Web Development in 2023
The future of web development is denoted by the technologies that fuel the custom web software domain. The following web trends will be especially important in 2023: PWA, SPA, serverless architecture, and Motion UI. The Web also adopts general tech, such as AI, voice search, Blockchain, and IoT.
What is Web Development?
Web development is the work involved in developing a website for the Internet (World Wide Web) or an intranet (a private network). Web development can range from developing a simple single static page of plain text to complex web applications, electronic businesses, and social network services. It is the tasks associated with creating, building, and maintaining websites and web applications that run online on a browser. It may, however, also include web design, web programming, and database management.
What does a web developer do?
Web developers create and maintain websites. They are also responsible for the site's technical aspects, such as its performance and capacity, which are measures of a website's speed and how much traffic the site can handle. In addition, web developers may create content for the site
What is the difference between a web developer and a web designer?
While the roles of web developers and web designers are interdependent, they are also very different in terms of their required skill sets and duties.
Web designers create the aesthetic elements of a site, including all visuals, graphics and imagery. The use of image editing software such as Photoshop is key to their role.
Web developers take the website design created by a web designer, then make a functioning website from it.
Web developers can be split into two different areas of responsibilities and skills - frontend and backend. Frontend developers focus on programming languages such as HTML, CSS and Javascript to create the visual and interactive parts of a website - essentially the parts you can see.
Backend developers are responsible for creating the logic that runs on a server which typically involves communicating with a database and manipulating data, before passing it back to the browser and presenting to the user. Typical programming languages used are PHP, Ruby, ASP are SQL.
Within an agency, the roles tend to follow a framework:
Creatives - also known as web designers, responsible for design work, using software such as Photoshop and Sketch
UID - User Interface developers - also known as frontend developers. Using HTML, CSS and Javascript, they will create interactivity including mouseovers, on screen validation and interactivity
Backend developers - write code which interprets user input and either stores it to a database or performs functions on the input such as calculation libraries or templating systems
Most modern sites will require both backend and frontend development. Backend technologies consist of languages like C# and sit in frameworks like the .Net framework
Web developers do not need to be designers and vice versa, however by getting to grips with user experience design, you’ll understand how a website is supposed to work in order to function properly.
While it may seem like the code languages are more difficult to get to grips with than French, German or Spanish, once you have mastered the basics they become much more accessible.
What qualifications do you need to become a web developer?
While there are no formal or specific qualifications required to become a web developer, a numerate degree in a subject such as maths or science will be useful.
You should also ideally have an aptitude for - or experience of - elements such as:
User experience (UX)
User interface (UI)
Visual design
Coding languages including HTML and CSS
Frontend web programing languages and skills such as JavaScript, Ajax and web animation techniques
Backend web programing languages such as C# or Java, PHP and Ruby
Design software like Photoshop and Illustrator and Sketch
An understanding of SEO
Web servers and how they function
A career as a web developer is very specialised. While programs such as Adobe Dreamweaver and platforms such as WordPress are often perceived to take the place of core coding skills - and they do indeed allow novice users to create sites with basic knowledge - developing sites for corporate clients requires high levels of customisation which cannot be met with the use of programs such as Adobe Dreamweaver, as web developers are required to code in the raw language of the web.
A portfolio of your work is an ideal way to demonstrate your skills as a developer. Aim to include:
Examples of websites you've worked on - this allows you to share the work you have completed and helps to show prospective clients what you can do
Testimonials from clients you have previously worked with - this will reassure prospective clients that you have completed work for other clients and they were happy with what you delivered. Always ask any clients you work for to provide a testimonial once you complete a project
Your USPs - this is the ideal way to really sell yourself to prospective clients, showing what makes you stand out and why they should choose you over other developers
Your contact details - your name, email address, telephone number and social media handles, plus a link to your portfolio
Resources you may find helpful in building your portfolio include:
Sitepoint- tips on how to create a portfolio site to get you hired
Codementor - advice on elements you should always include in your portfolio
If you are considering which subjects may stand you in good stead for a career in web development, consider numeracy-based subjects such as maths or science, plus subjects such as computer science.
What skills do you need to become a web developer?
Key skills to be successful in web development include:
Computer literacy
Strong numeracy skills
Strong creative ability
Attention to detail
Strong communication skills
Excellent problem-solving skills
A logical approach to work
The ability to explain technical matters clearly
A keen interest in technology
Ongoing self-learning is key to developing in a web development role, in order to stay up to date with ever more frequent technological advancements and updates.
How much do web developers earn?
While there is no specific salary and what you earn will depend upon experience and expertise, the average salary for a web developer typically sits between £18k for those just beginning their career and £40k for those who are well established.
Self-employed web developers set their own rates, typically by the hour or by the project.
Difference between Software development and Web development?
With computer programming having grown so quickly, many of the terms used to describe aspects of programming haven’t had enough time to develop consistent meaning. Some of these terms end up getting used inaccurately or interchangeably, creating confusion in the process—particularly for those interested in starting a career in programming.
Software development is focused on the programs (or software) used in computer systems. Software developers are responsible for conceptualizing, creating, programming, documenting, testing, improving and maintaining software, software components, and frameworks.
Software developers generally create programs and applications for stand-alone desktop and mobile platforms. The software they create allows average users to interact with computer tools for a range of activities and tasks.
Just as software development is focused on creating computer programs using programming languages, web development also uses computer code to create user-facing software, in the form of websites. Web development vs mobile development have a lot of differences, mobile development also known as iOS development or Android development. Mobile development requires different coding languages than web developers.
Website developers are often more involved with the non-design aspects of web development, though this isn’t always the case. Web developers use coding and writing markup to create interactive webpages. These pages can be as simple as online text files, or as complicated as ecommerce sites. No matter the end product, if users are accessing it in their web browser, then there’s a good chance that it was built—at least partially—by a web developer.