If you are interested in learning about website development but aren’t sure where and how to begin, you’ve come to the right place. Learning about website development can be difficult, what with the endless coding and technical jargon. You might find yourself losing motivation to dig deeper into the subject if you’re a beginner with no understanding of the technical terms, but this guide can help you understand website development easily.
The basics of website development
Website development is a self-explanatory umbrella term used to describe everything from developing a simple web page to a complex social network. Typically, website development is used to describe coding and web markup, but that does not mean it is restricted only to those jobs. It can refer to anything, including aspects like scripting, network security configuration, content management system development, and e-commerce development.
- Website and browser
So, what is a website? It is a collection of files and information that can be accessed using a server and a computer. Servers are computers that are used to keep all the data of websites available on a huge network. On the other hand, browsers are computer programs that allow you to visit your desired websites to access information from a server using an internet connection. Some popular browsers that we all know about are Google Chrome and Firefox. The computer that you are working on is referred to as a client. - Internet Protocol (IP) and HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
IP is a set of guidelines used to govern the actions performed on the Internet. Every device has a unique IP address to differentiate it from the other devices and websites that use the Internet, and you must know the IP address of a website to access it.
HTTP is used to develop a connection between the user and their website request, which is sent to the remote server that contains all the data of that particular website. HTTP is a set of protocols that guide how messages should be transferred on the Internet, and a user can navigate between websites and pages with the help of this protocol. - Coding
Coding is usually referred to as the process of writing codes for various applications and servers. It is also called language since it has terminologies and rules of grammar, which are used to establish communication with computers. Coding is also referred to as a special kind of language with commands, punctuations, and abbreviations that can be understood as instructions by programs and devices.
Although every software is written using coding, it varies based on factors like the operating system. The various coding languages are categorized under two forms: front end and back end. While the front end refers to the software that the users see or interact with, the back end refers to the occurrence when a user interacts with the front end. Once information is transferred between a server and a browser, the front-end language lets the website function seamlessly, without continuously communicating with the Internet. With the help of front-end code, the user can interact with the website and perform functions like playing videos, highlighting text, and minimizing images.
The back end is the digital infrastructure that might not be easy to understand if you do not understand website development. To anyone who is not a website developer, the back end will merely look like a group of symbols, numbers, and letters. There are a higher number of back-end coding languages as compared to front-end languages. This is because browsers, which are a part of the front end, only comprehend JavaScript, but a plethora of languages can be integrated into the back end since it can understand almost any language.
The importance of website development
Once you’re well-versed with the terminologies, you must thoroughly understand the importance of website development. You can be a business owner who wants to get a website made, an aspiring website developer, or a student looking for freelance opportunities in website development. Regardless of your purpose for learning website development, you must know how it will help you.
The Internet has become the primary source of information in various fields, including education, entertainment, and research. Billions of people use the Internet to access information and communicate with people remotely. And this indicates that all these people need websites to navigate on the Web. Additionally, it means that the website development industry will grow with the increasing demand for the number of websites. This is one of the primary reasons why the website development market has seen a surge in aspirants.
Different types of website development
The different types of website development refer to the various sectors in which website developers can develop expertise. They can also specialize in multiple types of website development:
- Front-end development
Developers who find their expertise in front-end development usually work on client-side websites, software, and programs. These developers are responsible for developing and designing the layouts, navigation plans, and other aspects of the website that will aesthetically please the user. Developers who ace front-end development usually work on the user experience and user interface aspect of a website. - Back-end development
This part of website development deals with the servers, programs, and software that are facing the server. Back-end developers work on various systems like APIs, operating systems, databases, and servers, and they also manage the coding for security, structure of the site, and content. - Full-stack development
This type of website development involves working on both the front end as well as the back end. Full-stack developers can create end-to-end websites, software programs, and applications. - Website building
Developers who specialize in website building are similar to full-stack developers. That being said, these professionals only have expertise in building websites and cannot develop any desktop software, mobile apps, or video games. - Desktop development
This type involves developing software for desktop, like Windows or Mac iOS. - Mobile development
A specialization in this field allows developers to create applications that are used on mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. These software and applications have completely different functionalities as compared to websites and other software programs, so an individual needs to acquire a special set of skills to become a mobile developer. - Game development
This type of website development revolves around the development of video games, and developers must specialize in writing code for games that can be played on consoles and smartphones. Developers who specialize in this field have the necessary skills to provide users with immersive gaming experience.
The process of website development
The process of building a website might not seem easy, especially if you’re a beginner. The steps followed in website development differ on the basis of various factors, like the coding language and resources used. Here’s an overview of the steps involved in the process:
Planning the website
Regardless of the purpose or the type of a website to be created, it has to be planned before it reaches the development stage. In a developer’s language, this is known as planning a sitemap or wireframe and does not necessarily have to be the final official plan. It can just be an idea or a vision on which the business owner, who wants the site to be created, and the developer can start working. Various tools can be used to draw wireframes for websites, which is similar to developing a business plan.
When you approach an investor as a business person, your business plan is what gives them an insight into your work and what goals you plan to achieve with the money they invest. Similarly, a sitemap allows a developer to know everything they require to develop a website that meets the vision and expectations of the job. A businessperson can develop their own sitemap or take help from their developer. If you’re taking up a website development project, answering the following questions while planning your website will help you get better results:
- How many and what web pages do you want on the website, and what content will be displayed on those pages?
- How can these web pages be organized under categories?
- What will be the hierarchy of these web pages?
- What web pages will you have to keep to make your site user-friendly, and what pages do you need to remove?
Writing the code
Once the website is planned, the next step is to write the code. Different types of code are used by developers to create the back end and the front end of the website, and different types of code are employed to add various functionalities to the site. Several languages are combined to build and run a website, and the most commonly used languages for website development are:
- HTML
- CSS
- JavaScript
Creating the back end
Writing code for the website is not the only complex part. Another important and complicated aspect of website development is developing the back end. The back end takes care of the data that allows all the functionalities at the front end, and it comprises two main components:
- Database
This component is responsible for holding, organizing, and processing the data, and it ensures that the data can be retrieved when the server sends a request. - Servers
This part comprises the software and hardware of the computer. It is these servers that send, process, and receive data and serve as the intermediary between the browser and the database.
Once the back-end development is done, it’s time to move to developing the front end. This is what the users will see on the website, which makes it an extremely important component. A combination of CSS, HTML, and JavaScript is used for developing the front end.
Booking a domain
You will have an IP address for your website once you’re done with the coding. However, that’s not enough because it is important to give the users a name to look for when they want to access the website. So, you will require a domain name, which is what the users will identify your website with. Several sites provide domain name registration services, and they let you purchase the domain name and get you registered with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). Usually, the domain registrations require a yearly renewal if you want to keep using them.
The benefits of becoming a web developer
Website developers play the most crucial role in the development of a website, and it is these programmers who give shape to the vision of a website and turn it into a product. Mentioned here are a few benefits of pursuing a career in website development:
- It is one of the most sought-after fields globally, which means website developers have an opportunity to get high-paying jobs
- You have the liberty to work independently and from any location
- You can enhance your creativity as you build a whole new product from scratch
With the digital world becoming the future of every industry and digital content requirements booming, website development is certainly one of the biggest industries today. In fact, every type of organization, be it a traditional family business, a large multinational corporation, or a dynamic start-up, understands that a website is not only a company’s online identity but also a platform for acquiring new clients and increasing revenue. Websites also establish easy communication between customers and companies, improving customer support services and satisfaction.
