Web developers are like the unsung heroes of the internet, working behind the scenes to build everything from simple websites to complex applications like Google Docs. They’re the ones who make the magic happen, turning ideas into the functional, beautiful, and practical sites and tools we use every day. In this article, we’ll look at what web developers do, the skills they bring to the table, the services they offer, and why your business can’t do without them.
Web Developers: A Diverse Bunch
Not all web developers are created equal. They come with different specialisations, experience levels, and work styles, and knowing these differences can help you choose the right one for your business.
Different Specialisations:
Front-end Developers: These folks focus on the parts of a website you see and interact with. They make sure your site looks good and works smoothly for visitors.
Backend Developers: They handle everything you don’t see. They manage the server, databases, and all the behind-the-scenes stuff that keeps a website running.
Full-stack Developers: Think of these as the jack-of-all-trades. They can handle both front-end and backend tasks, giving you a one-stop solution. They can come with a trade-off of not being as specialised in either front-end or backend as their counterparts, but it varies from developer to developer.
Levels of Experience:
Junior Developers: They bring fresh ideas and are often more budget-friendly.
Mid-level Developers: They offer a good mix of experience and cost-effectiveness.
Senior Developers: These experts bring deep knowledge and innovation to the table, though they can be a bit pricier.
TIP: Junior developers can lack experience in programming code, communication, and understanding project requirements. I’ve seen juniors used on projects that have resulted in an array of negative impacts, such as poor quality deliverables that fail to meet the requirements and the frequently late delivery of project milestones.
Small jobs or uncomplicated project scopes are still viable options for Junior Developers. If using Junior Developers on larger, more complex projects, then it’s a good practice to have oversight by a more Senior Developer(s).
Engaging with Freelancers, Agencies and In-House Web Developers
Your project requirements should include any constraints or preferences regarding the kind of working arrangements for your web developers. Typical arrangements include:
Freelancers: Great for smaller projects, offering flexibility and cost savings. You should consider and discuss with your freelancers what kind of ongoing relationship is expected, such as ongoing maintenance of any code created by them. Alternatively, you can ensure the freelancers hand over all knowledge and IP possible at the conclusion of the project, ready for your next web developer to pick up in the future.
Freelancers can also be a viable option for larger, more complex projects, but you’ll likely need to manage a team of multiple freelancers. It really depends on your requirements and the expertise of the freelancers you work with.
In-house Developers: These developers become part of your team, offering dedicated support and a deep understanding of your business. If the ongoing work on the codebase and system is significant enough, then in-house developers are a cost-effective and secure way to go.
One of the downsides to in-house developers can be high turnover due to boredom working on the same project day after day. Conversely, developers can become too comfortable in their position that there is no drive for innovation or inspiration due to that lack of exposure to variety.
My experience with many in-house developers over the years has shown me they are of a very particular breed, reminiscent of the traditional “IT Administrator” whose job is laser-focused on internal maintenance and support, with little time available for “pushing for change”.
But let me be clear: in-house developers are particularly suited to their type of work; as long as that is expected of them, they are the most cost-effective option.
Agencies: Best for bigger, more complex projects where you need a team of experts. Agencies are typically more expensive but take the burden of technical management off the shoulders of the business, which should mean less effort and stress for the business.
They are less risky than using a freelancer(s). I’ve seen many freelancers vanish on projects for days and weeks with little or no explanation, sowing chaos with a project’s timeline and costing the business time and money. If a developer at an agency has a life issue and becomes suddenly unavailable, there is a team ready to pick up the slack and reduce the impact on the project.
What is the Core Skillset for Web Developers
To create top-notch websites or web apps, developers need a range of skills. Here are some examples of core skills, but keep in mind the many more technologies and scenarios out there that may be appropriate to your business needs:
Programming Languages: Essential tools like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, Ruby, and PHP are the building blocks of the web.
Frameworks and Libraries: Tools like React, Angular, and Vue.js for front-end, as well as Ruby on Rails, Django and Node.js for backend work, are crucial for development.
Version Control Systems: Platforms like GitHub or Bitbucket are important for managing code and collaborating with others.
Problem-solving and Debugging: Developers need to be good at identifying issues and figuring out how to fix them.
Responsive Design: Ensuring websites look and work great on any device is essential for user satisfaction.
SEO Awareness: Developers need to understand how to make websites search-engine friendly (if intended for public consumption). Good SEO will help attract more visitors.
Services Web Developers Provide
A business has many moving parts, some of which greatly benefit from being automated or computerised. Traditionally, business software was written to be deployed to local servers that reside within the business office space itself. Since the creation of the internet, however, web-based software has become the standard for most use cases due to its scalability and integration with other systems – making today’s software much more interconnected and sophisticated. Web developers are the new standard in software programming, offering a range of services that can be tailored to your business needs. This can include customising off-the-shelf software products or complete bespoke applications developed just for your business.
