Would you feel comfortable entering an industry where the required skill-set changes almost weekly? For those in the Wed Development field, that is exactly the job atmosphere they face.
Don’t believe me? Just think back at how much Web Development has changed since its inception almost 50 years ago. The Internet has gone from an ugly text-based data storage and transmittal device for scientists, to an interactive knowledge, information, and entertainment portal for anyone who has Internet access and a Web browser.
These changes have inevitably affected the day-to-day tasks and challenges faced by those in the Web Development profession as they struggle to keep up with the rapid growth, and changing technology in their field.
Art Meets Technology
It’s no longer enough for Webmasters to know how to properly code a Website that functions properly. Don’t get me wrong, a functional Website is still critically important, but it isn’t the only consideration for Web Developers today.
Modern Websites need to also have an appealing design that indicates a well-organized navigational structure, visual hierarchy, graphical elements, and well-written, concise digital content. As such, contemporary Web Development professionals need a fundamental understanding and working knowledge of graphic design and Web writing principals.
Marketing for the Web
A fairly new expertise Web Development professionals are required to understand and incorporate into any successful Website launch is emarketing, or Internet marketing. Different than its traditional marketing counterpart, emarketing is a discipline within the Web Development field that incorporates ecommerce, Internet marketing, and search engine optimization (SEO) to create a findable, and memorable Website.
Constant Change
The only constant in the Web Development industry is change. The skill-set needed by Web Development professionals today will probably have changed by this time next year. In a field this integrated with current technology, it can be expected that the evolution of Web Development will be constant, and those who bore easily will likely thrive in this ever-changing, multidisciplinary field.
What do you think are important skills for a Web Developer to possess? What are some ways Web Developers can stay current on the changing technology?
2 responses so far ↓
1 Catherine Somerlot // Oct 28, 2008 at 7:27 pm
TIME! Web developers need more time than a day allows to create, design, and develop web content, along with keeping up on the latest Web trends by reading blogs and conducting research. If you’re a Web developer blessed with time AND good time management skills, you’ll stay ahead of the crowd.
Great post, Jenny!
2 jmccutcheon // Oct 28, 2008 at 11:48 pm
Yes @catarionna! How could I forget more time than a day allows? I always call Web Development a time suck. It just seems to suck away all of my time.
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