What Does a Web Developer Do? A Guide to Careers in Web Development

Web developers play an important role in developing the websites and web applications people use every day. They create and maintain websites and web applications, and focus on technical components, such as making sure a website loads correctly and won’t crash if there’s a lot of traffic. 

Key skills web developers need include:

• Front-end development: They need to be able to use programming languages, such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, to build the user interface (UI) of a site or app. 
• Back-end development: Web developers require the ability to use Python, PHP, Node.js, and other programming languages to make sure a site or an app runs properly. 
• Responsive design: They need to be able to create sites and apps that adapt to different devices and screen sizes.  

We offer online courses that make it easy to learn these skills. Read on to learn more about web developers, what they do, and why you should consider a career in this growing field.

What Is a Web Developer?

Web developers set up websites and web applications. They also keep these sites and apps running properly. They generally work on the front- or back-end. A front-end developer prioritizes the user experience (UX), while a back-end developer focuses on the structure of a website or web application. 

Web development is key to driving business growth, promoting and selling products online, and delivering digital experiences that build brand trust and loyalty. 

Types of Web Developers

Front-End Developer

A front-end web developer ensures a website or web application looks great and meets user expectations. They handle the layout, graphics, and various text and visual elements and make sure everything is responsive and accessible. 

You can become a front-end developer by learning HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It also pays to have experience with React, Vue.js, and Angular frameworks. Check out Udemy’s front-end development courses to get you started with the skills you need for a successful career in front-end development.

Back-End Developer

A back-end developer focuses on server-side logic, databases, and APIs. They write code and ensure it works as expected. Web developers also manage access to websites and web apps. For example, if a client wants to give a new hire access to its site or app, the developer makes it happen.

Many back-end developers are familiar with Python, PHP, Node.js, and Ruby on Rails programming languages. They also know how to manage MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, and similar databases. 

Full-Stack Developer

A full-stack web developer builds the front- and back-end of a website or web application. They’ve mastered the entire web development process, from the user interface (UI) to database management.

Having full-stack development skills could make you a hot job candidate for startups and businesses that want someone to set up a site or app from scratch and maintain it moving forward. 

Our Complete Web Development Course is an excellent starting point if you want to pursue a career as a full-stack developer.

Specialized Web Development Roles

Web developers also work in highly specialized roles, such as:

• Web security developer: These professionals make sure a website is secure and well-protected against malware, ransomware, and other cybersecurity threats.
• E-commerce developer: They set up and manage Shopify, WooCommerce, and other e-commerce platforms.
• WordPress developer: They use WordPress and its plug-ins to create custom sites and web apps. 

With a clear understanding of a web developer’s day-to-day responsibilities, you can make an informed decision about which career path suits you best. 

Key Responsibilities of a Web Developer

While being a web developer is exciting, it isn’t the most glamorous career in the world. If you choose this career, your day-to-day responsibilities will include:

• Accounting for design, layout, and function as you help clients build new sites and apps
• Ensuring client sites and apps perform well
• Writing and evaluating HTML, XML, JavaScript, and other website code
• Putting together website prototypes and mock-ups
• Working with web designers to find the best ways to incorporate media into sites and apps
• Tracking web traffic
• Addressing lag time and other site or app problems that disrupt UX
• Engaging with clients, web designers, and other web developers to achieve shared goals

If you want a job where no two workdays are the same, being a web developer could be a viable career path. Get started by signing up for courses that teach you the fundamental web development skills for creating and maintaining websites. 

Essential Skills for Web Developers

Technical and soft skills are critical for web developers. Let’s dive into both types of skills and look at the ones you’ll need to thrive in this role. 

Technical Skills

Web developers need to understand programming languages. You’ll want to learn: 

• HTML
• CSS
• JavaScript
• Python
• PHP
• Java
• Ruby
• C#
• TypeScript

They also need to be able to use frameworks to create websites, web apps, services, and APIs. Frameworks you’ll want to know include:

• React
• Angular
• Vue.js
• Next.js
• Bootstrap
• Tailwind CSS

As a web developer, you’ll want to track the many versions of any website or web application you build, as this gives you a track record of all of the work you’ve done. Tools that can help you do this include:

• Git
• GitHub
• Bitbucket

Web developers use databases to store information about websites and web applications. Some databases you’ll want to learn about include:

• SQL
• MongoDB
• Firebase

They also handle web performance and security. Learn about the following protocols and processes so you can optimize the performance of a site or app and protect it against current and emerging cyber threats:

• SSL
• HTTPS
• Caching
• Authentication

Technical skills alone are insufficient. To succeed as a web developer, you’ll also need to fine-tune your soft skills. 

