What is website development?

In general, the activities and procedures involved in building and managing a website are referred to as website Development. This covers everything from code and markup to network configuration, scripting, and CMS development.

I’ve spent countless hours coding and playing with websites, and as a result, I now consider Web Development to be an art form and a means of realizing ideas. Website development encompasses all related development responsibilities, such as client-side and server-side scripting, server and network security settings, e-commerce development, and content management system (CMS) development, even though web development usually refers to web markup and code.

I can’t wait to teach you the fundamentals of web development and the thrilling process of building a website from the ground up. It was my first website, full of garish colours and clumsy animations, but it was mine, and it ignited a love that lasted a lifetime. I have personally found the thrill of solving difficult problems in an elegant way through trial and error.

You are welcome to use the chapter links to navigate around the guide.

Web Development vs. Web Programming

It sounds like web programming and web development are the same thing, and they are. However, there is one crucial difference.

The process of developing a website or online application, including its design, layout, coding, content production, and functionality, is referred to as web development. To create a website or online application, a variety of computer languages, tools, and frameworks are used. It might also include project management tasks including responding to requests for development from independent contractors or stakeholders.

On the other hand, web programming particularly refers to the front-end or back-end coding and scripting of a website. Writing code to manage data, interpret user input, and provide dynamic content is the main task. Seldom, if at all, would a web programmer manage a web development project from start to finish. They might construct a specific area of a website or fix flaws.

Comprehending this distinction has proven to be crucial in my professional journey, as it has enabled me to recognize the complexity and range of abilities needed in the web development industry. It serves as a reminder of the variety of skills and knowledge that combine to create the modern digital world.

Web Development Basics

1. What is a website?
2. What is an IP address?
3. What does HTTP mean?
4. What is coding?
5. What does front-end mean?
6. What does back-end mean?
7. What is a CMS?
8. What is cybersecurity?

1. What is a website?

Files on websites are kept on servers, which are computers that host, or more formally, “store files for,” webpages. The Internet is a massive network that is linked to these servers.

So how can we go to these websites? Browsers are useful in this situation. Browsers, like Google Chrome and Internet Explorer, are computer programmes that load websites through an Internet connection; the computers that these browsers access are referred to as “clients.”

2. What is an IP address?

How the Internet knows where to send data has long intrigued me. You need to grasp IP addresses to find the solution. You need to know a website’s Internet Protocol (IP) address in order to access it. A distinct string of integers is an IP address. To set itself apart from the billions of websites and gadgets connected to the Internet, every device is assigned an IP address.

HubSpot’s IP address is 104.16.249.5. Any website’s IP address can be found by going to a website such as Site 24×7, using Network Utility > Traceroute on MacBooks, or using Command Prompt on Windows.

You can simply type “what’s my IP address” into your search browser to obtain the IP address of your device.

Although an IP address can be used to reach a website, most Internet users would rather utilise domain names or search engines.

3. What does HTTP mean?

The distant server that contains all of the website’s data is connected to our website request via the HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP). It’s a protocol, or collection of guidelines, that specifies how communications should be carried via the Internet. We can navigate between webpages and websites with it.

HTTP offers a foundation so that the client (computer) and server may communicate in the same language when they send requests and get responses to each other via the Internet, such as when I type a webpage into my web browser or look up something using a search engine. It functions as a kind of intermediary between you and the Internet, interpreting our request for a website, deciphering the code sent by the server, and presenting it to us as a webpage.

4. What is coding?

Writing code using programming languages for servers and applications is referred to as coding. Because they have grammatical rules and terminology for interacting with computers, they are referred to as “languages.” They also contain punctuation, special commands, and abbreviations that are only understood by certain hardware and software.

There is a coding language used to write all software, however the languages differ according to the platform, operating system, and style. There are two types of languages: front-end and back-end.

5. What does front-end mean?

The portion of a website or piece of software that you view and use as a user of the Internet is known as the front-end, or client-side. Front-end coding languages enable websites to operate without constantly “communicate” with the Internet when data is transmitted from a server to a browser.

Users can interact with a website by playing movies, enlarging or contracting photos, highlighting text, and more thanks to front-end code. Client-side development is the domain of web Developers who code for the front end.

6. What does back-end mean?

The portion of the Internet that is hidden from view is known as the back-end, or server-side. It is the digital infrastructure, and it appears to non-developers as a random collection of characters, numbers, and symbols.

Compared to front-end languages, back-end coding languages are more numerous. This is due to the fact that browsers only support HTML, CSS, and JavaScript on the front end, but servers may be set up to support almost any language on the back end.

