Many professionals have adapted to hybrid or fully remote work schedules in recent years, and web developers are no exception.
Web developers often work in offices, but they can also do their work from home. It’s possible to have a fully remote or hybrid work schedule as a web developer – all you need is a dependable computer and internet connection. Some companies will even provide necessary equipment for remote workers.
Read on to learn more about how web developers do their work from home. This article will discuss the web developer’s work life, including how many hours they work and what kinds of settings they usually work in.
Do Web Developers Work in Offices?
Most full-time web developers work in offices, although some work from home. Typically, web developers are employed by companies that rent office space for them, and also provide them with the necessary computer and Internet equipment.
These companies usually work with computer systems, publishing, technical consulting, or advertising and public relations.
How Often Can Web Developers Work From Home (How Many Days per Month)?
Freelance web developers and those who do contract work can often do all of their work from home, but traditional companies also increasingly offer flexible or hybrid work schedules. Web developers can usually work at least eight days from home each month, depending on the company’s schedule.
What Equipment Do Web Developers Need?
If you’re going to work from home as a web developer, you need to ensure that you have the right equipment. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck waiting on slow programs and be more likely to see your sites crash.
Web developers need high-performing computers with significant memory and storage space, as well as high-speed internet to download and upload information regularly.
This equipment is key to helping them write computer programs and using software to develop websites.
Experts recommend an internet download speed of 100 Mbps at a minimum for heavy internet use. Web developers should strive for this because much of their work depends on having a fast internet connection.
Like many work-from-home employees, web developers often need to use video conferencing softwares, which adds another layer of strain onto the internet service provider.
Do Web Developers Work Long Hours?
Web developers typically work 40-hour workweeks, but they may work longer hours when working on major or complicated projects or when running close to a deadline.
Freelance web developers may also work longer hours than salaried web developers, but this depends on how many clients you take on and how you organize your schedule.
I have a detailed article about how many hours software engineers work on this link.
Is Web Development a Stressful Job?
Many companies rely on their websites to perform well to keep the business running, and when the website goes down or has an issue, it can threaten everything. Web developers need to be ready to tackle complex problems on the fly, which can be quite stressful.
That said, web development is steady work, and crises don’t happen every day.
Web development can be a stressful job. However, the day-to-day stress of a web developer has more to do with working alongside design and technology teams that might not see eye to eye and being the intermediary who clarifies what is possible for the website to interested parties.
Is It Hard To Be a Web Developer?
Web development can be a difficult job for entry-level employees. This is because it requires knowledge of coding languages and computer systems. It also requires logical thinking and creative problem-solving, both of which make the job a challenge.
However, many web developers find their work to be satisfying, regardless of the challenge.
Becoming a web developer is a challenge in and of itself. It requires knowledge of several coding languages and computer science concepts. Most web developers go through rigorous training, whether an intensive technical boot camp or a four-year degree in computer science or software engineering.
It needs to be said though, that becoming a front-end developer is one of the easiest and fastest careers to get a job without the degree. Web development is also a huge industry that is on the rise so there are always many jobs available.
Can You Train To Be a Web Developer Online?
You can train to become a web developer online. There are many different routes available, but one of the most promising is to take part in an online boot camp. These include Actualize, App Academy, FullStack Academy, and Flatiron School.
Most boot camps include both programming training and career coaching, which helps their graduates land a job even if they’ve never met another programmer face-to-face. Online programs have robust mentorship programs even though they’re remote. They may even be better than traditional models since they can bring people together across large distances.
You can also learn on your own online, thanks to numerous coding practice websites and freestanding online courses. You’ll find plenty available from Code Academy and Coursera that require little to no tuition fees. If you work at it full time, you should be able to teach yourself enough to land a job in just a few months.
One great thing about web development is that it’s very portfolio-based. Because you can code websites from a home computer, you can land jobs from a home computer. You’ll just need to make sure that you have a solid internet connection and plenty of memory for running the necessary software and development servers.
How To Get a Remote Job in Web Development
If you’re looking to get a remote job in web development, the best thing that you can do is scope out job boards specifically catered towards remote work. There are plenty of companies looking for remote workers – you just need to know where to look.
Best Job Boards for Remote Workers
Most job boards give you the option to search for remote jobs, but there are also job boards used specifically by companies offering remote work options for their employees. These boards typically have more postings available than what you’ll find with a filtered search on a standard site because employers will post on these sites specifically looking for remote employees.
FlexJobs
FlexJobs is a job board for remote work that includes full-time and part-time options. This board is great for people who work in tech, like web developers. It costs $14.99 a month for candidates and is free for companies posting jobs. The site also offers articles and resources related to job searches.
