What Do Web Developers & Digital Professionals Need For Home Working In 2020?

Rock-solid internet access

Web developers and digital professionals (outside of those who work in video editing or 3D modeling) don’t typically need high-speed internet access, which gives them much flexibility regarding location. However, they need stability: a connection that frequently drops out for hours can ruin entire work days and cause massive productivity problems.

That said, it is possible to effectively supplement a conventional connection with a mobile Wi-Fi system, mainly since data rates have decreased markedly in recent years. Most people can manage by using their phones as mobile hotspots (or tethering to them directly): this also allows them to work outside more efficiently when the weather is nice.

Reliable home office equipment

With a good internet connection, the next thing is to cover the bases for equipment. Just as most digital professionals don’t need gigabit internet connections, they also don’t need monstrously powerful computers, so they should be OK with modern laptops with decent battery life, robust designs, and excellent connectivity. If the OS doesn’t matter, then a good option is to pick up some refurbished MacBooks (they’re widely available): they hold up well, so you can save a fair bit of money without compromising on quality.

Connectivity is essential because there’s a lot of value in configuring a multi-monitor setup: developers, in particular, can benefit significantly from having additional screens in a vertical orientation. The current standard for connecting several displays (along with peripherals) is Thunderbolt 3, so a decent laptop dock seems like an obvious inclusion.

Equipment doesn’t stop at technology, though. There’s also the matter of comfort. Digital workers will spend a lot of time working at their computers, which can cause significant stress and strain over the months. Accordingly, it makes sense to invest in ergonomics by getting comfortable seats, mice, and keyboards. Avoiding RSI is a key priority.

Distraction-free surroundings

Having a great home office is about more than getting the right technology in place: it’s also about ensuring that circumstances make it possible to get work done. Imagine someone with a finely-honed office setup trying to get things done while car alarms go off outside: even the slightest distraction can make things incredibly difficult.

Noise-canceling headphones can help significantly, but they can’t outright eliminate distractions. The best thing to do is to choose the office area very carefully. For instance, instead of setting up in their kitchen, someone could board up their loft (assuming they had one) and turn that into an office space. This would allow them to concentrate properly.

Clear lines of communication

Supposing that everything we’ve looked at here has been handled, digital professionals need clear lines of communication in their daily workloads. When you’re not working in an office, you can quickly lose track of which person is responsible for what task, and scrambling to determine who should get your latest performance report is a colossal waste of time.

Accordingly, this is something that employers need to get right when they allow their employees to work remotely. They need to ensure that their internal systems are solid and comprehensive so everyone knows what they need to do and the deadlines and expectations. To some extent, this will concern the software systems being used.

There are so many rich options in the SaaS field at this point, and choosing the right combination of tools (covering communication, project management, social media, etc.) can make all the difference. Putting in the time to figure out the best options for its budget should be an urgent priority for every company working in the digital industry.

Web developers and digital professionals working from home in 2021 should be reasonably comfortable with it by now but making it their new standard will require them to focus on optimizing their home offices in all possible ways and ensuring that their operational processes are transparent at all times.