Web development is something that more and more people are attempting to learn today. As a business owner, it can be a good idea to learn a little bit about the basics of web development, so you can make small tweaks to your company site without the need to always contact your web developer.
While some people may be willing to have a go at a whole site themselves, for the most part, you’ll find it much better to outsource this challenge to a team of experienced developers. This is especially true for business websites, where a professional-looking website is a must.
Why is web development important?
Web development is a term that’s used to describe web coding and markup, but it can also discuss any form of development tasks. This could include content management system development, e-commerce development, and scripting. Web development is crucial for our world today, and without it, many businesses simply wouldn’t function. Currently, half of the world’s population is using the internet, and it’s a tool for education, entertainment, research, and connectivity.
Most businesses need a website to function, and web developers are in greater demand than ever before. While it may be tempting to try and build your company website yourself, we generally recommend leaving your business website to experienced developers, as they can create a professional and easy-to-use site that will stand out from your competition.
Coding
Whenever we build an application or piece of software, various coding languages will be needed to complete this project. These languages each have unique rules, and they can only be read by programs and devices. Each piece of software has a minimum of one coding language, but sometimes multiple languages are needed for projects.
When it comes to coding, this is split into the front-end and back-end. We are all very familiar with the front-end, as it’s the part of the site you interact with. The back-end, which is sometimes referred to as the server-side, is what you don’t see when you land on a website page. This requires a lot of time and effort to learn and is generally the most time-consuming part of the website development process.
Types of website development
When it comes to a website development project, various members will make up a team. However, web developers can take on various roles. These are a few of the most popular web development roles with whom you may collaborate, when working with a web development company:
- Front-end development – Focusing on the client’s needs, front-end developers are mainly concerned with the visual aspects of the website. This refers to the layout, graphics, and navigation of your site, and they’ll work with you to build an interface that reaches your goals.
- Back-end development – When building any website, this is often the most challenging part. While you may feel you could design the front-end of the website yourself, you’ll find the back-end requires the assistance of a professional. Back-end development ensures that everything works properly behind the scenes. Elements of this part of the project include security, operating systems, and databases.
- Full-stack development – Full-stack developers will work on both the front and back ends of the site. It takes years of training to build this experience, but you’ll often find this is a great solution if you are looking to build a website for your small business.
Writing website code
Within web development, one of the areas which most of us aren’t so familiar with is writing code. Developers will often use different languages in the front and back ends of the site, which then come together to offer you a fully functioning website.
HTML
HTML is the bare minimum code that is needed to create a website and has been around since the 1990s. The current version of HTML is HTML5, this version aids in the production of mobile-friendly websites.
CSS
CSS came into use in the 1990s and deals with the design side of web development. As a cosmetic code, it allows the creation of websites that reflects their owner’s branding and overall image. It’s compatible with every browser and enables developers to add colours and other elements to create unique sites.
JavaScript
Used to improve the functionality of sites, JavaScript has continued to evolve since its initial introduction. JavaScript can make a website more interactive for your users to visit by adding automation and animation. JavaScript is now the most popular coding language in the world. Other back-end coding languages include Python, Java, C#, and SQL.
In Summary
There are many different elements that go into web development, we are only just scratching the surface here. When it comes to building a business website, we always recommend hiring a professional, as it will save you time and money in the long run.
Our sister company BSPOKE Design specialise in building websites for business. To find out more information about our web development services, contact BSPOKE Design today!