7. What is a CMS?

A set of programmes or an online application used for creating and managing web content is known as a content management system (CMS). (Note: Site builders like Squarespace or Wix are not the same as CMSs.)

Even though it’s not necessary, utilizing a content management system simplifies the process of creating a webpage. It gives you the basic components (plugins and add-ons) and allows you use your own code to develop the framework. Though they are helpful for all kinds of websites, content management systems are frequently employed for blogging and e-commerce.

8. What is cybersecurity?

Malicious actors are constantly searching for holes in websites so they may steal data, disclose personal information, and bring down systems. The process of protecting computers, networks, and data from these attacks is known as cybersecurity.

Both the techniques hackers employ and the security precautions adopted to thwart them are always changing. It could be disastrous if you don’t know how your website could be targeted.

Therefore, for efficient web development, a fundamental awareness of cybersecurity best practices is essential. Additionally, you want to do security audits frequently.

Types of Web Development

1. Front-end Development
2. Back-end Development
3. Full Stack Development
4. Website Development
5. Desktop Development
6. Mobile Development
7. Game Development
8. Embedded Development
9. Security Development

I got my start in web development in the exciting field of front-end development, where I enjoyed transforming code into dynamic, aesthetically pleasing webpages.

Afterwards, I dove into back-end coding and learned about the internal workings of a website. I have a greater understanding of the smooth front-end and back-end connection as a result of learning Python and Ruby.

You should be aware of the many web development skills that developers possess, regardless of whether you want to work as a web developer or employ one.

The various domains within the web development industry that web developers might operate in are principally indicated by these categories of web development. Web developers frequently possess numerous web development skills, and some of these distinctions overlap.

1. Front-end Development

The client- or user-facing side of websites, apps, and software, or what users view, is the domain of front-end developers. They create and design the visual elements, such as the graphics, navigation, layout, and other aesthetic elements.

Since creating interfaces that assist users in achieving their objectives is their primary responsibility, these developers frequently work on the user experience component of their projects.

2. Back-end Development

The back-end is what users don’t see if the front-end is what they see. Back-end web developers maintain the back-end functionality of websites, programmes, and software by working on their servers.

These developers oversee the code for security, content, and site architecture and work with technologies such as servers, operating systems, databases, and APIs. To get their products in front of users, they work together with front-end developers.

3. Full Stack Development

Developers that specialize in full stack work on both the front end and back end of websites. They are capable of starting and finishing the development of a software, application, or website. The term “stack” describes the various technologies—such as the server and interface—that manage various functions on a single website.

Companies wishing to construct or maintain their websites frequently seek out full-stack developers for this profession because they need years of expertise in the sector to gain the essential skills. The comprehensive understanding of this developer aids in performance optimization, problem detection in advance, and team member comprehension of various web service components. This extensive skill set is often taught in a full stack developer course.

4. Website Development

Front-end, back-end, and full-stack developers are all types of website developers. On the other hand, these experts are more skilled at creating websites than they are in creating desktop programmes, mobile apps, or video games.

5. Desktop Development

The specialty of desktop developers is creating software programmes that operate locally on your device instead of via a web browser and the Internet. When an application may operate both offline and online, these developers‘ skill sets occasionally overlap with those of web developers.

6. Mobile Development

Applications for mobile devices, such smartphones and tablets, are created by mobile developers. Because mobile apps function very differently from other websites and software applications, developing one requires a different set of skills and familiarity with specialized programming languages.

7. Game Development

Game developers are experts at writing code for video games, which includes PC, console (Xbox, PlayStation, etc.), and mobile games. As such, there are some similarities between their specialty and mobile development.

8. Embedded Development

All hardware that isn’t a computer—or, at the very least, what the majority of us consider to be “computers,” complete with a keyboard and screen—is worked with by embedded developers. This covers real-time systems, consumer electronics, Internet of Things devices, electronic interfaces, and more.

Embedded development is becoming more in-demand due to the current surge in linked products, such as smart appliances, virtual assistants, and Bluetooth technologies.

9. Security Development

Methods and processes for a software program’s or website’s security are established by security developers. Typically, these developers are ethical hackers who attempt to “break” websites in order to reveal flaws without causing harm. Additionally, they create systems that identify and eliminate security threats.

Front-End Web Development Languages 

Front-end web development is concerned with designing the interactive and visual components of a website, as I’ve already covered. The user-facing aspect, or what you essentially see when you open a website in a web browser, is what it entails planning and developing.

