Being actually a web developers really pays off these days. With more and more customers relying on internet services, businesses rely heavily on developers to create user-friendly, functional, and attractive websites. Recent statistics indicate an 8% growth in web development employment by 2029.
A degree in web development can offer you many career benefits, such as working from home or freelance work. Alternatively, you can opt for a more traditional job and find a full-time position. Thousands of companies will be looking to hire you. If you’re not sure what this job entails, let’s take a look at what a day in the life of a web developer looks like.
What does a web developers do?
Their main goal is to create a user-friendly and functional website that meets the needs and specifications of their clients. The job of web developers is to make products, services, and information accessible worldwide. This professional can either have a full-time job or work freelance. They can be front-end, back-end, or full-stack developers, and their tasks may involve creating new websites, fixing bugs and errors, or finding ways to improve the customer experience.
In terms of day-to-day tasks, web developers are primarily involved in translating wireframes into working code, creating content and site architecture, getting a site live, fixing bugs, updating sites, and, of course, collaborating with other departments.
Becoming a Web Developer
For an entry-level position, you don’t need formal training. In fact, there’s no specific university or college degree in web development. A bachelor’s degree in computer science is generally a starting point for many people.
According to a recent estimate, approximately 30% of developers have a degree in computer science or a related field. Additionally, nearly 70% of all developers are self-taught or partially self-taught. While there are many reasons why you need a college education, landing a job in web development isn’t one of them. The life of a web developer offers many exciting opportunities, and having professional experience and the necessary skills is your most important benchmark.
Required Skills
Web developers are expected to possess certain skills and demonstrate their ability to deliver everything on time. Therefore, if you want to master the tasks of a web developer, you must possess specific skills, which involve the following technical abilities:
- Coding: Knowledge of common programming languages such as PHP, HTML, JavaScript, Python, Java, etc.
- Responsive Design: You must ensure that a website looks good on different devices.
- Technical SEO: Understanding which website design factors affect the site’s ranking in search engines.
- Version Control: Knowing how to control and track changes without starting from scratch.
- Visual Design: Familiarizing yourself with the basic principles of design.
Let’s not forget professional skills, as they are just as important. You must be good at communicating with others, have an eye for detail, be organized, able to solve problems, and achieve the best results to meet end-user requests.
Benefits and Details of a Web Developer Job
Balancing Hours & Happiness
Working Hours. Most web developers are employed full-time, which typically translates to 40 hours per week, eight hours per day. Additionally, some work overtime to complete projects on time.
Web developers can also be freelancers, meaning they can determine their own working hours. Unless you work for a company, your work schedule will vary greatly and depend primarily on the project.
Happiness level. Are web developers happy? The simple answer is: it all depends on the circumstances. In addition to practical benefits, such as possessing in-demand skills, there are many non-monetary perks associated with this job.
According to some estimates, it was the eighth best job in 2018, and freelancers find it extremely rewarding and satisfying, especially when they have the flexibility to balance their work with other life activities. You set your own schedule, work anywhere with Wi-Fi, work from home in your pajamas, and spend more time with your family.
Navigating Stress in Web Development
Stress level. Like any other job, this one also comes with specific responsibilities and risks. Stress is definitely a factor to consider when evaluating the pros and cons of being a web developer. In addition to general stressors such as time, complex coding, and demanding clients, developers must meet certain artistic criteria.
To succeed in this field, you must work extremely hard and embrace every challenge that comes your way, especially if you work for a company. Freelancers can expect less management pressure. They can focus solely on their job-related tasks without having to satisfy their superiors at the same time.
A Fun, Rewarding Journey
Repetition. Is web development fun or will it bore you to death? The short answer to the second question is no! Of course, it all depends on who you ask, but keep in mind that personal preferences vary greatly.
Coding isn’t boring because it offers you so many options. You can develop skills you never knew you had. Many web developers claim that coding is directly linked to tangible rewards that can’t be found in any other field, especially when you develop product features and fixes based on real user needs.
Web Developer Demand: 13% Growth & Expanding Opportunities
Market demand. Web developer are in high demand, and some estimates suggest that demand will increase by 13% over the next decade. Due to the rise of internet and web technologies, this profession requires more professionals to ensure the quality of products and services.
A number of companies and industries hire web developer, several of which might not have employed them in the past. Furthermore, a significant increase in the number of startups and small businesses has allowed web developer to find jobs almost everywhere, making this career choice even more attractive, especially thinking about how long it takes to learn web development.
The future of web development
The rapidly evolving industry trends are truly astounding. We already have many automated web processes, which means that web development is a dying career. However, things are not what they seem.
To meet new standards, web developers must strive for constant improvement. They must enhance their skills, features, and functionality. Even though businesses have advanced tools, they still require human intervention as creators of the digital world.
Web development skills are more in demand than ever as we move toward a more technology-driven future. The Internet of Things, machine learning, AI, quantum computing, and many other advancements are shaping the world of technology. While some processes are automated, web developers are the brains behind the operation, and their role in this process is invaluable.
