Page Content
Job profiles
Web developer
Hours
37 to 40 per week
Starting salary
£25,000 + per year
WorkDesc
The work
Web developers design, build and maintain new websites and upgrade existing ones in line with their clients' needs.
As a web developer you could work for a variety of businesses and public sector organisations. Examples of the projects you might work on include:
- creating a secure online shopping website
- developing a virtual learning environment (VLE) for a college
- setting up company intranets for staff use.
On a typical project, you would:
- work with the client, using test sites to see which ideas best suit their needs
- build the framework – or 'architecture' – of the site and add the command buttons, payment systems and video, sound or animation
- make sure that the new site can be smoothly integrated into the client's existing network, for instance linking with a customer database
- work on the site's appearance, often with a web designer
- put in measures to deal with user access and security
- test the site under construction to find and fix any problems – or 'bugs' – before it goes 'live'.
Once you have built the site, you may continue to make minor changes to make sure the site is working properly and meets all the client's requirements. Depending on the contract, you may continue to manage and maintain the site once it is up and running.
HoursDesc
Hours
You would usually work 37 to 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. Some evening and/or weekend work may be needed to meet deadlines. If self-employed, you would work the hours necessary to complete the job.
The work is mainly office-based. If you work for a company you would normally be at one site, but if you are self-employed, you might work from home or on the client's premises.
IncomeDesc
Income
- Starting salaries are around £25,000 a year
- With experience, this can rise to £35,000
- Lead developers may earn up to £45,000 a year.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
EntryRequirementsDesc
Entry requirements
You do not always need qualifications to become a web developer, but you will need a good knowledge of 'front end' ideas (how to make the site look good and easy to use), and 'back end' systems (how it works).
You will need to be familiar with a number of areas, including:
- common operating systems and servers
- databases and web programming
- networking and security
- graphics, animation and web design software.
See the training and development section for more details of the more common software packages and programming languages.
You should also have an understanding of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) standards for website accessibility. Visit the W3C website for more details.
Employers will want to see evidence of your experience along with any qualifications you may have. You should keep a portfolio of work that shows your creative and technical ability, for example in the form of a CD, DVD or website. Developing and designing sites for local community groups or voluntary agencies could be a useful way to get your portfolio started.
Many who are just starting out in this career now have either a foundation degree, BTEC HNC/HND award or degree, usually in an IT-related subject. Relevant subjects include:
- web development or web design
- multimedia design
- digital media development
- web content management
- business information systems
- computer programming.
To search for colleges and universities offering these courses, see the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) website.
See the websites for e-skills UK and British Computer Society (BCS) for more details about web development careers.
TrainingAndDevelopmentDesc
Training and development
Once you start working, you normally receive on-the-job training, especially if you have joined a company through a graduate training scheme.
Web technology is constantly developing, so whether you are freelance or employed by a company, you should continue to update your skills through formal training, on-the-job experience or self-study.
Depending on the client, you may need a working knowledge of some of the following programming/scripting languages: Java, HTML, XML, XHTML, Perl, ASP, PHP, Javascript, ActionScript, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), SSL security technologies, and SQL and MySQL databases.
You should also be familiar with one or more of the common web authoring programs, including:
- Dreamweaver
- Creative Suite (includes Dreamweaver, Flash and Fireworks)
- Coldfusion
- Axure RP
- Adobe GoLive
- Visual Interdev
- HotMetal Pro.
You can find details of multimedia training providers on the Skillset course database.
You will also find online tutorials and links covering the packages and languages listed above on the Web Developer's Virtual Library website.
Other relevant training options include:
- Certified Internet Webmaster (CIW) Web Development course, which certifies skills across a range of software and systems
- British Computer Society (BCS) professional awards at Certificate, Diploma and Professional Graduate Diploma level
- e-skills Graduate Professional Development Award (GPDA), which you can study as part of an undergraduate, postgraduate or work-based training programme.
The National Skills Academy for IT has been created by employers to promote excellence in IT learning and development.
Through the Skills Academy, you can:
- get the best access to high quality IT training and resources
- define and access new training to meet emerging needs
- gain professional recognition and accelerate career progression
The National Skills Academy for IT has over 1,000 online courses, including courses relating to web development.
