To master the craft of web development, developers must possess critical characteristics such as analytical thinking, curiosity, adaptability, empathy, a love of learning, teamwork, and a technical mindset.
These characteristics enable developers to handle complicated problems, adapt to changes, understand user needs, and work well in teams. Furthermore, technical knowledge in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, back-end languages, databases, frameworks, version control, and web performance optimization is essential for success in web development.
Communication, organization, time management, and receptivity to feedback are all key abilities for a successful web development job.
According to Blue Corona research, 48% of respondents believe that the design of a website is the most important factor in determining a company's legitimacy.
As a result, web development becomes increasingly important. Developers have a history of doing their job, and they have been networking with their fellow programmers and developers in different professional community platforms or forums.
What Are Web Developers Responsible For?
Let's begin with the basics of what web developers do.
Web developers are probably familiar with the basics of building websites. But there is more to it. According to research, web developers also need to analyze the needs of users to ensure that the right content, graphics, as well as underlying structure are used in order to achieve both the owners and users goals.
These are the common responsibilities:
- To build websites, you can use scripting or authoring languages
- You can write, design, and edit webpage content or direct others to produce content
- Correcting any problems identified through testing or user feedback
- Convert written, graphic, custom theme, and audio components into compatible web formats
Developers are, in many ways, a tireless job. It is hard to argue the importance of developers' work and its impact on business goal initiatives.
They can also be a part of a large organization. A developer can do great things for a company and its employees, as well as customers.
Essential Qualities of an Exceptional Developer
What makes a good developer becomes evident when speaking with individuals experienced in development; it's apparent that not all developers operate in the same manner.
This begs the question, which is common: What makes a great developer? We have shared a helpful list of seven essential qualities that every developer should possess, and we hope you get a better idea of what a great developer looks like.
Have An Analytical Mindset
A developer isn't like a human resource manager; he needs to have articulate systems-level thinking skills. Developers are problem solvers because coding and web or software development comprise problem-solving.
You also need to create a balance between thinking about the small details and the big picture. Parallel to other experts, web development requires creativity.
One should be able to brainstorm and provide a tangible and practical solution to the problem at hand. Having an incomparable aptitude so you can give solutions to a problem is a desired quality of a developer.
When you face challenges, you need to think and deliberate how you are going to approach them during development.
You also want to think about how you can create a solution that meets the needs of your clients. If an error occurs in coding or if the code isn't performing as desired, you need to effectively figure out the way forward.
Embracing challenges and offering solutions is part of the developer traits customers should look at.
Curiosity And Inquisitiveness
Sometimes, things won't change easily when coding. If your code doesn't work, you should ask yourself why and continue digging until you can find the answer.
You can even talk to your colleagues about the issue you have, they have probably come across it, and they know the answer. Be comfortable asking superiors, peers, and clients simple questions so that you understand the requirements and expectations.
Besides, you should be able to experiment; for example, you can learn a new language or take a different path in approaching a task or project.
Being hard-lined in just one approach to doing things can disadvantage you. Sometimes, you will succeed, but other times, things won't work out as desired.
However, you have to realize that the achievements and challenges you go through are part of the developer experience.
When hiring a web developer in India, make sure that they can inquire about something.
Flexibility
You might have much knowledge of different programming languages and frameworks; however, in reality, the coding job can be unpredictable.
If you're a developer, you should have the ability to be able to switch contexts as well as the scope of a task or project unexpectedly while also being able to pick things up from where you left off. Adapting and responding to issues whenever they arise, whether anticipated or unexpected, should be a priority.
Empathy
The business of app and software development is about fulfilling people's needs and solving problems. You need to understand the kind of users you are dealing with and value them.
Without the users, you cannot know you succeeded in solving a problem. You should create a good, constructive, and mutual relationship between your team and the client's team. Sometimes, users won't give you good comments; in fact, they can brush you off- you don't have to fret about it.
Understand that they have different feelings and ways of expressing themselves. Others will applaud you greatly for your work, so ensure you say thank them and work hard to improve your coding.
You Love Learning
You cannot excel in programming and coding if you are unwilling to learn. You will find that there is always something to learn in the tech sphere.
