Web developer job description template: Everything you need to include

Web developers play an important role in creating and maintaining user-friendly websites and web-based applications. However, attracting the best candidates for these roles can take time and effort. 

The skills needed for these positions vary greatly depending on your organization’s tech stack, structure, and the product or service you sell. As a result, it’s essential to create a role description that accurately reflects the necessary skills to attract top-tier candidates. 

To help you out, we provide you with a useful template and guide you through creating a job description that attracts the best web developer applicants. With an emphasis on abilities, our template provides the ideal starting point for a skills-based approach to hiring. 

Web developer job description template

Job Title: Web Developer

Location: [Insert Location]

Reports To: [Insert Line Manager]

Job Type: [Full-time/Part-time/Contract]

About Us

[Company Name] is a [brief description of your company, e.g., innovative tech startup, well-established software solutions provider, etc.] with a focus on delivering high-quality digital products. We are passionate about creating exceptional web experiences that drive results for our clients. If you’re looking for a company that values creativity, teamwork, and a drive for excellence, we would love to have you on board.

Job Overview

We are seeking a talented Web Developer to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for developing, maintaining, and optimizing our web applications, ensuring they are responsive, user-friendly, and aligned with business needs. You will work closely with our design, product, and development teams to create visually appealing and highly functional websites and applications.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, test, and maintain custom web applications and websites.

• Collaborate with the design and product teams to translate visual mockups into code.

• Optimize applications for maximum speed and scalability.

• Troubleshoot and debug issues as they arise, ensuring smooth user experience.

• Write clean, well-documented, and efficient code.

• Stay updated with the latest industry trends and technologies to implement best practices.

• Conduct code reviews and provide feedback to ensure adherence to standards and quality.

• Work closely with stakeholders to understand project requirements and timelines.

Skills

• Proficiency in front-end technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, etc.).

• Experience with popular web development frameworks/libraries (e.g., React, Angular, Vue.js).

• Strong understanding of back-end technologies (e.g., Node.js, PHP, Python, Ruby on Rails, etc.).

• Familiarity with version control systems, such as Git.

• Knowledge of responsive design and cross-browser compatibility.

• Understanding of RESTful APIs and web services.

• Ability to troubleshoot, test, and maintain software applications and databases.

• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills and an eye for detail.

• Great communication skills and the ability to collaborate with stakeholders and across teams. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Web Development, or related field (or equivalent experience).

• [X] years of professional experience in web development.

• Experience with content management systems (CMS) such as WordPress, Drupal, or Joomla.

• Knowledge of SEO principles and web performance optimization.

• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) and CI/CD pipelines.

• Experience with UI/UX design principles is a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.

• Flexible working hours and remote work options.

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.

• Generous paid time off, including holidays and vacation days.

• Opportunities for professional growth and development.

• Friendly and collaborative team environment.

• [Other benefits unique to your company, such as gym memberships, learning stipends, etc.]

Application Instructions

To apply for this position, please send your [application materials] and a portfolio of your recent web development work to [Contact Email]. Please include "Web Developer Application – [Your Name]" in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed regularly, and suitable candidates will be contacted for an interview.

Why this web developer job description template works 

Our template starts with basic information, like location and the type of role, so potential candidates can immediately decide whether to apply. When you're hiring web developers, it’s especially important to highlight the role type – as these pros often freelance or work part-time due to the project-based nature of the industry. 

The brief “About Us” section provides insight into your company’s culture and values so candidates can see if their values line up. Creativity, innovation, and collaboration are company values that often stand out to web developers. 

The “Job Overview” clues candidates into the specific projects the role involves and whether those projects match their skills, experience, and interests. Web developers often work within a broader team, so this is also a good place to spotlight the collaborative nature of the role – including the teams and departments the developer will work with. 

The job description highlights flexibility and remote work – benefits typically important to web developers, who are used to working independently outside of a 9-5 office environment. 

Our job description also prioritizes the technical and soft skills candidates need – we even include “Skills” before “Preferred Qualifications.” That’s because skills are more important: They’re what truly spell success for this role. 

Web developers can possess a wide range of specialized skills. For instance, some are more familiar with one programming language or development framework than another. You should customize our job description so that it highlights the specific technical skills your web developer needs to work with your tech stack and the product or service you offer. Being clear about the skills you need can prompt candidates with the right skill sets to apply. 

Another reason we prioritize skills before preferred education and experience? We know that not all web developers have formal qualifications. Many learn on the job or via self-directed learning. By setting out the necessary skills first, candidates can quickly see whether their abilities and knowledge match your expectations. That way, you won’t push away skilled candidates who don’t have every qualification you prefer. 

But we still include preferred qualifications – as these can be great for luring in your ideal web developer candidates. 

The “Benefits” section shows candidates if what you can offer lines up with what they expect. This section is your chance to “sell” your company – and your candidates’ chance to step back if they don’t like what’s on offer. 

Finally, we wrap things up by explaining how to apply. This section should provide clear instructions – for instance, ours asks candidates to submit a portfolio of their web development work.

🖥️ Guess what? If you’re hiring a remote web developer, you can post your job description on our remote jobs board. You won’t need to include application instructions – candidates simply hit “apply,” and our system instructs them to share their email address so they can be invited to take your assessment. More on our assessments below!

Next steps: Attracting and assessing web developer candidates

By posting your perfectly crafted job description in the right places – from your company website to popular job boards to our remote jobs board – you can attract top-tier candidates. 

After that, you need to find the best person for the role in your applicant pool. 

Reviewing resumes is a waste of time, as these don’t always reflect your candidates’ true abilities. That’s why we recommend using talent assessments like TestGorilla’s. 

Our talent discovery platform offers 400+ scientifically proven tests you can combine to create an assessment relevant to the developer role you’re hiring. 

TestGorilla’s extensive library includes various tests for web developers. These include: 

• Technical assessments relevant to the products your web developer will work on, including our Salesforce CRM test or Hubspot CRM test

• Broader skills tests relevant to your product, such as the Salesforce CRM test or Hubspot CRM test for developers working on e-commerce sites or user-focused apps

• Soft skills and cognitive ability tests like our Communication Skills test and Critical Thinking test

We’re always adding new tests, too. For instance, we recently added an Artificial Intelligence test  and Generative AI test. Why are these relevant? Well, according to Carl Hewitt, the chief executive and co-founder of Hewitt Matthews, AI and AI compliance are current top trends in web development. “From enhancing user experiences with personalized content to automating backend processes, AI’s influence will be significant,” he says. 

To help you create an assessment in just a few clicks, TestGorilla recommends tests relevant to specific roles. In addition to web developer tests, we’ve got tests for website developers, tests for back-end developers, and more. 

In addition to using our tests, you can dig deeper with our web developer interview questions. 

Want to learn more about how our platform can help you find your next exceptional web developer? Sign up for a free account or request a free live demo. 

FAQs

Is web development a difficult job?

Being a web developer can be challenging but rewarding. The initial learning curve can be steep, as developers must develop high-level technical skills and knowledge of programming languages, development frameworks, and database management. Many of these skills can be self-taught or learned on the job. 

Do web developers make good money?

Web developers can make good money depending on their skills, experience level, and the types of projects they work on. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a web developer in the US is $81,377. 

How long will it take to become a web developer?

It depends on the training. Someone may learn the skills they need in three months at a full-time web developer boot camp – or complete a more formal qualification over several years. Like any job, the longer someone works as a web developer, the more advanced their skills become.