Is a web development career stressful? - Alpha Efficiency.™ (2024)

Whether you are just about to start a career in web development or looking for an opportunity to change your profession, you might be wondering how stressful a web development job really is. Considering the health consequences a prolonged exposure to stress can cause, this is a totally legitimate question.

In this article, seasoned web developers from Alpha Efficiency will try to give you a better insight into the stresses you can expect if you opt for a web development career. After that, we will give you tips for reducing stress and achieving a better work-life balance as a web developer.

Table of Contents

• What is a Web Developer?
  • Front-end web developer responsibilities
  • Back-end web developer responsibilities
• 4 things that cause stress in web development
• How to handle your deadlines?
• What are the most stressful tech jobs

What is a Web Developer?

A web developer is a professional whose job is to build visually appealing and functional websites for clients. They design, develop, test, and maintain the website’s code, as well as its graphics, layout, and user interface. A web developer has to know how to write an error-free website code from scratch but also needs to have knowledge about online marketing and SEO in order to be able to build a solid foundation for a client’s online success. A web development career is very dynamic, as the website creation processinvolves utilizing both technical and analytical skills. But is web development stressful for newcomers in terms of finding a job?

Opportunities for career web development offers are various. And according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we are about to witness rapid growth in web developer jobs in the next few years. The good news is that you don’t need a bachelor’s degree to start a career in web development. With just an associate degree, potential jobs for you in the web development industry might include, but are not restricted to:

• Software development:There are two main types of software developers: application software developers and system software developers. Understanding the difference between those web developer jobs will allow you to choose the right career path. Application software developers create and maintain the user interface of a software application. On the other hand, system software developers develop the underlying system that makes the application work. They may also create or modify the user interface.
• UX design:User experience (UX) designers are responsible for the overall design and experience of a website or a mobile app. They need to understand the customer’s needs and wants and then create a design accordingly. UX designers also work with other website or mobile app developers to ensure the product is easy to use and meets the client’s quality standards.
• Cyber security:Cyber security web developers are responsible for creating and maintaining the security of clients’ websites. They may also be involved in developing new website features to ensure they are not easy to penetrate during hacker attacks. If you choose this career path, you will also need to keep track of necessary website updates and patching vulnerabilities.
• Graphic design:A graphic designer is responsible for the overall look and feel of a website. They work closely with web developers to create a website design that meets the needs of the client’s business. Suppose you decide to start a career as a graphic designer. In that case, you might also have to work with content writers to make sure the website content is accurate, organized, and visually appealing. And by working with the marketing team, your task will include creating effective and appealing web graphics.

Web development jobs fall under two main categories: front-end development and back-end web development. To help you better understand is web development stressful, Let’s learn more about the responsibilities and requirements for both the front-end and back-end positions:

What are the responsibilities of front-end web developers?

Front-end web development is a type of web development that involves creating the user interface for a website. That includes designing the look and feel of the website and ensuring it performs well with both users and search engines. Front-end web developers work with back-end developers to create overall websites. They need to have knowledge in:

• Writing front-end code
• HTML
• CSS
• JavaScript

What are the responsibilities of back-end web developers?

The back-end web developer’s responsibilities include developing the website’s back-end, which includes the code that runs on the server and interacts with the user. This code is responsible for handling all the tasks that don’t involve displaying or handling user input. Developers who take a back-end position also work on the website’s design, layout, and overall functionality. If you are looking to land a back-end web developer job, you need to become prolific in programming languages and tools, such as:

• Java
• C#
• PHP
• MySQL
• Python
• Ruby

Since back-end web development requires more programming languages expertise, it is often considered more challenging to learn than front-end web development. However, while this might be true for an entry-level, becoming an expert in either front-end or back-end requires a lot of patience and effort. Also, before planning your career path, it is good to understand the difference betweeniOS vs. web development, as it will allow you to choose the one that better suits your preferences.

Is Being a Web Developer a Stressful Job?

An answer to the question of whether web development is stressful or not largely depends on your personal stress tolerance levels, your role within a team, and your ability to establish a maintainable work-life balance.Web developer job satisfaction statssuggest that 4 out of 5 web developers are actually satisfied with their job.

There’s no doubt that being a web developer is a challenging job. But it doesn’t have to be stressful. In fact, there are many ways to make your web development career more enjoyable and less stressful. And considering that a web developer’s salary usually ranges from $55,000 per year to $115,000 per year, depending on the experience and skill set – you can expect all the efforts to pay off. There are many opportunities for career growth in the web development industry.

What Causes Stress In Web Development?

Understanding what causes stress for most web developers will help you gain a better idea of whether web development is stressful. The following factors usually prove to be the main roadblocks for web developers who aim to create a good work-life balance:

• Long working hours:More often than not, web developers work under tight deadlines, which can cause a lot of stress – especially when you need to work during the weekends. Also, before starting a career in web development, consider that it requires a lot of sitting in front of the computer, which can lead to long-term health consequences unless you implement a balanced diet and regular exercise. And to avoid eye strain, we recommend taking regular breaks during work hours and using computer glasses.