I think the “easiest” way to start a web development career is probably front-end development. That being said, there will be a learning curve, just like with anything else in this industry.

These are a few of the most widely used languages for front-end web development:

HTML (Hypertext Markup Language)

Since HTML is the foundation of every web page, it’s possible that when you think about web development, you think of it first. It describes the components of a website, including headings, paragraphs, graphics, and links, in addition to providing semantic organization. Before modifying material, web developers utilize HTML to give it an appropriate layout.

CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)

If HTML serves as a website’s framework, CSS is its meat. The style of a website’s visual look is handled by CSS. Developers can alter layouts, fonts, colours, and other design components with it. Additionally, you may use CSS to make web pages that are responsive to various screen sizes.

JavaScript

JavaScript is a dynamic programming language that enhances websites with interactive features including forms, animations, sliders, dropdown menus, and forms. Client-side scripting, in which the script executes on the client’s browser rather than the server hosting the website, is a popular use case for JavaScript. In general, JavaScript improves user experience by adding dynamic and engaging elements to websites.

jQuery

A quick and lightweight JavaScript library called jQuery was created to make handling events and manipulating HTML easier. It offers numerous tools and techniques for handling AJAX queries, choosing items, and making animations. jQuery makes cross-browser development easier and works with all current browsers.

React

A JavaScript package called React is used to create user interfaces. It enables developers to effectively manage an application’s state and produce reusable user interface components. React is now commonly used for creating sophisticated web apps with dynamic and responsive user interfaces. It has seen tremendous acceptance.

These languages are essential for developing interactive, intuitive, and aesthetically pleasing webpages. Don’t undervalue them: Even with the greatest back-end design, a website won’t attract as many visitors if its user interface is outdated, non-interactive, and difficult to use.

Back-End Web Development Languages

While front-end developers focus on creating the user-facing elements of a website, back-end developers work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Rather than altering the user interface, back-end development languages, in my opinion, help programmers work with the servers, databases, and applications that power websites and apps. As such, it is a little trickier than learning front-end development.

Here are some of the most common back-end web development languages:

Python

Python is a well-liked programming language with an emphasis on readability and simplicity that is flexible and easy to learn.

It offers a wide range of frameworks, like Django and Flask, that simplify database management and HTTP request handling in back-end programming. Python’s large library and framework variety make it a favorite among back-end developers.

PHP

PHP is a widely used server-side programming language designed primarily for web development.

It has robust features for interacting with web servers, managing databases, and producing dynamic content. It easily interacts with HTML. Popular PHP frameworks like Laravel and Symfony increase the efficiency and maintainability of complex web applications.

Ruby

Ruby is a dynamic, object-oriented programming language that prioritizes readability and ease of use. Most commonly associated with it is the Ruby on Rails framework, which provides a platform for developing dependable and scalable online applications.

Ruby is the preferred language for web development projects because of its vibrant ecosystem and elegant syntax.

Java

Java is a well-liked and flexible programming language that is well-known for being platform-independent and scalable.

Enterprise-level online applications with stringent security and performance requirements are commonly created using it. Java frameworks like Spring and Hibernate give programmers the tools they need to quickly and easily build complex back-end systems.

C#

C#, pronounced C-sharp, is a modern general-purpose programming language developed by Microsoft. The two primary uses for it are Windows desktop programmes and web services.

C# is becoming a more popular back-end language for developing secure and scalable web applications as the.NET framework has gained traction.

Node.js

Node.js is a JavaScript runtime, or the environment in which your JavaScript code executes, and it is based on the V8 JavaScript engine found in Chrome. Its ability to run JavaScript code on the server side makes full-stack JavaScript development possible. Node.js is known for its high scalability, efficiency, and adaptability for real-time application and API development.

Recall that back-end developers require not only linguistic proficiency but also a solid understanding of databases, server administration, and internet security.

For this reason, front-end programming is usually a little easier than back-end development, but back-end development is still quite teachable.

The Website Development Process

Based on the V8 JavaScript engine found in Chrome, Node.js is a JavaScript runtime, or the environment in which your JavaScript code runs. Full-stack JavaScript development is made possible by its ability to run JavaScript code on the server side. High scalability, efficiency, and suitability for real-time application and API development characterise Node.js.

Remember that in addition to being fluent in language, back-end developers also need to have a strong grasp of databases, server administration, and online security.

Because of this, back-end development is typically a little more difficult than front-end programming, but it is still quite teachable.

