SEO Optimization
Frontend development is not limited to business software. Developers create traffic-based websites and products, for example applications that need a constant stream of users from search engines. Part of the work is done by SEO, but mainly in external actions.
Frontend developers must build websites and applications according to current SEO reality. Required knowledge:
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Creating correct HTML semantics;
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Writing microdata;
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Correct configuration of server response headers;
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Creating various types of sitemap;
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Improving Lighthouse metrics and more.
With the right approach, a developer can contribute to promotion no less than an optimizer. In 2022, frontend developers must know at least the basics of SEO.
Performance and UX Optimization
Users choose websites that open quickly and leave if loading is slow, which also hurts search ranking. Search engines examine various data, including average time on site — a key factor in ranking.
UX optimization is a complex process. To succeed, you need to know JavaScript well, use a profiler in the debugger, and be familiar with frameworks like React and Redux.
Image and Video Optimization
The modern internet has a lot of images and video. Multimedia optimization is very important!
A developer needs to know how to resize, improve caching, work with sprites, automatic compression and more. Ideally also know how to manually compress images.
Business Analytics
Business owners want as much data as possible to increase sales. Websites and applications are often measured with Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager and similar tools, sometimes dozens. Developers need to implement all these metrics.
Sometimes frontend developers build monitoring systems from scratch — then you need to understand algorithms, analyze data types and use them to solve technical problems. Those who master this are much closer to business.
