A Website Developer is a professional who specializes in building and maintaining websites. In today's digital age, websites are crucial for businesses and individuals to establish their online presence and reach a wider audience. A Website Developer plays a vital role in creating functional, visually appealing, and user-friendly websites. In this blog post, we will describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Website Developers.

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Main Responsibilities of a Website Developer

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Website Developer:

Amend

Amend website navigation elements to accommodate new sections and pages.

Analyze

Analyze existing program logic and design changes that meet changing business needs.

Assist in

• Assist in the development of training documentation with Knowledge Management project Team Lead.

• Assist the marketing team in creative thinking as well as brainstorming sessions.

• Assist with CRM and Marketing Automation application development.

• Assist with the planning, development, and support of our customer-facing mobile application.

• Assist with website design, banners, icons, galleries, ad placements, and any other content needed.

Build

Build and expand features to meet business requirements on top of the underlying framework.

Check

Check content for accuracy.

Collaborate

• Collaborate with business and technology teams to meet needs and improve efficiency.

• Collaborate with clients and stakeholders to understand their website requirements.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, such as marketing or IT, for website-related projects.

• Collaborate with designers and content creators to ensure a cohesive user experience.

• Collaborate with web designers to translate visual designs into functional websites.

Collect

Collect, organize and analyze project requirements.

Communicate

• Communicate across the enterprise with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Communicate effectively, clarify business requirements, and train end-users.

Conceptualize

Conceptualize, design and implement creative layouts and pages.

Conduct

• Conduct quality assurance checks to ensure website functionality and design consistency.

• Conduct quality assurance testing on all new and supporting applications.

• Conduct usability testing and gather user feedback for website enhancements.

• Conduct website audits to identify areas for improvement.

• Conduct website backups and perform data recovery when necessary.

Consult with

Consult with customers on SharePoint requirements, constraints, and best practices.

Contribute to

• Contribute ideas for innovation and continual improvement for the user experience.

• Contribute to discussions on ways to improve functionality and usability.

Convert

Convert email designs into responsive HTML emails.

Create

• Create an advertisement inventory, and run advertisements on the website.

• Create and maintain technical documentation.

• Create and manage reports across the various data sources.

• Create animated HTML5 banner ads using DoubleClick Studios and Google Web Designer.

• Create automation scripts for various internal teams as required.

• Create, deploy, maintain, and support .NET, SharePoint 2013, TFS, J2EE,.

• Create detailed project documentation.

• Create new website content pages as required.

• Create or optimize the website architecture.

Customize

• Customize and modify existing website templates or themes.

• Customize purchased WordPress themes and plugins.

Deliver

Deliver an effective website development strategy to increase levels of support and engagement.

Deploy

Deploy new content including updates to language websites based on translations.

Design

• Design and implementation of web based tools to automate a variety of business processes.

• Design website layouts and navigation structures.

Develop

• Develop and maintain E-Commerce platform includes website, database, inventory system.

• Develop animations, navigation, interactivity, etc., using jQuery or other JavaScript libraries.

• Develop for WordPress, including custom themes and plugins.

• Develop ideas for new programs, products, or features by monitoring industry developments and trends.

• Develop new functionality.

• Develop the graphic elements for the website that meet the clients' objectives.

• Develop website content, add media.

• Develop Web sites by planning and executing design.

• Develop websites using programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

Enjoy

Enjoy cold calling potential donors and relationship development.

Ensure

• Ensure all web applications are running optimally.

• Ensure content is up-to-date.

• Ensure essential procedures are followed and help define operating standards and processes.

• Ensure existing website development is implemented with SEO best practices in mind.

• Ensure websites are responsive and compatible with different browsers and devices.

Follow

• Follow best practices to write a clean, maintainable, scalable and tested application.

• Follow internal documentation standards and change management procedures.

• Follow web accessibility guidelines to ensure websites are inclusive and accessible to all users.

Formulate

Formulate an effective, responsive design and turning it into a working theme / plugin.

Gather

• Gather and address technical and design requirements.

• Gather and analyze requirements.

• Gather and refine specifications and requirements based on technical needs for digital projects.

Help

Help facilitate SharePoint adoption by end users.

Implement

• Implement and manage content management systems (CMS) like WordPress or Drupal.

• Implement front-end changes.

• Implement security measures to protect websites from vulnerabilities and attacks.

• Implement template changes to WordPress as well as routine content updates.

Incorporate

Incorporate Search Engine Optimization standards.

Integrate

• Integrate E-Commerce platform with third-party vendors.

• Integrate third-party tools and services, such as payment gateways or APIs.

• Integrate user-facing elements developed by a front-end developer with server side logic.

Interact with

Interact with staff / clients throughout the project life cycle.

Investigate

Investigate, analyze, document, and correct reported defects.

Keep

Keep track of developments in web technology.

Lead

Lead and project manage the development of a new website.

Liaise with

Liaise with developers, designers and system administrators to identify new features.

Maintain

• Maintain client websites (Drupal, WordPress, HTML).

• Maintain documentation for future reference and troubleshooting.

