A Complete Review Of Web Development Basics, Processes & Skills
Nowadays, a functional, user-friendly website is a necessity. Technological expertise is essential to meeting the demands of an increasingly interconnected global market. But many business owners and content creators lack the skills to create and develop their own fully functional websites that effectively resonates with their brand.
So, how will web development boost your business to the next level?
In this guide, we will review the basics of the web development process, uncover all this jargon, and the skills and tools for success.
If you’re in need of a web development service, we’re here to help. We can build you a custom website that fits your needs and looks great. Contact us today to get started!
Free Website Audit & Consultation Available – 0485 800 180
Web Development: What Is It?
A Service, Skill & Profession
Website development refers to building and programming a website to ensure functionality and ease of use.
Website development is the service, and ‘Web developers’ is the profession. The role typically possesses the technical expertise and coding proficiency to work on software and application integration. They are responsible for promoting the usability and efficiency of a website.
Of course, like any other profession, experience plays a significant role, and as part of digital marketing, a holistic understanding of all digital channels is crucial in being able to deliver a website that is not only visually appealing but also conversion-centric.
Web Development vs. Web Design
Web Design Is A Separate Service To Web Development
Often, more than many, customers and readers confuse the term ‘Web Design’ with the full end-to-end website service. Web Design is, in fact, a separate service that focuses on the design of the website. The colours, typography, layout, and content are essentially the design style of the website.
While web developers work on the functional features of a website bringing it to life online, web designers are typically responsible for creating and optimising the user-facing, aesthetic elements of the site.
Website designers focus on the visual aspects of your virtual presence and do not typically work on software or coding. Their main task is to design the client side of a website.
Both Work In Tandem With Each Other
These two practices work together to create a pleasant and efficient user experience. It is often that there are developers that also create websites from start to finish without a web designer, and this is incredibly noticeable. Because the developer’s role is more focused on functionality and coding, the visual aspect is typically, as you may have noticed on many sites online, inconsistent in branding and design and blocky and not visually appealing.
It is also apparent when a web designer tries to develop a website, they have a specific vision and design ready. However, they cannot bring it effectively to life, and if they manage to do so, they are most likely not following development best practices and do not consider other factors like SEO.
Website Development 101
So, what is web development exactly, in simple terms?
So, what is web development exactly, in simple terms?
Website development is the ongoing process of building and optimising a website.
Back-end developers work on the “behind the scenes” aspects of website building—from coding software to integrating applications—while front-end developers work on client-facing features.
Website development also entails the following:
- Choosing a content management system (CMS)
- Database management
- Application integration
- Search engine optimisation (SEO)
- Coding and scripting
- Maintenance and improvement
Web development is an extensive process with several approaches to the task.
How To Approach Web Development: Front-End, Back-End, and Full-Stack Strategies
There are several different roles within web development. While each developer may take on a different role, some assume all of them.
What Is Front-End Web Development?
The front end of a website is the client side—everything a user interacts with on the website, from navigation menus to colours and font. Front-end developers use HTML, CSS, and Javascript to build and manage the interactive features of a website.
What Is Back-End Web Development?
Back-end developers focus on functionality. They ensure that each feature and application performs its assigned function.
They typically work on server-side features and use server-side programming languages like Python, Ruby, SQL, or PHP.
What Is Full-Stack Web Development?
This approach combines front and back-end development. Full-stack developers manage both the client side and server side of a website. They may also contribute to optimisation across devices and browsers and ensure data security and website scalability.
Already Have An Idea What Of Web Development Is?
Need An Experienced Web Developer?
If you’re looking to hire a web developer for your website project, we’d love to help. Our team of experienced professionals can take your project from start to finish or work with you on specific aspects of the development process.
Get in touch today to organise a free consultation – 0485 800 180
Types of Web Development
There are several types of web development services available to businesses and individuals. Each demands different skills and levels of experience.
Full-Service Web Development Teams
While some companies have web development departments, small and medium business owners may outsource their digital functions.
So, a web development team – what is it? Expert web development service providers typically build and optimise a website with the business’s unique needs, prioritising digital marketing to ensure success. Increasingly, the process is collaborative; web developers work with businesses to maximise outcomes and personalise websites.
