A web developer is a software programmer who is focused on developing sites and applications for the World Wide Web.

Simply put, a web developer writes the code which is used by computers to display webpages.

Here are some everyday tasks for a web developer:

• Work with a web designer to create new webpage designs.
• Discuss the layout and structure of a website with the website manager.
• Write the code to produce a new page layout for a website.
• Create a database for a new web based application.

The role of web developer is very flexible, and that flexibility is what makes it a good career choice for a large number of people.

Being a web developer offers benefits most careers cannot.

• You do not need a college education to be a web developer.
  • Companies will hire you based on your portfolio of sites. Develop A Job is designed to help you build your portfolio and get into your new career field quickly.
• Pay is based on the knowledge you have, not your education level.
• Everything you need to learn is available online, free of charge.
• Many web development jobs allow you to work from anywhere there is an internet connection, even your own home.
• Because every company and organization needs a website you can work at a variety of places. You can find corporate jobs, non-profit jobs, full-time hours, part-time hours, and even freelance jobs where you work for yourself at your own pace.
• The position of web developer is in very high demand and the demand continues to grow.
• A career as a web developer offers stability and long term career viability.
  • The web is probably not going away in your lifetime, and society will always need people to work on it.

There are two components which deliver a website.

1. The web server which holds the site information
2. The browser program used to view the site (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, etc.).

Every web developer has an understanding about both components, but many developers choose to focus on one of those components for their career. Since you are just starting as a web developer it would be good for you to learn a bit about both, then choose your area to focus on.

Web Development on the Server

Web developers who work on code on servers write the code which constructs the website. Their code pulls data and files from the server and combines them to produce the website.

Their code tells the server what to do when you send data to the server. Such as when you submit a form or send an email.

Web developers who work on server based code are often referred to as Back-end Developers.

Web Development for the Browser

Web developers who work on code on for the web browser write code which tells the browser where to lay out the pieces of a webpage. Their code tells the browser where to put text, images, and media (video, slideshows, etc.) on a given webpage.

Web developers who work on browser based code are often refereed to as Front-end Developers.

One of the great benefits of being a web developer is the flexibility of where you can work. This is just a small list of the different job types available to web developers.

• On a product team at an advertising agency
• In the IT Department of a major corporation
• As member of a development team at a software development firm
• As a freelance web developer and work on your own projects
• Being the sole web developer at a small or medium sized company

You will need two things to get your first job as a web developer:

• A portfolio of websites you have created
• Some type of certification

Once you are able to produce a handful of sites and earn one or two certifications, you will have a strong enough resume to go job hunting.

Most people are capable of achieving those two goals with 6 months of part-time work and learning.

Develop a Job is a great tool for guiding your journey to a new career, but it is only one guide. We want you to succeed as web developer, so please use any resources which might help you become a web developer.

The Start Here: Web Development Podcast is another great resource for learning to be a web developer.