• Continuous learning:Technology is rapidly evolving. OurChicago custom web app developmentprofessionals aim to quickly learn how to use new tools and programming languages effectively. However, this need for constant learning might prove stressful for some web developers who find it difficult to keep up with the latest trends and shifts in the industry. And since it can be challenging to find a job if you are not keeping up with the latest technologies, many web developers become stuck in this endless stress cycle. To build a truly successful career in web development, you’ll need in-detail knowledge that will help you find the best solution for your clients.

• A competitive web development industry:The tech industry is quickly expanding, and it is becoming more and more competitive. You’ll need to convince clients that hiring you will prove beneficial for their business. And keep in mind that, besides web development agencies, many freelance web developers offer their services on Upwork and other platforms. For some web developers, competition can cause feelings of insecurity, which can lead to poor performance.

• Interacting with clients:To build a successful career in web development, you’ll need in-detail knowledge that will enable you to find the best solution for your clients and clearly explain your work. From time to time, you’ll need to explain complex subjects to business owners who have no prior knowledge about the development industry. Communication with clients is essential in web development, as both sides need to know what to expect before the project even starts. For this reason, besides working on upgrading web development skills, you’ll need to enhance your interpersonal skills as well.

How to Handle Deadlines

Whether web development is stressful or not also depends on your ability to meet deadlines. Agency’s ability to meet deadlines is vital for establishing long-term client relationships. However, while some web developers thrive under time pressure, for others, deadlines can be the leading cause of anxiety and diminished productivity.

If your team of web developers has trouble meeting deadlines, you might finda guide to managing your newly remote workershelpful. Applying the following techniques can help you make your web development business thrive by meeting all the client’s project demands within the deadline:

• Set realistic goals –Landing a new client is always exciting, but it is crucial not to let the excitement lead to unrealistic goals. From the very beginning, you need to explain to your clients that building a quality website cannot be done overnight. Also, many web developers work under unnecessary pressure just because they fail to precisely estimate the project completion time. In case you are not sure exactly how long the process might last, it is better to under-promise than set unrealistic deadlines. Setting realistic deadlines will save your team from a lot of stress later on.

• Establish a clear order – Building a website is a very complex task, and without a detailed plan, you risk getting stuck. You need to distribute roles across your team of web developers and ensure everyone knows their responsibilities. From the market research phase to the final click on the website launch button – a clear task order will help you achieve your goals within a deadline.

• Communicate with your team – once the roles are distributed and your team starts working on a client’s website, it is essential to schedule occasional check-ins. These will help you better understand the overall progress and let your team members consult with each other in case anyone needs help. Clear communication will allow you to quickly identify roadblocks that might be preventing your team from meeting a deadline and take necessary actions.

The most stressful tech jobs

Without any doubt, information technology managers can face many challenges during work hours. To help you understand if web development is stressful compared to other positions, we created this list of the most stressful jobs in the tech industry:

• Web Developer:An average salary web developers get is estimated to be around $68,000 per year, but it is expected to grow by up to 13 percent by 2028. Becoming anenterprise WordPress development expert requires a lot of dedication and hard work. But considering a good salary and all the satisfaction you get after a client’s website performs well on the internet, it is worth investing time and energy into mastering web development skills. It is also important to bear in mind that you can start a career as a web developer without a bachelor’s degree, which can save you a lot of money.

• Technical Writer:Technical writers are responsible for creating documentation that helps developers and other technical professionals understand the inner workings of a web application or website. That includes everything from user manuals to API documentation. Technical writers usually need at least a bachelor’s degree to get hired. Their average salary is around $69,000 per year.

• Data Scientist: Data scientists are responsible for extracting meaning from data to make informed decisions. They use their mathematics, statistics, and machine learning skills to develop models that can help businesses understand their customers, predict future trends, and optimize their operations – usually under tight deadlines. It is a relatively new job, and the average salary for data scientists is nearly $125,000 – with an expected 18 percent growth by the end of the decade.

• Software Engineer:A software engineer designs, tests, and maintains the software that makes a company’s products work. They may also help to create new software. A software engineer typically has a bachelor’s degree in computer science or engineering. They may also have experiences in another technical field, such as mathematics or physics. It is among the best-paid jobs in the tech industry, with an average salary being nearly $98,000.

• Computer systems analyst:A computer systems analyst is responsible for managing and operating a company’s computer systems. They work with the information technology (IT) department to ensure that the company’s systems are functioning correctly and meet the needs of the business. They also work with the marketing, sales, and customer service departments to ensure that the company’s customers can access the systems they need. The average salary for computer system analysts is around $83,000, with an expected growth rate of up to 21 percent by 2024.

Contact us

As you can see, web development is indeed challenging. However, the right work-life balance and time-managing skills will allow you to make the web development career much less stressful than it usually is. We at Alpha Efficiency believe that only satisfied employees can be productive. That’s why we follow the best practices for eliminating stressors in the work environment.

Whether you are a seasoned web developer or looking to start a career in the industry – feel free to get in touch with Alpha Efficiency. Send us your application today to find out more about the growth opportunities ourweb development company in Chicagooffers.