Web developers are responsible for creating websites that look great on any device, whether it’s a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, smartphone, or smartwatch. They often use code editors, which allow them to write code quickly and efficiently.
The Demand for Web Developers Will Continue to Grow.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for web developers will continue to grow at a rate of 11 percent through 2024. This growth is expected to be driven by demand for new technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning.
You Can Earn More Than $100K per Year as a Web Developer.
If you’re interested in earning more than $100k per year as a web developer, then you should consider becoming certified. Certification programs provide training and certification for web developers. These programs help prepare individuals for jobs in the field.
There Are Many Opportunities Available.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were nearly 1.5 million website developers employed in the U.S. in 2016. That number is expected to rise by 16 percent between now and 2026. In addition, the BLS projects that employment opportunities will continue to expand at a faster rate than average wage growth.
You Need to Be Passionate about Technology.
If you love technology, then you should consider becoming a web developer. There are several reasons why web developers are so highly valued. First, they are experts in creating websites and mobile applications. Second, they are responsible for ensuring that these sites and apps function properly. Third, they are often tasked with troubleshooting issues when things go wrong. Finally, web developers are able to work remotely, making them more flexible than some other professionals.
You Should Have Experience with at Least One Programming Language.
In order to become a web developer, you need to have experience with one programming language. This will help you understand how code works and what makes it different from other languages. It will also give you a better understanding of the basics of coding.
What Do Web Developers Do?
Most of the time, web developers work in an office. Web developers build the backbone of websites. Employers often require candidates to have a bachelor’s degree in computer science, programming, informational technology, or another relevant fields. However, some companies will accept candidates with enough years of experience in lieu of bachelor’s degree requirements.
They must have excellent oral and written communication skills. They must have good presentation skills.
Test and document software for web sites.
Work with designers and content producers.
Write, modify, and debug software for web sites.
Write code to generate web pages, access databases and business logic servers.
Key Hard Skills
Hard skills, or the specific knowledge and abilities needed for a job, vary by industry and position. Coding is one of the primary hard skills of a web developer, and these professionals must understand at least some of the programming languages described below.
HTML5:
A markup language used to provide structure to content on the web, HTML5 is the most current version of the HTML standard. Web developers use HTML5 to form the fundamental rules of webpages, including whether to format content as paragraphs, headings, lists, links, or other element types.
PHP:
PHP, a server-side scripting language, functions within web content management systems, HTML code, web template systems, or web frameworks. Fundamental to back-end development, web developers typically use PHP for server scripting to determine a site’s response to user actions.
Cascading Style Sheets (CSS):
Web developers use CSS to control the layout and appearance of elements across multiple pages of a site. CSS language can influence the presentation of font faces, colors, spacing among elements, and element sizes on a page.
JavaScript:
JavaScript is used on most modern websites, and it is the cornerstone programming language for interactive webpages. Web developers use JavaScript to give “life” to pages, as it controls behaviors like dynamic loading. This language also determines an element’s response to user clicks, creating countless interactive possibilities.
ASP.NET:
An open-source, server-side web application framework developed by Microsoft, ASP.NET provides tools and resources to help web developers build dynamic websites, applications, and services. Though there are many web applications frameworks, web developers often rely on ASP.NET as an industry-standard option.
Angular.js:
Angular.js, another open-source, industry-standard application framework, is much like ASP.NET. Google and its community of users maintain this software. Web developers often use Angular.js to adjust the front end of a website due to the code’s foundation in JavaScript.
Depending on your industry or specialization, you may find additional programming languages useful to your web development career. While most front-end web developers use JavaScript, back-end web development can involve languages such as Python, Java, or Ruby in addition to JavaScript and PHP. Web developers often use popular software applications such as Photoshop and WordPress as well. Learn more about programming languages by perusing this helpful guide.