How we use the internet has changed dramatically over the past 10 years and shows no sign of settling down. Today, almost all businesses have their own website or eCommerce site to drive sales. Despite this, a common question people are asking is, will web development die in 10 years? As it becomes easier to build websites with little knowledge, the need for a specialist web designer may diminish, which has been discouraging people from going into web development for fear that they will never get a job. In this blog, we answer this question and address the factors impacting the web development industry in 2022.
Why is web development on the decline?
Web development refers to the building of a website, from its server hosting to coding all of its internal links. Web design, which ensures the website looks good and is a user-friendly experience, often comes into this, but these can be viewed as separate roles.
Nowadays, the use of automated website builders (such as WordPress or Wix) has integrated these two roles into one and makes it easier for anyone to be able to do both at once. It takes very little time to sign up and build your own website with all of the pages, logos and information you need easily inputted.
In addition to these, there are many website templates available that require little creativity to think up. Simple drag and drop functionalities make building a website incredibly easy.
So where does this leave web developers? Because anyone is able to use these platforms with little to no tech knowledge, there is less demand for web developers to be hired. It is often viewed as quicker, cheaper and easier to use a DIY web development platform instead. This seemingly leaves web developers out of a job.
Are web developers still needed?
Having said this, web developers still offer a precious set of skills. The coding knowledge that a web developer brings to the table is highly sought after for employers who are looking to build optimised sites rather than five-minute jobs that anyone could do. They keep up with the latest computer programming languages and web design trends to ensure your website is always up-to-date and fully functional.
Also, web developers can make a website truly unique and capable of achieving what you want from it, with interactive features and a user interface that works smoothly. DIY templates are generic and do not offer the level of specialisation which will impress visitors. They are more likely to suffer from errors if put together by someone who does not know what they are doing or be unsuitable for viewing on mobile, which is where the majority of visitors will come from.
Will web development die in 10 years?
So, with all of the above in mind, will web development die in 10 years? It’s clear that despite automated options becoming widely available, web developers offer a unique level of expertise that just isn’t achievable from a basic Wix or WordPress website.
Web developers will still be around in 10 years, but they will have to adapt to a new technological landscape. Offering a tailored approach to mobile and other device interface optimisation and eCommerce will become even more important than now. They may not be hired by businesses to build a website from scratch but may consider offering web development training or courses for those entering the world of tech.
More advancements and tools make a web developer’s job much more streamlined, which is a good thing as it allows them to focus on the bigger picture rather than getting bogged down in the details. They can focus instead on communicating with the client and offering a personalised service that DIY builders cannot.
Takeaway
The ability to write code and understand computer language is going to remain for as long as computers themselves, so even with automation on the rise, the need for web developers will change rather than die over the next 10 years.
Web developers at Fifteen are constantly keeping up to date with all of the latest web development technology and content management systems. So if you need help with your website, you can be sure you’re getting the best knowledge there is. Take a look at what services we can offer and get in touch if you have any questions.