A web developer job description includes designing, coding, and initializing a company’s website. This requires communicating with a company to determine its goals and using programming and design experience to give them the product they request. Even after a website has been designed and released, a web developer’s job isn’t over. They often aid companies in maintaining and updating the site, as well as upgrading its functionality when desired.
Web developers, therefore, have to become proficient in many diverse skills. These skills range from coding experience to team management, depending on the position. It also matters whether a web developer specializes in front end or back end development. Becoming proficient in both requires a combined subset of skills, which we’ll go over below. Read on to learn 3 essential skills you need to hold a web developer job in the 2020s and beyond.
Front-End vs Back-End
Front-end development differs from the back-end in that it deals primarily with what customers see. This, therefore, includes menus, interfaces, fonts, and design elements. Back-end development deals with servers and data storage – the unseen website factors. Though the skills listed below apply to both in some way, deciding early which “end” of development you prefer to specialize in can come in handy when planning your career.
Coding Experience
Coding makes up a large portion of a web developer’s duties. Not surprisingly, degrees in programming often come with diverse experience in multiple coding languages, which web developers will need to succeed. These languages must include basic or thorough knowledge of at least the three major languages: HTML, JavaScript, and CSS.
Once a developer has this knowledge, they need to become proficient in code writing, tailoring the code to their clients’ needs. This comes with experience and should be practiced on the college level before entering the workforce as a web developer.
Server-Side Knowledge
Those who hope to become back-end developers or balance both types need knowledge in server architecture and data storage. This means gaining experience in the major frameworks, which could include:
- Ruby
- Java
- ASP
- Python
New developers should also gain experience in major database systems like Oracle and SQL. Learning how to use each of them improves a back-end web developer’s resume. It thus makes them more likely to be able to deliver on a company’s vision.
Functional Skills
Building a site requires programming experience first, but several functional skills go into making a new web developer a desirable employee. These include basic SEO knowledge, graphic design-savvy, time-management skills, and the ability to communicate with and manage a team of designers, if necessary.
A company’s job may be large and require the work of several programmers and designers. Thus, an experienced web developer may be called upon to communicate the company’s goals to that team, as well as manage the time and budget of the website’s construction.
The Takeaway for Job Applicants
Web developer job description includes major skills related to programming and coding. However, time management, team leadership, SEO knowledge, graphic design, and other skills can come in handy. After deciding whether you want to specialize in front-end or back-end web development, consider the different skills needed to succeed and incorporate them into your education or job experience.
