A complete guide on website development

The process of building a website is collectively referred to as "website development." This encompasses all forms of markup, code, scripting, network settings, and CMS development.

Although web development often refers to web markup and coding, it also includes all related development duties such as client-side scripting, server-side scripting, server, and network security settings, eCommerce development, and content management system (CMS) development.

In this blog, we'll go over the principles of web programming, how to create a website and further resources for people who want to learn more or pursue a career in development.

Continue reading to traverse the manual to learn more about developing websites.

What does "front-end" mean?

The front-end refers to the area of a website or piece of software that you see and use as a user of the Internet (also known as the client side). When information is delivered from a server to a browser, front-end coding languages allow a website to function without constantly "communicating" with the Internet.

Front-end programming allows users to engage with a website by playing movies, expanding or contracting images, highlighting text, and more. Front-end web developers are responsible for client-side development.

What does the term "back-end" mean?

You don't see the back end of the Internet when using it (also known as the server side). It is the digital infrastructure, which is a mess of letters, numbers, and symbols to non-developers.

Less programming is done in front-end languages than in back-end languages. This is due to the fact that servers can be configured to understand almost any language, whereas front-end browsers can only understand HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

What is a CMS?

A content management system is a web application or group of tools used to create and manage web content (CMS). (Note: CMSs are different from site builders like Squarespace or Wix.)

Learn about the advantages of utilizing CMS Hub to build an optimized website that connects to the whole marketing suite and HubSpot CRM data.

Related post: 10 Things To Consider While Developing A Successful Custom Website

Even though it is not required to construct a website, using a CMS makes the process simpler. It allows you to write the code necessary to create the framework and provides the necessary building blocks (such as plugins and add-ons). Although they are widely used for blogging and e-commerce, CMSs are beneficial for various types of websites.

Types of website development

Now let's examine the many web development specialties that a developer might have.

Whether you're looking to hire a web developer in India or want to become one, it's crucial to comprehend the various types of web development that professionals can study.

Related article: Seven Tips To Avoid Failure while you Hire A Web Developer.

These numerous web development styles mostly refer to the many types of work that web developers can do. Many different types of web development knowledge are typically possessed by web developers, and some of these categories overlap.

Front End Development 

Front-end developers work on the client- or user-facing side of websites, applications, and software, or in other words, what users see. Along with the visual components, they design the layout, navigation, graphics, and other aesthetics.

Front-end developers are primarily responsible to create user interfaces that help users in achieving their objectives, which is why they frequently contribute their part to the user experience part of any project.

Back-end Development

Back-end Development is where web developers work on the servers that host websites, programs, and software to make sure everything runs well in the background.

These programmers work with systems like servers, operating systems, databases, and APIs while managing the code for security, content, and site architecture. They collaborate with front-end developers to get their products in front of users.

Full Stack Development

Full-stack developers work on the front end and back end of a website. They are capable of creating a whole website, application, or software program. The phrase "Stack" refers to the many technologies, including the server, interface, etc., that control various website operations.

Because full-stack developers need years to amass the necessary experience, this position is frequently sought after. Their thorough comprehension enables them to enhance efficiency, spot issues before they happen, and support team members in knowing diverse web service components.

Let's get right to developing the website.

Also Read: iROID the top Website development company in Kochi

The Website Development Process

A website's creation is not as simple as 1-2-3. Depending on the website's type, programming languages, and resources, each development path is unique.

The web development process is briefly described, along with the most popular programming languages and content management system (CMS) choices, in the section that follows.

1. Create a plan.

It's crucial to engage with teams and staff members across your organization to build a plan for your website before putting pen to paper or fingers on the computer.

Before you create the initial draught of your website, think about the following:

• *What do you hope your website will accomplish?
• *What do you want your website visitors to do? What is your intended audience?
• *What type of website do you make? What sort of content, such as membership-based or online shopping, do you wish to publish, and how frequently?
• *What is the significance of this information?
• *How would you design your website to give the greatest navigation possible?
• *How much money do you have?

When answering the questions, you must communicate with your web development, marketing, and finance teams to establish your goals and make informed decisions.

2. Make a wireframe

Every excellent website begins with a plan. A wireframe is what programmers call it. It doesn't have to be a formal document; it may just be your site's vision, which will provide advice and a starting point for you and your developer(s). You may sketch it on a whiteboard or use a program like Invision, Slickplan, or Mindnode.

Wireframes allow you to see where text and images will appear on individual web pages. Use empty boxes and "dummy text" to see how your content will look on the front end. Create wireframes with your developer to show them what you're thinking.

When designing your site, consider the following inquiries:

• *Which precise pages do you want?
• *What will be on those content pages?
• *What kinds of categories can you make for those pages?
• *How are the pages on your website organized?
• *How will the pages be linked together?
• *What categories and pages are critical to your website's operation?
• *Which categories or pages might be merged or removed?

Again, speaking with different teams inside your company is a good idea. If you have an SEO and/or content strategy staff, they will considerably assist you with the linking structure and classification of your pages.

Also read: 5 Common Misconceptions About Web Development!

4. Create the website's code

The next phase in the web development process is to write code.

Developers will employ several coding languages for the front-end and back-end of websites, as well as for the site's many features (such as design, interactivity, etc). These several languages collaborate to construct and manage your website.

Begin with the most commonly spoken languages.

HTML

Since the 1990s, HyperText Markup Language (HTML) has been in use. It serves as the basis for all websites and is the very minimal requirement for building one. Even while a website could be made entirely with HTML, it wouldn't be very appealing.