SkillsAndKnowledgeDesc
Skills and knowledge
- excellent web and database programming skills
- a good appreciation of design, usability and interactivity
- creative skills to turn clients' ideas into workable plans
- excellent problem-solving skills
- a willingness to work flexibly but in an organised manner
- the ability to follow exact instructions
- an understanding of international web development standards
- the ability to work to deadlines
- a commitment to keep up to date with developments in technology
- an appreciation of commercial pressures
- excellent people skills
- the ability to work alone or as part of a team.
You may need project management skills for more senior roles or freelance work.
MoreInformationDesc
More information
Creative Skillset 
Focus Point
21 Caledonian Road
London
N1 9GB
www.creativeskillset.org
Web Developers Virtual Library
www.wdvl.com
World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)
www.w3.org
British Computer Society
Block D
North Star House
North Star Avenue
Swindon
Wiltshire
SN2 1FA
www.bcs.org.uk
Certified Internet Webmaster (CIW)
www.ciwcertified.com
e-skills UK
1 Castle Lane
London
SW1E 6DR
0207 963 8920
www.e-skills.com
National Skills Academy for IT
http://www.itskillsacademy.ac.uk
OpportunitiesDesc
Opportunities
As the internet and e-commerce continues to expand, you could find opportunities in a range of industries. Jobs are advertised in the local and national press, online or through Jobcentre Plus.
With experience, you could specialise in a particular area, such as e-commerce, or move up to more senior roles like lead programmer or project leader. You could move into other IT roles, such as systems analyst or IT project manager.
You may find the following useful for job vacancies and general reading: (links open in a new window)
Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
LMIData
Related industry information
Industry summary
The IT industry includes people in IT companies, such as those offering IT services, technology‐orientated consulting, technology development, systems analysis, programming, systems testing and technology sales. It also includes IT professionals working in other sectors, such as people whose primary job role is IT orientated, which includes IT departments and IT support staff in companies. The IT industry together with Telecoms is represented by e‐skills UK Sector Skills Council.
A sector trend is the convergence of telecommunications, computing and networking and the move from hardware intensive to software intensive platforms. Embedded voice communications capability is already part of the internet, which also has to manage voice, data and video and location information.
The social, economic and market forces shaping UK IT skills are evolving as technology continues to progress from the back office to the board room. This is changing the market for IT skills, creating demand for both technology‐oriented business people and business‐oriented technologists – and blurring the lines between traditional business and IT disciplines.
Key facts:
- There is a total IT and Telecoms workforce of 1.5 million of which:
- 890,000 people are in IT and Telecoms products and services
- 600,000 IT and Telecoms professionals are working in organisations outside of the IT and Telecoms industries
- There are around 105,000 businesses in the UK offering IT and Telecoms products and services.
- IT‐intensive sectors represent 55% of the UK's total Gross Value Added.
- Less than 1% of those employed in IT and Telecoms occupations are under 18.
- 22% of companies who are trying to recruit IT and Telecoms professionals report difficulties in attracting applicants with the right skills.
- 58% of the workforce has a degree or higher education qualification.
- The IT industry is predicted to grow at a rate of 2.5% per year for the next ten years.
- There are 100,930 IT manufacturing and services establishments in the UK employing 600,000 people.
- The IT workforce accounts for 4% of the UK workforce.
Jobs in the IT industry include: Business analyst; Games developer; CAD/CAM Programmer/Trainer; IT trainer; Service technician; Software engineer/architect; Technology consultant; Web designer; Systems architect; Technical author.
National and regional data
Across the UK, there is an estimated IT and Telecoms workforce of 1.5 million who are predominately located in London and the South East. The IT workforce can be classified in IT manufacturing and IT services. The largest number of companies is located in:
- IT manufacturing
- South East
- London
- East of England
- IT services
- South East
- London
- East of England
Key regional facts:
- 39% of IT and Telecoms professionals are located in London and the South East
- the East of England has the third highest number of IT and Telecoms employees
- Northern Ireland, Wales and the North East combined comprise just 6% of the IT and Telecoms professionals
- 44% of all types of IT and Telecoms companies are located in London and the South East
- the highest median gross weekly earnings for IT and Telecoms staff are in London, the South East and the East of England, which are all above the UK median
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey (April‐June), 2009.]
Career paths
Further sources
View full Job market information
Other sectors and industries relevant to this job
News
