Web development is a very fulfilling and valuable career because it allows a creative and artistic individual the opportunity to build websites using fonts, graphics, animation and designs. Web development is also a popular field to get into because qualified web developers are always in demand. E-commerce is constantly growing as more and more individuals and companies are choosing to market their products online. Becoming a web developer may take some time and commitment, but it’s something that can become an excellent career choice or a fun pastime. Learn more about web development, including what it entails, how to become a web developer and what the career outlook is for web developers.
What is Web Development?
Web development, also known as website development, is the process of creating websites for use on the internet. It’s a procedure that involves various steps, including web content development, web design, network security configuration, graphic design and server scripting, among numerous other things. It is often confused with web design, but they’re two different things. Web design, which is only one part of web development, involves creating graphics, fonts and logos to be put on the website.
Web development is putting all these web designs on the website and making the website functional. It also involves computer programming and coding, which is entering a language the computer understands. The programming and coding is making the work of the designer functional. When we visit a website, the designs we see are the result of work done by the web designer. The ability to click on things for better viewing, scroll through pages or enjoy animation is all credited to the web developer. They are also responsible for monitoring, maintaining and upgrading the website.
How to Become a Web Developer
Unlike many occupations that require a specific degree or training, web development is a field that can vary in its educational requirements. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that, while web developers should know about both graphic design and computer programming, the educational requirements may be different for each developer and will vary by employer and work setting.
For instance, a web developer working for an e-commerce site needs to know how to work with payment processors, while one working for a healthcare site will need knowledge of health informatics. While one web developer may find work with just a high school diploma, another might need a bachelor’s degree to be hired for a web developer position.
Many web developers are hired with just a two-year associate’s degree. High-level web developer positions, such as back-end web developers, typically require the type of education offered in a bachelor’s degree program. Employers often prefer courses in graphic design along with a computer degree. Regardless of what level of degree the web developer has, they should always be proficient in HTML programming.
They should be familiar with multimedia publishing tools like Flash and also know different programming languages, such as JavaScript, SQL, Python and Java. Creating a website can be a complex procedure, which requires web developers to be detail-oriented and creative while also possessing good customer service and interpersonal skills.
Career Outlook for Web Developers
Web developers are a hot commodity in the internet-based world in which we live. The Bureau predicts that web developers could see a 13 percent increase in employment growth during the 2018-2028 decade. This growth could result in more than 20,000 new web developer jobs created by 2028. Qualified web developers also have the potential to earn very good wages.
The average annual wage for web developers in 2018 was $75,580, but the BLS reports that wages ranged from $37,930 to $124,480. Factors such as location, type of employer, degree level and work experience can all affect how much the web developer earns. The highest wages for this profession were earned in Washington where web developers earned $94,060. The lowest wage of $49,510 was earned in Montana.
With the internet such a large part of our daily lives, many people would love the idea of knowing how to create websites for both business and pleasure. It can be extremely exciting and stimulating to create a website to fit a person’s personality or an organization’s business needs. With a little training and experience, web development can be a good career fit for almost anyone.
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