What is web development?
Web development is an umbrella term for all aspects of creating websites that include planning, design, programming, testing, deployment, maintenance, analytics and optimization. Web developers or software developers work across many different areas of the internet, including online stores, social media networks, mobile applications, and eCommerce websites.
They write software that helps companies build and maintain websites, apps, and other digital products. Web developers use a wide range of skills and technologies to develop and deploy websites and apps. The process of creating a website involves several steps, such as planning, research, coding, testing, deployment, and maintenance. A good developer will take into account what the client wants, the target audience, and the technology they want to use.
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Web development vs. web design
Though there is overlap, there is a difference between web development and web design. A designer creates everything a user sees on your site (visual design) or software product while developers build it.
So what exactly does a web developer do? Here are some of the most common tasks:
- Developing code to make sure your website functions properly and looks great
- Creating graphics, animations, videos, etc., to enhance the experience
- Testing sites and apps to ensure they function well and meet standards
- Writing scripts and programs that allow you to customize features on your site or app
- Maintaining databases and servers to store information
- Building applications that run inside a browser or mobile device
Types of web development
There are three main types of development: front-end, back-end, and full-stack. Front-end developers design and build the interface of websites, while back-end developers develop the code behind the scenes. Full-stack developers combine both skill sets into one.
Front-End Developers
The most common type of web development is front-end development, where designers work directly with programmers to create the look and feel of a site. Front-end developers usually develop the user interface for web pages. They work closely with back-end developers to create interactive applications that can be accessed via a website. They may also work on client side technologies like JavaScript, CSS, HTML5 and DOM.
Back-End Developers
Back-end developers are software engineers who develop applications that run on servers and perform tasks related to database management, web hosting, network administration, and system monitoring. They work closely with front end developers in order to ensure that their applications meet user expectations.
They write the code that makes up the backend of a site. They typically don’t interact much with the end user but they help keep things running smoothly behind the scenes. Back-end developers often use programming languages such as PHP and Python.
Full-stack developers
Full stack developers are web development professionals who have experience in all aspects of software development including front end (HTML/CSS), back end (JavaScript, Ruby, Java, Python) and database management systems. These individuals can work on any type of web application ranging from simple static websites to complex eCommerce applications.
What is the difference between front-end and back-end development?
There are multiple differences between front-end and back-end development, as one works behind the scenes, whereas the other is upfront and center. However, both development teams work together to create an amazing final product:
- Front-end developers work on the user interface (UI)
- Backend developers create the application logic and effective functioning of the app
- Front-end development focuses on how users interact with an app
- Back-end development focuses on data storage and management
- Back-end development includes infrastructure knowledge such as fundamental server requirements, databases, networks, and operating systems
- Back-end developers write code that supports the UI, usually in an application server environment
- Front-end development focuses on aesthetics and user experience
- Front-end and back-end development work with each other to create the final product
- Front-end developers deal with all the graphic design
What is a full-stack developer?
Full stack developers have the skills to develop software for both front end (client side) and back end (server side). This includes knowledge in JavaScript/HTML5, CSS3, Bootstrap, AngularJS, NodeJS, ExpressJS, MongoDB, MySQL, PostgreSQL, etc.
They are versatile and knowledgeable about a variety of layers of technology, and capable of working across different platforms. They know how to code everything from the database to the browser, and they are comfortable writing code in many languages.
Full stack development is demanding so they have to be generalists, adept in wearing both hats, and proficient with every kind of development skill, including design and testing. They are able to work effectively with designers, product managers, and project managers. These skills make them attractive candidates to companies looking to build robust software applications. Full-stack developers are among the most sought-after employees in the tech industry today.
Why is web development important?
Web development is one of the fastest growing industries in the tech sector because it is simply needed. The demand for skilled web developers continues to rise because of the increasing popularity of mobile devices, social media platforms, and e-commerce sites.
For businesses to succeed nowadays, it is virtually essential that they have some kind of online presence. Professional development gives businesses an edge in an already saturated market.
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Components of web development
Before we dive into the steps involved in building a website, let’s discuss the major web development components.
Website terminology
Below is a breakdown of some of the most common words and phrases used in web development:
- HTML. This stands for Hypertext Markup Language, and it’s the language used to structure and format documents on the World Wide Web. HTML tells a browser how to display a document, such as a webpage. HTML5 is the latest version of HTML, and it includes features like video, audio, canvas graphics, geolocation, and offline storage.
