Overview
Web developers create and maintain websites and web applications and web designers use their creative and technical skills to design new websites and redesign existing ones.
Activities
- Meet internal/external clients to define their website requirements
- Work as part of a larger development team
- Prepare a design plan
- Decide which branding, text, colours and backgrounds to use
- Use design software to lay out pages, position buttons, links and pictures
- Add multimedia features like sound, animation and video
- Use different programming and coding languages
- Test and improve the design and site
- Upload the site to a server
- take a lead role in maintaining and developing a site
- Attend meetings with internal and external clients to plan and develop site content, style and appearance
- Use web content management systems (CMS)
- Analyse website usage statistics
- Write reports for senior managers, clients and partnership organisations
- Carry out quality assurance checks on content
- Report technical problems to IT support staff
Organisations
Web designers and developers can be employed by web design companies, the IT departments of organisations, marketing companies, councils, the NHS and universities. Many web designers work freelance for several different clients.
Workplace
Web designers and developers are usually office-based. If they are self-employed, they may work from home.
Working Hours
Some web developers and designers work normal office hours but others have more flexible working arrangements.
Salary
New workers start around £19,773.
Qualifications
You’ll usually need 5 GCSEs at Grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and Maths, for an advanced apprenticeship. You could start working as a design assistant or web support assistant and train while you work. You may be able to start as a junior developer and improve your skills and knowledge by completing further training and qualifications while you work.
You could also volunteer for a local community group or charity and create a website for them. Any experience you can get will be helpful when applying for jobs.
You could also apply for an apprenticeship. If you have an EHCP you may be able to apply under the DfE exemption which allows the apprentice to use Entry Level 3 English and Maths qualifications. The apprentice would have to be competent enough to successfully achieve all other aspects of the apprenticeship requirements, become occupationally competent and achieve Entry Level 3 in English and Maths before the end of their apprenticeship.
College – Most college courses start at Level 3 such as a Diploma in Web Development or Level 3 Certificate in Web Design and Development.
You could also gain this role from a supported internship.