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You think you want to develop websites, but you’re not sure if  web development is a good career choice for you.

Maybe you’re thinking about becoming a full-stack software developer instead.

Before you can really, decide you need to know more about what a web developer does.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for web developers is projected to grow 13% over the next ten years.

As more and more businesses come online, the need for web developers will continue to grow.

The United States, along with much of the world, will continue to need web developers.

As with any career, more goes into being a web developer than writing code.

For example, developers need concentration, because they will sit at a computer writing code for long periods of time.

They need to pay attention to detail because even a small coding error can crash a website.

At the same time, developers may need to be creative and customer-oriented if they want to be a front-end developer.

What Do Web Developers Do?

Web developers don’t just design websites, they also make them operate and work properly. Web developers place a large amount of focus on capacity and performance.

They look at how fast the website responds and how quickly a page loads. In some instances, web developers may prepare content for the site.

Developer tasks and responsibilities may include the following:

• Meet with customers to decide what a website should look like and how it should function.
• Write and test applications for a website.
• Write code for the website, using standard programming languages.
• Define the site content in conjunction with other team members.
• Discuss a site’s layout with graphics and other designers.
• Integrate a variety of components into the website, such as graphics, audio, and video.
• Monitor the website.

The website’s purpose determines the skills a developer needs. For example, if it’s an e-commerce site, it needs a pay-processing application.

If it’s an educational site, performance is essential. On the web, a developer can do a little bit of everything.

Are There Different Career Paths?

Yes. Web developers can choose from a number of career paths.

Depending on personal interests, a web developer can focus on building a website, designing pages, or overseeing the site’s operation.

The three career paths include the following:

• Back-end web developers. These people build the website. They create a site’s framework and write code to make it operate. They are responsible for the more technical aspects of a website, such as performance and capacity. Additionally, they participate in massive site changes.
• Front-end web developers. If you lean towards the visual, a front-end developer may be the position for you. Front-end web developers are responsible for the look and feel of a website. They integrate graphics and add applications to a web page. They may be responsible for some of the site content. It is important to know programming languages such as HTML or JavaScript.
• Webmasters. Webmasters are responsible for maintaining a website. They apply updates and ensure that the site functions correctly. They test pages and respond to end-user questions.

Deciding to become a web developer gives you the flexibility to specialize in one area or grow into a full-stack developer.

What is a Web Developer’s Salary?

Salary may be one of the most important factors to consider when asking: is web development a good career?

The highest-paid web developers work in the publishing industries with an average salary of $75,360.00.

Public relations and advertising pay the least with an average salary of $66,000.00.

The median salary in 2018 was $69,430, with the lowest salary being $37,930 and highest salary was $124,400.00.

Its also important to keep in mind that most developers work full-time.

What Skills Do I Need?

The skills web developers need depends on what area of web development is of interest.

Webmasters do not have formal educational requirements; instead, their skills come from experience and self-study.

Many webmasters started as either front-end or back-end developers and migrated into a webmaster position.

Front-end and back-end developers have distinct requirements.

Here are some of the skills you need to become a back-end developer.

• Programming Languages. At least one server-side language such as Java or Python is required.
• Database. Most data is stored in databases such as SQL, Oracle, or MySQL. Developers need to know how to interact with databases for rapid responses to queries.
• Servers. Because databases reside on servers, back-end developers need to know who to work with a variety of server tools such as Apache or IIS servers.
• APIs. Back-end web developers need experience in working with APIs. Integrating other applications into a website is a common practice that allows for faster time to delivery.

Front-end programmers require a unique set of skills. They need programming skills, but they also need to know about interactive elements such as icons and end-user behavior.

Here are a few things someone in this path will need to learn:

• HTML provides the most essential elements of web-based application coding
• CSS may not be a programming language, but it is essential to creating web-based applications
• JavaScript allows developers to add an extensive range of functionality to web applications.
• Frameworks can speed up coding as they provide a pre-existing structure that can be leveraged across an application

Front-end developers need excellent communication skills because they are often asked to turn someone’s vision into reality.

Take the Next Step

Now that you have a better idea of what a career as a web developer looks like, you are closer to answering the question: is web development a good career?

You can start fresh and get on the road to a new career in technology!

The path to becoming a web developer is varied, so, it’s wise to create a road-map of how to get the skills you need.

Creating a visual picture of your path helps keep you focused. With your map in hand, take a look at the powered by Woz U programs.

Sources

• https://collegegrad.com/careers/web-developers
• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/web-developers.htm