Web of choices
Nikita Singh

Aesthetics, ease of use, appropriate content and a variety of factors combine to create a website. Web developers work behind the scenes to create an immaculate website, one that is interesting, attracts more hits, retains customer attention and creates top-of-mind recall. Ease of navigation, consistency of overall layout, depth of content, originality, and quality of execution are a few prime factors to be considered when developing a website. Web development throws open an array of career opportunities.

Building websites

Web development comprises a set of functions that include building, designing, and supporting websites. Some overlap - such as programming and database administration. Others, such as web design and content management, generally don’t—though those responsible for either function will need to work closely together.

Net working

Web developers: They develop websites in coordination with the organisation for whom the website is being made. They decide on the hardware that the site should use, the software necessary to make it function properly, the appropriate design and navigation to attract users to the site in a manner that will add value to their business and create recall value, ensuring they visit the site regularly. To process all this information and reach it to the right people at the right time, involves a great deal of programming behind the scenes. People who generate these programmes for the web are called web developers.

In this Internet-oriented world, there is a wide scope for web programmers to prepare multiple applications for the Net. Web programming involves skills ranging from front-end tools like Java, VBScript, etc. and back ends like MS-SQL, ACCESS etc.

Programming the website for effective functioning falls within the purview of the web developer. Features like newsletters, community chats, discussion groups etc that impart a degree of interactivity to the website, make it more attractive to the user. Web developers are entrusted with setting up reporting tools and databases to gauge the amount of traffic and understand how they are using their time while surfing through the website.

Technical skills : You may be conversant in either Microsoft Technologies, Java Technologies, or any other such as will need a thorough understanding of technology tools used for building websites like ASP, JSP, Java, Dot Net, CGI, Perl and others. You will work on backend programming and decide on the database and hardware infrastructure on which the website is based. You will design the navigation tools and the front end (the design and navigation and tools used by site visitors, such as stock quotes, relocation calculators, polls etc.)

The user interface of your website should do full justice to the functional requirements of the client. User interface forms the bridge between the user and the technological back-end that is the backbone of all business sites today.

Webmaster: A webmaster is responsible for the overall look and feel of the website. Once the website has been built and tested, this person makes sure that the content remains current and accessible, refines structure and content as necessary, and evaluates both direct user feedback and the information from usage statistics to make sure the portal meets the needs of various groups.

A webmaster would be required to be conversant with the latest software tools in the market to upgrade his website and keep it on par with technology.

Design and graphics: The website is a huge chunk of text if there are no graphics associated with it. In order to stand out, a website requires a high level of aesthetic appeal.  It also needs to be informative so that the viewer gains an accurate picture of who your company is, as well what products/services you offer. A designer gives the website its unique appeal that reflects the corporate ethos. Aesthetics of

presentation, design and colour elements, navigation are a few functions that you will be responsible for as a graphics designer.

Knowledge of the latest graphics packages is essential.

Project manager / Website coordinator: Project managers work across functions to make sure projects end on time. This role requires communication, organisation and interpersonal skills. You will require an understanding of technology but will not action the work yourself. You will work in tandem with the client/organisation, coordinate between front-end and back-end to come up with a site that reflects the aspirations of the client/organization, supports the business objectives, has an easy flow and navigation etc.

While a Project Manager or a Website Coordinator would not need to know the ins and outs of the latest software, they would need a fair amount of knowledge of the basic tools used to build the website to perform their function well. Interpersonal skills are a must for this role.

Content developer: ‘Content is King’. Content developers are the main resource providers for the web. The heart of the World Wide Web is the subject matter on the Net. A content developer writes, edit and collates information that appears on the website. It is very important for the matter to be presented in a convincing, interesting and quality oriented manner, to generate a successful web site.

Flair for writing, ability to ferret information, edit and explain it are some essential qualities for a Content Developer. The ability to organise language and think critically and a desire to communicate to others are critical skills. A good sense of how to tell a story is also important, as is a mastery of the form in which your work appears.

Skill sets

Most jobs require both writing and editing skills. With opportunities existing on such a diverse scale, the skill sets required for a successful career in the IT industry vary as per your chosen field. Age is no barrier to education, more so in IT. On completing matriculation or intermediate, students can enroll themselves for 2-3 year courses that will help them acquire comprehensive IT skill sets. Graduates can also opt for 1-2 year-long specialised courses according to the field they prefer, like programming, web designing, etc.

For graduates in engineering looking for an entry into the IT field, the options are many. For example, an engineer may want to take up an intensive, high-end course in programming or networking, and likewise.

Those with inherent skills such as a penchant for writing or inclination towards arts, can hone their skills and veer them towards a particular field such as graphic designing, content development etc.

Says Atul Vohra, Head, Aptech Computer Education, “ Good courseware is that which keeps students in sync with industry demands. Large organisations have good placement cells that interact with organisations and help students acquire jobs."