Web developer duties cover building and maintaining websites and web applications, from the interface a visitor sees through to the server-side logic behind it. The specific mix depends heavily on whether the role is front-end, back-end or full-stack. This page sets out what a web developer does day to day, the responsibilities employers expect, the skills required, and how to phrase these duties on a CV or in a job description.
What Does a Web Developer Do?
A web developer builds the pages, features and systems that make a website or web application work. Front-end developers focus on what users interact with: layout, responsiveness, accessibility and browser behaviour. Back-end developers handle the server, database, business logic and integrations. Full-stack developers work across both, which is common in smaller South African teams and agencies.
The role usually extends past initial build into maintenance: fixing defects, applying security updates, improving performance and adding features as requirements change. Where the work is closer to application development than website delivery, the responsibilities overlap substantially with software developer duties.
Key Web Developer Duties and Responsibilities
- Building web pages and interfaces from designs or wireframes.
- Writing and maintaining front-end code using HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
- Developing server-side logic, APIs and database queries.
- Ensuring pages work across browsers, screen sizes and devices.
- Implementing accessibility standards so the site is usable by everyone.
- Optimising page load speed and overall performance.
- Integrating third-party services such as payment gateways, forms and analytics.
- Applying security practices including input validation and dependency updates.
- Testing work and fixing defects before and after release.
- Deploying changes and supporting the site once it is live.
- Maintaining content management systems and their plugins or extensions.
Alongside these, developers are usually accountable for the reliability and security of what they ship, and for flagging when a request cannot be delivered safely in the time available.
Daily Web Developer Duties
- Building or amending a feature against the current sprint or client brief.
- Testing work across browsers and devices before submitting it for review.
- Fixing reported bugs and investigating issues raised by users or monitoring.
- Reviewing a colleague’s code or having your own reviewed.
- Discussing a design or requirement with a designer, client or product owner.
- Applying updates to frameworks, libraries or CMS plugins.
- Deploying approved changes and confirming they behave correctly in production.
In agencies the day is often split across several client sites, which puts a premium on context switching and accurate time recording. In-house roles usually mean deeper work on a single product.
Web Developer Skills and Requirements
- HTML, CSS and JavaScript, with at least one modern framework or library.
- A server-side language such as PHP, Python, Node.js, C# or Java.
- Database fundamentals and the ability to write and optimise queries.
- Version control, typically Git, and an understanding of branching.
- Responsive design and cross-browser testing.
- Accessibility standards and why they matter legally and commercially.
- Performance optimisation, including images, caching and asset delivery.
- Basic security practice: validation, authentication and safe dependency management.
- Familiarity with hosting, DNS, SSL and deployment processes.
- Clear communication with designers, clients and non-technical stakeholders.
Many employers accept a demonstrated portfolio in place of a formal qualification, particularly for front-end roles. A relevant diploma or degree is more commonly required for larger or enterprise positions.
Web Developer Duties for a CV
Web development CVs are strengthened by evidence. Name the technologies, but lead with what you built, its scale and the measurable effect where you have it.
- Built and maintained twelve client websites on WordPress, including custom theme development.
- Rebuilt a product listing page, reducing load time from 4.1 seconds to under 1.5 seconds.
- Integrated a local payment gateway and reconciled failed transaction handling with the finance team.
- Implemented accessibility fixes that brought key templates in line with WCAG AA requirements.
- Migrated a legacy site to a new host with no loss of search visibility.
- Developed a REST API consumed by both the website and a mobile application.
Link a portfolio or repository where you can, since reviewable work carries more weight than a list of frameworks. For wording across related roles see Professional Job Duties.
Web Developer Job Description Template
When writing the advert, state clearly whether the role is front-end, back-end or full-stack, and name the actual stack in use. Vague adverts that list every technology attract applicants who match none of them well.
Specify whether the role includes design work, content management, client contact or hosting and server administration, since these are frequently bundled in without being stated. Be clear about maintenance expectations and any on-call requirement, and keep the duties limited to what the role genuinely covers.
FAQs
What are the main web developer duties?
The main duties are building web pages and features, writing front-end and server-side code, ensuring the site works across browsers and devices, integrating third-party services, optimising performance, applying security updates, testing and fixing defects, and supporting the site after release.
What are examples of web developer duties?
Examples include building a responsive product listing page, integrating a payment gateway, reducing load time through image and caching changes, implementing accessibility fixes, migrating a site to new hosting, and maintaining CMS plugins and dependencies.
How do web developer duties differ by workplace or seniority?
In agencies the role spans many client sites and often includes client communication and time recording. In-house roles go deeper on one product. Junior developers work on defined tasks, while senior developers take on architecture, code review and decisions about how a feature should be built.
How should web developer duties be written in a job description or CV?
On a CV, lead with what you built and its measurable effect, naming the stack in support rather than as the headline. In a job description, state whether the role is front-end, back-end or full-stack, name the actual technologies, and be explicit about design, content, hosting or client-facing responsibilities.
Which related duties page should I read next?
For application-focused development, read software developer duties. For other roles in this cluster, browse Professional Job Duties.