What is a Web Developer?

Web developers write and maintain the code behind websites and web applications. Most know several languages, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and specialize in one side of the work.

Types of web developers

• Front-end developers build the parts of a site visitors see and interact with: the visual layout, navigation, and everything that runs in the browser.
• Back-end developers write the server-side code: the application logic, databases, and APIs that process requests behind the scenes.
• Full-stack developers handle both front-end and back-end work.

Match the developer to the problem. Layout, styling, or browser issues call for a front-end developer. Forms, databases, logins, or server errors call for a back-end developer. A small project that needs both is usually a job for one full-stack developer.

Web developer vs. web designer

A developer builds the site; a designer decides how it should look and work for visitors.

• Web developers write and maintain the front-end and back-end code that makes a site function.
• Web designers plan the layout, visuals, and navigation for usability, then hand that design to a developer to build.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics classifies them as separate occupations and even pays them differently: in May 2024, US web developers earned a median $90,930 per year, while web and digital interface designers earned $98,090. On small projects, one person often fills both roles.

Web developer skills

Core technical skills are coding and version control, meaning tools like Git that track changes to code. Front-end developers also need HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, plus a working sense of visual design and SEO. Back-end developers need a server-side language, such as PHP or Python, and database skills instead.

Do you need to hire a web developer?

For a standard brochure site, blog, or small store, probably not. WordPress themes and site builders cover those without custom code. Hire a developer when you need something no theme or plugin provides: a third-party integration, a custom theme or plugin, or a full web application.

Our guide to hiring a web developer walks through scoping the project, vetting candidates, and agreeing on price. If you'd rather hand the work off, DreamHost's web development service builds it for you. And if you want to write the code yourself, start with these mostly free resources for learning to code.