What Does a Front-End Developer Do?

A front-end developer creates websites and applications using web languages such as hypertext markup language (HTML), cascading style sheets (CSS), and JavaScript, allowing users to access and interact with the site or app. When you visit a website, the design elements come from a front-end developer’s work. 

Contrast this with back-end developers, who develop the behind-the-scenes portions of a website or application, like data storage, security, site performance, or other server-side functions. Read on to delve deeper into front-end developers’ work duties, salary, and job prospects. 

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What does a front-end developer do?

Front-end developers create the user interface (UI) that determines what each part of a site or application does and how it will look.

If someone wanted to build a website, for example, they might hire a front-end developer to create the site's layout. The front-end developer determines where to place images, what the navigation should look like, and how to present the site. Much of their work involves ensuring the appearance and layout of the site or application are easy to navigate and intuitive for the user.

“I've always found crafting polished user interactions that surprise and delight users to be the most rewarding and engaging task,” says Mari Batilando, a software engineer at Meta. “To do this, you need to both have an eye for detail and a rock-solid understanding of the platform.”

Front-end vs. back-end: What's the difference?

What's the difference between a front-end developer and a back-end developer? Back-end developers work to develop the behind-the-scenes portions of a website or application, like data storage, security, site performance, or other server-side functions.

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Front-end developer salary and job prospects

According to Glassdoor, the average base salary for a front-end developer in the UK is £41,212 [1]. Factors like education level, experience, or certifications may affect how much you earn. For example, a senior front-end developer position can allow for an average annual income of £54,903 per year [2]. 

Experts expect front-end development will continue being in demand for years—in the UK and worldwide. 

Benefits of being a front-end developer

The demand and flexibility of this position mean you will encounter many career opportunities across various industries and locations. Whether that means working with a non-profit organisation, starting your own freelance business, or being an in-house developer for a company, you’ll likely have the chance to find a role that fits your interests.

The computer-heavy nature of the job also means plenty of opportunities to work remotely. Being a front-end developer can mean being able to work for companies across the country—or even the globe—from the comfort of your home.

A career as a front-end web developer can stimulate your creativity and problem-solving skills. This field is constantly evolving to incorporate new technology, and it can be rewarding if you like to learn new things and face challenges.

How to become a front-end developer

You’ll need both technical and workplace skills to excel in front-end development. Some of the most prominent technical skills you’ll want to have as a front-end developer are:

• HTML, CSS, and JavaScript: These three languages are essential to anyone who wants to work in front-end development. HTML, CSS, and JavaScript determine the page's look and functionality. 

• Frameworks: Frameworks are tools required for JavaScript and CSS to perform how you want them to. Having a solid understanding of them is crucial for creating page structures.

• Developer tools and software: Software like version control, which tracks and controls changes in your source code, is critical to allow you to make changes without starting over. Understanding how to use many software development tools is a building block to a successful career. 

In addition to understanding the technology that drives a website, having specific workplace skills can make you a better candidate for becoming a front-end developer. Below are a few you’ll want to keep in mind:

• Creativity

• Problem-solving

• Communication

• Teamwork

Get started as a front-end developer

By merging design with technology, front-end development helps transform visual concepts into engaging websites. If you’re new to front-end development, try starting with an introductory course, such as Meta's Introduction to Web Development, or consider enrolling in the Meta Front-end Developer Professional Certificate, taught by Meta staff, to build job-ready in-demand skills. You'll be able to learn fundamentals like HTML and CSS and gain essential experience using them, typically within seven months. 

From there, you can start exploring other courses and areas, such as creating interactive user experiences with programmes like the Responsive Website Development and Design Specialisation, to hone your skills and move closer to a career in front-end development.

Glossary of front-end developer terms

• CSS (cascading style sheets): The language used to create the layout, colour, style, and so on of the pages you create with HTML  

• Frameworks: A platform for developing software consistently, efficiently, and accurately 

• HTML (hypertext markup language): The basic building block needed to develop websites, a language that allows you to make notes in digital documents that are different from regular text 

• JavaScript: The programming language of developers that determines what the page will do 

• UI (user interface): The graphical layout of an application

• UX (user experience): How a user interacts with the application 

• Version control: The process of tracking and controlling changes to your source code