Before reading this blog, let’s ask some questions. First, do you have or did you have any computer science subjects in your high school? Second, are you a computer science student at the University? Third, are you thinking of pursuing a career in the same field? We recommend reading this blog to the end if you have a yes as an answer.
There are many career choices for computer science majors. They can be developers, programmers, software engineers, and whatnot. The only thing you need is knowledge and skills to implement that knowledge. Web development is one of the most preferred careers in the IT industry. However, it is an umbrella term, as there are different types of web developers depending on their skill set and areas of expertise.
Through this blog, we’ll tell you about web development. If you are planning to start your career in this field, we recommend reading this blog as a complete basic guide.
What you see as a website isn’t just a collection of words, photos, or data arranged in a systematic order. Rather, it is the result of the code written by different developers. There is a logic behind these codes that makes them run.
Web Developers are technical professionals who use their analytical skills to create, design, and develop websites. They are responsible for building and maintaining websites for clients across various industries. Websites are the face of any business, company, or organization, and these web developers are the sculptors of that face. Therefore, the better the features, the more business will grow.
Mainly there are three types of web development required for any website, and they are:
- Front-end Web Development
- Back-end Web Development
- Full-Stack Web Development
Front-end Web Development
Front-end web development focuses on the visual aspects of a website. Front-end developers ensure a website looks good and functions well across all devices, including phones, desktops, tablets, etc. The main programming languages used for front-end development are HTML, Javascript, and CSS. Moreover, the primary responsibility of these developers is keeping up with the trends in web designing and developing a website with user optimization and search engine optimization.
Back-end Web Development
Front-end web developers take care of what you see, whereas Back-end developers take care of the code behind it. These codes run the website. Back-end developers write code to ensure a website is connected to the server and data flows properly. For back-end development, the main programming languages used are Java, PHP, and MySQL, including tools like Python and Golang. They frequently participate in networking communities for coding tips and support.
Full-Stack Web Development
Full-stack Web Developers are like a coin with two sides, meaning they know both front-end and back-end web development. They take care of all aspects of a website, from its look to the code that connects it with the server. Full-stack web development requires experience that becomes helpful for troubleshooting and redesigning. Their main responsibilities include recognizing cutting-edge technologies and programming languages, such as blockchain, which eventually helps grow a business as a website strengthens.
NECESSARY SKILLS
Now, what skills should you possess to start your journey as a web developer? Typically, there are three basic skills that you must possess to become a web developer. If you do not have these, you can still develop them; it is never too late.
Programming
Obviously, one needs programming skills to become a web developer. You must have coding skills stronger and better than others. Start learning and mastering various programming languages such as HTML & CSS. Also, you must keep an open mind to learn and adapt to the rapid changes occurring in the IT industry.
Attentive & Detail-Oriented
A web developer should be detail-oriented as it helps them detect errors while running a code. They must pay to have patience and use their skills while testing and debugging the code. Attentiveness would eventually aid them in fixing any code way faster.
Creativeness
Even though this is a technical field, web development requires creative thinking. Creativity helps developers create a website that attracts more users and keeps the website up in search results. Therefore, you need creativity to build a good site, both visually and feature-wise.
CAREERS
Let’s say you have all the necessary skills. Now, what’s next?
Just like web development, the term ‘web developer’ is also an umbrella term. There are different career options available within web development, each varying based on specialized skills and roles.
You can start your web development career as a:
- Web Designer
- Web programmer
- Content Developer
- Webmaster
Web Designer
Web Designer, as their name, designs websites. For this career, you need designing and art skills with relevant knowledge of coding skills. In addition, it will help you to convey your ideas to the web programmer. Moreover, you will use a number of graphic design software to design and build your site.
Web Programmer
Web designer and web programmer are two confusing terms. But if asked in simple words, a web designer designs a website, i.e., the look. A web programmer writes the code for it to function, i.e., the brain. Front-end web programmers are responsible for building the pages that web designers create. The back-end writes code that connects it to the server. So, like web designers need coding skills, a web programmer should also know web design as they make the user interface.
Content Developer
You have the looks and the brain of the website, but how would you convey your message through your website? It’s simple; you need words, and the person who writes these words is the content developer. These words are in the form of blogs, product descriptions, images, stories, or videos. Apart from writing skills, you need programming skills like HTML and SEO as it would help the website show up when a user searches for something that that website offers.
Webmaster
The webmaster is someone who takes care of every aspect that goes into a website. They are responsible for designing, building, securing, and much more. In addition, they ensure that every team works together with them, including programmers, designers, and the marketing team. Therefore, apart from designing & coding skills, they should also have marketing skills.
CONCLUSION
So, if you want to start your journey as a web developer, try learning and honing the necessary skills needed for these careers. However, if you already have these skills, think about where you would like to work: Front-end Web Development, Back-end Web Development, or Full-Stack Web Development.