what is a front-end developer?
As a front-end developer, you are responsible for building the front end—also known as the client side—of a website or application. You combine your artistic abilities with your ability as a coder to build functional and attractive front ends that meet accessibility requirements. While the most obvious concern you face is with the appearance of your front end design, you are also expected to optimise your code to ensure it performs as well as possible.
Being primarily concerned with the user-facing aspects of an application or website, you work closely with other developers to ensure that the whole operation functions as desired. These may include UX and graphic designers but most commonly include back end developers.
Depending on the organisation you work for, you may work on a single product or service or provide front end development services for a wide range of clients. Websites and applications are essential for a wide range of industries, so there are many potential businesses for an aspiring or established front-end developer to work in.
Does the pragmatic yet artistic nature of front end development sound like something that suits your skill set? If so, read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need, as well as more information about the job itself.
view rolesaverage salary of a front-end developer
A front-end developer in India earns an average of ₹6,80,500 per year, a figure that falls almost exactly in the middle of the potential pay range for this role. Entry-level front-end developers can expect to earn closer to ₹4,33,700 per year, while the highest-earning developers can earn as much as ₹8,72,789 per year. Several factors can affect your pay, however.
factors that affect front-end developer's pay
One of the more influential factors in your salary as a front-end developer is your skill level. You will need to be able to demonstrate your skill to a potential employer, often through a portfolio. Another factor is experience. While you can demonstrate your skillset relatively easily, your experience level is an added enhancement. As a result, employers usually look for a certain level of experience from their front-end developers.
Finally, the company you work for and its location will play a part, with some locations having higher salaries on average than others.
types of front-end developer
For the most part, the role of front-end developer is a single profession, and you will be expected to know your way around the different aspects of the job. Developers can specialise further within the role, and some of the more common types of front-end developers can be found here:
- web designer: as a pure web designer, you focus on the design of the website (or application) and will not need to know a great deal of coding to fulfil this duty. You ensure that any websites you work on run smoothly on a range of platforms.
- user interface and user experience designers: also known as UX designers, user experience and user interface designers are primarily concerned with how the front end performs for the end user. That includes things like accessibility—ensuring all users can access the site
- mobile developer: in a world of responsive web design, the need for dedicated mobile developers is becoming less pressing. However, in the world of applications, mobile developers are perhaps the most sought after. As the name suggests, in this role you will focus on developing front ends for mobile devices, such as phones and tablets.
- wordpress developers: as a WordPress front-end developer, you specialise in the WordPress content management platform. You help your clients to create unique websites that meet their needs within the existing platform.
working as a front-end developer
As a front-end developer, you combine artistic and design skills while approaching your work pragmatically to ensure proper functionality. Below are some of the more specific tasks and responsibilities the job entails.
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duties and responsibilities
The specific duties of a front-end developer include:
- converting designs into functional web pages: whether you work on a team with designers or design the website yourself, you will convert those designs into functional web pages. You ensure that your final design matches the original design as closely as possible without significantly affecting the user experience.
- maintaining and improving: websites and applications are never really finished. You maintain the code of your websites, ensuring everything stays in its optimal form even as browsers and web technologies change. You also look for ways to improve the design and performance when possible.
- optimising websites: while internet connections are getting faster, the amount of content on an average website is also increasing. You optimise your sites to ensure they run as smoothly as possible, whether on a desktop computer or a mobile phone.
- testing and updating: changes need to be made all the time when dealing with front ends, but those changes need testing to ensure they work as intended.
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work environment
Your immediate environment as a front-end developer is a typical office space. You will likely be working with other developers who share this space with you. It is not uncommon for companies to develop creative spaces for designers and other creative staff.
Beyond the office walls, your environment can vary significantly. As front-end developers are needed in a wide range of industries, you could find yourself working in any number of settings. However, the industry your employer operates in is unlikely to make much difference to your work environment.
It is also possible to work remotely in this role, though homeworking arrangements depend on negotiations with your employer.
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who are your colleagues?
Being a front-end developer is a specialism within software development. As such, you mostly work with other developers, some of whom may have different specialities, such as web designers, UX designers and backend developers. You can also work with cloud engineers, data engineers and full stack developers.
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work schedule
Like most office jobs, you will likely work a typical week of Monday to Friday, with hours close to 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. This 40-hour week will likely include some degree of overtime, particularly around deadlines. Part-time work is available in this role, and some front-end developers are freelancers who work on a contract basis.
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job outlook
If you are looking to embark on a career in web development, being a front-end developer helps to establish yourself in that world and ensures you have valuable experience. Regarding the job itself, front-end developers are in fairly high demand in India, ensuring that there should be plenty of opportunities for someone looking to break into this profession. It is possible to move on from a front-end developer role to a management role, though this step would require extensive experience and additional qualifications.
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advantages of finding a front-end developer job through randstad
Finding your front-end developer job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid on a monthly basis
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a front-end developer is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
education and skills
Qualifications are important in getting a job as a front-end developer, but not as essential as they are for many other roles. You should aim to have at least a bachelor's degree in computer science or something similar to improve your chances of being hired. You also need demonstrable skills in the appropriate areas, such as using design software and coding in the relevant languages. In front end development, you are adept at writing in HTML, CSS, and Javascript, though employers may have specific requirements regarding what certifications you should have.
skills and competencies
Some of the qualities of a front-end developer include:
- problem-solving: whether there is a conflict between the reference design and the technical possibilities or a specification your development must address, problem-solving skills are essential.
- communication skills: as a developer with a specialism, you usually work with other specialist developers. Good communication skills ensure your ability to communicate all necessary information to your colleagues.
- coding competency: coding is less of a hard requirement for front end development due to the languages in use being high-level and relatively straightforward. You will have demonstrable proficiency in languages like HTML, CSS, and Javascript.
FAQs about working as a front-end developer
FAQs about working as a front-end developer:
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how much does a front-end developer earn in India?
front-end developers in India earn, on average, around ₹6,80,500 per year, though the salary range for this profession in India can be as low as ₹4,00,000 and as high as ₹9,00,00.
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which language is mostly used in front end development?
The most commonly used language in front end development is HTML (HyperText Markup Language), which is used in conjunction with CSS (cascading style sheets). Javascript is also quite common.
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is SQL front end or back end?
SQL is a backend system for building and accessing databases.
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does front end require coding?
While the level of coding for a front-end developer is nowhere near the amount required for back end development, it is still necessary. You write web pages in HTML and CSS and create dynamic elements using Javascript.
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how do I apply for a front-end developer vacancy?
Applying for a front-end developer job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!