How to Be Web Development Generalist - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Sep 14, 2020 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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The rise of web development has been incredibly beneficial for businesses of all sizes. By creating and maintaining a website, companies can expand their reach, generate leads and ultimately increase their revenue. Furthermore, with web development, businesses are able to communicate more effectively with their customers, provide better customer service and create a more intuitive user experience.

All of these benefits have a direct effect on the success of a business, as customers are more likely to purchase from a company with a well-designed website. businesses are able to save money by outsourcing their web development needs to a trusted third-party provider. This enables them to focus on their core competencies and leave the development work to an expert.

In conclusion, web development plays an essential role in the success of businesses and should be taken seriously.

Steps How to Become

Acquire a Solid Understanding of the Fundamentals of Web Development. Before you can become a web development generalist, you must have a strong foundation in the fundamentals of web development. This includes learning basic coding languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP. You should also become familiar with popular frameworks such as React, Angular, and Vue.
Learn the Basics of Design. A great web developer generalist will have a good understanding of design principles and have the ability to create aesthetically pleasing websites. This includes learning the basics of color theory, typography, layout, and responsive design.
Develop a Solid Understanding of Server Administration. To become a web development generalist, you must also understand server administration. This includes learning how to set up hosting accounts, manage databases, and deploy applications.
Become Proficient in Content Management Systems. Content management systems such as WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla are popular tools for managing websites. A web development generalist should be able to use these tools to create custom websites and manage content.
Learn the Basics of Search Engine Optimization (SEO). To ensure your website is seen by potential customers, you must understand the basics of SEO. This includes learning how to optimize content and create effective backlinks.
Develop Problem-Solving Skills. As a web development generalist, you will be expected to solve a wide range of technical problems. Developing problem-solving skills is essential for success in this role.
Stay Up-to-Date on Industry Trends. Technology changes quickly and web development trends are always evolving. To stay competitive, its important for web development generalists to stay up-to-date on the latest trends in the industry.

The rise of web development as a field of technology has caused an increased demand for skilled and competent web developers. As such, people who wish to pursue a career in web development must be willing to invest the time and effort necessary to gain the required skillset. This means learning the fundamentals of programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, as well as gaining experience with web frameworks like React or Angular.

web developers must understand how to write code that is both efficient and secure, as well as be knowledgeable on the latest trends in web design. With a commitment to learning and dedication to the craft, anyone can become a skilled and competent web developer.

You may want to check Tax Accounting Generalist, Systems Administration Generalist, and Manufacturing Operations Generalist for alternative.

Job Description

Front-End Web Developer: designs and develops web applications for customer-facing websites, utilizing HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other web technologies.
Back-End Web Developer: designs and develops the server-side of web applications, utilizing server-side scripting languages (such as PHP and Ruby) and databases (such as MySQL and MongoDB).
Full-Stack Web Developer: designs and develops complete web applications from the front end to the back end, utilizing a variety of client and server side technologies.
Web Designer: creates web page layout and designs, utilizing web design principles and graphic design tools (such as Adobe Photoshop).
UX/UI Designer: designs user interfaces for web and mobile applications, utilizing user experience principles and graphic design tools.
Web Developer Tester: tests web applications for functionality and performance, utilizing web testing tools and techniques.
Webmaster: maintains web servers, networks, and websites, utilizing web hosting technologies.
Content Management System Administrator: administers content management systems, such as WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla, utilizing server-side scripting languages and database technologies.
Database Administrator: administers databases, such as MySQL and MongoDB, utilizing database technologies.
Search Engine Optimization Specialist: optimizes websites for search engines, utilizing SEO best practices.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Programming Languages (e. g. HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, etc. )
Web Design and User Interface Design
Database Design and Management
Web Application Development
Content Management Systems
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Website Performance and Security
Cross-Browser and Platform Compatibiity
Web Standards and Accessibility
Responsive Design and Mobile Development
Web Hosting and Server Administration
Project Management and Client Relations

Having a strong knowledge of web development is essential for any business looking to expand their online presence. Web development is a complex process that involves many elements, from coding and designing to optimizing and troubleshooting. A web development generalist must possess a deep understanding of all aspects of the web development process, from the front-end user experience to the back-end server operations.