1. Form a plan.

Before laying pen to paper or hands to keyboard, it’s vital to first connect with teams and personnel across your organization to develop a plan for your website.

Here are some questions to consider before your first site draft:

• What is the goal of your website?
• Who is your audience, and what do you want them to do on your website?
• What type of website are you building? (e.g. basic informational, membership, online store)
• What content are you aiming to publish, and at what volume?
• What’s the purpose of this content?
• How will you structure your website for the best navigational experience?
• What’s your budget?

Answering the questions requires interfacing with your web development, marketing, and financial teams to determine your priorities and make informed decisions.

Put simply? It’s much easier to create a roadmap at the beginning of the process than reverting your progress at a roadblock.

2. Create a wireframe.

Every excellent website begins with a blueprint. This is known as a wireframe by developers. It’s just a vision for your website that will offer you and your developer(s) direction and a place to start; it doesn’t have to be an official document. You can use an app like Mindnode, Slickplan, or Vision, or you can sketch it out on a whiteboard.

You may better understand where text and graphics will appear on specific web pages by using wireframes, which are purely visual tools. Blank boxes and “dummy text” are useful tools for seeing how your information will appear on the front end. I would advise making a wireframe if you’re working with a corporation or a freelancer so you can see what your finished project will look like.

3. Draft up a sitemap.

It’s now time to draft a sitemap, which should not be confused with a sitemap.XML, an XML file that facilitates search engines’ crawling and discovery of your website. A sitemap provides a developer with the knowledge they need to realise your idea, just like a business plan does for a possible investor. You can collaborate with your developer(s) or make your own sitemap.

When you’re organizing your website, consider the following questions:

• Which specific pages are you looking for?
• What information is going to be on those pages?
• What categories could you use for those pages?
• What is your website’s page hierarchy?
• How are the pages going to link one another?
• What sections of your website and user experience are crucial?
• Which categories or pages could be merged or deleted?

Once more, speaking with other teams inside your company is a good idea. Your SEO and/or content strategy team’s advice will be invaluable when it comes to organizing your pages’ links and linking structure.

4. Build the back end of your website.

Although it’s not the sole aspect of web development, writing code is undoubtedly one of the trickier aspects. It is also necessary for you to develop the front-end and back-end site architecture.

First, let’s discuss the back end.

The data required to make the front-end functioning is handled by the back-end. For instance, my images are stored on Facebook’s back end, enabling others to view them on the front end. It consists of two main parts:

• Data must be stored, arranged, and processed by databases in order for server requests to get it.
• Your computer’s hardware and software are called servers. Data requests must be sent, processed, and received by servers. They act as a bridge between the client/browser and the database. It will be as if the browser is telling the server, “I need this information,” and the server knows how to retrieve it from the database and deliver it to the client.

Together, these elements provide the framework upon which every website is constructed.

Backend developers will establish three things when constructing your website.

• Your logic code is a collection of guidelines that determine how particular requests will be handled by your website and how its objects will communicate with one another.
• Your website’s database management system, which is responsible for managing, organising, and retrieving its data.
• Your site will be hosted by your infrastructure. You will have more control over your website if you host it yourself, but the cost is substantially higher and you are responsible for the security and upkeep of your own server.

For instance, Facebook requires information about who is on your Friends list, events you have attended, postings you have made, and much more. All of this “data” is kept in a database. They wouldn’t have access to any of that data if they didn’t have a back-end with a database.

However, a back-end would not be necessary for a website that is only informational and doesn’t ask users to provide any information.

5. Build the front-end of your website.

You have encountered front-end web development if you have ever experimented with web design or played around with a website created in Squarespace, WordPress, or Google Sites.

The front-end elements of your website determine what users, clients, and visitors will see and how they will interact with it.

Front-end development, also known as client-side development, uses HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It also manages elements like placement, navigation, responsiveness and browser compatibility, typography, and fonts. This section will mostly showcase your original site concept and the elements you put in your wireframe.

Client-side coding tends to age far more quickly than back-end programming when it comes to changes in technology and user expectations. This is where having access to coding resources, such as the ones listed below, is helpful.

6. (Optional) Work with a CMS.

Why would someone choose a CMS over coding “by hand” or “from scratch?” It’s true that a CMS is less flexible and, therefore, gives you less control over your front-end. However, a CMS is easier to use (you have to write less code), and it often has tools for hosting the site, storing user information, creating a blog, publishing landing pages, capturing leads, and even building an email list. As a result, you’ll be able to make your website more profitable with less than half the work.

