Front-end developers (also known as client-side development) use a variety of programming languages and frameworks such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript to bzzuild the exterior look and features of a site. Back-end developers use programming languages such as Python and Ruby to design, build and integrate applications from front-end development into the back end—in other words, they make the features on the site operate. Individuals with skills in both front- and back-end development are known as “full-stack developers.”
Web Development Salaries
Web development salaries have steadily been on the rise during the past five years and are projected to continue increasing. Robert Half Technology estimates earnings for web development professionals will increase by an average of approximately 7.5 percent in 2021. Specialized skill sets also impact potential earnings according to Robert Half Technology. Based on a review of salary data, the company projects that web developers with in-demand skills can see upward of a nine percent increase in annual salaries.
Steps to Becoming a Web Developer
Web development is a flexible professional field, one that affords prospective students multiple ways to gain the training and experience necessary to begin their careers. Below is an overview of steps interested individuals can take to enter this career field.
Choose a Development Specialization
Each element of a website is linked to something else, and it’s a complex job to build a website successfully. Depending on their specific jobs, web developers will be proficient in using various software programs (e.g. JavaScript frameworks, version control, CSS), and will have not only the specialized knowledge that characterizes their roles, but also an understanding of the process as a whole. Prior to starting out, it’s wise to get an understanding of the type of web development work that seems interesting—such as user interface design, mobile application development, or front-end development—to best set the stage for future education and training.
Get an Education
No specific degree or educational path exists for careers in web development, and it’s possible to become a web developer with or without a formal education. While it’s certainly possible to learn coding languages independently, there is more to web development than coding. Individuals who can implement coding skills within a broader context may have an advantage, and that’s where a formal education can help prospective developers gain foundational knowledge of web development principles and practices, expose them to project management and situations that require problem-solving, and encourage critical thinking.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an associate degree is the most common minimum educational requirement for employment. However, Robert Half Technology notes that a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field is traditionally necessary for career advancement. More recently, coding boot camps such as Code Academy and App Academy have emerged as short-term, intensive training options for students to gain career-specific coding skills that can boost their chances for employment.
Develop Technical Skills
Despite the real advantages that come with an organized education, web development is still a field in which concrete skills can trump education when it comes to employment opportunities. Companies want employees who can produce, and how or where something was learned is secondary to simply being able to do it. Prospective web developers should have expertise in the three core programming components: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. They should also learn about CSS and CSS frameworks such as Backbone, Bootstrap, and Foundation. Finally, to build applications, developers should be proficient in back-end languages such as Ruby, Java, PHP and tools such as Oracle and SQL Server.
Practice Your Coding Skills
Web developers learn by doing. Set up a Github account and push code to the site. An active Github profile can get the attention of employers searching through stacks of resumes, and demonstrates not only what a candidate does to solve programming issues, but also the thinking and strategies behind those solutions. Practicing coding and getting used to using Git prepares developers to work as part of a team, as well as manage complicated site and application builds.
Launch an Online Portfolio
Employers want to see results, such as current examples of successful site and application builds. With a portfolio, developers can test new technologies and tools, as well as demonstrate their coding talent and technical capabilities. Standout portfolios can help candidates clear that crucial first hurdle: landing a job interview.
Web Development Degree Levels
Students looking to acquire formal education in web development have four typical avenues available: certificate, associate, bachelor’s or master’s degrees. Professional requirements and goals, as well as the student’s background, will help dictate which path to take. The following section will give a brief overview of each of the four educational possibilities and what students can expect when enrolled.
Web Development Certificates
The certificate option is designed for targeted educational training and is intended for students who need practical and fundamental knowledge relating to web development. Prior programming and computer technology experience can be helpful, but may not be required. Some certificate programs may even serve as a stepping stone to an associate degree in web development.
Components of a Successful Web Developer Career: Skills, Tools, and Technology
Skills
Central to the success of a web developer are strong technical coding skills, and how to implement them within the context of Internet conventions and web applications. Beyond technical expertise, web developers must also have the right blend of soft skills in the workplace, including the ability to communicate clearly as well as a mindset geared to analytical problem-solving. Below is a list of common technical skills and competency areas that are important in web development.
HTML.
Not a programming language, but the foundational element of any website. Includes the core elements of how a page should look.
Cascading Style Sheets (CSS).
CSS manages the way a page looks and serves as the guiding style instructions for a website—from fonts to color.
CSS Frameworks.
CSS frameworks are used to structure and develop websites. They provide custom style guides that are used to help developers maintain industry best practices. Examples include Bootstrap and Foundation.
JavaScript.
A programming language that controls how websites and dynamic web applications operate.
