So you want to be a web developer in the Philippines? Well, it’s the perfect time to do so, seeing as skills related to web development are high in the 2023 list of in-demand hard skills in the Philippines on LinkedIn.
However, it’s one thing to know that web development has a hand in building websites. It’s a completely different ballgame to know Front End and Back End web development. Don’t worry, the terminology may seem big, but we’ll let you in on some trade secrets.
As with every industry, it’s best to know what a web developer is actually like in your area. With that, let’s start with the ins and outs of being a web developer in the Philippines.
The Philippines and the Web Development Industry
There are several reasons why web development (or IT-related professions) is a key employment generator in the Philippines. Firstly, excellent communication skills and English proficiency (alongside amazing hospitality) among the Filipino people. This then began a foundation of call centers in the country that would eventually grow as we know it today.
The nation began initiatives to keep the workforce ready and prepared for the industry. This included basic digital literacy training and technology skills (including web development). The Philippines has the technological talent to back up the high global demand and even with avenues for further upskilling.
Working with Local and International clients
Now a hub for global businesses, being a web developer from the Philippines you may be expected to work with clients from across the sea. With this comes exciting new opportunities and the chance to connect with cultures different from yours. This also means that work setups will not always be the same:
Remote. Through remote work, you will have the opportunity to work from any other space outside of a traditional office. Working remotely can sometimes solve a recurring danger of being a web developer: fatigue from working in the same space and position. Having a bit more freedom in your workspace and flexibility with how you work means you can work standing up when you’re tired. Take a walk to have a break. You can even work in a coffee shop for some fresh air!
Onsite. Working in an office helps with the isolation web developers may feel from sitting at their desks for long periods. You will be able to work with your team closely with a better sense of collaboration between one another. You will be able to get real-time feedback on your code or work together on specific parts of the project. Of course, you can get the same level of collaboration when working remotely. It’s just nice to see your team in person. Hey, nothing beats morning trips to the coffee shop with your team!
Hybrid. Simply put, a hybrid schedule gives you both setups in small amounts. Some days you work onsite, and some days you work remotely. It gives a different kind of flexibility, but none of them is superior to the other. It will always depend on how you and your team work together.
Types of Web Developers
Front End Web Developers Make the Website Interactable
Now, let;s say you want to work on the foreground elements of a website. Then being a Front End developer might just be exactly what you need! You’ll be in charge of ensuring that the User Interface (UI) and the user experience (UX) works well. It will be your duty to work with the UI designers in seeing that the website is both easy on the eyes, but also fully functional. This involves implementing the design interface, and writing code to implement these designs using various front end development technologies such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript, and front-end frameworks like React or Vue.js.
Additionally, Front End Developers also ensure that the website is optimized for performance and is responsive on different devices. If a website’s page is straightforward and works seamlessly, then thank your local Front End developer for that. If you’re looking to optimize the user experience, then you must be destined for that Front End developer title.
Back End Web Developers Works Behind the Scenes
Here is where the server-side logic and functions of a website are built and maintained. You’ll be handling how the website performs its core functions, having the browser communicate with the database, storing data, and making sure that website is fully functional behind the scenes. Being a Back End Developer also requires understanding in different programming languages like Java, Python, PHP or Ruby to create scalable and up to date web applications.
Since your work is fundamental to the entire website’s build and security, you will have to make sure that your script is functional and follows a well planned infrastructure. It needs to be simple enough for the client to understand, and adaptable enough that it can be passed on to anyone after you lay out the foundations. If all this sounds good to you then Back End web development is exactly what you need!
Full Stack Web Developers Get the Best of Both Worlds
If you’re looking to try both, then you’re looking to be a Full Stack developer. Simply speaking, a Full Stack developer is someone who has a more comprehensive understanding of web development and is capable of working on a web development project from start to finish. This does not entirely mean you’ll be a master of neither or even a master of both. But being a Full Stack web developer means you have the capability of designing and implementing both the user-facing and server-side functionality of web applications.
You will also be handling any programming needs that overlap between the two. More often than not, Full Stack developers come into managerial roles, seeing as they can oversee the development of both sides.
User Interface Designers Have an Eye for the Visuals
It’s also worth mentioning that there is a specific area of web development that involves the comprehensive review of the design process. If you want to take a dive into understanding your target audience, their preferences and behavior then being a User Interface designer could be exactly what you’re looking for.
The designer’s job is to understand which visual element or cues would work best with the target users. You may be tasked with understanding how competitors or similar websites work, and see if there are any to implement or change based on customer/client feedback. UI designers should also always have design principles in their minds. There are several books on interaction design principles and style guides for taste inspiration, so it’s never too late to study up.
The development process starts with a wireframe, a barebones model of the website where you and the other developers will get a general overview. The wireframe will eventually lead to an actual prototype, then a final testing. You can start looking into different key industry tools like design softwares for asset making, and prototyping tools for wireframe building and to test out prototypes.
The UI designer and Front End Developers work together in making the user-side of the website squeaky clean and functional. Because a website with pretty elements is one thing. How you arrange those elements is a completely different arena.
So, Where Can You Begin as a Web Developer in the Philippines?
Well, looking up job boards is your best bet! We’ve got some stuff over at our Careers page that you can check to see if any of them are a good fit. We’d love to have you on board and see what amazing opportunities this can lead you.
That being said, one of the beautiful things about being a web developer in the Philippines is the opportunities presented to you. Since the country is doubling up efforts to expand the industry, there is an abundance of places for development. It’s also an active scene of like-minded people to connect with.
There is also the fact that despite being a pretty advanced industry, web development is continuously growing and innovating. There will never be enough things to learn, so you can always count on your job to be exciting. Never a dull moment in the world of web development.
Citations:
Department of Labor and Employment. “Jobs Fit 2022: Labor Market Information Report.” DOLE, 2022.
Esquire Magazine. “These Are the Most In-Demand Professional Skills in the Philippines Right Now.” Esquire, 22 Feb. 2023.
Tsoneva, Dilyana. “11 essential UI/UX design books for beginners – Bootcamp.” Medium, 16 Dec. 2021,