Soft Skills

If you love solving problems, becoming a web developer could be the career path for you. Web developers are problem-finders and -solvers. They look for issues in the web development process and resolve them before they impact UX. 

As a web developer, you’ll have to work independently and as part of a team. You’ll communicate and collaborate with web designers and other stakeholders throughout a project. 

Web developers know how to change course at a moment’s notice. They want to learn and grow and are continuously adapting to changing situations. 

How to Become a Web Developer

Establish realistic expectations for learning web development skills — it will take at least a few months to lay the groundwork for your career. Follow this roadmap to get started:

• Learn the basics: Focus on HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other programming languages.
• Build websites and web applications: Start personal projects and contribute to open-source. 
• Enroll in courses: Sign up for Udemy courses in web development areas that pique your interest and correspond with your career aspirations. 
• Create a portfolio: Show off your projects as you apply for web developer jobs. 
• Gain real-world experience: Take advantage of freelance opportunities, internships, and entry-level positions.
• Earn certifications: Complete certification programs to set yourself apart from other web developer job candidates. 

As you learn the ins and outs of web development, be ready to adjust your career path accordingly. 

Web Development Career Paths and Job Opportunities

Make the most of web development career opportunities. Explore the job market and look for roles that match your expectations. The demand for web developers is high globally, which means you could have opportunities to relocate to a different part of the world for a job, or you might work remotely. 

Tech companies often search far and wide for entry-level and experienced web developers, or you might work with a startup or agency. If you’re just starting out or prefer flexibility above all else, you may want to consider freelance roles. 

What you earn as a web developer depends on your skills, experience, certifications, and location. The more you learn, the more you’ll earn. Plus, you’ll be better equipped than other web developers to take your career to the next level.

Career Advancement Opportunities

Before you can grow your career as a web developer, it’s important to understand what opportunities to explore. Let’s explore some positions in this field.

Junior Developer 

This is an entry-level web development role. You’ll write code, troubleshoot issues, and perform standard tasks. Most jobs require less than 3 years of experience. After a few years as a junior developer, you could advance to a mid-level role. 

Web Developer

This mid-level role role includes optimizing performance, ensuring responsive design, integrating APIs, managing databases, debugging issues, and collaborating with designers and other developers. Generally speaking, you can expect to work 3-6 years in this role before being promoted to a more senior role. 

Senior Developer 

A senior developer works on more advanced website and web application projects. They provide technical guidance and support and ensure technical code is up to par. 

In this role, you’ll likely oversee a team of junior or mid-level developers. If you prove your worth as a senior developer, you could climb the ladder into more of a lead developer role. 

Lead Developer

This developer takes the lead on website and web application projects. They have technical experience, leadership abilities, and mentorship skills, which make them vital contributors to a project’s success. 

When you’re a lead developer, you’ll assign project tasks and ensure they’re completed on time and within budget. You’ll also mentor junior developers. This role could be the stepping stone to a chief technology officer (CTO) position. 

CTO

A CTO is a company’s top technology executive. They make sure the company uses technology to achieve its goals. 

They’re responsible for a company’s IT department and technology strategies. If you want the responsibilities of a leading executive, this may be a terrific option for you. 

Freelancer

Becoming a freelancer is ideal if you want to pick and choose website and web application projects. You find clients, set your own rates, and complete tasks within designated time frames and budgets. At the end of a project, you move on to future work opportunities. 

Consultant

In a consulting role, companies reach out to you when they need help with web development tasks. You can work as a freelance consultant or as part of a consulting firm. Like freelancing, consulting gives you the freedom to work whenever and wherever you want.

Business Owner

If you open a web development business, you can choose which services and solutions you want to provide. You can even hire a team of web developers and other professionals to assist you with your company. 

Web development career and job opportunities vary. Options can seem limited when you’re starting your career versus when you have several years of experience. At Udemy, we offer beginner and advanced web development courses to help you at each stage of your career journey. 

Learn Web Development with Udemy

Trust us to teach you how to handle hands-on web development projects. Our courses provide insights you can use to develop new skills or enhance existing ones. They focus on real-world applications so you can apply what you learn to create websites and web apps that deliver real-world results. And with Udemy, you can learn at your own pace. 

Web developers often enjoy rewarding careers. Work as a front-end, back-end, or full-stack developer to get your career off the ground. In the years to follow, you’ll find career opportunities that allow you to unlock your full potential. 

Start your web development journey today with our expert-led courses.