A sound knowledge of computer software and different coding languages is the starting point for any freelance web developer.  You also need a thorough understanding of what’s involved in a web design project process before going on your own, and that’s best gained through work experience in a web design agency.  You also need strong interpersonal skills, good numeracy skills, good organisational skills, an ability to multitask and work under pressure to succeed as a freelance web developer.

Although you don’t need formal qualifications to enter the job market as a web developer, a good starting point is acquiring some sort of formal training or certification.  This will teach you about key areas such as coding and programming languages (HTML, CSS and JavaScript), user experience (UX), user interface (UI), visual design, front and back-end web programming languages and animation techniques.  Thereafter, getting a job as an intern with a web design company is a really good step as there really is no substitute for work experience.

No.  You’ll find that different web developers often specialise in different platforms such Shopify, Wix and WordPress, but an experienced web developer will have the skills and versatility to work on any platform.  Web developers often fall into one of three categories, namely back-end developers (server side), front-end developers (user facing) and full-stack developers.  Back-end developers generally create the website’s structure and work on functionality, while front-end developers are responsible for the visual side.  A full-stack developer understands the strategies and processes for both front and back-end.

A web designer is like an architect while a web designer is like a builder.  A web designer is more on the aesthetic side of a website, responsible for its ‘look and feel’ (ie the layout, usability and visual appearance), while a web developer builds the site using coding languages.

A web designer creates the look, layout and features of a website, and this requires a mix of artistic design and technical proficiency. In other words, a web designer needs to understand graphic design as well as computer programming.

The 5 things web designers do include:

1.     Working with clients to conceptualise new websites or pages
2.     Designing the visual layout of new websites or web pages
3.     Ensuring users have a positive experience
4.     Maintaining and updating webpages, including plugins
5.     Ensure ongoing optimum functionality of a website (restore broken links, remove dead links etc)

A great web developer will have a strong combination of people skills and technical skills.  They need to be a good listener and communicator as they will have to transform your vision for your website into a workable reality.  You should also look for a web developer who has a strong reputation for being a team player, someone who is reliable and flexible and who can work within time constraints.  A great web developer will also have strong technical expertise and will have a good perspective on the user experience.

It’s really worth spending time finding the right web developer.  After all, they’re going to be a trusted partner in your business. Ask to see other websites that they’ve built and read their customer reviews and testimonials.  Also ask other business owners for recommendations and interview a shortlist before making a final decision.