Career Advice for a Web Developer

Web developers create and manage websites and design web applications to enhance usability. They can work on software for different website elements, including messaging or retail. Web developers can work on sites for any business or choose to specialise in a specific sector such as finance or e-commerce.

Quick Links

How to Become a Web Developer

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to become a Web Developer

Should you wish to work as a Web Developer you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for a Web Developer

  • 2 or 3 A Levels
  • Degree in Web Design and Development or similar
  • Diploma in Wed Development or related

Key Responsibilities for a Web Developer

  • Designing website software
  • Building and maintaining website applications
  • Using various scripting and programming languages to create tools and website applications
  • Meeting with teams to determine needs for software development
  • Performing updates to website and background applications
  • Developing and testing websites to check the usability
  • Editing and designing web content
  • Maintaining industry knowledge on security and programming practices
  • Backing up website directories
  • Evaluating code and ensuring everything meets industry and company standards

What to expect as a Web Developer

Web developers design and maintain websites and web applications. You will work with various team members to create software and develop the usability of sites. To succeed in this career, you will need extensive experience in programming languages, have a highly analytical mind, and be good at problem-solving.

Recommended Web Developer Jobs

Loading Jobs...

How to get Web Developer Jobs

Our advice on how to get a Web Developer job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete a Web Developer application. If you have not held a Web Developer position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held a Web Developer role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your Web Developer CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Web Developer application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become a Web Developer in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become a Web Developer 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be a Web Developer and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical Web Developer experience.

How to get Web Developer Experience

What does it take to be a Web Developer? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for Web Developer jobs. You can learn how to be a successful Web Developer through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be a Web Developer Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Web Developer part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Web Developer or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

Web Developer freelance work

If you have impressive Web Developer qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.