A Complete Guide to Web Development

Businesses large and small must now be on the web. There is just no way to compete or even operate a viable business without some kind of internet presence. For this reason, web development is now a basic part of creating a business. From small niche businesses to global corporations, web development is simply part of the calculus of operating a business.  While web development can get extremely technical, requiring advanced coding and digital knowledge, the fact that web development is such a basic feature of modern business practices has led to some relatively easy ways of doing your own web development.  No matter your business needs, there are some common features of web development that any business should know. The basic principles of what goes into a successful web presence will remain the same for anyone, no matter the size of their operation. Web development can be made understandable if we simply come to know the basic principles of what goes into good web development.  What is web development? What are the different types of web development? What is the process of web development? And how do you get started on web development to increase your visibility on the web? This guide will introduce you to the process of web development. 

What is website development?

Web development generally refers to everything that goes into the creation of a website. While professionals in the business of web development will frequently use this term to refer to the technical side of coding and things of that nature, it can mean just about anything that involves building a website. Web development usually refers to the web markup and coding. But web development can also include everything that goes into the creation of a website like client-side scripting, server-side scripting, and network configuration. Even things like eCommerce development and content management systems fall under the general heading of web development.  

Web Development Basics

To get a real understanding of web development, we need to define some basic terms. Some of these terms may be obvious at this point, but others may not be as clear. The basics of web development include:

Website

These are files stored on computers that operate as servers. These servers are then connected to the internet.  IP address In order to access a website, you need to know its IP address: the Internet Protocol address. The IP address distinguishes this website from the billions of websites and devices connected to the internet. 

Definition of HTTP

HTTP stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol. HTTP connects you and your website to the remote server that retains all the website data. HTTP is basically a set of grammatical rules in a computer language that makes it possible to navigate between site pages and websites. 

Coding

This is the writing code for servers and applications. It is the language of computer programming that makes it possible for computers to communicate with each other. Coding consists of commands, abbreviations, and punctuation that computers understand and underpin the content we see on websites. 

Front-end

Also called client-side, front-end is the side of the website you see when you work with or interact with a website. When you transfer your website to a server, front-end coding is what makes it possible for anyone to see, understand, and interact with the website without having to work with internet code. 

Back-end

Back-end is sometimes called server-side. This is a part of web development users never see, and it is the digital infrastructure of a website. If you could see it, all you would see would be a collection of numbers. Back-end is code, and it operates in different computer languages like HTML, CMS, and JavaScript. 

Content Management System (CMS)

CMS is a series of programs, or applications, that makes it possible to create and manage content on the web. These need to be distinguished from site-building systems like Squarespace and Wix. 

Cybersecurity

As with anything else where money is made, the internet is subject to the activity of bad actors and criminals. These criminals try to access and expose private data. They attempt to steal data. And they attempt to maliciously crash servers for all kinds of reasons. This is why there is so much emphasis on making websites and web development secure for these kinds of activities. 

Types of Web Development

Web development consists mainly of three sets of skills. The different types of web development include:

Front-end development

This is responsible for creating the look, feel, and active components of a website. Front-end developers make it possible for text, images, and colors to be displayed on a website and are available for use by web users. Even things like small nuances such as changes in color when you begin to use a feature of a website are created and made by front-end developers. Front-end development creates everything you see and work with on a website. To do all these things, front-end development requires knowledge and use of these computer languages: 

• HTML
• CSS
• JavaScript
• JQuery
• React
• AngularJS

Back-end development

Back-end development involves some of the most critical aspects of web development. Back-end developers essentially create the underlying digital machinery that makes a website function. Things like server code and data backflows are handled by back-end development. This type of web development makes sure websites can communicate with servers and other websites. When you consider all the various things that must be coordinated and must happen in perfect succession on a business website, you can begin to see what back-end development entails. When you purchase something, whether online or in a brick-and-mortar store, everything from the digital transaction, inventory, tax and service charges, and every other feature of the transaction all happen correctly because of back-end development. The key computer languages that make back-end development possible include:    

• Java
• PHP
• Ruby and Ruby On Rails
• C#
• MySQL
• MongoDB

Full-stack development

Full-stack development is somewhat unique in that this entails developing all aspects of a website. A full-stack developer creates and codes virtually all features of a working website. From back-end to front-end, full-stack covers it all. Full-stack developers have mastery of nearly all ends of web development, but they are generally not as knowledgeable as those who specialize in one side of the process or the other. Full-stack developers most often work with all primary computer languages. 

