The role of a web developer is to build a website or construct elements of a website in line with the specification of a client. A web developer’s role goes beyond that of a webmaster, which would be to utilize scripts already written in order to piece together a website and make it work on a functional level. A web developer should have the ability to write scripts in order to fulfil the needs of the client and bring a specification or set of ideas to realisation, thus creating a functional and usable framework of pages and features.
A web developer will have the task of building the website from bottom up, including designing the layout of the site, the functionality of the components and developing the Homepage and all other pages in accordance with the requirements of the client. The process involves considering the products and services that are to be sold, the target audience, what their expectations might be and what kind of content will appeal to them and also the competitors in the market. What are the advantages and selling points to focus on that are better than that of the competitors? The website must not only promote the goods and services or the company but also work in a dynamic and user friendly way.
The web developer should also ensure that the website is functional across all the different browsers. So the pages, links and components must be set up in such a way that they are compatible in whichever mode the user wishes to view them in. So it should not make a difference to the functionality of the website whether viewed in Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Opera or Safari for instance.
One of the key aspects of web development is the navigation of the site. It must be simple to use and work along some kind of logical journey. So the site will be mapped out according to the different routes a user could take and the content will be split into sections to make it easier for the user to find what they are looking for. If information is difficult to find it will create a negative experience for the user and they will not want to come back and use the website again and as a result may not buy the products and services available.
The website should also be visually appealing in order to make the user experience interesting and enjoyable. Sometimes interactive features such as videos and image galleries help bring the page to life and provide users with both an entertaining and informative experience.
The web developer must also ensure that all forms are working correctly. This usually involves various scripting languages which are used to advocate the correct return of information depending on what the user has selected within an order form or survey. It is of the utmost importance that all of the links, buttons and responses of any kind are working correctly as a site which does not do what it is supposed to do will not be good for business. The user should ultimately be left with a feeling of satisfaction and that they have achieved what they set out to achieve in using the site.