Practitioner, will give you an edge in the job market.

Most Web Developers start their careers as Junior Developers before progressing to mid-level or Senior Developers. They usually have to meet more clients, lead client meetings, and work on more important projects.

The next steps point towards Lead Developer, Technical Lead, and Head of Development; all focussed on managing a team of Web Developers and contributing to the organization’s technical strategy and goals. Chief Technology Officer (CTO) or Technology Vice President are generally the highest positions Web Developers aim for.

Some Web Developers choose to move away from hands-on development into more strategic technical roles such as a Systems Analyst, Business Analyst, Solution Architect, and Technology Consultant.

Web Developers with knowledge of multiple programming languages and digital multimedia tools will have the best opportunities.

Some organizations may offer in-house or external training to assist in career growth. Web Developers also advance their careers by learning new languages, leading new projects, and training and supervising new staff. For senior-level positions, employers may look for postgraduate education in computer science.

Throughout their careers, Web Developers must keep up to date with relevant and new technology by dedicating time to independent research and self-learning from the internet and more experienced Developers. Attending conferences, workshops, training camps, and meetups will be to their advantage.

Web Developers build and maintain reliable and high-performing websites and web applications. They have to make their client’s vision a reality. They work with clients to make sure it fits in with the type of site they want. Some Web Developers handle all aspects of website construction, while others specialize in a specific element. Job titles vary according to the focus of the role.

Titles & Specialisms

A Front-End Web Developer codes the front end of a website. While web design is the way a website looks, front-end development is how that design gets implemented on the web. A Back-End Web Developer builds and maintains the technology needed to power the components which enable the user-facing side of a website to exist. Their back-end code adds utility to everything the front-end designer creates.

A Full-Stack Web Developer understands how every part of the web development process takes place and can guide on strategy and best practices. They are knowledgeable with the server-side as well as the client-side’s user experience. A JavaScript Developer uses the language to create, enhance, and modify websites.

A goldfish, at nine seconds, has an attention span longer than the average internet user. Your site had better deliver the content to its audience as fast as possible!

You are a quintessential Web Developer when the website or web application you develop does three things. It attracts the right kind of visitors, guides the visitors to the primary services or products on offer, and collects contact details for future ongoing relations. The World Wide Web is your oyster. Go get it!

Be ready to evolve and be brave to ask the silliest questions. Writing code is not all you need - communication, collaboration, and creativity are required to be a good Web Developer.