Web development is the process of creating and maintaining websites or web applications.
It involves different tasks from designing the website’s layout and user interface, to writing code and integrating databases.
Broadly web development is divided in front-end development and back-end development.
Front-end is what you see when you open a certain website, and the back-end consists of different computation, server-side processing and database interactions.
For example if you open your bank website to check your balance, you first see the website design and the different content that is written on the website, this is front-end.
Then when you go to the part where you enter your data and the credit card number you start interacting with the back-end which is matching the data you just entered with the data that the bank has in its databases.
What Are Some Types of Web Development
Different types of web development use different development languages to build the elements they need. So, website development can be divided in the following categories:
Front-end Development
Front-end development involves building the user interface and user experience of a website or web application.
This includes designing and developing the layout, visual design, and functionality of the website that users interact with in a web browser.
Front-end developers typically use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to build responsive and user-friendly websites.
Back-end Development
Back-end development involves building the server-side functionality of a website or web application.
This includes designing and developing the database architecture, server-side scripting/coding, and other technical aspects of the website that are not visible to the end-user.
Back-end developers typically use languages such as PHP, Ruby, Python, or Node.js to build server-side functionality.
Full-Stack Development
Full-stack development involves building both the front-end and back-end functionality of a website or web application.
Full-stack developers are proficient in both front-end and back-end development and can work on all aspects of a web development project.
Full-stack developers typically use a combination of front-end and back-end technologies to build responsive and user-friendly websites.
Depending On The Site or App You Need
Web Development can be also divided in several groups by the purpose of the website or the app they are working on.
This is important because you should be able to pinpoint what kind of design you need for your project and manage expectations early in the project.
Mobile Web Development
Mobile web development involves building websites or web applications specifically for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
This typically involves optimizing the website for smaller screens, touch-based navigation, and other mobile-specific features.
E-commerce Development
E-commerce development involves building websites or web applications specifically for online shopping and e-commerce.
This includes developing shopping cart functionality, payment gateways, and other e-commerce-specific features.
Building ecommerce websites is different from regular websites because everything that goes into building ecommerce stores is geared toward having a higher ecommerce conversion rate.
Content Management System (CMS) Development
CMS development involves building websites or web applications that use a content management system to manage website content.
These means that you have a central software like Wix of WordPress and you build your website from their elements, without having to write code or make website elements manually.
There are many CMS platforms, the most popular are WordPress, Wix, Drupal, and Joomla.
How Does The Web Development Process Look?
To make a good website or an app you need to go through certain stages.
First you must start with careful thinking and planning what kind of website or an app you need.
Then collaborating with the developers you go through stages that make sure you get the perfect product. These stages typically are:
Planning
The first step in any web development project is to define the project goals and requirements.
This involves identifying the target audience, determining the features and functionality needed, and creating a project plan and timeline.
The planning phase is crucial to ensure that everyone involved in the project is on the same page and that the project stays on track.
Design
Once the project goals and requirements have been defined, the next step is to create the visual and aesthetic aspects of the website. This includes the layout, color scheme, typography, and other design elements.
The design phase may involve creating wireframes or prototypes to help visualize the design and ensure that it meets the project goals and requirements.
Development
The development phase involves writing the code for the website or web application. This includes both front-end and back-end development.
It also involved connecting databases and hooking up the whole thing to a server where you will have all this data stored.
Testing
Once the website has been developed, it is important to test it for bugs and errors.
This includes testing the website on different devices and browsers to ensure that it works correctly and is user-friendly.
Testing is a crucial step in the web development process to ensure that the website is effective and meets the project goals and requirements.
Deployment
After the website has been tested and any bugs or errors have been fixed, the next step is to deploy the website to a live server and make it available to users. This involves setting up web hosting, domain registration, and other technical aspects of website deployment.
Once the website is live, it is important to monitor it for bugs and errors and to make regular backups to ensure data security.
Maintenance
The final step in the web development process is maintenance. This involves monitoring the website for bugs and errors, updating content and features as needed, and making regular backups to ensure data security.
Maintenance is an ongoing process that ensures that the website remains effective and user-friendly over time.
How Much Does Web Development Cost
When looking to build a website or web application, one of the first questions you’ll likely have is how much it will cost.
The answer to this question depends on several factors, including the type and complexity of the project, the expertise of the development team, and the location of the team.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at web development costs and provide some rough estimates based on different types of projects.
Basic Website
A basic website is typically a simple website with a few pages and basic features, such as contact forms and social media links.
The cost of a basic website can vary widely, depending on the level of customization and design required.
A DIY website builder can cost as little as $500 to $1,000, while a professionally designed website can cost up to $5,000 or more.
E-commerce Website
An e-commerce website is a website that includes shopping cart functionality, payment gateways, and product listings.
The cost of an e-commerce website can range from $5,000 to $50,000, depending on the number of products, level of customization, and payment processing requirements.
An e-commerce website with a basic design and limited functionality can cost around $5,000, while a custom-designed e-commerce website with advanced features can cost up to $50,000 or more.
Custom Web Application
A custom web application is a web-based software application that is designed to meet specific business needs.
Custom web applications can include features such as user authentication, real-time data processing, and API integration.
The cost of a custom web application can range from $10,000 to $100,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the project and the expertise of the development team.
A simple custom web application with basic functionality can cost around $10,000, while a more complex application with advanced features can cost up to $100,000 or more.
It’s important to note that these are just rough estimates, and the actual cost of your web development project may vary depending on your specific requirements and the level of expertise and experience of the development team you hire.
When looking to hire a web development team, be sure to get quotes from multiple companies and be clear about your project requirements and budget to avoid surprises or misunderstandings later on. To get a quote from Oshara contact us here.
Conclusion
Website development is a complicated and lengthy process but when done right it pays off many times.
Think of all the great companies that once they got their website up and running made it big and became household names. Websites like Booking or Amazon, that serve millions of customers every day and make our lives easier.
It’s important to think about what kind of website do you want, what purpose will it serve and how to better reach your audience.
Once you know the answers to those questions you can start thinking about hiring someone to develop your website.
If you need help with website development feel free to contact us, we run the best web agency in Montreal.
