Is Web Development a Good Career?

Are you actively searching for an awesome tech career that provides exceptional pay,  great benefits, and an ever-changing landscape? Maybe you’ve reached a point where you’re asking yourself, is web development a good career? Well, you've found the right place to be. In this blog post, we'll take you on an in-depth journey of this exciting career path, exploring the world of web development in a way that will help you decide if it's the right choice for you.

What is Web Development?

So what exactly is web development? Think of it like architecture, but for the digital world. It involves building and maintaining websites through coding, UI design, and more. At some point in time, a web developer crafted every web page online, and these websites also need continuous maintenance and updates. Whether it's the visually appealing designs or the seamless functionality, web developers are the artists and builders behind the computer screen, making it all happen.

Major Duties & Responsibilities of a Web Developer

A web developer’s day-to-day responsibilities may vary depending on their level and the type of web development they do, but they usually orbit these primary tasks:

• Designing Websites: Crafting the visual appearance to engage users.
• Developing Websites: Writing the code to make the visual design a reality.
• Developing Features: Implementing various functionalities like shopping carts, email collection forms, etc.
• Testing & Debugging: Ensuring everything works flawlessly at launch and beyond.
• Maintaining & Updating: Regularly optimizing the website to keep it fresh, functional, and current.

Types of Web Development

There are three kinds of web developers, each taking on a slightly different role in the process. Most who get into this career love it because no matter your tasks, there are technical and creative elements to everything. 

1. Front-End Web Development: Front-end development is where creativity and design come together with an understanding of UX (user experience). This career path is all about the visuals that users interact with directly. Front-end developers use coding languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to design and bring those designs to life.
2. Back-End Web Development: Back-end developers are the tech-savvy bunch that love taking on the more complex functionality aspects of websites. They use languages like PHP, Ruby, and Python.
3. Full-Stack Web Development: A full-stack developer knows it all – they have mastered both front- and back-end development responsibilities.

Learn More:

• Top Programming Languages for Web Development
• The Best Coding Languages for Front-End Web Development
• The Best Coding Languages for Back-End Web Development
• Deep Dive into Full-Stack Web Development  
• How Much Money Do Full-Stack Developers Make?

Job Prospects in the Field of Web Development

So, what’s the landscape like for aspiring future coders? Is “web developer” a good career, and are web developers in demand?

Current Market Demand for Web Developers

Choosing a career path can be difficult when you don’t know the future of the business and its growth. Especially when it comes to technology jobs in a field that evolves at a break-neck pace. But what if we told you that the job market and future landscape for web developers is very promising?

Industries That Need Web Developers

One of the advantages of pursuing a career in web development is that you’re not confined to the tech industry. Because every business needs a website, you can work in healthcare, education, finance, entertainment, beauty, government, military, and much more! Pick an industry that you love and go after it, because chances are, there’s an opportunity for web development work anywhere you want to be.

Freelance Opportunities

Web development also works well as a freelance gig that you could turn into your own business. Own and build your own web development firm to create meaningful relationships with clients across various industries instead of choosing just one. 

This job is incredibly flexible, and many companies may need one-off or even long-term freelance help when they cannot hire a full-time developer to keep on staff. Just a few perks of owning your own business include: you are your own boss; you choose your own rates; you pick the clients and projects you want; you set your own hours.

Demand & Growth for Web Developers

The demand for web developers is very high and continues to grow. So if you’re wondering, is web development a good career in the future, then you’re in luck. With the digital era taking over, every single company needs a website to thrive and find customers. From garage startups to multi-national corporations, web developers of all kinds are in high demand around the world. In fact, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, ‌demand for web developers is expected to grow 30% between 2021 and 2031.

Future Market Trends

This growth rate for web development is significantly faster than the average expected gain for all occupations. This means that there are projected to be about 21,800 new job openings available each new year through 2031. As e-commerce continues to grow and retail shops continue to expand their online presence, there will be a concurrent demand for web developers to design those websites and UI (user interface) for desktops, laptops, tablets, phones, and other new screen sizes.

The emergence of new technologies will also promote web development future market trends. Just a few of those trends include AI, blockchain, progressive web apps (PWA), virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), chatbots, voice user interface (VUI), motion UI, and more. These innovations are expected to change the industry in massive ways as they will‌ have an effect on user habits.

Benefits of a Career in Web Development

In addition to the strong future and unimaginable possibilities for growth, there are a number of other benefits to working in web development that may help tip the scale of your career decision.

Creativity

Web development is exciting because it’s truly limitless in possibilities. You can get creative by experimenting with different designs and trying new technologies to create beautiful and powerful websites and applications. Especially as a full-stack developer, you can truly build something from the ground up.

Flexibility

Another benefit of a web development career is the opportunity for remote work. Whether working full-time for a company, running your own business, or freelancing for clients on the weekends, there is a strong possibility you’ll be able to land a hybrid or fully remote role that gives you flexibility in your working hours and location.

High Earning Potential

As with many growing industries, the earning potential for web developers is very appealing. As a full-stack developer, you can earn upwards of $117K per year in a mid-level role, or more in certain states and with more experience. According to ZipRecruiter, the average pay for a full-stack developer in the US hovers right around $92,500. In fact, web development made our nine best six-figure jobs list in slot number two as the perfect career choice for anyone who loves computers, second only to software engineering.

Continuous Learning

Web development is a great career choice for anyone who wants the excitement of working in a fast-paced, evolving industry. There’s always something new to learn, plus a wonderful community of peers that connect online and help solve problems while sharing insights and opportunities. This role can be very rewarding for those who want to avoid the monotony of the “same old thing” and who prefer continuous learning and growth.

How Hard Is It to Become a Web Developer?

Is becoming a web developer hard? For some, it’s easy, while for others, it can be more of a challenge. It really depends on the individual. With a formal education, training from coding bootcamps, or self-study, it’s a very achievable goal for anyone with the drive! And with so many education options to help prepare you, the road ahead is truly bright. Your passion and personal dedication can make the answer to the question, “Is web developer a good career?” a resounding “Yes”!

Kickstart Your Web Development Career at App Academy

Ready to get started? App Academy’s immersive online coding bootcamps are here to equip you with the skills you need to achieve your goal of becoming a web developer. Whether you're aiming for a senior-level career or just looking for the next step, App Academy can get you the training you need.

Sign up for a live online info session to learn more, or schedule a 1:1 call with one of our team experts. Start your software engineering career today with App Academy, and see how far you can go!