Full-scale services are best for those who want to focus on their businesses and leave the rest to the professionals.
DIY Website Builders
A website builder is a content management system (CMS) that allows businesses and individuals to create and customise basic websites without prior experience easily.
Although they are increasingly popular, website builders are best for those with some technical expertise, as optimising a website requires market research and experienced decision-making.
Top 3 Web Development Builders
There are many DIY website builders on the market. Most offer many templates, applications, and customisation options.
Here are some of the most popular:
WordPress
WordPress is the most versatile and popular builder among agencies and business owners alike. WordPress attributes to more than 50% of websites online and has an enormous customer following, resulting in an extensive knowledgebase and supporting community for everything you need. WordPress websites can be simple and complex. It depends on the developers’ framework and how they set it up.
Wix
This web creator is easy to use and allows you to drag-and-drop features onto your web pages to customise your site.
Users can add advanced features and optimise for search engines to ensure visibility and functionality.
Squarespace
Squarespace is a comprehensive web builder that prioritises the visual features of your site.
Although the creators of Squarespace initially designed the web builder for content creators, it now enables e-commerce and offers marketing features.
Shopify
Shopify is best for e-commerce providers because it enables users to find suppliers, embed applications and payment portals, and make sales. Users can manage their inventories and track orders, clients, and payments.
The Typical Web Development Process in 6 Steps
Web development refers to building and maintaining a website. To that end, many developers continue to optimise web functionality indefinitely.
So, what is web development’s step-by-step process?
Step 1: Conducting Research
The first step in the web development process is gathering information.
Skilled web developers begin by assessing their client’s needs, the demands of the market, and the company’s competitors.
At this stage, developers will:
- Assess the client’s budget and specific needs. For example, do they want a single or multi-page site? Will the website provide only content or facilitate transactions?
- Determining the target audience
- Identify the website’s purposes and the functions necessary to achieve those purposes
- Evaluate competitors and their websites to give the client a competitive edge
- Evaluate websites with similar objectives to determine which tools and applications are most suitable for the client.
Step 2: Planning and Preparation
Web developers then determine their approach to the process.
Teams typically create a site map of the website’s structure and various pages to prepare for construction. They may determine which coding languages and content management systems (CMS) best accommodate the client’s needs. Working also with Web Designers and Marketing professionals to achieve the desired outcome.
Step 3: Designing Structure
Web development teams may work alone or with design teams to determine the website’s basic structure and begin compiling the visual features of the website, including images, branding, layouts, and navigation.
At this stage, the client will create or outsource content with the assistance of the development team.
Stage 4: Development
Here, developers use programming languages or frameworks on builders to build the website.
Some developers focus on client-side scripting, where embedded scripts like Javascript, CSS, and Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) run on the client end. Others manage server-side scripting, where programmers use server-side languages like Python and Hack to customise the user experience.
Coding enables the client’s vision to materialise on the web.
There are CMS platforms and builders that help build websites, e.g. WordPress + Elementor, Divi, Oxygen, and Beaver Builder. At the end of the day, these frameworks and builders are here to improve workflow efficiency. Of course, there are pros and cons to both sides.
Stage 5: Initial Testing and Website Launch
Web developers need to test the functionality of the website before launching it.
The team might check hyperlinks, accessibility from different browsers and devices, and coding mistakes. They will develop test cases to assess each feature of the website.
Stage 6: Maintaining and Optimising the Website
Web development is an iterative process. Development teams will typically work to maintain the website and add to its features and functionality. They will run software updates and check for bugs and defects.
Parting Thoughts
Web development: what is it you expect to achieve? Before launching your business’s website, consider your approach.
While many use DIY web builders, outcomes are not always predictable. Consider working with a web development provider to optimise your website.
Digital Recipe offers expert web development services for small and medium-sized businesses. The team collaborates with clients to maximise web presentation, digital marketing capabilities, and user-friendliness for a full-service experience.
Contact Digital Recipe for more information, and enjoy exploring the world of web services!