• Maintain knowledge of standard programming practices, concepts and coding methods.

• Maintain updated knowledge of new and emerging industry trends and technology.

• Maintain virtual and cloud-based servers, CDNs and optimizing speeds.

• Maintain web system performance by performing system monitoring and analysis and performance tuning.

Make

Make all necessary updates to the company site, minimizing downtime.

Manage

• Manage backup servers and failover.

• Manage cutting-edge technologies to improve applications.

• Manage domain registration, hosting, and DNS configurations.

• Manage social media accounts (FB, TW, LI) including creating post material.

• Manage utilization and archive of the website.

Meet

Meet with management regularly to discuss current and future functionality of the website.

Monitor

• Monitor all interactive online forms and website performance to ensure 100% uptime.

• Monitor and report all web traffic metrics.

• Monitor security and working with hosting provider to ensure all necessary updates are in place.

• Monitor website analytics and generate reports on website performance.

• Monitor website's traffic to measure popularity.

Optimize

Optimize websites for speed and performance.

Oversee

Oversee layout (images, graphics, videos and artwork).

Participate in

• Participate in special projects and perform other related duties as assigned.

• Participate in the entire website lifecycle, coding and debugging.

Perform

• Perform other related duties as assigned or requested.

• Perform search engine optimization (SEO) techniques to improve website visibility.

Plan

Plan and organize tasks and estimate delivery times.

Prepare

Prepare project status reports and keep management, clients, and others informed of project status.

Produce

Produce and publish new content.

Proofread

Proofread and edit material.

Provide

• Provide and ensure processes and website updates are made in a timely manner.

• Provide intuitive, effective, and strategic designs for new and existing web applications.

• Provide ongoing website maintenance and support.

• Provide technical support and assistance to website users or clients.

• Provide training and workshops for key stakeholders as required.

Repair

Repair any broken links and fix any reported bugs.

Review

• Review statistics and monitor analytics.

• Review the requested subject, consult with the users / employer and make the related research.

Rework

Rework text, page layouts, & colour correctness.

Stay abreast of

• Stay abreast of industry best practices and standards.

• Stay updated on emerging web design trends and user experience principles.

• Stay up-to-date with industry trends and emerging web technologies.

Support

• Support the Business Development department through SEO and analytics tracking.

• Support web migrations on multiple networks as needed.

Test

Test website functionality and troubleshoot issues.

Troubleshoot

Troubleshoot and resolve website performance or compatibility issues.

Update

• Update and maintain websites with new content, features, or improvements.

• Update content to reflect current SEO trends and provide metrics around content to optimize rankings.

Work with

• Work closely with a team of designers and developers.

• Work collaboratively with Product Manager to design solutions and provide progress reporting.

• Work collaboratively with web designers and art directors.

• Work well in a team environment and be able to follow department workflow process.

• Work with clients by email to determine their website update needs.

• Work with HHS partners and teams in a professional, responsive, and technical competent manner.

Write

• Write clean, efficient, and reusable code.

• Write, maintain, and manage HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, Bootstrap and jQuery, and common frameworks.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Website Developer:

1. Proficiency in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

2. Knowledge of programming languages like Python, PHP, or Ruby.

3. Experience with front-end frameworks like React, Angular, or Vue.js.

4. Familiarity with version control systems like Git.

5. Understanding of responsive design principles.

6. Ability to work with APIs and integrate third-party services.

7. Knowledge of database management systems like MySQL or MongoDB.

8. Experience with server-side frameworks like Node.js or Django.

9. Proficiency in using code editors and development tools.

10. Understanding of cross-browser compatibility issues and debugging techniques.

11. Knowledge of web performance optimization techniques.

12. Familiarity with website security best practices.

13. Ability to work with content management systems like WordPress or Drupal.

14. Understanding of SEO principles and techniques.

15. Knowledge of website analytics tools like Google Analytics.

16. Experience with e-commerce platforms and payment gateways.

17. Understanding of web accessibility standards and guidelines.

18. Knowledge of server administration and hosting configurations.

19. Proficiency in front-end build tools like Webpack or Gulp.

20. Familiarity with responsive frameworks like Bootstrap or Foundation.

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Website Developer:

1. Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.

2. Excellent attention to detail and ability to deliver high-quality work.

3. Effective communication skills, both verbal and written.

4. Collaborative and teamwork-oriented mindset.

5. Time management and organizational skills to meet deadlines.

6. Adaptability and willingness to learn new technologies.

7. Creativity and ability to think outside the box.

8. Client-focused approach with a dedication to customer satisfaction.

9. Strong work ethic and self-motivation.

10. Ability to handle multiple projects and prioritize tasks effectively.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a Website Developer holds the responsibility of designing, developing, and maintaining websites. They possess a wide range of technical skills such as proficiency in programming languages, knowledge of web development frameworks, and familiarity with various web tools and technologies. Additionally, they require essential soft skills like problem-solving, communication, and teamwork to excel in their role. As the demand for online presence continues to grow, the role of a Website Developer remains essential in creating impactful websites that engage users and achieve business goals.