Web Developer FAQs

A web developer or programmer is a trained professional that specializes in building and maintaining websites. These individuals do so by writing lines and lines of complicated codes using a variety of languages. They develop the websites after taking a web design, either created by a web design team or by the client. 

A web developer also builds and maintains the website not only with the client in mind but also with their consumers. This means that the end-design must be attractive, intuitive, and easy to maneuver with all the website’s products and services clearly marked. 

Just as the name implies, a web designer is in charge of the design bit - how the website will look like. A web developer considers the ideas brought forward by a web designer and actualizes them, creating a website that the client envisions. 

Although most freelance web developers also double up as web designers, the design bit is best handled by someone with graphic design skills. This is because it involves a lot to do with human psychology regarding what shapes to use, the right colors to use, the fonts, and much more. 

Furthermore, web designers use totally different tools and software from web developers. For instance, they may need wireframing tools such as Balsamiq, Adobe XD, and InVision Studio. Web developers use the sketches from such tools to bring the design to life. 

However, web developers do not directly use tools to create the websites, but they make good use of languages and frameworks. The languages include the likes of PHP, JavaScript, HTML, Python, etc. The databases used by web developers include, among others, MySQL, MongoDB, and so on. 

Learning web development is a straightforward process that involves the following: 

1. Learn the Basics of HTML, CSS, and Javascript
2. Learn the Basics of WordPress
3. Get to Know UI and UX
4. Learn SQL and PHP (Optional)
5. Learn the Basics of SEO

Whether you decide to take up an online course or a full bachelor’s degree in web development, the main thing that you’ll get started with is learning the programming languages. Although some are a little complex, such as Python, you’ll find that all easy with passion and dedication. However, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are the core languages to get you started. 

• HTML dictates thestructure
• CSS will make it look pretty
• Javascript will make it function.

You’ll also have to learn the basics of WordPress, the free, open-source software that you can easily install to any web host service provider. Furthermore, more than 64% of all websites on the internet are WordPress-powered, making this a bare minimum knowledge.

There are many to take up a career as a freelance web developer. Some of them include:

• You can work remotely - as long as you have an internet-enabled computer, you can become a web developer and work from anywhere at any time. 
• Working independently - you are your own boss as a freelancer, and you have the authority to choose who to work with and how to work with them. 
• You get more creative - working as a freelancer allows you to work for different clients and on various projects. This increases your thinking capacity and your creativity as well. You’ll be able to think outside the box on certain projects, unlike when working in-house, where preset guidelines and processes guide you. 

Landing well-paying clients isn’t always easy as a freelancer. However, you can find your first web development client by following these methods: 

• Registering on freelance job boards such as Bawabba. 
• Putting together a solid portfolio
• Start networking.
• Advertise your work on community forums such as Reddit and other social media platforms. 

Although these aren’t the only ways to land clients, they are surefire methods you can use to land your first customers. 

The most common responsibilities of a web developer are:

• Write web pages with a combination of markup languages.
• Create quality mockups and prototypes.
• Build a WordPress site from scratch.
• Understand HTML and CMS.
• Understand UI, UX, and learning usability.
• Develop functional and appealing websites and web-based applications.
• Provide website maintenance and enhancements.

A freelance web developer is not affiliated with any company or agency and is free to work for any (or multiple) different clients. In a traditional world, a web developer is mostly hired by companies and agencies to build and maintain their own websites or help in client’s work. If employed in a corporate facility, a web developer would probably work in the IT department, handling other related tasks as well. 

However, the difference is that while employed, a web developer is unable to have a say on the projects that they take up or the clients that they work with as they are pre-selected by their superiors. The good this about this structure is that the developers never have to scout for work as there is a team dedicated to that (in the case of an agency). 

On the other hand, freelance web developers are their own bosses. They handle all that pertains to running a business, and they are in charge of everything from the marketing and sales department (scouting for potential clients) to doing the actual work. They are also in control of their finances, as they negotiate deals and do the taxes by themselves.

There are three main web development specialties that you can consider. They include:

• Front end developers
• Backend developers
• Full-stack developers.

The “frontend” refers to “stuff” on a website that you see and interact with, e.g., menus, dropdowns, etc. The “backend” is like the portion of the iceberg below the surface. Without it, the website can’t function. The backend deals with servers, applications, databases, etc. A full-stack developer deals with both the frontend and backend development of a website.

 Being a web developer is straight-up not an easy job. This is because web developers take what we see, understand, and envision, changing it into something that the computer understands better. For instance, they change a simple language such as English into a more complicated language such as Python or HTML. 

Is it difficult? Yes. Impossible? No. Just like any other technical expertise, learning becomes easy if you have the passion for it and the urge to understand the field. To become a successful web developer, you will just have to gear your mind towards it and showing interest. This is how you’ll make learning programming much easier, and you’ll even have fun doing so.

There are many freelance web developers in the market, making it a daunting experience for a first-timer to pick the right candidates. Fortunately, these tips will ensure that you land on the best candidate for the job: 

• Check their portfolio - web development doesn’t necessarily need you to consider academic papers as a priority, but the experience the developer brings on board. Check if they have any experience creating something that you’re looking for, and go through their previous work. 
• Ask them about their design process.
• Inquire about what they would require from you for the project to be a success
• Finally, inquire about their pricing and check if it matches your budget.