Plugins are frequently available for CMSs, eliminating the need to create a back-end. For instance, there are WordPress e-commerce plugins available that allow you to leverage an already-existing plugin and avoid dealing with databases and server-side code, rather than having to construct a complex back-end in order to charge consumers’ credit cards.

HubSpot, Joomla, Magento, and WordPress are popular content management systems with a combined market share of over 65%. (Here, we’re referring to the open-source WordPress programme rather than the WordPress site builder.)

7. Acquire a domain name.

It also requires a domain name—a catchy online moniker that users can remember and use to navigate to your website.

Maybe you’ve heard of websites like Hover and GoDaddy. These services assist you in registering with ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) and buying a domain name.

You may also buy a domain name through website builders and hosting providers like Square space and WordPress.

8. Launch your site.

You’re almost ready to publish your work online once you’ve registered a domain name and connected it to your web host.

But before you make the formal debut, there are still a few things you need make sure of. These include assigning roles within your team, extensively testing your website to look for bugs, optimizing it for search engines, and doing a last inspection before “turning on the light” and launching your website.

Website Development Resources

I’ve discovered that lifelong learning is essential. When faced with a challenging coding task, I found the abundance of available web information to be rather helpful. You can use a variety of sites to increase your knowledge in web development in addition to networking with other developers.

Web Development Courses and Classes

TutorialsPoint

Resources and content on TutorialsPoint are all free. Learn to code using a variety of resources from TutorialsPoint, including videos, ebooks, and tutorials.

egghead

Egghead is a team of active web developers and open-source contributors that, according to their website, “offers you succinct, information-dense video courses on the best tools in the industry.”

On a wide range of web development topics, users can take lessons, listen to podcasts, or take courses.

Khan Academy

One well-known source of free education is Khan Academy. Along with a few computing courses, users can learn anything from US history to macroeconomics to linear algebra.

SiteSaga

Beginners can learn how to create websites for free using SiteSaga, an online resource. It’s the ultimate website tale, covering clear and detailed instructions for creating, expanding, and establishing a strong online presence for websites. It offers the simplest methods for creating websites with website builders and content management systems (CMSs) like HubSpot, mostly aimed at non-developers and small enterprises.

freeCodeCamp

A non-profit organisation called freeCodeCamp offers free coding instruction, much to Khan Academy. Thousands of developers and engineers learn about programming and land development jobs with the aid of freeCodeCamp, which offers thousands of articles, videos, interactive tutorials, and global study groups.

Team Treehouse

Team Treehouse is an online learning programme that requires a subscription. Users can access hundreds of courses covering more than 20 areas by paying a monthly charge. Treehouse can teach you all you need to know about web programming, including JavaScript, Python, and php.

Web Development Communities

Since web engineers are Internet gurus, it makes sense that they would congregate and interact in online groups.

Developers join these groups, according Code Condo, for the following reasons:

• Current data and problem-solving skills
• insightful responses and fresh viewpoints
• A guide to all levels of programmers
• Links to articles, presentations, and studies
• Getting to know new people, fellow programmers, and possible partners

Here are a few online communities recommended by us.

Stack Overflow

Since its launch about 15 years ago, Stack Overflow has grown to rank among the most well-known programming communities worldwide. “[Stack Overflow] is by programmers, for programmers, with the ultimate intent of collectively increasing the sum total of good programming knowledge in the world,” states co-founder Jeff Atwood.

If you have any questions, Stack Overflow is an excellent place to go because most of the time, other developers have asked and answered similar concerns. Stack Overflow’s forums help you stay informed and in touch with other developers.

Mozilla Development Network

Compared to other online resources, Mozilla Development Network (MDN) is renowned for being more comprehensive and accurate. It’s more of an extensive resource and document library for coding languages than it is a community. MDN is helpful for keeping up with coding and development news as well as understanding how specific functions operate.

Reddit

Developers of different skill levels come together on Reddit, a forum-based community, to post questions and receive answers. People from all over the world participate in this highly engaging platform. Additionally, you can join “subreddits” that focus on particular subjects like freelance work, JavaScript, or web design.

Dive Into Web Development

For me, diving into web development marked a sea change. This field aims to transform our perception of the digital environment, not only code. To be honest, you’re losing out on a significant opportunity to influence our daily lives if you’re not getting into web development.

In my opinion, knowing web development is essential whether you’re creating the next big app or promoting your company online. Keeping up with the field’s ongoing evolution is not only vital, but also thrilling. I promise you that web development is never boring.

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