A web developer takes often takes on the enormous task of building a modern website that has interactive applications integrated into the design. They may work independently on some projects, or as part of a larger team on others.
Many people get this profession mixed up with web design, but there are some important differences. A web developer may perform some of the same tasks as a Web Designer, such as setting up the structure of the website, but they also do much more. web developers may be responsible for creating the web page from scratch, without using any templates or software. This requires a strong background in programming in many languages. They may also be responsible for the server hardware, setting up redundancy to prevent data loss, and ensuring that the server equipment is capable of handling the expected load and bandwidth. web developers must also plan ahead, and make sure that the website and the equipment in place is scalable for future growth.
Skills and Equipment Needed
Web developer is a highly skilled profession. Many colleges and learning institutions offer fundamental classes, and classes specifically geared towards the various programming languages that are the most common. These languages include, but are not limited to, HTML/XHTML, CSS, and JavaScript. There are server side frameworks that web developers should also be familiar with, such as Perl, Java, .Net, and more.
As a web developer, you should also have strong knowledge regarding databases, servers, and more, as your job may require you to not only create and maintain the website, but manage its interactions with various other technologies and equipment.
Project management and interpersonal skills are also relevant as you may find yourself in a group that is tasked to work together on a long-term project. Pieces of the team all have to work together to make sure that their work will integrate seamlessly, creating a website that is easy to use no matter how complex the technology operating it is.
It is important for you to have your own equipment and software when you are a web developer. Although you may take on projects in which the client provides you with these resources, there may also be times in which you are just needed to perform some quick maintenance, which you will want to be able to offer to do without the use of additional equipment from the requester.
Having great organization skills is also very important for this line of work. This is because larger projects tend to have multiple deadlines throughout the course of completion, and work that other groups need to accomplish may be dependant on the timeliness and completeness of your tasks.
Getting Started
As mentioned above, an extensive education and/or related experience is a must for a web developer. There are comprehensive classes and certification courses that will take you from the basics, all the way through specialized classes to help you learn everything about this profession. Many of these classes end with a project based course in which the participants get real-world experience by teaming together to create a functional, interactive website. This type of experience is extremely useful for those looking to get started as a wed developer.
There are many businesses that specialize in this trade, so it may be possible to get your start with an entry level position in a business that already has clients with project needs. Doing this will help you gain real world experience, and could open doors for you that will eventually allow you to follow your own Christian business ideas of starting a web development company.
Like with other Christian business ideas, once you determine to start your own company, there are the standard hoops you have to jump through. You must decide on a business name, business structure, complete & file required paperwork, etc. Unlike some other Christian business ideas, you should also set up your companies website, and make it as impressive as possible. When a person or business is looking for a web developer, one of the very first things they do is check out the developers own website. It is expected that this website should be top of the line, and really show of the skills of the developer. This is not a requirement of course, but it is highly recommended.
There are also other forums in which people seeking web development services may setup job postings to which you can apply. There are the standard job websites, and local newspapers that you may refer to when looking for any type of job, but there are also industry specific communities online such as domain forums in which website owners may be looking for a specific service. When you are first starting, no task may be too small. Performing some minor maintenance to a website and building a relationship with the site owner can often lead to additional, more complex work; which is often higher paying work.
Furthering Your Christian Lifestyle
One of the main points of seeking Christian business ideas is the furthering of your religious lifestyle. If this was not the case, then just about any business would do, and we would not qualify the business ideas as being “Christian”. There are many ways in which the specific idea of becoming a web developer can further your faith.
The first is that as a web developer, you have a high earning potential, which would allow you to donate more money to the church, and help members of your church in ways that you may not have been able to before.
Another way that this business furthers your faith is that it often allows for a flexible schedule. Those with a typical 8-5 job are not always able to volunteer their time at the church throughout the week, but as a web developer, you may have the ability to do just that.
Also, churches nowadays must have a web presence themselves, and you could use your skills to ensure that the church as a very modern, interactive website that would help the church and its members in several ways!
For information about other Christian business ideas that can further your faith based lifestyle, please download our free report and MP3 audio.