Website development involves developing and maintaining websites, which are essential for businesses aiming to build an online presence. It ranges from creating a simple webpage using a Wix template to developing a complex website with thousands of pages from scratch.
Let’s go over some common web development terminology to help you navigate the field, outline the steps in the web development process, and provide tips for outsourcing projects to professionals.
Table of Contents
- How Does Web Development Differ From Web Design?
- Common Web Development Terminology Explained
- The Importance of Web Development and Having an Outstanding Website
- Web Development Process Explained in 5 Steps
- 3 Types of Web Development and Their Use Cases
- Most Common Programming Languages Used in Web Development
- How To Outsource Web Development to an Agency
- What Is Web Development? Closing Thoughts
How Does Web Development Differ From Web Design?
Web development and web design are two essential components of building a successful website, but they serve different purposes.
- Web design focuses on the visual aspects — the layout, color schemes, fonts, and overall appearance. Designers work to create an engaging and visually appealing experience for users.
- In contrast, web development deals with the behind-the-scenes work that makes the design functional. Developers use coding languages to create interactive elements, ensure the site runs smoothly, and implement features like forms, shopping carts, or databases.
Below is a simple comparison to further clarify their differences:
| Aspect | Web Development | Web Design |
| Focus | Functionality and coding | Visual layout and aesthetics |
| Tools used | Programming languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript | Design software like Adobe XD and Figma |
| Outcome | Functional website | Website’s visual appearance |
Common Web Development Terminology Explained
Like any profession, website development comes with industry-specific terms. If you’re starting a web development project, you should at least familiarize yourself with these common terminologies to create a better understanding between you and the website development company you’re working with.
Website
This is already a pretty common term, but we thought we’d cover it anyway. A website is a location on the internet. It’s not to be interchanged with the term ‘web pages.’ To put it simply, a website is a collection of web pages.
Web Page
A web page is a simple hypertext document that exists on the World Wide Web and is displayable by a web browser. A web page can contain numerous types of web resources, such as scripts, media, and style information.
Web Browser
A web browser is software designed to read web pages and allows you to see various forms of content from around the world. Popular browsers include Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Opera, and Safari. Most web browsers are free.
URL
A website’s URL, or uniform resource locator, is the address that specifies the location of a website or web page on the internet.
IP Address
Every device that connects to the internet needs a unique identifying number called the Internet Protocol address or IP address. This string of numbers essentially identifies a host’s network interface and provides its location in the network, which establishes a path to that host. An example of an IP address is 192.158.1.38.
Domain Name
This is the name that internet users type into a browser to reach a specific website. However, this should not be interchanged with the URL, which also includes the path to a specific webpage. For example, the domain name for DesignRush is ‘designrush.com’, and the URL to the Agent Directory is ‘designrush.com/agency’.
HTML
HTML, or hypertext markup language, is a markup language used in creating websites. While it’s not a programming language, it serves as a building block of the web. HTML describes how a document is displayed by a browser and consists of elements, tags, and attributes.
HTTP
HTTP, or hypertext transfer protocol, is used by the World Wide Web to define how data is transmitted. It sends data from a web server to a web browser.
HTTPS
This stands for hypertext transfer protocol over SSL or hypertext transfer protocol secure. It is simply a more secure and encrypted version of HTTP.
CSS
CSS, or cascading style sheets, is a markup language that makes up the visual components of a website. While HTML determines the content and structure of a webpage, CSS is used to style it. It is used in applying colors, font, font size, and text alignment, among other attributes.
SSL Certificate
SSL stands for secure sockets layer. An SSL certificate provides secure communications between an internet browser and a website. Many web hosting companies charge an annual fee for SSL certificates, but there are some who offer it for free.
DNS
The domain name system (DNS) functions like a phonebook for the internet. When you access a website, web browsers need the website’s IP address to display it. DNS simplifies this process by translating domain names into IP addresses that browsers use to load internet resources. This means you don’t have to memorize IP addresses; you can simply input the domain name of the site you want to visit.
Website Hosting
Simply put, web hosting is where all the files for your site are stored. This includes data such as CSS files, media content, and HTML. These files are housed on physical servers and made accessible online to anyone with an internet connection.
Debugging
Debugging is an important part of web development. It focuses on identifying and fixing errors, or “bugs”, that prevent a website or app from functioning as it should. This process includes testing the solution to see if the bug has been resolved, and if not, implementing further fixes.
Cache
Cache refers to the temporary storage of website files, like images, scripts, and other data, on a user’s device. This allows webpages to load faster when the user revisits the site, as the browser can pull from saved files rather than reloading everything.
Sitemap
A sitemap is exactly what it is — a map of your website that outlines all its pages. There are three types of sitemaps: one used by web designers during website planning, hierarchical listings intended for the human user, and structured listings for search engines that crawl and index the site’s content.
The Importance of Web Development and Having an Outstanding Website
If you want to run a successful digital marketing campaign, web development is not something you should scrimp on. Your website is the center of your campaign — your paid ads, email marketing campaigns, and social media ultimately lead back to it.
That said, here are some noteworthy benefits of having an outstanding and user-friendly website:
1. Improves SEO
With around 1.1 billion websites as of 2024, competition to get to the top spot in search engine results pages has become quite stiff.
You can achieve a high ranking by improving your website to meet numerous SEO criteria, including maintaining fast loading times, ensuring mobile-friendliness, and regularly testing and adjusting your site performance.
