A website developer develops and designs websites and applications that use the internet. A website designer creates a website’s appearance and tone of voice, while a website developer writes the code used to make the website operate. A blend of technical skills and creative thinking abilities are necessary for the job. You need to know how everything works and be able to find new and creative ways to make code function.
Web coding languages differ in terms of functionality, strengths, and implementation. Web development with C++ is different from web development with Java. The more languages a web developer knows, the more versatile their skills become.
Responsibilities of a website developer
The responsibilities of a website developer include:
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Creating templates: Web developers create website layouts and templates using HTML/CSS.
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Collaborating with web designers: Website design services go hand in hand with website development services. They must work together to meet visual expectations without compromising quality and functionality.
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Evaluating code: An important part of a web developer’s role involves evaluating code to ensure it is optimized and meets industry standards.
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Testing and troubleshooting: Web developers frequently test websites for bugs and glitches, troubleshooting any issues they encounter. This requires testing every part of a website, from clicking hyperlinks to filling in contact forms and text fields. This aspect of their role is key to creating a quality experience for the website’s visitors.
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Content planning: Website content is designed and written by the website developers.
There are many web developer roles, each handling specific responsibilities in making a website function. The main three types are front-end developers, back-end developers, and full-stack developers.
What front-end developers do?
A front-end developer works on the user-facing aspects of a website—essentially everything we see when looking at the site on our computers or phones. The two core areas they focus on are user interface (UI) and user experience (UX). They need to think creatively and critically to ensure the website is easy to navigate, has a logical flow, and looks appealing. A deep understanding of their coding language is required to solve problems effectively.
Key responsibilities of a front-end developer
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Maintenance: Developing and maintaining the apps and websites they work on. They need to optimize their work so it runs smoothly on different devices and browsers, ensuring user-friendliness on both mobile devices and computers.
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Develop features: Front-end developers create interactive features like text fields, forms, menus, and buttons. This includes optimizing contact forms or introducing new features for competitions or advertising campaigns.
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Utilize frameworks: Using JavaScript frameworks and content management systems to build engaging features for a website or application.
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Testing: Every type of web developer needs to test their work thoroughly to ensure everything runs smoothly and the UX is fully optimized.
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Write effective code: A front-end developer must write clean, efficient code that is easy to run and edit.
What back-end developers do?
Back-end developers write the code that makes everything front-end developers do function. Their work is not visible directly; clients and users interact with it through UI and UX.
Key responsibilities of a back-end developer
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Effective communication: Back-end developers work closely with clients and front-end developers. They need to communicate ideas, feedback, instructions, and objectives clearly. Understanding the language they use is vital so they can explain how it works effectively.
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Design application programming interfaces (APIs): An API allows two or more programs to communicate with each other. Back-end developers design, build, code, and maintain API services. For example, when you ask Siri about the weather, she uses an API to access information from another program.
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Write efficient code: The code created by back-end developers must be easy to read, run, and edit.
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Ensure front-end elements work properly: Every part of the designed UI/UX needs to be implemented correctly by the back-end developer.
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Security: Implementing security systems and data protection measures is an important responsibility handled by back-end developers.
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Stay up-to-date with industry trends: Back-end developers need to understand the latest technology used in the industry and implement it into the websites and applications they maintain.
What full-stack developers do?
A full-stack developer, also known as a full-stack software engineer, writes code that operates on both the front end and back end of systems. They take on roles from both front-end and back-end developers.
Top five advantages of being a web developer
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Work remotely: Web developers can work from home, allowing them to create an optimal working environment that enhances productivity. Many developer roles offer flexible hours; freelance developers can set their hours and choose their clients.
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Varied work opportunities: Most companies are looking for developers. Web developers can create apps or websites, making their job incredibly diverse. They can explore many different types of work by collaborating with various companies and clients.
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Creative potential: Web developers have the luxury of thinking creatively while shaping their projects.
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High-demand industry: There is high demand for web developers, leading to numerous job opportunities for both freelance and non-freelance positions.