Web Developer Job Description – Salary, Education and Career Guide for becoming a Web Developer

A Web developer is a software engineer who develops applications for the World Wide Web. Web developers are also known as:
  • Web Administrators
  • Web Designers
  • Webmasters
  • Web Page Developers
  • Web Programmers.
 

Job Description

A Web application developer plans, develops and maintains a Web site’s infrastructure. Since he is the architect of the site, he must have very good communication skills to determine what the web site owner wants. This often begins with the use of “story boards” to illustrate to owners what the Web site can do. Web developers must then use their knowledge to make this content available to users.
 
One way this is done is through the use of keywords. When a person performs a keyword search, the computer uses the code which the developer wrote to find the items. Internal databases and reporting tools make the Web site functional. Without these, the site would be static. A Web developer must maintain databases and ensure reports are generated correctly. Web administration takes over after the Web site has been completed.
 
Web developers can either work for a specific company or by contract. Work hours are often inconsistent. Since Web sites must be online 24 hours a day, Web Developers are usually on-call at all hours. Depending on the size of the company, a developer may perform all duties or specialize in only one, such as database management.

Salary Guide

The salary for Web developers increases with work experience. The average salary for a Web developer with one year’s experience is $40,000. After five to nine years’ experience average earnings increase to about $58,000. After twenty years’ experience, the average annual income is as high as $73,000.

Education and Training

Web developer training should include experience using software and programming languages such as C, Cold Fusion and SQL. Web pages can be made from “scratch” in HTML. Some software programs such as FrontPage and Dream Weaver make development simpler. Certain sites require knowledge of computer programming languages such as Java or Visual Basic.
 
Web developers can specialize in several different areas. Each area requires different education and training priorities. Web developer training can specialize in certain languages including:
  • Java
  • LINUX
  • PHP and mySQL.
 

They could also specialize in certain types of web sites including:

  • corporate
  • e-commerce
  • small business.
 

Or they could specialize in certain areas of development including:

  • applications
  • content
  • database.
 
Communication is important as well as people skills. Web developers must collaborate with many different departments since a Web site is integral to an entire company. Realizing what users want and need is also a must. Receiving feedback from users and clients to make the Web site user-friendly and efficient is mandatory.

Prior Work Experience

Experience in Web development is more important to employers than prior work. Prior work experience, however, might improve one’s chances of being hired or getting a higher salary.

Career Advancement

The world today is dependent on computers and the World Wide Web. Web developers make the Internet what it is. Keeping up with technology, learning new software and continuing education should guarantee career advancement to positions in:
  • management at a Web development firm
  • teaching at university level.
 

Related Associations & Groups

There are many associations and groups related to web design. These include:
  • American Association of Webmasters
  • International Webmaster’s Association
  • Web Design and Developers Association
  • Web Developers Association of America.
 
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