This includes a strong foundation in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other programming languages, as well as a familiarity with frameworks, libraries, and databases. A web development generalist must also be familiar with UX/UI design, website optimization, and user testing. By having this broad base of knowledge, a web development generalist can help a business create a cohesive web presence that meets the needs of their customers and helps them reach their goals.

Strategic Planning Generalist, Maintenance Generalist, and Leadership Development Generalist are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have with web development?
How do you debug a web application?
What is your experience with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript?
What web development frameworks have you worked with?
Describe a web project you have built and how you approached it.
How do you stay up to date with emerging web technologies?
What challenges have you faced developing web applications?
How do you collaborate with other developers and designers?
What tools and techniques do you use for testing web applications?
What techniques do you use to optimize the performance of a website?

Common Tools in Industry

HTML/CSS. HTML and CSS are the foundational languages of the web. They are used to create and style websites. (eg: HTML for structure, CSS for styling)
JavaScript. JavaScript is a scripting language used to create interactive web experiences. (eg: creating dynamic elements on webpages)
Database Management Systems. Database Management Systems (DBMS) are used to store and manage data. (eg: MySQL for storing customer information)
Version Control Systems. Version control systems are used to manage source code, track changes, and collaborate with other developers. (eg: Git for tracking code changes)
Content Management Systems. Content Management Systems (CMS) are used to create and manage content on websites. (eg: WordPress for creating and managing blog posts)
Web Servers. Web servers are used to host websites and provide access to them on the internet. (eg: Apache for serving dynamic content)
Testing Tools. Testing tools are used to test websites and ensure they meet quality standards. (eg: Selenium for automated testing)

Professional Organizations to Know

World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)
International Webmasters Association (IWA)
Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)
International Association of Webmasters and Designers (IAWMD)
The Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP)
Web Standards Project (WaSP)
Drupal Association
Open Source Initiative (OSI)
Web Developers Network (WDN)

We also have Retail Operations Generalist, Customer Service Generalist, and Public Relations Generalist jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

HTML. HyperText Markup Language is a standard markup language used for creating webpages.
CSS. Cascading Style Sheets are used to define the look and feel of a webpage using a set of styles.
JavaScript. A scripting language used to create interactive webpages.
Responsive Design. A design approach that allows a webpage to be viewed on different devices and screen sizes without distortion.
Web Hosting. A service that provides internet users access to websites hosted on servers.
Database. A structured set of data used to store information and facilitate retrieval by users.
Content Management System (CMS). A software application that allows users to manage and update content on a website.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO). The process of optimizing a website to increase its visibility in search engine results.
User Experience (UX). The overall experience of a user navigating and interacting with a website or application.
Web Standards. Guidelines for developing websites that ensure compatibility across devices and browsers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Web Development Generalist?

A Web Development Generalist is a professional who creates and maintains websites, web applications and other related digital products. They have expertise in a variety of areas including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, server-side scripting, databases, and web hosting.

What type of skills do Web Development Generalists need?

Web Development Generalists need to have strong knowledge of programming languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and server-side scripting, as well as experience working with databases and web hosting. Additionally, they need to be proficient in UI/UX design and be able to create user interfaces that are both visually appealing and easy to use.

What tools do Web Development Generalists use?

Web Development Generalists typically use tools such as text editors, content management systems, version control systems, databases, web hosting, and other software tools to create and maintain websites and web applications.

How many years of experience do Web Development Generalists typically have?

The amount of experience required for a Web Development Generalist will depend on the specific job requirements. Generally speaking, most Web Development Generalists will have at least 3-5 years of experience in the field.