What Does Web Developer Do? How To Become an Web Developer?
Who is a Web Developer?
A Web Developer is a professional individual who designs, develops, and maintains websites or web applications. This professional creates attractive and functional websites using programming languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
What Does a Web Developer Do?
Here are some of the main tasks of a web developer:
- Creating the layout and structure of the website
- Developing the frontend (what the user sees)
- Developing the backend (server-side)
- Making the website responsive and mobile-friendly
- Optimizing the website's speed and performance
- Fixing bugs and errors
- Making the website secure
Types of Web Developers
Web Development is a broad field in which different types of developers handle specific tasks. Each developer's work is related to some part of the website from its design to its functionality. Below are some main types of web developers that are commonly found in the industry today. Web developers are mainly of three types:
- Frontend Developer
- Backend Developer
- Full Stack Developer
1. Frontend Developer (Client-side Developer)
A Frontend Developer is a professional who creates the user interface (UI) of a website or web application. Everything you see in your browser, such as colors, buttons, images, menus, forms, layout, and text, is part of the frontend developer's work.
What Does a Frontend Developer Do?
| Task | Description |
|---|---|
| Creating web structure with HTML | Creating the structure of headings, paragraphs, forms, links, tables, etc. |
| Designing webpage with CSS | Designing colors, fonts, spacing, layout, animations, and transitions. |
| Adding interactivity with JavaScript | Implementing interactive features like click events, sliders, popups, and form validation. |
| Responsive design | Ensuring the website displays properly on mobile, tablet, and laptop devices (using media queries, flexbox). |
| Browser compatibility | Making sure the website displays correctly in all browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari). |
Popular Frontend Technologies
- HTML (HyperText Markup Language): Used to create the structure of a webpage.
- CSS (Cascading Style Sheets): Used to make the website visually attractive and to define the layout.
- JavaScript: Makes the website interactive, such as form validation, animations, and event handling.
Popular Frontend Frameworks/Libraries
- React.js: A popular JavaScript library for building dynamic and interactive UIs.
- Angular: A full-fledged framework for building single-page applications.
- Vue.js: A progressive framework for building user interfaces and single-page applications.
- Bootstrap: A popular CSS framework for responsive design.
Frontend Developer Example
When you visit an e-commerce website and view the product list:
- Product images, prices, and buttons are all part of the frontend.
- The page's design layout adjusts for every screen size (mobile, tablet, laptop) using CSS media queries.
- When you click the "Add to Cart" button, the animation or confirmation message you see is handled by JavaScript.
2. Backend Developer (Server-side Developer)
A Backend Developer is a professional who develops the "invisible part" (backend) of a website or web application. These are the components that users do not see directly but drive the core functions and performance of the website. The main responsibility of a backend developer is to handle server-side logic, data management, and security.
What Does a Backend Developer Do?
| Task | Description |
|---|---|
| Writing Server Logic | Managing website login systems, data processing, and user authentication. |
| Connecting with Database | Fetching and storing data like user profiles, orders, and messages from/to the database. |
| Creating APIs | Handling communication between frontend and backend (RESTful APIs, GraphQL). |
| Handling Security | Implementing password encryption, authentication, and authorization protocols. |
| Setting up Server and Hosting | Configuring environments like Apache, Nginx, and cloud servers. |
Popular Backend Languages
- PHP: A widely used programming language for creating dynamic websites and applications.
- Python: A simple and powerful language used for backend logic and data processing.
- Java: Suitable for enterprise-level applications and large-scale systems.
- Node.js: A JavaScript-based backend framework used for fast and scalable applications.
- Ruby: An elegant and readable programming language used to quickly build web applications.
Popular Databases for Backend Development
- MySQL: The most popular relational database management system (RDBMS).
- PostgreSQL: An advanced open-source RDBMS that supports complex queries.
- MongoDB: A NoSQL database, flexible and scalable for structured data.
- SQLite: A lightweight, serverless database suitable for small-scale applications.
- Oracle: An enterprise-level relational database solution.
- MS Access: Microsoft's relational database management system, mostly used for small-scale applications.
Popular Backend Frameworks
| Framework | Language |
|---|---|
| Django | Python |
| Laravel | PHP |
| Express.js | Node.js |
| Spring Boot | Java |
Backend Developer Example
Suppose a user logs into an e-commerce website:
- The frontend collects the user's email and password.
- The data is sent to the backend server.
- The backend verifies the user's credentials in the database.
- If the credentials match, the user receives a login success message.
- If the credentials are incorrect, an error message is displayed.
3. Full Stack Developer
A Full Stack Developer is a professional who works on both frontend (client-side) and backend (server-side) development. This means a single developer manages everything from UI design, server logic, database handling to deployment.
What Does a Full Stack Developer Do?
| Part | Description |
|---|---|
| Frontend Development | Designs the user interface using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React/Vue. |
| Backend Development | Writes server-side logic using PHP, Node.js, Python. |
| Database Handling | Stores and retrieves data using MySQL, MongoDB. |
| API Integration | Manages data flow between frontend and backend. |
| Deployment & Hosting | Deploys the application on live servers like Apache, Nginx. |
Common Technologies Used in Full Stack Development
1. Frontend Technologies
- Core Technologies: HTML, CSS, JavaScript
- Styling Frameworks: Bootstrap, Tailwind CSS
- Frameworks/Libraries: React.js, Angular, Vue.js
2. Backend Technologies
- Languages & Frameworks: PHP, Python (Django/Flask), Node.js, Java (Spring Boot)
- Web Server: Apache, Nginx
3. Databases
- Relational Databases: MySQL, PostgreSQL
- NoSQL Databases: MongoDB, Firebase
Full Stack Developer Example
When a user submits a login form
- Frontend - The form is displayed (HTML/CSS) and validated (JavaScript).
