Are you considering pursuing a career in web development this year, but you’re not sure it’s a good fit? If so, then keep reading; this guide will help you better understand the ins and outs of working as a Web Developer, including the skills required, benefits, and how to tell if you’re well-suited for the job.
What Does a Web Developer Do?
The job duties of a Web Developer can vary depending upon whether they work on the front-end, back-end, or full-stack. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities of each position.
Front-end Web Development Responsibilities
A Front-end Web Developer’s primary goal is to blend technology and design principles to create functional websites that are aesthetically pleasing and easy to use. There are many day-to-day tasks a Front-end Web Developer can engage in to meet this goal; these can vary depending upon the employer, project, and the developer’s role within the company. Here’s a quick look at some of the most common duties Front-end Web Developers are responsible for:
- Working with clients to determine the purpose of the website and how it should look
- Collaborating on projects with designers, stakeholders, and other developers
- Coding the front-end of the website using programming languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
- Creating and maintaining user interfaces and navigation menus plus modifying them when necessary
- Incorporating multimedia content such as graphics, audio, video, etc. onto the customers’ websites
- Generating tools that optimize the user’s experience with the website
- Ensuring that websites can be accessed on a variety of platforms and devices, including desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones
- Testing websites for speed, performance, usability, etc.
- Troubleshooting problems and fixing any bugs that may exist
- Making sure that websites adhere to SEO (search engine optimization) best practices
- Providing website maintenance and making enhancements when required
Back-end Web Development Responsibilities
Back-end development deals with all the technology that users don’t interact with, including servers, databases, and applications. It’s the responsibility of Back-end Web Developers to create, test, debug, and maintain all of these components which support the front-end of a website and allow it to function. Some of the primary responsibilities that Back-end Web Developers are responsible for include:
- Collaborating with Front-end Web Developers, Project Managers, User Experience (UX) Designers, and other team members to successfully complete the project
- Creating the overall architecture of the application’s back-end
- Developing systems and processes to fulfill the requirements of the application
- Writing back-end code using server-side languages and debugging any errors that may arise
- Creating and maintaining databases
- Implementing web server technologies
- Managing APIs used to integrate external and internal applications
- Backing up and restoring website databases and files
- Overseeing the management of cloud computing
- Optimizing back-end performance to improve efficiency and user experience on the front-end
- Generating and managing code libraries that can be used by other developers in the company
- Monitoring security settings and keeping the application safe from cyberattacks
- Compiling, analyzing, and reporting data to troubleshoot issues and identify areas of improvement
- Using the latest technology to update or replace outdated systems
Full Stack Web Development Responsibilities
Full Stack Web Developers are responsible for taking care of both the front and back-end of a website; they must be able to set up all the behind-the-scenes technology such as servers, databases, and applications in addition to creating functional websites that are aesthetically pleasing and easy to use. To accomplish this, Full Stack Web Developers are often responsible for the following tasks:
- Working with stakeholders to determine the purpose of the website and how it should look
- Creating and maintaining servers, databases, APIs (application programming interfaces), and overall website architecture
- Developing website design on the front-end
- Coding the front and back ends of the website and debugging any errors that may arise
- Utilizing user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) principles
- Creating and maintaining user interfaces and navigation menus plus modifying them when necessary
- Incorporating multimedia content such as graphics, audio, video, etc. onto websites
- Ensuring that websites can be accessed on a variety of platforms and devices such as desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones
- Implementing protocols to secure data
- Testing websites for speed, performance, usability, etc. and making changes to optimize performance
- Writing technical documentation for the site
- Providing website maintenance and making enhancements when required
Skills Needed to Become a Web Developer
The number one qualification required to work in web development is the ability to code, though which programming languages you use will depend upon whether you’re working as a Front-end, Back-end, or Full Stack Developer. For Front-end Web Developers, it’s vital to have in-depth knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
In addition to these front-end languages, Full Stack Web Developers should also pick up at least a couple of back-end languages such as Python, Java, Ruby, and PHP. Back-end Web Developers are expected to know both HTML and JavaScript in addition to one or two back-end languages.