Responsive Web Design.
Modern websites must adapt to mobile device use, requiring an understanding of responsive web design.
Version Control.
When building a site, developers must manage the progress of their projects. Version control software, such as Git, allows developers to maintain and track changes to their code.
Browser Development Tools.
Web developers need to understand how pages are rendered in a browser in order to identify bugs and improve performance.
Testing.
When coding, bugs will be introduced into the system. Web developers should have familiarity with testing processes used to identify those bugs, and software frameworks such as Jasmine.
Programming Languages.
Depending on their professional specialty, web developers should be proficient in programming languages and frameworks such as Ruby on Rails, Python, or PHP.
Certifications are ubiquitous in the information technology industry. Once regarded as the standard-bearer for professional development and credibility, the thinking about credentials is slowly shifting. Employers typically do not regard them as highly as experience, and they are not required to get a job. Nonetheless, certifications do offer useful professional content, and web developers can use certification programs to enhance knowledge and gain expert status in a particular area of development or with a specific product. Following are a few of the available certifications:
Adobe Certified Expert (ACE).
Adobe offers multiple specialization tracks through its Adobe Certified Expert credential, allowing professionals to earn certification on a single Adobe product or pursue an ACE Specialist or Master certification. The Specialist certification demonstrates the candidate’s knowledge of an Adobe product, and requires the successful passing of a current examination and an elective course within the certification track. The Master certification measures the candidate’s knowledge of Adobe’s complete suite of web tools and requires successful passing of individual exams for each product within the suite.
Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer: Web Applications.
Microsoft provides a range of certification tracks within its MCSD program. The MCSD: Web Applications survey qualifies candidates for positions as web developers or web administrators. MCSD certification requires the successful passing of three examinations: Programming in HTML5 with JavaScript and CSS3; Developing ASP.NET MVC Web Applications; and Developing Microsoft Azure and Web Services.
Zend PHP Certification.
An industry-recognized certification, Zend PHP Certification measures a web developer’s knowledge of PHP 5.5. Exam topics range from PHP basics to web features, and security to object-oriented programming. Candidates must successfully pass a 70-question, computer-based examination to earn the Zend PHP certification designation.
W3Schools Certification.
W3Schools offers several certification tracks in web development, such as HTML, HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP. Each certificate is designed to test the candidate’s knowledge of the foundational principles and concepts of each professional area. To earn a certificate, candidates must pass an Internet-based examination that consists of 70 multiple choice or true/false questions.
CIW JavaScript Specialist.
Sponsored by CIW, a vendor-neutral web technology and certification program, the JavaScript Specialist designation demonstrates knowledge of JavaScript language essentials, JavaScript code development, and JavaScript website implementation. To earn the certification, candidates must achieve 75 percent on a 90-minute exam consisting of 55 questions.
Amazon Web Services Certified Developer – Associate.
The AWS Certified Developer certification is for individuals who develop and maintain applications on the Amazon Web Services platform. Candidates must have at least one year of experience working with AWS applications, an understanding of at least one programming language, and proficiency in designing Amazon application solutions. The examination is 80 minutes long and includes multiple choice and multiple answer questions.
Certified Ruby Programmer.
Sponsored by the Ruby Association, this certification is designed for professionals who design and develop Ruby-based systems. The current certification designates the acquisition of basic skills that cover the fundamentals of Ruby programming, including execution environment, grammar, libraries, and object orientation. Candidates must successfully pass a 50-question, multiple-choice examination that lasts 90 minutes.
Professional Scrum Developer.
Offered by Scrum.org, the Professional Scrum Developer certification is for professionals who develop software using Scrum. The assessment examination covers core concepts of Scrum, including theory and principles, framework, programming and standards. The one-hour exam requires a passing score of 85 percent.
Career Trends in Web Development
In terms of the demand for IT skills, web development is near the top of the list. In a 2015 industry report, 28 percent of respondents reported that web development was the most important skill they needed for their organizations. There is an insatiable need for web applications in today’s information-driven economy, and as industries such as mobile, big data, cloud computing, security converge, both established companies and start-ups are hard-pressed to find talented developers to meet business demands. A talent gap exists across web development, particularly for Java developers and application developers, according to HR services provider Ranstad. It should come as no surprise the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 20 percent career growth in the field between 2012 and 2022.
Related Careers
Employers across every industry, notes Robert Half Technology, are seeking developers of all sorts: web, software, and mobile. Individuals with programming skills in .NET, PHP and responsive design skills are in particularly high demand. Below is a list of web development careers that are growing and offer opportunities for individuals with the appropriate skills and experience.
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