Overview

The Internet has completely revolutionized the way people live, how they shop, and how they do business. Any business that doesn’t have a vibrant web presence nowadays is considered behind the times. That’s precisely why web design and development is in such high demand; as the Internet grows more and more sophisticated, these businesses need web designers to help them stay current with the times and accesible to their customers. If you have the creative ability and the technical savvy, web design and development could be the perfect career for you.

Web developers know more than just the basic computer code to create websites; they know how to turn that code into visually pleasing, fast-loading websites that are certain to increase sales and visibility. As a web designer, you’ll identify the tools your clients need, such as e-commerce solutions, streaming video, blogs, or online chat, and you’ll integrate those elements into a web presence perfectly suited to those clients. Web design and development obviously requires a working knowledge of computers and code, a strong work ethic, and the willingness to spend a lot of time in front of the computer. But web designers are more than computer geeks; they are responsible for laying the virtual framework within which modern commerce operates. What better career choice could there be?

A web art director owns all website design and is responsible for building a cohesive web identity that builds upon and maintains the integrity and creativity of the brand online.

A successful web art director is a strategic thinker that plays a strong role in the brand evolution of the websites for which she/she is responsible. He/she will create original graphics and icons for use on the site; implement the web design parameters, style guides and visual standards; and establish and produce graphic material for use in advertising and promoting online services and products. Read More...

A director of user experience leads and manages the user experience team in a company or agency. The position is responsible for the customer experience for websites and web products, including interaction design, visual (graphics) design, user research and usability engineering. The goals for a director of user experience are to deliver a distinctive online customer experience enabling companies to deepen customer relationships and contribute to business growth.

The leader of user experience works closely with members of the executive staff, the product management & marketing organizations, and the engineering organization to deliver effective, usable designs that meet business needs and provide an excellent user experience. Read More...

A user experience designer will design and develop user interface solutions for websites and web applications. This position requires the ability to translate business needs into user-centric interface requirements.

A successful designer will demonstrate an understanding of the balance between efficiency and ease of use and business goals. He/She will design information structures and navigation flows that anticipate user paths and logical process flows. This will include developing flowcharts, wire frames, concept sketches, UI mockups, site maps, prototypes and content matrices. Also key is an understanding of user research, persona development, task analysis, conceptual design, detail design, and user testing. Read More...

A senior user experience designer/lead directs a team of interaction and visual designers, prototypers and user researchers in website and web application user experiences. This key role must interface with company stakeholders, including product management, user researcher, engineering, IT, QA, executive management and customers.

A senior user experience designer must have a broad understanding of complex, consumer-oriented systems and the methods for their creation, including participatory user-centered design and other iterative development methodologies. The position requires a critical thinker with a good design sense, leadership potential, and an eye for making things better. Read More...

A web section editor is responsible for all content and growing specific sections of a website. He/she works with a wide variety of reporters, freelancers and others in the gather and delivery of current, investigative news.

A web section editor may also be responsible for facilitating and monitoring discussion forums on the website and establishes relationships with chat technology vendors.

The position is a high level editorial post and is responsible for a variety of editorial duties, such as laying out, indexing, and revising content of written materials, in preparation for final publication. This position may also include technical editors. Read More...

A senior web editor has oversight of the content that goes onto websites. He/she writes, edits, proofreads, and copyedits a variety of documents, and plans and prepares stories for dissemination on a website. Story editing focuses on improving clarity and style while ensuring the content is accurate. He/she may also define and maintain the editorial calendar and may establish and maintain a style guide and editorial procedures for all written elements of the site. Read More...

Web developers are cross-functional, having responsibility for both technical and creative aspects of a website. They develop and maintain the front end look and feel of a site, as well as the back-end programming, database and applications.

Typically, web developers use their strong send of design, and firm knowledge of web standards to develop the interfaces, often called Graphical User Interfaces, for both software applications and basic web presentations. As they grow in their positions, Web developers can separate their specialties, excelling in their respective knowledge. These roles require full knowledge of web design principles and programming structures. Read More...

The person in the position as a web copy editor writes, produces, and edits a high volume of web content, ensuring consistency in style, tone, and quality of the organization’s site. He/she will work to complete assignments with fellow editors, writers and designers.

This job must have a thorough understanding of English language and grammar, as well as experience in writing for the web. Proof-reading is a major job function, requiring the ability to fix spelling, punctuation, grammar and syntax. This role will ensure company editorial style guides and standards are maintained. A web copy editor will also be required to modify and rewrite copy as necessary to ensure clarity and to improve structure. Read More...

The senior web content engineer, also known as a web content engineer III, develops and designs interfaces, front pages, and the tools to navigate a website. He/She performs unit testing at the page level; sets code standards and leads code reviews; reviews specifications and provides time estimates on the development of projects and features; and prioritizes projects and deliverables.

This job requires familiarity with a variety of the field’s concepts, practices, and procedures. He/She may be required to be experienced working with Microsoft and Solaris/Linux servers, MSSQL databases, and Oracle databases and have proficiency in programming languages such as: PHP, Java, JavaScript, .Net languages, Perl, PL/SQL and TSQL; and experience with Visual Studio 2008, SharePoint Designer, Toad, Eclipse and vi editors. Read More...

A web content engineer develops and designs interface, front pages, and the tools to navigate on Websites. He/she performs unit testing at the page level, sets code standards, leads code reviews, reviews specifications and provides time estimates on the development of projects and features, prioritizing projects and deliverables.

The web content engineer is familiar with commonly-used concepts, practices, and procedures for web development, such as Java technologies, AJAX, HTML, CSS, XML, etc. He/she relies on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job. He/she generally reports to a manager, working under immediate to general supervision. A certain degree of creativity and latitude is required. Read More...

The director of web content establishes and directs the strategic long-term objectives, policies, and procedures for an organization’s web content. Generally this position handles higher level liaison issues, supervising web content staff and ensuring that the site is in alignment with the branding guidelines and content strategy.

The director of web content sets the direction for composition and development of written and graphical content for websites, meeting company objectives, such as providing information on products and services or entertaining site visitors. He/She determines the long-term systems needs and hardware acquisitions to accomplish the business objectives of the organization. Read More...

A web surfer visits multiple websites to gather specific information to help an organization understand online user behavior. He/she reviews and catalogues websites according to established guidelines and prepares a content analysis of materials available on a website. This position may also accumulate, analyze and compare data that is found on websites.

The web surfer must have strong organizational and PC skills, and must be able to work independently to complete assignments in a timely manner.

Average Salary: $57,676

Top Salary: $125,515

Entry Level Salary: $36,668

Average Hours: 40

Union: No

Certifications/Education: High School Diploma, Undergraduate Read More...

A senior web producer oversees the content strategy, new features and technical objectives for Websites and Web projects. Senior web producers will manage a staff or outsourced team of editors, bloggers, writings, programmers, project managers, designers, to take ideas from concept to launch.

Senior web producers will have an in-depth knowledge of digital and technical trends, tools, technologies and social media best practices and web applications to ensure projects are cutting edge and current. He/She will continue to improve web user experience and quality. Part of his/her responsibilities may include educating clients and/or management about the differences in Internet communication tools and other forms of marketing and public relations efforts. Read More...

A web production assistant supports the daily activities for a company or client website. He/she works closely with a website production manager or webmaster with maintenance and management of content, and look and feel of sites.

Technical knowledge is expected, as this person may be required to build pages in HTML, understand CSS and JavaScript, manipulate photos in Adobe PhotoShop, be proficient in other Adobe creative tools, have a working knowledge of content management systems, and other technical skills. He/she may be asked to design pages with photos and copy for internal prototyping. Read More...