Web development is one of the fastest-growing job categories. So it makes sense that an entire industry has formed around it. At the heart of web development companies are three types of professionals, who focus on three different things. Whether you’re looking to become a web developer or simply want to know more about what they do. This guide will provide you with all the information you need. Let’s dive in!
Front-end developer
The role of a front-end developer is to create code that makes websites aesthetically pleasing. The front-end developer also comes up with coding techniques to improve website speed and ease of use. Front-end developers tend to be designers who like to code; they might have an artistic or graphic design background but have chosen web development as their career path.
It’s important for front-end developers to stay on top of trends in web design, so expect them to keep up with what’s happening in visual art, usability, and user experience. This means they’ll always be open to learning new skills, whether it’s by attending conferences or taking online courses.
It’s also important for them to keep up with new technologies, such as HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript frameworks like AngularJS and BackboneJS. As far as actual work goes, front-end developers typically work alongside back-end developers and UX/UI designers to build dynamic web applications. When building applications, they need to make sure pages load quickly and are intuitively designed.
Full-stack developer
This role is a jack-of-all-trades, but masters one thing: building functional websites. The full-stack developer is familiar with all aspects of web development. Not only does he or she have to understand how to code both the frontend (HTML, CSS) and backend (JavaScript), but they also need to know how databases work, which servers are best for hosting sites, and what plugins are available for specific tasks, etc.
Full-stack developers can be found at small startups where they wear many hats; at large companies where they’re responsible for different parts of an application or website; or in agencies that specialize in creating websites across multiple platforms. The role of full stack developer has grown rapidly over recent years, as more and more companies need websites to do more than just look pretty.
Today’s applications require database integration, forms, and data analysis—the list goes on. It takes someone who knows it all to build these complex apps. And while a company may hire two front-end developers and two back-end developers instead of one full-stack dev, having one person on staff who understands everything makes it easier for everyone else to do their jobs well too.
Support Developer
The most basic type of web developer, a support developer, typically assists in designing and building websites, but their primary focus is making sure that sites are functioning properly. If a website gets hacked or stops working for some reason, it’s usually up to a support developer to fix it. These developers usually have less technical knowledge than other types of web developers, which makes them more versatile.
This also means they may be able to work on smaller projects with fewer resources at hand. While you might not find support developers working on high-end projects, they can be great assets when used appropriately. For example, if your business has a small website that doesn’t require much upkeep, hiring a support developer would be an affordable way to get your site back online quickly.
Similarly, if you’re new to running a website and need help setting things up, there are plenty of tutorials available that teach beginners how to manage common tasks like changing themes or installing plugins. With just a little bit of training, someone who knows nothing about coding could manage these tasks by themselves—or they could learn enough from these tutorials to hire someone who specializes in these areas.
Quality Assurance (QA) Developer
In a website development company, a QA developer’s job is to test a website or app. Testers analyze how easy a site is to use, check for security flaws, and ensure that there are no bugs or glitches in any programs. It’s also their job to determine if modifications actually work as they should. The most important element of quality assurance is testing products prior to them being released on a web server or app store. In addition to finding mistakes, these developers make sure that everything works as it should.
If you have an idea for an application but don’t know where to start. A QA tester can help you get your idea off the ground by checking your program for errors before it goes live. You could also hire a QA tester to look over your ideas before you even begin writing code. This will allow you to find out whether or not your ideas are feasible, saving time and money later on. Most testers specialize in certain areas such as programming languages, operating systems, devices, browsers, and so forth.
Conclusion
There are so many different kinds of web developers out there that it can be hard to know what each one does. We’ve outlined a few common examples that you might encounter in your own research. Along with an example of how they would apply their skills in each situation. As always, keep reading to learn more about finding employment as a web developer or other tech career!
