As reliance on the Internet in our daily lives increases, the demand for web developers is also rising. To put things into perspective, over 22 billion people visit YouTube monthly. A day in the life of a web developer involves tasks such as writing code, designing websites, testing their projects, and meeting with clients.
Working as a web developer is one of the most stressful jobs in tech, but a web developer salary can be pretty rewarding. If you’re wondering, “What’s it like to be a web developer?” then keep reading. We’ll go over the typical day in the life of a web developer and what you can do to get a job as a web developer.
What Is a Web Developer?
A web developer designs and creates code to build an operational website according to the specifications of a client. They handle all parts of the website creation process, from laying out the website to making sure it functions as intended. To do this, they use coding languages like CSS, HTML, and JavaScript to make the client’s vision a reality in the form of a usable interface.
Web developers also modify websites, prepare bug reports, and simplify technical aspects of their work into understandable terms for their employers or clients. They monitor the traffic of websites they have created and work with other technical departments to complete projects.
A web developer can either work in front end development, creating the interactive part of the website that the user sees, or in backend development. They can also choose to work as a freelance web developer on freelance projects rather than working full-time for a single employer.
What Does a Web Developer Do on a Daily Basis?
The responsibilities of a web developer extend from building websites and writing code to meeting with technical teams. If you are interested in starting a career in computer science and web development, such as a full stack web developer, you should get acquainted with the day-to-day responsibilities of the job. Below are five major parts of a web developer’s daily tasks.
- Writes code and builds websites. The primary responsibility of a web developer is to write code for websites. For this, they commonly use programming languages like CSS, Java, and HTML. Some developers specialize in either front end code or backend code, while some choose to learn both as a full stack web developer.
- Interacts with management and clients. In-house web developers communicate with management and potential clients about what type of website they need, or how they can improve the client’s website or their company’s website. Usually, this communication takes place in a periodic team meeting. Code reviews and larger projects are also discussed at this time.
- Creates and tests websites. Apart from building websites, web developers also ensure that no glitches or bugs are limiting the functions of a site they have worked on. They maintain the accuracy and responsiveness of the site by running tests on it and scanning for viruses. Besides websites, developers also create and test apps.
- Coordinates with technical departments. Web developers don’t work in isolation. They coordinate with professionals and team members from other departments at their company throughout the web design process. The overall goal of this teamwork is to complete company projects on time and within the approved budget.
- Monitors website traffic and performance. Usually, a web developer will serve as the webmaster for their employer’s internal websites. This involves monitoring site errors, recording site traffic, and resolving long load times to ensure a smooth user experience.
How Can I Become a Web Developer?
To become a web developer, there are specific IT skills that you need to possess. Web development requires coding and web design skills, which you can acquire in a few ways. Below are some degrees, courses, and other resources you can take advantage of if you want to land a web developer role.
Web Developer Degrees
Although it’s possible to get a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Web Development, formal education is not mandatory if you want to land a web developer job. It’s more important to be able to demonstrate your skills rather than show a degree. Nevertheless, obtaining a degree in web development or computer science can help you earn a higher salary and land better entry-level jobs in web development.
Web Developer Online Courses
As a beginner, introductory online coding classes can help build your foundational skills in web development. It can also help you get familiar with the basic terminologies used in the field. Some of the first online web development courses you might take will cover topics like front end web development, introduction to HTML, introduction to CSS, introduction to Bootstrap 4, and basic JavaScript.
Web Developer Bootcamps
Bootcamps are a common way to fast-track your way to becoming a web developer. These training programs are short and intensive, and can either be done online or in person. The purpose of a bootcamp is to get you adequately skilled so that you can immediately land a job as a web developer, software developer, or data analyst.
According to a survey by Indeed, 72 percent of HR managers think that bootcamp graduates will perform equally as well as employees who have a computer science degree.
