Web design and development, also known as website development, is the creation and ongoing maintenance of websites. Individuals who undertake web development are called web developers. Developers use a variety of programming languages as well as other tools to create a website.
Web development involves several specialized activities that help build a website. These include back-end or server-side scripting, front-end or client-side scripting, web design, and web content.
Server-Side Scripting
This is also known as back-end development. The purpose of server-side scripting is to primarily take care of how the website is hosted, the application on which the website runs, and the database for storing data.
In other words, a back-end developer is responsible for ensuring that the website runs smoothly behind the scenes. In doing so, developers use a variety of server-side scripting languages. Popular choices include Java, PHP, Python, and Ruby.
Client-Side Scripting
Client-side scripting is also known as front-end development. The job of a front-end developer is to ensure that the website offers a good and interactive user experience. This involves integrating all the functionality on a website into a comprehensive experience.
Client-side scripting covers the overall layout of the website, navigation bars, drop-down menus, presentation of the text and other content, and the graphical user interface in general. Developers typically use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to handle front-end development.
Web Design
Web design simply refers to the overall design and graphical appearance of a website. This involves choosing the right layout, fonts, typography, colors, and images.
A web designer may use a variety of tools for web design. These include Adobe Creative Suit, Illustrator, and Photoshop. Most web designers are also adept at using ready-made themes and widgets to tweak the graphical outlook of a website. Some designers may also have experience with front-end languages like HTML and CSS.
Web Content
Web content refers to all the data and information you provide to your visitors on a website. Such content may in the form of text, videos, tables, graphical elements, forms, and more. You must carefully curate the web content on your website to ensure that it aligns with your business goals. Popular types of web content include website copy, blog posts, podcasts, face sheets, case studies, and reports.
What is a Full-Stack Web Developer?
Most web developers specialize in a particular area. This is why they are known as front-end devs or back-end devs. However, some developers have a broader set of skills that allows them to handle both front-end and back-end development. Such developers are known as full-stack developers.
Getting your website built by a full-stack developer has its pros and cons. A full-stack dev can take a more holistic view of the website and make informed decisions about its development. The downside is that the developer is unable to focus exclusively on a specific area, given the broad range of the job.
If you are considering web development for your business, you must first carefully determine the nature of the project. What kind of website do you want to build? What is your target audience, and what are your business goals with the website? These questions will help you determine the kind of resources you will need for the project.
