What Is a Web Applications Developer and How to Become One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

As a web applications developer, your main duties are to work as part of a development team to design functional, scalable applications for use on a website or mobile operating system. A web app developer needs to have a strong grasp of coding, graphic design, and user experience, as well as a firm understanding of how front-end code and back-end frameworks interact to ensure that web applications run properly on the company servers. In addition to technical responsibilities, you also consult with clients or other departments to determine their needs and how best to address those needs via the app.

Qualifications to become a web applications developer vary, but typically a candidate should have an associate or bachelor’s degree in computer science, graphic design, or a related IT field. A successful web app developer also has an excellent grasp of HTML and CSS programming. Depending on the complexity of the website, you may need training in other languages such as SQL, Java, or JavaScript. Knowledge of backend programming languages, such as Ruby on Rails is important. Strong listening and communication skills are vital for this job so that you can understand and execute the client’s vision.