CSS

Late in the 1990s, Cascading Style Sheets, or CSS, were created. It enhances websites' overall "look" by adding design components like font, colors, and layouts.

Similar to HTML5, CSS is browser-independent and enables developers to modify your website to meet the look you had in mind.

JavaScript

The icing on the cake of programming languages is JavaScript. The mid-1990s programming language JavaScript is used to provide webpages extra functionality. It is used by developers to include animations, automate processes on certain sites, and include interactive elements that improve user experience.

Read More: 5 Ways To Check If Your Website Is Mobile Friendly

JavaScript is developing quickly. JavaScript, which was once viewed as a "toy" language, is today the most popular coding language worldwide. It has evolved into a back-end coding language with the aid of Node.Js. It's the first language that browsers can understand, and some have even suggested using machine learning to translate it.

5. Build your website's back end.

Although writing code is clearly one of the most difficult components of website development, it is far from the only one. You must also create the site's front-end and back-end architecture and design. Starting with the rear end.

It is the back end that makes the front-functionality end possible. For instance, Facebook's back end keeps a copy of my images so that the front end can share them with others. It consists of two essential parts:

• **Databases are in charge of conserving, arranging, and processing data so that service requests can access it.
• **Servers are the computer's hardware and operating system. Data requests must be sent, processed, and received by servers. They serve as a bridge between the client/browser and the database. In essence, the browser will alert the server, "I need this information," and the server will be aware of how to retrieve it from the database and provide it to the client.

Also read: Warning: These 10 Mistakes Will Destroy Your New Website

Together, these elements form the basis for every website.

Backend developers will establish three things when constructing your website.

• **Your website's logic code consists of a collection of instructions for how various requests will be handled and how its objects will communicate with one another.
• **Your database management will organize, manage, and retrieve data for your website.
• **Your infrastructure will be used to host your website. Although it is more expensive and requires you to look after your own server's security and health, hosting your own website will give you more control.

Your website will be prepared for front-end development once you've made these choices and put these elements into place.

Due to the fact that you don't always require a back-end if you're not keeping any data, the back-end is only loosely related to web development. Any user-entered information that you need to preserve and persist is referred to in this context as "data." Consider signing in to a website. How could they keep track of your login details if they don't have a back-end? Or what the settings on your profile are? You need a back-end to obtain this data.

For instance, Facebook requires information on the people on your Friends list, the events you've attended, the posts you've written, and more. All of this is "data" that is stored in a database. None of that data would be available to them if they lacked a back-end with a database.

However, a website that is only informational and doesn't ask visitors to enter any personal information would not require a back-end. So you don't necessarily need back-end development if you don't have any data. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't study the fundamentals. 

6. Create the website's front end.

You've worked with front-end web development if you've ever experimented with web design or played around with a website built in WordPress, Squarespace, or Google Sites.

The front-end components are crucial since they affect how your website's users, clients, and visitors will interact with it.

JavaScript, HTML, and CSS are frequently used together in front-end (or client-side) programming. It also maintains components such as typography and fonts, navigation, placement, and browser responsiveness and compatibility. This phase will incorporate more of your original site concept and the items you put in your wireframe.

Client-side coding typically ages considerably more quickly than back-end programming as technology and user preferences evolve. Here is where coding resources (like the ones listed below) can be very helpful.

(Optional) Work with a CMS.

Why would someone pick a CMS over "hand-coding" or "from scratch" coding? It is true that a CMS offers you less control over your front end because it is less adaptable. A CMS, on the other hand, is simpler to use (you have to write less code) and frequently comes with features for hosting the website, storing user data, making blogs, publishing landing pages, obtaining leads, and even constructing email lists. You'll be able to increase your website's profitability as a result of less effort.

Discover the benefits of using HubSpot's CMS to create a website that is optimized for search engines and interacts with your entire marketing stack.

Plugins that eliminate the need to develop a back-end are frequently offered by CMS choices. For instance, there are WordPress plugins for eCommerce that allow you to use an existing plugin and avoid dealing with databases and server-side code rather than constructing a complex back-end to process credit card payments from clients.

Popular content management systems include WordPress, which controls over 65% of the market, and HubSpot, Joomla, and Magento. (In this instance, we're referring to the WordPress open source software rather than the WordPress site builder.)

7. Acquire a domain name.

Your website's IP address has now been assigned. It also requires a domain name, which is a memorable website name that people can remember and use to discover your website.

You may be familiar with websites such as GoDaddy and Hover. You may purchase a domain name and register it with ICANN using these services (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers). The majority of domain registrations are valid for one year before they must be renewed.

Website builders and hosting companies such as WordPress and Squarespace allow you to purchase a domain name.

Also Read: Your Ultimate Guide for Outsourcing Web Development in 2022 

8. Launch your site.

You're almost ready to share your work with the world wide web once you've created a domain name and connected it to your host.

But hold on, there are still a few things you need to double-check before a launch. These include establishing roles for your team, extensively testing your site for bugs, optimizing for SEO, and performing the last check before "turning the switch" and going live with your site.

Get involved with web development

The Internet is here to stay and is always changing to accommodate the demands of users. Web developers are at the forefront of these developments and advancements; you can find web development in all of your favorite social media sites, mobile apps, and blogs.

As a result, spending the effort to learn coding and programming can help you create the greatest possible business website for both you and your clients. Also take a look into our Simple Guidance For You to Hire A Web Developer.