JustRemote
JustRemote hosts job postings across a wide range of remote work opportunities, including web development. JustRemote is free to use but has an advanced search feature that you can pay $12 per month to access. This advanced search, called PowerSearch, shows you hidden jobs that companies have available but aren’t paying to advertise.
AngelList
AngelList is a job board for remote workers that charges no fee for job seekers. The site allows you to create a profile for employers to see. The profile takes the place of a resume, and you can apply for jobs without submitting any paperwork. The hiring process on AngelList happens very quickly.
Hubstaff Talent
Hubstaff allows you to search for full-time remote jobs, as well as freelance work and fixed-price contracts. It hosts job postings across many different industries, including web development and other technology-based jobs, and this service is free to use both for candidates and employers.
Pangian
Pangian is another online hub for remote job seekers and employers, unique in that it connects remote workers from over 121 countries. The job board currently hosts nearly 13,000 jobs, many of which are in technology fields, including web development. The site also hosts forums for seekers and employers to chat and exchange information.
We Work Remotely
WeWorkRemotely is a great job board for web developers and programmers who want to find a remote job. The site is focused on reaching this demographic and has plenty of relevant postings. However, the processing time for applications and interviews is slower than you’d expect on an average job posting site.
Jobspresso
Jobspresso is a high-volume, big-name job board where you can find postings from top companies in many industries. However, they’re very focused on providing job postings and less focused on providing career guidance, so their additional resources are lacking. That said, they post very often, and it’s a great site to check daily for new options.
How To Know if a Remote Job Is Right for You
Remote work means being at home by yourself, working for extended periods every day. That means that if you rely on your job for socialization and need in-person communication, rather than just video conferences and phone calls, you (and your work) might suffer.
That said, many people enjoy the flexibility that work-from-home offers and like setting up their work environment. People who live with pets or family may appreciate being close to them while working, and those who would otherwise commute a long distance may appreciate spending less time in the car – and having more time to themselves at the end of the work day.
If you’re unsure if remote work is right for you but are interested, you can consider trying a hybrid position that allows you to work from home part of the time. This kind of schedule is becoming increasingly common in the workplace, including in web development.
Tips for Working From Home Effectively
Working from home can be a challenge, even if your work lends itself to it. Web development is no exception. The best way to handle the challenge is to gather all of the information that you can about it ahead of time and plan accordingly. That way, you won’t be surprised or left struggling.
The following are tips to consider when working from home to make the process easier and smoother:
- Maintain your regular work hours. Although it may be tempting to work on your own time and take many breaks, you must keep a rhythm going and not lag. You can encourage yourself to keep to the schedule by creating a home routine for yourself that’s centered around making time for work.
- Schedule breaks in the day. Just as important as keeping to a schedule, taking breaks will allow you to step away from your computer and take a minute of reprieve before continuing. This is especially important if you feel like your ever-present home office is calling to you day and night.
- Establish policies for home interactions while working. This is important whether you’re cohabitating with children, a partner, or pets – everyone should know when you’re available and when you’re not. Make sure that you create uninterrupted time in your day so that you can get your work done.
- Make sure that you get out of your house every day. When you’re working and living in the same place all day long, it can begin to feel claustrophobic. Make sure that you take breaks from working and take breaks from being in the home.
- Make yourself a dedicated home office. Having a dedicated office space at home will allow you to separate work and home life, and it will give you the space you need to work in a focused, uninterrupted way.
- Make a point to socialize with your coworkers. Getting along with colleagues makes everything about the workflow better, so don’t miss out on opportunities to get to know people. Take advantage of the communication systems you do have and use them to their fullest.
What Jobs Can You Do From Home?
There are numerous jobs that you can do from the comfort of your own home, including web development. In general, jobs that you can do from a computer are easy to do from home, provided you have access to the equipment you need.
Best Jobs To Work Remotely
This is a list of some of the best jobs to do from home, based on the availability of remote work and the ease of performing your duties from a home office:
- Web Developer
- Marketing Consultant
- Medical Coder
- Translator
- Paralegal
- Writer
- Bookkeeper
- SEO Specialist
- Transcriptionist
- Graphic Designer
What these jobs have in common is that they all involve working with ideas and information, which can be transmitted remotely over the internet.
Conclusion
Web developers can work from home sometimes, but it depends on the company. If you’re looking for a work-from-home job, there are boards that you can go to to find one, and there are plenty of available postings for web developers.
No matter whether you work from home or in-office, you can expect to work at least 40 hours a week as a web developer.
