Are you interested in technology and have the patience and attention to detail to create user-friendly websites? If this sounds like you, consider a career as a web developer. If you are ready to learn more about web development, Hunter Business School is here to help.
What is Web Development?
Web development is the process of building websites and web applications. This includes website functionality, user interface, and website maintenance. Web development also consists of the website’s design, layout, coding, content creation, and functionality.
What Does a Web Developer Do?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, web developers create and maintain websites. Web developers and digital designers typically do the following:
- Discuss the needs, design, and functionality of a website
- Create prototypes and mockups of websites or applications
- Create and test applications, user interfaces, and navigation menus for a website
- Write code for the website using programming languages such as HTML, Python, PHP, JavaScript, and XML
- Work with designers to determine the website’s layout
- Integrate graphics, audio, and video into the website
There are different types of web developers, they include:
Front-End Developer – focuses on the look of the website. They will develop the layout, graphics, applications, and content.
Back-End Developer – responsible for the technical construction of the website. They create the website’s structure, system, data, and logic.
Full-Stack Developer – performs both front-end and back-end web development. They will work on both the website’s server side and user interface.
What Skills Should a Web Developer Have?
Need to gain all the skills to become a web developer? Don’t worry, you are not alone. Many skills that you will need to be a successful web developer will be learned during the Web Application Design and Development program. Here are some of the essential skills you will learn during this program:
Soft Skills
There are some soft skills that you will improve during a Web Design and Development program at Hunter Business School. These soft skills include:
Problem Solving
As a web developer, you must identify problems and develop the proper solutions. To be successful, you will need to use appropriate methodology to confront challenges in an organized manner. Good problem-solving involves defining the problem, determining the cause, prioritizing problems, choosing the suitable alternative for the solution, and implementing the solution.
Project Management
A web developer will learn how to be a good project manager. You will take on multiple projects during the Web Design and Development program, including building a complete website. Each step of your projects must be completed in succession, making the process organized and collaborative. You will understand the project’s goals and evaluate alternative solutions while choosing the best solution to the project at hand. You will also learn how to define the project’s scope, identify the resources needed, and schedule those resources properly.
Analytical Skills
A web developer will need good analytical skills to observe, research, and interpret complex ideas. You will learn how to analyze a situation and work to accomplish the project’s goal. Good analytical skills start by identifying the issue, gathering the information needed to test the problem, developing a solution, testing the solution, and reviewing whether the solution worked properly.
Communication
Web developers will work with supervisors and end users when creating websites. They will work under the strict supervision of a supervisor, reporting milestones when building the website. End users can offer feedback to find and remediate bugs to make the website function correctly.
You may be called upon to explain a technical issue; good communication skills are essential. These reports may be sent to the supervisor, so good written communication is critical to your success.
Attention to Detail
Attention to detail is an essential skill for a web developer to master. Not paying close attention to programming and coding can cause poor functionality or security breaches. Part of the job of a web developer is to check and recheck the code to make sure the website is functioning correctly and is secure.
Creativity
Creative skills promote problem-solving and help you navigate change. Using unconventional thinking is essential when solving problems with poorly functioning websites. Not all problems have clear solutions, so being creative is an asset to a web developer.
Patience
As a web developer, you will look through thousands of lines of code and need to find the needle in the haystack. This takes patience. Much of what you do is time-consuming, and having patience will allow you to pay attention to detail during all facets of building a website.
Hard Skills
There are some hard skills that you will improve during a Web Design and Development program at Hunter Business School. These hard skills include:
Software Programming
As a web developer, you will work with the following programming languages:
- CSS – cascading style sheet, the language used to create the page’s layout, colors, fonts, and style.
- JavaScript – the language that allows you to add interactive features to increase website engagement.
- HTML – hypertext markup language- the standard language for building web pages.
- Python – a programming language used for more accessible and more efficient development.
- PHP – a general-purpose scripting language used in the development of the website.
- Java – object-oriented programming language used for developing enterprise-scale web applications.
Testing and Debugging
After a website is built, the web developer must test and debug the website. After testing the website, the web developer will debug the code and make necessary changes to improve the website’s functionality. This process can require patience as it can be complex and lengthy.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Search engine bots like Googlebot need to find websites that rank well in organic search results. The web developer will need to understand how Googlebot indexes and ranks the website to make sure the website can be found with the right mix of optimization to rank prominently in Google. For example, the back-end developer will include robots.txt, sitemap.xml, mobile-friendly design, and optimized content.
Responsive Design
In the world of search engines, mobile design is preferred. A web developer must know how to create a responsive web design so that users who look at the website on a desktop or mobile device have a good experience. The website should automatically adapt to the size of the screen on which the user is viewing the website.
Want to Learn More?
The Hybrid Web Application Design and Development training program offers hands-on school instruction in full-stack web development, giving you the skills needed to become a junior developer or website administrator with no prior coding experience needed.
Not just a bootcamp, this 7½ month training program gives you the skills, theory, and hands-on experience necessary to enter the cutting-edge website and application development field.
Contact us today to learn more about becoming a web developer on Long Island.