Website Development, also popularly known as web development is the process of creating, building, and maintaining websites and web applications that run online and are accessible through a browser. 

The process of web development includes web designing, publishing, web programming, and database management. The term Web Development is a conjunction of two words, i.e. ‘Web’ and ‘Development’, where –

Web refers to websites, web pages or anything that works over and is accessible through the internet.

And the term Development refers to developing or building that application from scratch.

The task is closely associated with the job of designing the features and functionality of apps i.e. web designs. The procedure of development in the actual sense refers to the activity of building, simply said, programming of sites.

Web developers build sites, and ensure that they function properly and perform in multiple ways to allow a great user experience. This is done by writing lines of code, along with using a variety of programming languages that vary depending on the task it will be needed to perform and the type of platform it is for.

Web development is often confused and synonymously used for web designing, although it is closely related to the job of designing the features and functionality of websites and apps, it only focuses on the construction and programming of websites and apps.

The basic tools that are used in web development are programming languages. Generally, the programming languages used for web development are:

• HTML (Hypertext Markup Language);

• CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) and,

• JavaScript

However, a number of other programs are used to simplify and manage the construction of sites that otherwise would have required basic coding to get started. Several content management systems (CMS) fall into this category, and the most widely used CMS among others are –

• WordPress;

• Joomla!;

• Drupal;

• TYPO3; and, 

• Adobe Experience Manager

There are particularly three types of Web Development services in use –

1. Front-end Development

2. Back-end Development; and

3. Full-stack Development 

Front-end Development 

 Front-end development refers to the part of a website that directly interacts with the user. Front-end development is also referred to as ‘client side’ or ‘client facing’ web development.

It is the portion of the site, app, or digital product that users see and directly interact with. It is responsible for the way a digital product looks and appeals, thus, it is often referred to as “Web Designing”.

Front-end Web Developers act as a bridge between design and technology, as they work on translating website design and visual ideas into codes, they take the design ideas created by others on web development teams and programs to turn them into reality.

Front-end Developers are usually expected to have a solid understanding and possess good knowledge of programming languages, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Good “Client-side developers” are also expected to be aware of frameworks like React, Bootstrap, Backbone, AngularJS, and EmberJS.

They are responsible for creating responsive websites (that usually look, appeal and function well on any given device), also, they are accountable for conducting website testing and fixing bugs, if any, detected along the web development process. They further ensure that the site structure works and follows the best SEO practices.

Back-end Development – 

Back-end Developers are responsible for how a digital product works. They create the basic framework of a website and maintain it while ensuring it performs the way it should. That includes database interactions, user authentication, server, network and hosting configuration, and business logic. Back-end developers are the behind the scene geniuses who are concerned with the systems and structures that allow computer applications to perform as desired or expected. 

The elementary work of these developers is to ensure the site’s functionality, responsiveness and speed, they are also responsible for and possess the knowledge of how to build servers with modern frameworks i.e. while developing custom APIs and serving static websites and files, they also have insights of how to manage databases and data on a web server.

Back-end developers traditionally use server-side programming languages such as-

• Python

• Ruby

• PHP

And use tools like–

• MySQL;

• Oracle; and

• Git

Full-stack Development – 

Full-stack development refers to the development of both front and back-end development. A full-stack developer usually has knowledge of a wide variety of programming languages and is much more versatile. Due to a better grasp of the concept and specialisation, full-stack developers are considered “aces”.

As statistics show us that 47% of consumers prefer visiting a business’s website before making a purchase, regardless of the size of its operation and a further 30% of them decide whether or not they’ll make their decision not to make a purchase based on the fact that they prefer their website.

Thus, ensuring that you are operating a business that has great growth potential and offers several other benefits to those who need it.

Read on to find out the 5 main reasons why your business needs a website.

Build Credibility with your website –

As a business, you need to establish your credibility so that people can put their trust in you to start buying from you.

The pandemic pushed the world online and everyone started to make online purchases and so did scammers. As per an FTC report, during online shopping people lost more than $245 million by being scammed. 

And gradually people started learning more about these scams and hence tend to check the authenticity before making any purchase or transaction.

People have become more research-oriented and when a consumer researches your business and does not find a website, they are more than likely to take it for a scam and you get marked as a scammer – who’s trying to steal their money. However, when their search lands them on your “website” they get a legitimate assurance of your existence and purpose of business –

You can seem like a reliable seller of a genuine business if you have:

• An about us page

• A list of your past and present works

• A Reviews and Testimonials section/page

• Feedbacks page/column

• Contact Us Page

By adding these features, you establish credibility as a trustworthy and reliable seller that delivers on its promises.