New versions are coming up, and the old way of doing things is changing. You will need to be on your toes by learning new technologies, coding languages, frameworks, or other aspects of coding.
The more you expand your knowledge, the more you are likely to solve problems. Technology is also dynamic and fluid; it is changing, evolving, and growing.
You need to stay current and update yourself with the trends in the industry. If there is a bug or an issue, you must investigate the case and understand the problem - that's when you will be able to provide the solution effectively.
A custom web developer a website owner wants to hire should have a great interest in learning.
Team Player
A developer works with other professionals, including designers, architects, engineers, and other teams across the company.
If you are a developer, you need to find ways to lead the team in the right direction. You cannot run a one-man's show; you will have to involve the inputs of the support or sales team, the marketing team, other developer teams, and the clients.
Being a team player allows you to achieve goals easily from a list of goals, troubleshoot problems, and find answers and solutions to problems.
Whether you're working alongside your team in the same office or you are working remotely and collaborating with the other members and clients, there should be effective communication. You should also communicate with stakeholders and other coders.
Have A technical Mindset
For many developers, the computer is their primary tool, and they rely on it for their day-to-day tasks and problem-solving.
That being said, you need to understand that computers have the stupid logic of doing what you tell them exactly. So, they will not be able to think for themselves, and that's the reason you find some developers are frustrated when using the machines, especially when they cannot get things moving in the right direction.
Whenever you are communicating with a non-technical team, you need to communicate the technical ideas in a way that people can easily understand them.
These are people outside of your development team, and they don't understand much of the coding jargon terms and phrases.
Read More:- Is PHP still used for web development?
What Web Development Skills Are Necessary To Be Successful In This Field?
It's a good start to know that you possess the characteristics of a web designer. But you will not be successful if you only have those traits.
You must have the technical skills necessary to succeed in the profession for how to be a web developer.
The job posting analysis revealed the top technical skills that employers are looking for in applicants. This will help you to determine which skills to focus on in order to become a highly sought-after candidate in this field.
You Need To Have The Skills Required To Become A Web Developer
These exemplify the essential traits encapsulating the developer attitude necessary for success in web development.
- Coding knowledge
- Collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Attention to detail
Let's start by looking at the technical skills needed for a career in web development.
Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), the business industry-standard language for adding content to web pages, is a markup language.
Images, animated text, and other elements are created and interpreted by the web browser using HTML to provide a full working experience.
Each element's attributes are defined by HTML, but the designer is still free to improve and modify them. The starting point for web developers is frequently HTML.
Your career in web development will start here.
CSS: Cascading style sheets (CSS) is the language that establishes the design of HTML elements.
For instance, you could use HTML to construct a page heading and then CSS to alter the color (color schemes)or boldness. Before learning CSS, you must be comfortable with HTML.
JavaScript: JavaScript will be your first real programming language. JavaScript allows you to create dynamic elements and add content to HTML and CSS.
JavaScript is required to build a website that incorporates interactive features and elements.
JavaScript code can be used to embed animations, audio, or video elements. The JavaScript library jQuery includes many extensions that can speed up the development process.
jQuery reduces JavaScript code from multiple lines into one line. This makes common tasks easier to code.
Back-End Languages: Back-end-focused web developers must be knowledgeable in server-side programming languages like PHP, Python, or Java.
These languages can be used to communicate with other apps and are crucial for developing fundamental functionality.
Databases: Most web applications that perform useful functions will need a database. Web developers need to learn SQL (Structured Query Language) and how to create efficient databases.
Learn how to access, modify, delete, and write data in a database. PostgreSQL, Oracle, MS Access, and MySQL are all popular database systems.
Graphic Design: As a web developer, you will be responsible for bringing life to storyboards as well as early design concepts.
Graphic designer Knowing the basics of graphic design and custom themes will enable you to work independently. It is important to spend time learning about common graphic design tools for design mockups.
This will help you produce visually appealing graphics. Figma, Photoshop, and InVision are just a few of the tools used by web developers or graphic designers for amazing customer service for an e-commerce site.
Frameworks: AngularJS and Express.js are some of the most popular JavaScript frameworks. Frameworks are used by web developers to save time and not reinvent the wheel.
