What does a web developer do?

Web developers, also called web designers or webmasters, design and providing web development services. You can design and develop a basic website design or advanced features of interactive websites. Read on to learn more about the job duties, skills and education that a web developer requires. Schools that offer degrees in Graphics and Multimedia Management can also be found in these popular options.

Duties of work

Your job as a web developer is to present the products and services of your clients to a wide audience by creating attractive and functional websites. You will probably be asked to identify the potential users of the site and to design a website to attract these constituents. Your work may include a meeting with clients to discuss your wishes for a website or how to keep your website up and running. You can build the design of a website, creating a visually interesting homepage and an easy-to-use design. You can also write the content for the website. After a website is up and running, it will ensure that the site is functional in all web browsers, testing and updating it periodically as needed. It is possible that a client may also need to include interactive capabilities on their site using Visual Basic or Java programming languages.

Important facts about this occupation

Work environment Office environments; many are self-employed

Similar occupations Computer systems managers, support specialists, programmers

Projected employment growth (2014-2024) 27%, which is faster than the average for all occupations

Average salary of $ 68,670, according to the BLS in May 2014

Essential skills

Since this is a project-oriented, customer-based field, it must be able to communicate effectively, set goals and meet deadlines. He must also be creative and understand the principles of art and design. You should also be able to concentrate, work as a team and pay attention to small details. You should become familiar with technology and understand how computers and web servers work. You should also be familiar with many software programs, web applications and web programming languages. The specific technologies you may need to know include:

·         Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)

·         C ++

·         JavaScript

·         Flash

·         Structured query language (SQL)

·         Education and certification options

While it is possible to qualify for entry-level work without him, a bachelor's degree in a related field, such as computer science, will help him learn the skills he needs and qualify him for better paid positions. You can expect to complete your bachelor's degree in four years and can study web security topics, programming languages ​​and web design. You may also wish to obtain optional certifications to demonstrate your professional competence and understanding of the field. Several organizations offer certification exams, such as Oracle and the International Webmasters Association (IWA).

Work locations

Web developers can work for large corporations, small businesses or as independent professionals. Most positions will allow you to work 40 hours a week, while others, especially independent positions, will allow flexible schedules. Occasionally, you may be required to work during the weekend or other non-standard business hours to maintain the website or help during emergencies. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics UU (BLS), some common industries for web developers include:

·         Design of computer systems

·         Information services

·         Data processing and hosting

·         Advertising and public relations

·         Management, scientific and technical advice.