Do you enjoy the artistic complexities of websites and web applications? Are you looking for a job as a web application developer, web designer, or webmaster?
Employment of website designers, web application developers, and webmasters is projected to grow 15 percent from 2016 to 2026, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Web designer, web application developer, and webmaster employment is expected to multiply as e-commerce continues to expand.
Before you get a job in website design, web application development, or as a webmaster, make sure to lay a solid foundation in web application design and development with an accredited vocational school.
Interested in what a website designer, web application developer, or webmaster does? Want to know what programming languages a website designer, web application developer, or webmaster uses on a daily basis? Do you have the skills to be successful?
The following will help you learn more about the job of a website designer, web application developer, and webmaster.
Job 1: Website Designer
Website designers create websites. They are responsible for the look of the site and the site’s technical aspects. The website designer is responsible for the website’s performance and capacity. He or she is responsible for the measure of a website’s speed and how much traffic the site can handle. Website designers may also create content for the site and typically do the following.
- Meet with clients or management to discuss the needs and design of a website
- Write code for the website, using programming languages
- Use basic SEO (search engine optimization) practices to optimize the website
- Work with other designers to determine the website’s layout
- Integrate graphics, audio, and video into the website
- Monitor analytics, including website traffic
Job 2: Web Application Developer
Web application developers plan, design, and test applications for web and mobile deployment. The web application developer is responsible for the duties involved in web development and programming, including coding. Web application developers typically do the following.
- Manage software packages and programming languages for web applications
- Manage the installation of plug-ins and programs for web applications
- Write and debug web application code
- Write content and create page links
- Troubleshoot and debug websites and web applications
- Analyze and report on analytics
Job 3: Webmaster
Webmasters maintain websites to keep them updated after the website designer creates the website. They ensure that the website operates correctly and test for errors, such as broken links, redirects, and error pages. Webmasters typically do the following.
- Solve technical problems with the website and web server
- Test the website’s load time, ease of use, and functionality
- Perform website maintenance by updating content and fixing broken images and links
- Assure compatibility of the website with all web browsers
- Approve and upload site content
- Monitor and maintain the website server
- Respond to contacts and requests for revisions to the website
Programming Languages Used
To prepare for a website designer, web application developer, or webmaster job, it is important to understand the different programming languages used to build websites and web applications. These jobs involve the use of client-side programming languages, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. These jobs also involve the use of server-side programming languages, including Java, Python, SQL, and PHP.
HTML – Hypertext markup language is used for tagging text files on a website to activate font type, color, images, and hyperlink effects. This markup language gives structure and meaning to web content. Web browsers do not display the HTML tags but use them to define the content and render it on the webpage.
CSS – Cascading style sheets (CSS) are used to describe the presentation of a document written in a markup language. CSS is designed to enable the separation of presentation and content on multiple HTML pages by sharing .css files. Changing the layout of an HTML page is as easy as picking a different style sheet.
JavaScript – JavaScript is used to create interactive effects on a web page when viewed within a web browser. It allows the website designer and web application developer to create dynamically updating content and the user to interact with the webpage.
Java – Java is a general-purpose computer programming language. It is a programming language that developers use to create web applications. Java is designed to run on all platforms that support it without the need for recompilation (i.e., without the need to process the code further so the computer or device can use it).
Python – Python is a high-level object-oriented programming language (a framework for certain languages) using a syntax that makes the programming language easier to read. Python is easy to learn and requires less code than other languages to complete basic tasks.
Python code can be three to five times shorter than Java. Python is also an object-oriented programming language like JavaScript, C++, and Ruby and can be a steppingstone in learning these more complicated programming languages.
SQL – Structured Query Language (SQL) is used to communicate with a database. SQL introduced the concept of accessing many records with one single command and eliminates the need to specify how to reach a record.
PHP – PHP is a general-purpose scripting language that is used for website design and web app development and that can be embedded in HTML.
Skills Needed to Get a Web Application Design and Development Job
The website designer, web application developer, and webmaster have specific skillsets that help them succeed at their jobs. These skills include concentration, creativity, customer service, being detail oriented, problem solving, and patience.
Concentration – Website designers, web application developers, and webmasters must sit at a computer and write detailed code for long periods. Being able to concentrate on the task at hand is a valuable skill.
Creativity – Website designers and web application developers often are involved in designing the appearance of a website and must make sure that it is appealing, as well as functional.
Customer Service Skills – Webmasters have to respond politely and correctly to user questions and requests.
Attention to Detail – Website designers, web application developers, and webmasters need to have an eye for detail, since a minor error in coding could cause an entire webpage to crash.
Problem Solving Skills – A webmaster must figure out why a website is not working properly and identify the solution. A web application developer must identify coding errors and fix them to make sure the website and web server are running at full capacity.
Patience – Problem-solving a website or web application can be tedious and takes a lot of patience. Since computer code processing can take time to upload and debug, the web application developer and webmaster must have the patience to allow a process to completely upload and debug.
Ready to get a job as a website designer, web application developer, or webmaster? The Web Application Design and Development program at Hunter Business School transforms beginning computer coding students into entry-level full-stack web developers. The Web Application Design and Development program focuses on the main programming languages, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Java, Python, SQL, and PHP.
Career Services at Hunter Business School
Hunter Business School’s Career Services staff members help students jumpstart and then advance in stimulating and gratifying careers in computer coding, website design, and application development. The entire department helps the prospective employee make the transition to the workplace as quickly and easily as possible.
Placement services include job interviewing skills, résumé preparation, cover and thank you letter writing, job externships, and career counseling and support. Job placement assistance is available for Hunter Business School graduates for life.
Contact us today to find out more about how to become a website designer, web application developer, or webmaster on Long Island.