- Backend - The server receives the data (PHP/Node.js).
- Database - The data is saved (MySQL/MongoDB).
- Response - The user is shown a success or error message.
Web Developer Career Scope
- E-commerce
- Education institutes
- EdTech
- IT company
- HealthTech
- Banking
- SaaS
- Freelancing
- Remote Jobs (Upwork, Fiverr)
Career Options for Web Developers
1. Frontend Developer
Frontend Developer creates the visible part of websites for clients at educational institutes or IT companies.
2. Backend Developer
Backend Developer designs and develops server-side logic, databases, APIs, and server configuration for websites or web applications.
3. Full Stack Developer
Full Stack Developer develops the complete website or web application end-to-end, handling both frontend and backend.
4. Web Designer
Web Designer creates attractive layouts, user interfaces (UI), and overall visual designs for websites.
5. WordPress Developer
WordPress Developer builds blogs, business sites, or e-commerce websites using the WordPress platform.
6. Freelance Web Developer
Freelance Web Developer independently builds websites for clients and earns money directly from projects.
7. Web Development Instructor
Web Development Instructor teaches web development to students via YouTube or offline classes.
8. Blogger or Content Writer
Blogger writes articles on web development, technology, or other topics for beginners and professionals.
9. Entrepreneur
Can provide services in e-learning platforms, web services, or app-based startups.
Web Developer Salary
In India, the average salary for a fresher web developer starts from around ₹2.50 LPA (Lakhs Per Annum). With experience, one can earn up to ₹10 LPA or even more, especially through freelancing and remote jobs.
| Skill Set | Entry Level Salary (PA) | Mid Level Salary (PA) | Senior Level Salary (PA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front-end Developer | ₹2,50,000 - ₹4,50,000 | ₹5,00,000 - ₹8,00,000 | ₹8,00,000 - ₹15,00,000 |
| Back-end Developer | ₹3,00,000 - ₹5,50,000 | ₹6,00,000 - ₹10,00,000 | ₹10,00,000 - ₹20,00,000 |
| Full-stack Developer | ₹3,50,000 - ₹6,00,000 | ₹7,00,000 - ₹12,00,000 | ₹12,00,000 - ₹22,00,000+ |
How to Become a Web Developer?
You can start a web development career in two ways:
1. Formal Education Courses (Degree Program)
You need to obtain a graduation degree from a recognized college or university.
- BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications)
- BSc in Computer Science
- B.Tech in Computer Science
- B.Tech in IT
- Diploma in Computer Engineering
2. Certification Courses (Skill-Based)
These are best for those who want to learn skills quickly and start a job or freelancing. Certification courses focus on practical training.
- Full Stack Web Development Course
- Frontend Development (HTML, CSS, JS, React)
- Backend Development (Node.js, PHP, Python)
- Web Designing Course
Web Developer FAQ
A web developer builds and maintains websites or web applications. They write code, design layouts, and ensure the site works smoothly on all devices.
- Frontend Developer - Designs the visual part of the website (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
- Backend Developer - Handles server, database, and logic (PHP, Node.js, Python)
- Full-Stack Developer - Works on both frontend and backend
Yes, web developers earn competitive salaries. In India, freshers earn around ₹3-6 LPA, while experienced developers can earn ₹10-20 LPA or more.
Yes, a web developer is an IT (Information Technology) job under the software development domain.
- HTML, CSS, JavaScript
- Programming languages (PHP, Python, Java, etc.)
- Responsive design
- Version control (Git)
- Problem-solving and debugging
- Basic knowledge of databases and APIs
AI may automate some tasks, but it cannot fully replace human creativity, logic, and custom problem-solving, so web developers will still be important, especially for custom and complex websites.
Yes, web development has a strong future due to increasing demand for websites, apps, e-commerce, and digital services.
Web development is easy to start but takes time to master. It becomes easier with consistent practice and project work.
- Businesses and startups
- E-commerce companies
- Schools and colleges
- Bloggers and media companies
- Government and NGOs
Basically, anyone who wants a website.
There's no fixed degree required. You can become a web developer through:
- BCA, BSc IT, B.Tech (CS/IT)
- Or self-learning, coding bootcamps, or online courses
Your skills and portfolio matter more than a degree.
Yes, it is a full-time, long-term career with opportunities in freelancing, startups, corporate jobs, and even remote international work.
It can be mildly stressful during tight deadlines or debugging issues, but with time management and experience, most developers find it manageable and enjoyable.
Yes, web developers are highly in demand, especially those with modern tech skills like React, Node.js, or full-stack development.
Highly paid web developers are usually:
- Senior full-stack developers
- Tech leads or architects
- Freelancers working internationally
In global companies, they can earn ?30+ LPA or $100K+ per year, depending on experience and skillset.