It also establishes your credibility among and against other businesses. Having a better website appeals to your target customers and even more, convinces people to trust you. It is a smart way to showcase your products/services along with reviews and testimonials from satisfied customers – the good and bad in the comment section can also show that you’re trying to resolve the problem and people will believe in your work even more.

Establish your brand identity with a website –

How your consumers and audience perceive you is a huge factor that determines the success or failure of your business. Once you establish your own brand identity, you allow customers to know and understand what you are all about, and that will help you to give a boost to your sales.

However, it could be a bit intimidating and difficult at times in case you don’t have many platforms or channels to do so on. Indeed, social media could help your consumers, to gather an idea of who you are, but when you have a website it answers it all for you. It gives your customers a full picture of what you and your business are all about:

Your brand identity exists and is made up of your –

• Mission

• Vision

• Values

• Unique Positioning

• Brand Personality

Building a brand website indeed is the best possible and most effective way to showcase all these important factors to deliver the message. You can add relevant details and features on your “about us” page or you can also add it to your home or landing page to give your consumers a basic idea of your brand and the more they understand you and what you stand for, the more are more chances that they are going to buy from you.

Boost your brand recognition with your business website –

Brand recognition and brand identity although used synonymously at times are two very different things that plenty of people are not aware of.

Brand identity deals with how consumers perceive your business, however, brand recognition deals with how consumers recognise and recall your brand.

Boosting your brand recognition through your website by linking it to your guest posts and comments can be a good idea. Or, you can also start your own blogs by linking them to your website. Doing so will help people who are searching for articles or blogs about topics oriented to specific industries or topics that relate to your brand.

Basically, your website acts as a home for all your branding efforts and as you build your brand recognition people get a better understanding of your brand identity.

The more people visit your website, the more they recall your brand and the more they do so, the more they begin to trust you and are more willing to buy from you.

Your website can help you build connections with your customers –

You need a strong connection with loyal customers to keep your business growing and expanding. When your customers feel a connection with your business they are more likely to seek that feeling out again to continue buying from you.

When your website establishes a strong connection with your customers it furnishes them with a chance to get an insight into your business. If they can easily connect with your business then, be rest assured that they are going to come around later.

Building connections will help your business to grow and turn into a well-performing one. A website that is centred and focused on offering an easy user experience and is well personalised for customer visits will bring a more positive response. And the more positive interactions they make with your business, the stronger your connection gets.

A website allows you to drive sales –

When customers can easily find and navigate through your website, they learn more about your business. And, when your website offers a better user experience, they increase the rate of conversion and drive sales of your business.

As per statistics by the year 2040, about 95% of purchases will be made through online platforms. However, this may not seem to make enough sense but it may, if you compare the current status i.e. given the fact that 63% of purchases online began back in 2018 and saw an instant shoot during the global pandemic that turned people towards the internet for buying pretty much everything. 

Therefore, even if your website is facing a hard time performing, give some attention to it, as it has the biggest potential to change and grow your business.

Even starting small is an intelligent idea as it is also be helpful because people can come to a particular “place” when they are in need. This will eventually grow your exposure and will allow you to grow exponentially.

Wait! We aren’t done yet –

We have 5 more bonus points for you that you should further keep in mind why you to need to invest in building a website for your business:

You need a website for digital marketing –

 If you’re planning to go digital, then you must own a website.

You can drive organic traffic with your website – 

If your website is SEO optimised then be rest assured, that your website will drive organic traffic for you.

Your website keeps your clients and prospects updated – 

Your website keeps your clients and prospects regularly updated as it allows them to take actions accordingly.

Your Website enables easier customer experience – 

Among the plethora of calls, notifications and offers, any number of queries concerning any particular product/service can be easily solved by your website.

You can beat your competitors and go big with your website – 

Being available “online”, your website allows your customers to find you whenever and from wherever they need your assistance.

Thus, there could be no better time like the present to start your own website and no matter how small or large you operate, you must remember that having a high-performing website is imperative as it can offer you assistance and support your business in more than one ways. Investing in website development for business can be highly beneficial. If done correctly it can give you an instant boost and bring outstanding results to your business.

That is why, having a website in this digital era of marketing is extremely important as it not only enhances your business’s credibility, but it also establishes an instant connection between you and your customers.