Other technical requirements to work in web development include testing and debugging code plus knowing how to use version control software and other essential development tools like Git, vs. Code, Node Package Manager (npm), and Chrome Developer Tools. Developers should also learn how to use the most popular libraries and frameworks in their area of expertise.
There are also a few key non-technical skills that many employers like to see in candidates for web development jobs. For instance, the ability to focus, pay attention to small details, and remain persistent when faced with problems are essential characteristics for Web Developers to have. Strong communication skills are also highly prized since web development is usually carried out by a team of contributors working closely together.
Reasons to Learn Web Development in 2022
Web development is considered an excellent career choice primarily because it’s a future-proof profession with high rates of pay but there are many additional reasons as well. Let’s take a closer look at what makes web development a desirable career in 2022:
1. Web Development Job Outlook
Now is a great time to start a new career in web development; the industry is experiencing tremendous growth and is in dire need of new recruits to help fill open positions. In fact, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there will be 17,900 jobs opening up in web development every year from now until 2030. That equals a 13% job growth rate, which is significantly higher than the average growth for all occupations, which is predicted to be 8% over the next decade.
2. Earning Potential in Web Development Careers
Web development is also a great career choice for 2022 because it’s a very lucrative profession. There are various career routes you can take within the realm of web development, including Front-end Web Developer, Back-end Web Developer, and Full Stack Web Developer plus language-specific roles such as Python Developer, Ruby Developer, and Java Developer. Though the salaries for these positions vary depending upon where you’re located and how much experience you have, they tend to range between $100,000 and $130,000 per year. That’s about twice as much as the average wage in the United States, which was just over $56,000 in 2020.
3. Other Web Development Career Benefits
There are countless additional reasons why web development is an excellent career choice in 2022 such as:
- It’s an interesting field that allows developers to use their creativity to overcome coding challenges and create engaging websites
- Web Developers have flexible career options and can work in a variety of industries, including education, manufacturing, retail, marketing, government, hospitality, finance, construction, and entertainment
- There’s a vibrant, active community of programmers who support one another and provide help when needed
- A large percentage of Web Developers report being satisfied with their careers
- Acquiring the necessary skills is easy; you don’t need a 4-year degree to work in web development
How to Know If Web Development is the Right Career for You
How do you feel after reading about the job duties, skills, and benefits of being a Web Developer? Does it sound like an appealing career choice or are you bored just reading about it? If you’re still interested after learning all the intricate details, that’s a good sign you’d be a good match for a career in web development. Here are a few more:
- You like solving problems and overcoming challenges
- You’re both creative and technically-minded
- You enjoy learning new things and keeping up on tech trends
- You’re patient, resourceful, and adaptable
- You’re looking for a fun, flexible job that allows you to use your creativity and computer skills
How did you do? Did you match up with all or most of the list above? If so, then chances are pretty good you’d love working as a Web Developer.
How to Become a Web Developer in 2022
The fastest and most efficient way to become a Web Developer in 2022 is to complete a bootcamp. Bootcamps offer intensive training on an abbreviated schedule, which means you’ll be ready to start your new career in just a few short months. And with their focus on skills acquisition and career readiness, bootcamps are often viewed as a viable alternative to a university education.
Depending upon where you’re located, you may be able to find a web development bootcamp in your area. Options offered locally may be lacking, however, so you might be better off enrolling in an online web development bootcamp. With online training, you get the same hands-on experience and immediate feedback as face-to-face classes with the added convenience of learning from home. Online bootcamps also offer more flexible scheduling options compared to in-person instruction.
If you want to start learning web development basics but you’re not ready to commit to a comprehensive bootcamp, you might consider enrolling in an individual class or two. There is a wide range of web development classes available online and in-person. By taking beginning web development classes, you can start learning fundamental concepts and programming languages while testing your interest in pursuing web development as a career.