Examples of Web Development Services
Website Development: They can build a site from scratch or use content management systems (CMS) like WordPress to create a platform that’s easy for you to manage.
Web Application Development: Developers can create interactive web apps that engage users and offer functionality beyond a standard website.
Mobile Web Application Development: Developers can create mobile web apps designed specifically for small form factor devices as well as special backend systems to support native apps written in Mobile Development technologies. A web developer will collaborate with a Mobile App Developer in the latter’s case.
E-commerce Solutions: From setting up online stores to integrating payment systems, developers make sure your customers have a seamless shopping experience.
Custom Web Application Development: Developers can build software tailored to your business, improving processes and meeting specific needs.
Maintenance and Updates: Keeping your website or web application running smoothly, secure, and up-to-date with the latest technology.
How Web Developers Collaborate with Your Business
Working with a web developer is a collaborative effort. Here’s what you can expect:
Requirements Analysis & Solution Design: Developers will work with you to understand your business needs and propose the best solutions.
Collaborative Planning: Together, you’ll define the project’s scope, timelines, deliverables, and resources required.
Agile Methodology: Developers often use iterative processes, allowing for continuous improvement and flexibility.
Regular Communication and Feedback: You’ll stay in the loop with regular updates and meetings that discuss progress and reviews of any partially finished works. Your input will help refine the final product.
Tips on How You Can Help Developers Produce More Valuable Outcomes
To get the best results, developers need your support. Here’s what they’ll require from you:
Clear Requirements: Providing detailed descriptions of your needs helps developers understand what you want.
Access to Resources: Make sure they have the content, tools, and access to existing systems they need.
Budget and Timeline Clarity: Be open about your budget and deadlines to avoid any surprises.
User Insights: Sharing information about your target audience helps developers create a product that resonates with your customers.
Why Your Business Needs a Web Developer
Bringing a web developer on board can produce valuable outcomes for your business:
Professional Online Presence: A Responsive and User-Friendly Website can enhance your credibility and attract customers. For example, a local bakery’s website could showcase products and offer online ordering, drawing more customers.
Custom Solutions: Custom Web Applications are valuable and unique intellectual property assets tailored to your business needs. Depending on the use case, it could be anything from a handy productivity app for your staff or a complex backend system automatically controlling transactions and customer data – a Business Critical System that helps you make money. For instance, a custom CRM for a real estate agency could streamline client management and boost sales.
E-commerce Platforms: You’ll have a robust online store with potentially many layers of complex functionality to promote customer growth, maximise sales and ensure customer satisfaction. Any serious eCommerce business NEEDS a go-to developer to keep up with new marketing technologies and changes in web standards, such as new ways of paying for goods or showcasing products. An online store for a boutique clothing shop could bring in customers from beyond the local area with the right technology to push those products into various marketing channels, all circling back to your eCommerce website.
Competitive Advantage: Staying ahead with the latest web technologies can set you apart. An online booking system for a beauty salon could offer a seamless experience, attracting more clients. A booking system that seems clunky or hard to use will quickly be abandoned by one that is easier and more convenient for the user.
Improved User Experience: Better user experiences increase customer satisfaction and retention. An advanced search feature on an eCommerce store could allow customers to filter available products by multiple fields, set wishlists and reduce the barrier
APIs and Integrations: Developers can connect your site with other systems, like CRMs or payment gateways, to streamline operations, add functionality to your app or increase your market reach.
Scalability and Growth: Developers can build solutions that grow with your business. A scalable platform for a tech startup could handle increasing traffic and new features as the business expands.
SEO-Optimised Code: A web developer programming a website or application for public consumption will look at various aspects of basic SEO semantics to ensure the website is indexed and presented appropriately in search engines. Optimised code would include properly structured HTML, metadata, and content such as headings, buttons, labels, etc. Along with many other activities and separate SEO professionals that will build on this foundation, optimised code is THE CRITICAL FIRST STEP in SEO for any application that most business owners are unaware of.
TIP: If the code for a web application is not SEO-optimised at the early stages, the SEO foundation will have holes or be simply ineffective. Building on this foundation will be an uphill battle, and eventually, if an SEO strategy is implemented, then refactoring of the underlying code will be necessary. The cost of refactoring a web application after its launch can be exorbitant. Ensuring a code quality review that includes SEO checks during the initial project delivery is a great way to avoid needing to do an SEO refactor.
Analytics and Performance Reports: You’ll get insights into user behaviour and site performance, not to mention getting custom views created for data tailored to your specific needs. Reporting is essential to any business to track its overall health, helping you make smarter decisions.
In a nutshell, web developers are key to building and maintaining a strong online presence and automating business processes. They bring the skills and services that can be tailored to your specific needs, helping your business thrive in the digital world. Whether it’s a simple website, a complex application, or ongoing support, a web developer can provide the expertise you need to add value to your business and reach your goals.
