Web Developers: What They Do, How Much They Earn, and How to Become One

Web development is developing a website for the Internet or an intranet. Web development work can range from creating a single static page of plain text to complicated web applications.

Web designing, web engineering, web content development, client-side/server-side scripting, client liaison, web server, network security configuration, and e-commerce development can all come under web development duties.

The primary job of a web developer is to build websites. Many web developers are also in charge of the website’s performance and capacity, in addition to making sure it is aesthetically pleasing and easy to navigate. 

However, the tasks of the web developers will vary depending on the work environment. Typical daily responsibilities could include:

• Creating user interfaces and menus for navigation 
• Reviewing website code in web development languages, such as HTML, XML, or JavaScript 
• Incorporating multimedia content into an existing site 
• Web application testing 
• Solving issues with user experience or performance 
• Cooperating with stakeholders, designers, and developers
• Incorporating new technologies and features into an existing site

The three main types of web developers are back-end developers, front-end developers, and full-stack developers. Let’s examine each of these jobs in more detail.

• Back-end web developers: Back-end web developers create the website’s structure, write and test the code. They also control access points of the website for other people who need access to the content of a website. 
• Front-end web developers: Front-end web developers focus on the website’s visual elements or the pages that users see and interact with. They create the actual page layouts, incorporate visuals, improve the user interface, and consistently modify the site with HTML and JavaScript.  
• Full-stack web developers: Full-stack web developers handle both the front-end and back-end development tasks. These developers can create an entire website.

The primary focus areas for many web developers at the beginning of their careers are front-end or back-end development. After that, they might pursue jobs as full-stack developers or venture into allied industries like project management, computer programming, or graphic design.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, web developers in the US earn a median yearly pay of $77,200. However, according to Glassdoor compensation statistics, web developers in the US make up to $249,297 annually. 

Numerous factors, such as your employment location, line of business, and level of expertise, affect how much money web developers make. 

Looking at the latest market and web development trends, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics has predicted that these jobs will grow faster than the national average until 2030. 

The expansion of e-commerce is one of the factors causing this increase in web development jobs. Nowadays, businesses depend on functional websites that work on various devices to conduct business.

It’s not always required to have a formal education to work as a web developer. 

Some web developers hold an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in computer science or website design, but some learn how to code and create websites on their own. 

A solid portfolio can go a long way toward demonstrating your talents to potential employers, even though getting a degree can make you a more competitive applicant.

If you’re interested in becoming a web developer, here are three steps you can take:

Step 1: Build web developer skills

Employers and clients need particular skills from web developers to show their ability to meet website requirements. These are some abilities you can concentrate on to lay the groundwork for success if you’re interested in a career as a web developer.

Hard skills

• Coding: For front-end design, popular web development frameworks include React, Vue, Ruby on Rails, and programming languages include HTML, PHP, CSS, and JavaScript. If you want to work in back-end programming, you might have to study Python, Java, or Ruby. 
• Technical SEO: The search engine ranking of a website can be impacted by a variety of design and content elements. A developer’s work benefits from knowing how search engines rank websites. 
• Version control: This skill enables you to monitor and manage source code modifications of the website. 
• Visual design: Knowing fundamental design concepts like how to use white space, pick typefaces, select colors, and utilize images could increase your marketability.

Soft skills

• Communication: Through each stage of the project, web developers take the time to discuss design concepts with their clients and team members. 
• Customer service: To produce the finest outcomes, a web developer who designs websites for clients should never lose sight of their needs. 
• Organization: If you want to finish a website design on schedule, keeping track of deadlines, project tasks, workflow, and budgets is beneficial. 
• Problem-solving: When creating websites, web developers frequently encounter problems. They must be able to see issues with the design or coding and apply a methodical approach to fixing them.

Step 2: Built a solid portfolio 

Your portfolio is one of the most crucial components of your resume as a web developer. The projects on your resume demonstrate your creativity to potential employers. So, ensure you highlight your best work. Apart from showing the website, add the information architecture, source codes, color and font descriptions, image sources, important functions, etc., to your portfolio. Related Post: Tech Resume Writing: Four Tips to Build a Great Resume

Step 3: Get certified

Getting certified can demonstrate to potential employers that you have the necessary skills. There are many alternatives available, both generic and specific, such as Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSD), Adobe Certified Expert (ACE), Amazon Web Services (AWS) Certified, Zend Certified PHP Engineer, and more. 

Every business requires a website. Therefore, every organization needs a web developer directly or indirectly. So, if you’re considering becoming a web developer, go ahead; it’s a great career.

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