Building a Career in Web Development: Tips and Tricks for Aspiring Developers

Are you interested in the world of websites? Do you want to understand how and why they are created the way as we see them? Have you ever tried to know more about it, asked people / friends about it or tried to Google it? If you are imaginative, creative, technically inquisitive and most importantly persevering, then a career in web development may be a good choice for you and you can run miles as a Web Developer.

Web Developers are responsible for authoring, de-bugging, and testing computer programming codes using different programming languages, web-authoring tools,and other software development tools to develop a website, web applications, and mobile applications.

Why become a web developer?

As a Web Developer, you will be responsible for authoring, de-bugging, and testing computer programming codes using different programming languages, web-authoring tools, and other software development tools to develop a website, web applications, and mobile applications. You will be responsible for developing responsive websites which open without any distortion in all possible user interfaces such as desktop or laptop computers, tablets, and mobile phones.

For web development, you will be using programming languages and tools such as HTML, PHP, Adobe Dreamweaver, JavaScript, jQuery, CSS, etc. as well as different web content management systems such as WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal. You may also use design software such as Adobe Photoshop and various project management tools such as Agile, SCRUM, Trello, and Zoho Project for large-scale and complicated web development (such as an online banking website).

Some Web Developers use various other programming languages for advanced development projects. Some of the programming languages used are C++, Python, SQL, Ruby, etc. 

What does a web developer do?

As a Web Developer, you will be engaged with one or more of the following roles and responsibilities: –

1. Reading and understanding the website and/or mobile software development requirement specifications given by the clients.
2. Understanding the site plan or wireframe (a visual schematic or visual illustration framework showing all the elements, features, functionalities, and navigations on a website, web application or mobile application).
3. Coordinating with Graphic Designers and Web Designers for UI-UX development (User Interface and User Experience). Graphic Designers develop the visual design of a website. Web Designers design the User Interfaces and the navigations or User Experience as well as do the basic HTML development of websites. In smaller companies, you may have to do the job of a Web Designer too.
4. Authoring and developing the computer programming codes for website development, web application, and mobile application development once the web design and UI-UX design is finalized.
5. Evaluating and testing the developed codes so that it is bug-free and work as per the wireframe and the client’s requirement specifications.
6. Troubleshooting and maintaining websites, web applications, and mobile applications.
7. Performing regular updates of websites, web applications, and mobile applications to give better user experience, to provide better security and as per client’s requirements.
8. Taking regular backups of websites, web applications, and mobile applications and maintaining them in the servers which host the websites, web applications and mobile applications.

How to become a web developer – eligibility criteria

After class 10, you can go for:

• ITI Training courses.
• Class 11-12.

After Class 11-12 with or without Mathematics along with any other subject as per scheme of studies, you can go for:

• Short term course offered by private institutions.
• Diploma / Certificate programs.
• Graduation in any or related disciplines.

After your graduation in any of the following or related fields, you can also go for higher studies in any of the following or related fields.

• Multimedia and Web Page Designer
• Web Design
• Web Technology
• Web Technologies
• Computer Applications (Business)
• Information Technology Management
• Computer Applications
• Computer Science
• Computer Graphics, Augmented & Virtual Reality
• Mobile Computing (Computer Science)
• Information and Computer Technology

Educational fees

The cost of pursuing a degree in web development in India varies from INR 50,000 to INR 3,00,000 depending on the institute and course duration.

Job Opportunities

You will get job opportunities as a Web Developer in various types of organizations such as:

• Web design and development companies
• Software development companies
• Media companies
• Mobile app development companies
• Advertising and communication agencies
• Various companies in their marketing communication departments

You may also work as a freelancer or set up your own Web development agency too.

Salary of a web developer

Salaries vary according to job profiles and the kind of facilities you get to work at.

In the entry-level jobs: You may get about Rs.10,000 – Rs. 20,000 or more per month.

Salaries increase with your work experience and as you get promoted.

After having 6-12 years of experience, you may get about Rs. 15,000 – Rs. 47,000 or more per month.

In the senior level jobs, with 12-20 years of work experience, you may expect to get about Rs. 27,000 – Rs.  66,000 or more per month.

Career progression in this profession

From entry-level job positions as a Web Developer, you may rise up to roles like(with higher qualifications):

• Senior Web Developer
• Lead Java Developer
• Senior Front End Developer
• Team Lead
• Web app Developers
• Senior Developer – Web Services
• Project Lead
• Tech Lead
• Delivery Manager
• Senior Android Developer
• Sr. Java/.net C# Developers
• Full Stack Web Developer
• Project Manager – IT
• Program Manager – Web Services
• Project Manager – Web Development

What does industry trends say – future prospects

The future of this pathway looks bright. India is the biggest outsourcing destination for major IT companies throughout the world. Employment in this segment of the IT-ITeS sector is expected to grow 27 per cent between 2014 and 2024, much more than the average for all other occupations. The IT and ITeS (Information Technology Enabled Services) Industry has contributed around 7.9% to the country’s GDP in 2018. It is expected to generate more than 100,000 jobs in 2019. Many startups are being born in India focusing on this sector. Today there are more than 5,200 startups. It is estimated that the size of this industry will increase to 350 billion US Dollars by 2025. The export revenue coming from this industry is predicted to grow by 7-9% CAGR (Compounded Annual Growth Rate) to touch the 135 billion US Dollars mark in 2019 itself. The IT-BPM (Business Process Management) Industry is expanding wildly to provide IT service across the globe in fields like health, telemedicine, clinical information systems, remote monitoring solutions, laboratory information systems etc.

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