Web developer job profile | Prospects.ac.uk
Web developers use programming languages to build websites and web applications
Your primary task as a web developer will be to create reliable and high-performing web-based applications and services. Focusing solely on the underlying software and databases (known as the ‘back end’) is most common. However, some web developers work on the interface and visual design (the ‘front end’), and others combine both (‘full-stack development’).
Whether you’re in an agency or working as a freelancer, your job will be to create products that meet clients’ needs. The work can be varied, and you may have several projects running simultaneously. You’ll have regular meetings with clients to discuss their requirements and update them on progress.
Job titles can vary according to the focus of the role.
Responsibilities
As a web developer, you’ll need to:
- write code in one or more programming or scripting languages, such as PHP or JavaScript
- plan and prototype new applications
- design the architecture of the components of an application
- decide on the best technologies and languages for the project
- test sites and applications in different browsers and environments
- problem-solve
- fix bugs in existing projects
- test new features thoroughly to ensure they perform the correct task in all cases
- run performance benchmarking tests
- review colleagues’ code
- build and test Application Program Interfaces (APIs) for applications to exchange data
- research, incorporate and contribute to open-source projects
- meet designers, developers and project staff for progress updates
- gather requirements from clients and users
- learn and test new technologies, frameworks and languages
- stay up to date with new trends and advancements in web development
- build and maintain databases
- carry out code refactoring and optimisation of existing code
- document code, so other developers can understand and contribute to it
- attend and speak at web development conferences and workshops
- design information architecture within an