2. Extends Your Reach
A well-built website can help increase your business’s online presence, promote your brand, and make it more accessible, which ultimately allows you to reach a broader audience. Even a small local business, for instance, can attract customers from across the country.
3. Attracts Loyal Customers
Employing proper web optimization strategies can help you attract loyal customers. You can showcase testimonials from satisfied customers and partnerships with large brands you’ve worked with. This increases your trust rating and puts your brand in a positive light.
4. Increases Revenue
An optimized website also often leads to increased revenue for a business. By reaching a broader audience and having more loyal customers, your business can see substantial growth. This is particularly true in today’s digital era, with over 2.64 billion online shoppers worldwide — a figure that continues to rise year by year.
Web Development Process Explained in 5 Steps
The web development process is a structured approach to building a functional, efficient website. Each step is crucial to ensure the site meets user needs and business objectives. By following a clear path, web developers can create a website that works well and aligns with design expectations.
Here are the key steps involved in web development:
Step 1: Planning
This phase involves gathering requirements, identifying the target audience, and defining the website’s purpose. A clear plan helps guide the design and functionality, ensuring the site addresses business goals. Solid planning forms the foundation for the entire development process.
Step 2: Design
Once the plan is established, the design stage focuses on creating wireframes and mockups of the website’s layout. These mockups visualize how the site will look and feel. The design is reviewed and refined until it aligns with the desired user experience.
Step 3: Development
After finalizing the design, developers start writing the code to bring it to life. Front-end development focuses on the site’s appearance, while back-end development handles its functionality. This stage transforms static designs into interactive websites.
Step 4: Testing
Once the website is built, rigorous testing ensures that everything works as intended. This step involves checking for bugs, ensuring compatibility across browsers and devices, and validating performance. Testing also helps identify issues that could disrupt the user experience.
Step 5: Launch and Maintenance
After successful testing, the website is launched to the public. However, the work doesn’t stop there. Ongoing maintenance ensures the site remains functional, secure, and up-to-date as technology and business needs evolve.
3 Types of Web Development and Their Use Cases
Web development encompasses different areas, each responsible for specific aspects of building and maintaining a website. Depending on the project, developers may focus on the user interface, server-side functionality, or both.
To better understand these roles, here are the three main types of web development and their common use cases:
1. Front-End Web Development
Front-end development is concerned with the parts of a website that users interact with directly. Developers leverage HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create layouts, buttons, and navigation menus. Their main purpose is to ensure a seamless user experience across devices and browsers.
This type of development is crucial for creating visually appealing, user-friendly websites that drive engagement.
2. Backend Web Development
Backend development deals with the server, databases, and applications that make the website functional behind the scenes. This involves writing code that connects the front-end with the server, ensuring data is stored, retrieved, and displayed properly.
Common languages for backend work include PHP, Python, and Ruby. Businesses needing eCommerce sites or dynamic content rely heavily on back-end developers.
3. Full-Stack Web Development
Full-stack development combines both front-end and back-end responsibilities. These developers handle everything from the visual interface to server-side programming, offering a more comprehensive skill set.
Full-stack developers are versatile and ideal for projects requiring both design and functional elements. Startups and small businesses often prefer full-stack developers for their ability to manage entire projects.
Most Common Programming Languages Used in Web Development
When it comes to web development, a variety of programming languages are used to build both the front-end and backend of websites. Each language serves a specific purpose, helping developers achieve different functionalities and design elements.
Below is a list of the most common programming languages used in web development.
- HTML: It defines the structure and content of a webpage, forming the foundation of web development.
- CSS: This language styles the visual appearance of websites, controlling layout, colors, and fonts.
- JavaScript: This programming language adds interactivity and dynamic features like animations, forms, and real-time updates.
- Python: Known for its simplicity, this language is widely used in back-end development and data-driven websites.
- PHP: PHP is a server-side language that builds dynamic websites and manages databases.
- Ruby: Ruby is popular for web applications and valued for its ease of use and clean syntax.
How To Outsource Web Development to an Agency
Your web developers can either be in-house or outsourced. Having your website development done in-house gives you full control of the project, but it can be pretty costly and time-consuming.
On the other hand, outsourcing your web design and development project is cost and time-efficient, provides a fresh perspective, and allows access to a global talent pool. The following are the key steps to outsource web development successfully:
- Define your goals
- Research and select an agency
- Communicate requirements clearly
- Monitor progress and provide feedback
1. Define Your Goals
Before reaching out to agencies, it’s important to have clear goals in mind for your website. Identify what features you need, your target audience, and how the site should function. Clear project goals help ensure that you and the agency are aligned from the beginning.
2. Research and Select an Agency
After defining your goals, start researching agencies that specialize in web development. Look for agencies with relevant experience and a portfolio that aligns with your vision. Checking reviews and client testimonials can also provide insight into their reliability.
3. Communicate Requirements Clearly
Once you’ve selected an agency, it’s crucial to clearly communicate your website’s requirements. Share detailed information about the project scope, timelines, and any specific features needed. Clear communication reduces misunderstandings and keeps the project on track.
4. Monitor Progress and Provide Feedback
Throughout the development process, stay involved by monitoring progress and providing timely feedback. Regular check-ins with the agency help address issues early and ensure the project remains aligned with your goals. Such coordination can lead to a more successful final product.
What Is Web Development? Closing Thoughts
Mastering web development empowers businesses to create an impactful online presence. A well-designed website strengthens brand credibility and improves user experience, which is essential for retaining visitors and achieving growth.
A thoughtful approach ensures your site aligns with your brand’s goals while delivering the value that your users need.