These frameworks combine common functions into a single package that is easy to use. Some JavaScript frameworks allow you to create complex user interfaces. Other JavaScript frameworks optimize sites for speed.
Version Control/GIT: Version control allows developers to track and manage changes made to code.
You can easily restore older versions of your code to fix or debug problems without needing to start over. Open-source software called GIT is capable of carrying out this task. You could also save time this way.
Web Performance Optimization: A web developer's other crucial duty is to ensure that your website functions properly and to keep bugs out.
Image optimization and code modification can take a lot of time. Automated image optimization is available using Grunt and Gulp.
This updates JavaScript code as well as other operations that improve web performance in search engine optimization for conversion rate in e-commerce websites.
Soft Skills Required For Web Developer
Soft skills can be used in a variety of roles. To be a web developer, you will need to have the following common skills or soft skills:
- Communication: Web designers rarely work in isolation. It is necessary to meet clients, collect user requirements and share ideas with other developers. To avoid confusion, you will need to have excellent communication skills. Strong writing skills are also required when you create technical documentation or project reports.
- Presentation Clients may be asked to see the technical details of the project. You should feel comfortable speaking in front of a group. To put together your slides, you'll need to be familiar with MS Powerpoint for custom functionality.
- Organization As a web developer, you will often have to work on multiple projects at once. It is important to be organized and efficiently manage your responsibilities.
- Time Management: Web developers always have deadlines. It is important to be able to prioritize tasks and identify risks that could cause missed deadlines.
- Attitude: Senior designers and team members may offer constructive criticism. You should take constructive criticism and use it to improve your work. This will allow you to improve your skills and pinpoint any weaknesses.
How Can You Become A Web Developer?
Given your knowledge of the abilities needed to become a web developer, let's discuss the education and training required to secure employment.
An associates degree is the most typical level of education, according to research. Web development encompasses many more elements than just coding, although it is feasible to learn about it online development projects for eCommerce web design services.
You can become an expert programmer and obtain practical expertise by getting an education in the subject. You will be ready to work with the potential customer, provide exceptional service and resolve company issues thanks to this.
What Are Some Common Myths Surrounding Web Development?
Understanding developer strengths entails grasping not only the fundamentals of web development but also discerning what tasks developers abstain from.
Before you decide whether this career is right for you, we want to dispel any myths.
Web Development Is But Not Necessarily
According to a web developer, development is the process of taking the work of a designer and making it functional.
Designers are creative people who focus on the website's overall appearance and feel, while developers are analytical people who pay attention to the site's performance.
This confusion could be due to the close relationship between web design and front-end programming about design budget (design cost calculator), and design creativity by the design team to provide client satisfaction.
To be more skilled, many web designers learn from front-end developers.
A Website Is Never Finished
Websites are like plants that need constant care. Even if you think your website is perfect, there will always be a problem or an element that clients want to be added.
Technology is always evolving, so there will always be new improvements. It's like this: Even if a website was created in 2022, it will look outdated and may have security and structural problems in the backend.
Web Developers Do Much More Than Just Code
Web designers aren't content to merely ponder their computers. Although creating code is a significant portion of the work, communicating with other designers, illustrators, copywriters, and others involved in the planning process is crucial.
Web developers can prioritize key upgrades or improvements by assessing website performance and working with stakeholders.
Additionally, web developers must devote time to learning new methods and technology.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a developer, these are some of the qualities to search for. A developer should be able to transform the idea presented in a sketch in a notebook into a functional mobile app or website.
That requires conceptualizing the project and having a picture of the finished product in mind so that you can present your proposal to the clients and the end-users. When you look at these qualities, you will be able to find a developer you can work with and one who will deliver to your expectations.
Although there are coding and programming best practices along with valuable advice to gain from peers and the industry, as a programmer, you need to ensure you value your work and your ability to solve problems against following set practices and rules.
You need to come up with your approaches to achieving results and dealing with problems. Since developers encounter unique problems in their projects, they need to understand that what is referred to as the best solution may not be the same as the correct solution.
Having a pragmatic mindset helps you solve problems based on their nature and the cause. If you are a customer, make sure that you hire web developers who possess these trials.