What Is a Front End Web Developer and How to Become One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

A front end web developer develops the visual components of a website that are seen and interacted with by a user. This is also called the user interface. In this job, you work with code such as HTML and JavaScript and utilize CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) to layout web pages. Unlike a back end developer, you focus on more than just performance and function. Your responsibilities include developing appealing yet functional desktop and mobile websites and applications, conducting maintenance and updates, and creating site mockups. These duties require you to work closely with back-end developers and stay updated on new technology, website development, and design trends.

Qualifications to become a front end web developer include having a working knowledge of HTML, JavaScript, and other coding languages as required by your employer. While it is good to have a formal education to develop good coding practices, if you can prove your skills, a degree may not be necessary to find employment. Responsibilities include knowing how to create web pages with a responsive CSS framework, so both coding and design skills are crucial. You should have experience with Drupal, WordPress, and design program like those found in the Adobe Creative Suite. Excellent communication skills are necessary to ensure you understand your clients and creative team.

A front end web developer has many options for advancing in their career. You can move on to becoming a senior software engineer, developer, or programmer. The significant difference here is going from building on top of the foundation someone has already created to building the foundation. Other common paths lead to principal software engineers, software architects, and software development managers. Managers can move on to Chief Technology Officers or development or IT directors, who often manage teams, oversee projects being developed to improve business operations, document and report to internal teams on current progress.

Front end web developers and UI developers are very similar in that they use HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other technology to create a user-friendly website, and may both be in contact with the client to deliver what they want. However, the UI developer more often uses HTML and CSS and focuses on small details such as buttons, tooltips, and how the user sees and uses these on various devices. They’re focused on creating individual modules for web pages, whereas the front end developer sees the website as more of a whole.

Job Summary

Our company is looking for a JavaScript expert to join our development team as a Front-End Web Developer. In this role, your responsibilities will focus primarily on user interface design and functionality. You should have experience using the jQuery and React libraries, as well as the Bootstrap.js and AngularJS frameworks. Our ideal candidate is familiar with HTML, and you should also be up to date with the functionalities of HTML5. We prefer that you have a bachelor's degree, but we are willing to work with any candidates with a strong portfolio.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist with front-end or user interface design
• Code front-end applications
• Build new, engaging content pages
• Update existing pages

Requirements and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, software development, or a related field (preferred)
• Experience with HTML and HTML5
• Experience with the JavaScript programming language, as well as the jQuery and React JavaScript libraries
• Experience with Bootstrap.js and AngularJS frameworks
• Experience using CSS3 to format content