A web developer is a professional who specializes in building and maintaining websites and web applications. Web developer's role can vary from project to project or company to company. Generally in larger organizations, a web developer can focus on specific roles and responsibilities whereas in smaller to medium companies, a web developer can be working with various technologies, and can be working as a full stack developer.
Let me break down various web developer roles based on roles and responsibilities.
Front-End web Developer
Front-end web developers focus on the visual aspect and interaction side of the website. In layman's terms, what you see as a website in your browser is a Front-End developer's role.
Front-end developers use various technologies like HTML, CSS, JQuery, and JavaScript ( and libraries). Their main responsibility includes making the website look visually appealing, responsive, fast and user-friendly.
Back-End web developer
Back-end developers handle the server-side aspect of the website. By server side, I mean retrieving data stored in the database and passing it on to the front end of the website for front-end developers to work on.
Based on the role, back-end developers can use one or many popular backend languages like PHP, Node.js, C#, and Python along with database systems like MySQL, MongoDB etc.
Full stack web developer
Full-stack web developers, on the other hand, can be proficient in both front-end and back-end. They can even be masters of server management and have a good command of Linux.
WordPress web developer
When I say WordPress Developer, for me it is more leaning towards full-stack web developers with expertise on HTML, CSS, JQuery, JavaScript, PHP and MySQL.
WordPress Developer is a type of web developer, mainly proficient in PHP, MySQL, HTML, CSS, JQuery and JavaScript. At the bare minimum, a WordPress Developer should be able to add and modify child themes if they are using pre-built themes. As easy as it sounds, with premium themes, things can be really easy to set up and roll the website, but once there are some major modifications needed, most of the time it takes a lot of time and effort.
WordPress developers are also expected to build custom themes, and plugins or modify plugin functionalities as needed. They have in-depth knowledge of WordPress core and API, to build custom solutions as desired.
WordPress web designer
WordPress has evolved so far that a good designer with working knowledge of WordPress web design can ship a functional website using premium themes or builders.
WordPress web designers are professionals who design websites based on WordPress or around popular page builders or themes. They may/may not be able to convert designs around themes and bring life to the design.
About Myself
I like to call myself a Full-stack WordPress Developer, as I design and develop all my websites. Apart from development, I also bring my skills in WordPress web design, SEO and Email Marketing.
