5 Key Attributes of a Web Developer
Important Attributes of a Web Developer
- Motivation to Continue Learning
- Strong Customer Service Skills
- Concentration
- Detail-oriented
- Creative Problem Solver
Working as a web developer means a lot of opportunities for a rewarding career. Nearly every business has a website, as do nonprofit organizations, governmental agencies, entrepreneurs and others. Anyone considering majoring in web development, software development or a related field should keep in mind these five key attributes of a web developer.
Motivation to Continue Learning
The technology used in web development is changing at a rapid pace. The devices that people use in order to access the web are also changing at a rapid pace. These two things go hand-in-hand. A successful web developer should have a strong motivation to continue learning. A key attribute is a drive for professional development and enhancement of one’s own skills. Coding techniques may change over time. For example, today’s websites need to be responsive to mobile devices. They also need to be ADA compliant. Web developers who strive to keep their skills up-to-date will enjoy a higher level of professional success.
Strong Customer Service Skills
Web developers have to be able to communicate well with their clients. Some clients may be difficult to work with. They may have unusual or unreasonable demands, and the web developer will have to respond to those issues. In some cases, problems with the development of a website could delay the project’s completion. The web developer needs to deliver this information so that the client knows what to expect. Web developers may work as part of a team, and they also need to have strong teamwork and team communication skills.
Concentration
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), one of the five key attributes of a web developer is an ability to concentrate on the task or problem at hand. Web developers have to be able to sit and write detailed computer codes for several hours per day. They should have the ability to focus on a section of code and get through it before moving on to the next task.
Detail-Oriented
A strong attention to detail is essential for a web developer. A person who develops websites should be able to document their work as they do it. Annotations and notes are key to ensuring that updates or changes to a site can be done efficiently when the need arises. Documentation of a site is critical to many types of projects. For example, a site that needs to encrypt sensitive financial or personal information should have documentation about how the encryption is done. Web development for sites that collect health information must be able to document compliance with HIPAA, and sites that collect financial information have to comply with the Dodd-Frank Act.
Creative Problem Solver
Web developers have to deal with unexpected problems. A site feature might work fine one day and fail the next. People who work in web development should be able to find creative solutions to unusual problems. They may rely on their current skill set to do this. They may also need to communicate with other web developers and find out what worked for other people who faced a similar problem. The ability to fine-tune a solution is a key attribute of a web developer.
Conclusion
Web developer jobs are growing at a much faster rate than for all other occupations, explains the BLS. Choosing this as a career means plenty of opportunities to move to new places, choose employers that offer great benefits and select a job that provides a good salary ad ideal work-life balance. Before choosing web development as a career, it is wise to compare the five key attributes of a successful person with one’s own set of skills and character traits.
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