- CSS. CSS is the style sheet language. CSS controls the presentation of a web page, including colors, fonts, layout, and even animation.
- Java Script. JavaScript is the programming language behind interactive elements on websites. JavaScript allows you to add interactivity to a web page, such as animations, scrolling effects, and popups.
- Server. A server is where all of your files live. When someone visits your website, they connect to your server and request information. Your server sends the requested data back to the visitor via HTTP.
Hand Coding Vs CMS
There are pros and cons to both methods. Hand coding requires a lot of upfront work, while a CMS saves time because many tasks can be automated. However, hand coding allows you to customize every aspect of your site, including the look and feel. On the other hand, a CMS offers prebuilt templates that make it easy to build a website quickly. With a CMS, you’re limited to what’s already included.
Front and back end development
When you build a website, there are two main parts: the front end and the back end. Front-end development refers mostly to the visual aspects of your website; it includes everything you can see. You might think about it as the paint job on your home.
Back-end development is what happens under the hood, behind the scenes. Think of it as the plumbing and electrical work. In addition to putting together the design, you also need to make sure that all the necessary components are working properly. For example, you might need to install a server to host your site, set up a database, and configure email accounts.
The web development process
Creating a website is no longer just a matter of typing up some HTML code and uploading it to a server. There are many steps involved in developing a website, including planning, design, coding, testing, deployment, maintenance, etc. This guide briefly outlines each of those stages and provides you with a development overview of how you can expect software application creation to manifest.
Plan
Before laying pen to paper or fingers to keyboard, it’s crucial to first establish a connection with teams across the organization to develop a strategy for your website. This includes understanding the purpose of the project and developing a clear vision for how visitors will use your site.
The following questions can help guide the process:
- What is the goal of your site?
- Who is your target audience, and what do they want to accomplish on your site?
- What type of site are you creating? (e.g., informational, membership, e-commerce)
- What content are you planning to publish, and at which frequency?
Once you’ve established a solid foundation, you’ll have a better idea of where to start. If you’re looking to build a simple informational site, you could begin with a blog. However, if you’re hoping to sell products online, you’ll likely want to consider starting with an e-commerce platform.
Create a wireframe
Wireframing is one of those terms that gets thrown around without much explanation. But what exactly does it mean? A wireframe is a visual representation of the structure of a website — think of it as a skeleton or framework for a building, and think of yourself as the application architect. In many cases, wireframes aren’t required to build out a website but they provide a great starting point for developers because they allow designers and developers to see the big picture.
A wireframe isn’t just about layout, either. Think of it as a roadmap for content. What kinds of things will you include on each page? What information will you display, and how? How will different types of content interact? This is especially helpful when you’re working with a team of developers and designers because everyone knows what they want. The best way to make sure you don’t miss anything is to sketch out a few ideas on paper. If you know what you want to include on every page, you’ll be able to quickly identify areas where you might need to add additional details.
Create a sitemap
A sitemap is a list of every single web page on your site. This includes images, videos, documents, blog posts, etc. If you’re working with WordPress, use the “Posts” tab under Pages to pull down your sitemap. The next step is to determine what each page needs. Think about how people will navigate around your site. Do they go straight to the homepage? Do they start at the home page and move through categories, subcategories, and maybe even specific pages?
Once you know where visitors are coming from, you can build your sitemap accordingly. For example, if you sell shoes online, you might include links to product pages, a contact form, and perhaps some general navigation. You’ll also want to think about whether there are certain pages that don’t really belong on your site. Maybe you have a FAQ section that doesn’t really fit anywhere. In that case, you could consider creating a separate page just for that section. You may also realize there are elements that you could add, like a chatbot or interactive elements.
Write the code
The next step in the web dev process is actually writing the code. This is where you write the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript that make up your website. You’ll use different programming languages to do this depending on what type of functionality you want to include in your site.
For example, you might use PHP for dynamic features like forms and comments, while Python could help you add interactive elements such as quizzes and surveys. You might even use multiple languages at once. A good example of this is WordPress, which uses both PHP and HTML5/CSS3 along with JavaScript to power its many functions.
Web development services
If you are looking for web development services to boost the growth of your business, Publi Web Media is your best ally. We are an e-commerce agency that is dedicated to ensuring that your business utilizes all that the web has to offer in order to increase your sales and improve brand recognition.
We have expertise in different areas including:
- eCommerce website development
- Enterprise management system integration
- Search engine optimization
- Social media marketing
- Telemarketing and customer acquisition
- Other web development services
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