Website Development Process

While web development clearly involves some highly specialized skills and knowledge, there are some basic features of web development that anyone can understand. In developing your own website there is a process that entails:

Identify your goals

Determine what it is you need from your website. Things like brand recognition, increased sales, breaking into a new market, etc. are the kinds of things you should have clearly laid out before you begin developing a website. This is also a time to determine the scope of your website, how complex your needs are, and the degree to which you need a website to function as a major marketing tool. 

Create a strategy

This is the marketing end of your web development. The kinds of marketing strategies you intend to use will in some measure determine the steps you need to take in web development. For example, if you are trying to enter a corner of the market that is new to you, you will need to figure out what that market looks like online. From here you will lay out strategies for developing a website that grabs attention in a new way. 

Develop a wireframe and a sitemap

 A website wireframe is used to map out the main features and navigation of a new website design. It gives an idea of the site's functionality before considering visual design elements, like content and color schemes. This will also allow you to develop a site map or general arrangement of how and where various pieces of the website will be laid out. 

Write your website code

Coding your website begins the process of transforming information into usable data for the web. This is where things get complicated, and you will likely require the help of professional web developers. 

Build your website backend

You need to begin with the back-end since this is effectively the grid on which the front-end will be constructed. The back-end lays out the functional structure of web development. Here your coders and developers will create the plan on which content, images, and interactive features will be created. 

Build your website front-end

At this stage, web development begins to look like a website. All of the visible components of a website are built at this stage by front-end developers. 

Acquire your website domain

Your domain name is the name of your website that people will recognize and (hopefully) remember. The name of a website is in fact the IP address, and this is a long numerical sequence that is not only complicated but also impossible to remember. The domain name stands in for this numerical sequence for users. A domain name looks like yourcompany.extension. The extension is the familiar .com, .org., .gov, etc. You can purchase domain names from a domain name registrar, such as A2, GoDaddy, Google Domains, or Namecheap, key in the domain you want to buy, and pay a fee. 

Launch and test conversions

At this stage, you are ready to launch your website. After the initial launch, you will want to do things like an A/B test to check things like conversion rates. A/B testing is sometimes called split testing. It is a marketing experiment in which you split your target audience into different variations to see which version of your marketing campaign and/or web design works better. It is a process whereby you show version A to one group and version B to another, then you can measure how effective each version is based on how test audiences respond. 

Web Development FAQS

What is website development? Web development generally refers to everything that goes into the creation of a website. While professionals in the business of web development will frequently use this term to refer to the technical side of coding and things of that nature, it can mean just about anything that involves building a website. What is Front-end development? Also called client-side, front-end is the side of the website you see when you work with or interact with a website. When you transfer your website to a server, front-end coding is what makes it possible for anyone to see, understand, and interact with the website without having to work with internet code.  What is Back-end Development? Back-end is sometimes called server-side. This is a part of web development users never see, and it is the digital infrastructure of a website. If you could see it, all you would see would be a collection of numbers. Back-end is code, and it operates in different computer languages like HTML, CMS, and JavaScript. 

Partner with Hey Day Marketing for all your website needs

As you can see from this guide web development is a complex and specialized set of skills and knowledge. Few of us have the knowledge to develop our own website. HeyDay Marketing Services provides has the professional and knowledgeable staff to help you develop a website. We can offer froth-end and back-end development that creates the precise web presence you need to stand out among your competition.  HeyDay Marketing Services can help you with everything from planning your web development to the final stages of launch, testing, and optimization. We can help you find the points of resistance in your existing content and web design and optimize this for better conversion rates. You have a business to run, let the professionals at HeyDay Marketing Services do the work of web development.  HeyDay Marketing Services offers the professional insight and skills for the highest quality web development. We understand that one size does not fit all. For sound web development that is professional, polished, and profitable, allow HeyDay Marketing Services to take over your website development.