Web Developer Certifications
If you want a web developer job, certifications are a good way to prove your skills. Being able to add them to your resume will put you ahead of other job applicants as it shows off your web development knowledge. Some top web development certifications are Certified Web Professional – Web Developer and Master Certified Web Developer from IWA.
How Can I Get a Job as a Web Developer?
Learning web development requires long hours in front of your computer, plus dedication and hard work. Preparing with the right resources and an experienced instructor can get your developer career headed in the right direction.
Just remember that learning web development requires patience. Every successful web developer went through most of the same steps to get to where they are. Let’s look at a few of the main ones below.
Steps to Finding a Job as a Web Developer
- Learn fundamentals of web development.
Learning web development fundamentals is the first step to becoming a web developer. At this stage, you will study the basics of CSS, HTML, and JavaScript. You can fast-track this process by joining a web development bootcamp.
- Pick a web development specialization.
The next step is to identify an area of web development that you want to focus on. This will enable you to progress more quickly on your career journey. You can choose to be a front end developer working on client-side development, or in backend development handling the server-side. If you’re interested in both, you should become a full stack developer.
- Learn relevant programming languages.
Regardless of the area of specialization you have chosen, you should learn and understand how to use a variety of programming languages that are common for your specialization. This will involve expanding beyond HTML and JavaScript into codes like C#, Golang, Python, and Ruby.
- Develop your skills by working on projects.
Now that you have a foundational knowledge of basic programming languages and web developer skills, you can start building websites. As your learning continues, you will develop more technical skills and will be able to create interactive websites that meet the specific needs of your clients.
- Build a web developer portfolio and resume.
Once you have the necessary skills, certifications, and experience, it’ll be time to create your web developer portfolio and resume. A portfolio is the best way to demonstrate your skills when applying for web developer jobs. First, do research into the company and role you are applying for, then include your most relevant web development projects in your portfolio.
What Is the Average Salary of a Web Developer?
According to Glassdoor, the average salary of a web developer is $96,020 per year. However, this varies depending on the point the developer is at in their career. Below are a few examples.
Salary for an Entry-Level Web Developer
An entry-level web developer earns an average of $72,122 per year. A junior developer starts their career assisting members of the web development team. They work with them to create interactive aspects of a website and user interface using various programming languages.
Salary for a Mid-Level Web Developer
The average salary of a mid-level web developer is $87,502 per year. Developers at this level plan websites and help design web applications. They also write code and interact with clients.
Salary for a Senior-Level Web Developer
A senior developer earns an average salary of $133,859 per year. Their salary is higher than that of entry-level and mid-level web developers due to their huge input in the day-to-day work process and tasking responsibilities. They handle very challenging web builds, lead the development team, and complete various web development projects promptly.
Job Outlook for a Web Developer
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook of web developers is projected to grow by 13 percent between 2020 and 2030, faster than the average for all occupations which is at slightly above seven percent. This equals about 17,900 new job openings in web development per year over the next eight years.
Should I Become a Web Developer?
Working as a web developer may be the career for you if you enjoy writing code and building websites and applications using a range of programming languages. If you’re interested in what goes on behind the scenes of your favorite websites, then you should consider becoming a web developer. Start practicing the essential technical skills and choose an area of web development to focus on.
A Day in the Life of a Web Developer FAQs
Yes. Web developer jobs have been projected to rise by 13 percent between 2020 and 2030, which means the role is in high demand.
No. A degree or formal education is not required if you want to land a web developer job. You can just as easily land a job with a certificate of completion from a web development bootcamp. However, a bachelor’s degree will likely help you bring in a higher salary and may also allow you to progress more quickly in your career.
"Career Karma entered my life when I needed it most and quickly helped me match with a bootcamp. Two months after graduating, I found my dream job that aligned with my values and goals in life!"
Venus, Software Engineer at Rockbot
There is no stipulated period of time that it takes to learn web development. However, with dedication, discipline, practice, and a few hours of study per day, you can learn web development in a matter of months.
No. You do not need to have a background in math in order to land a web developer job.
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