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What is a Web Application?
A web application can be defined as any online service accessible via a browser. That is a program which runs on a server, and it can be accessed through a browser with an internet connection. Web applications are generally divided into two parts: Client-side and Server-side. Client-side displays the data retrieved to the end users on the web application's front end.
Web Application Development: A Step-by-Step Guide to Success
We have already mentioned that successful web application development depends on a thorough planning process, a sound architectural framework, and the right tools. It is also important to take strategic steps to create a future-proof web app.
Step 1. Choose the Type of Web App That is Suitable for Your Business
You can create more than seven different applications for your web design company.
Web Applications
Static web applications are the easiest type of application. They do not interact directly with users and are hard to modify or update. These static pages are created using HTML, CSS and JQuery. They present the same information for every user.
You can add some basic animations like videos, GIFs and interactive banners. Suppose you want to provide users with information on your company simply and do not wish for them to be able to give input. In that case, a static application is the way to go.
Dynamic Web Applications
As the name implies, dynamic web applications are flexible and interactive. Users can enter data, such as a post comment, complete a contact form, build a profile, or search for specific information.
They are also more complex than static web apps. The good news is that you don't have any access to your server to create a dynamic application. That makes it easy to integrate features.
Facebook & Spotify are two of the most popular dynamic web applications on the Internet today. Suppose you want to create a similar web application to Facebook or Spotify. In that case, dynamic web development is the way to go.
Content Management System
The Content Management System allows you to edit and create website content. WordPress is an example of a popular CMS with all the tools website administrators need to customize their web apps.
A CMS web application is a simple way to manage all the assets in a company. Non-technical people can build it. Your curiosity about pre-built web development tools to create your own CMS.
Progressive Web Applications
Progressive Web Applications are the newest and trendiest innovation on the Web application scene. PWAs are more than simple web apps. It offers a superior experience to other web applications because it combines features from a mobile native app and a website.
PWAs, unlike most other web apps, allow you to add them to your smartphone's home screen and access it with just a click.
PWAs, in simple terms, aren't mobile apps native to the platform but rather an extension that users can install. PWAs also offer offline and push notification functionality, a great way to retain customers. They can still access your app when the internet connection fails.
PWAs are being built in countless numbers around the globe. If you are looking for successful examples, consider Starbucks and BMW. Starbucks' mobile app was converted into a web-based progressive app in 2013. They saw immediate results in many areas, and their revenues increased to approx $22,05 billion.
Step 2. Select the Technology to Build Your Web App
After deciding what type of website application you would like to create for your company, you can move on to the next stage. That step is where you decide what technology will be best for your web app. We've listed the top frontend and backend technologies, along with the benefits they offer, so that you can choose the best one for your needs.
Choose a Frontend Technology According to the Type of Web App you are Creating
Frontend refers to the user interface, allowing users to interact and use your website. From the end user's perspective, the front end is very similar to an interface. Frontend development primary objective is to create a seamless user experience. That is why making it simple to use is so important.
Here are four popular frontend technologies you should consider for web application development.
Angle
As a hobby project, Angular was developed in 2010 by a Google engineer, Misko Hevery. It is a frontend typescript technology used to build scalable web apps from scratch. The abundance of built-in tools allows developers to create web applications of any complexity and size.
Angular allows for code reuse across different platforms.
The Benefits of Angular
- Customization Option - Thanks in part to attribute bindings, Angular offers a range of customizations, such as styling a website dynamically, managing several CSS classes and improving accessibility.
- High performance -Angular has many pre-built structural components, including Injectors and Pipes. It also comes with Directives and Components. These elements help ensure that a web app is running at high speed.
- TypeScript advantage - TypeScript provides amazing attributes like refactoring and autocomplete. It also offers seamless navigation as well as reduced code errors.
- Easy Integration of Third Parties - Integrating third-party services, such as payment gateways and social media platforms, can enhance the overall functionality & user experience of an Angular-based web application.
Vue.js
Vue.js is a model-view-view-model JavaScript framework specifically developed to build intuitive web interfaces and sophisticated single-page applications.
The best part of Vue.js, however, is its user-friendly interface. Vue.js can be used to develop both mobile applications and web-based apps. That is made possible by HTML extensions & JavaScript, working in conjunction with the Electron Framework.
Vue.js
- Very lightweight framework - The Vue.js Framework is only 18 kilobytes.
- A Powerful Toolset - Vue.js's initial release has a set of powerful tools that include end-to-end tests, debugging, a stage manager and a Plugin Installation System.
- DOM - Vue.js makes a copy of the DOM & identifies elements that need updating without redrawing the DOM. That improves the performance and speed of web apps.
- Awesome community - Despite not being backed by big companies like Google and Facebook, Vue.js has gained an enormous following ever since its creation. There are many guides to help you learn Vue.js, along with active Reddit & Discord groups.
Flutter
Google released Flutter in mid-2017. It is a new platform-independent technology that allows you to create natively-compiled desktop, web and mobile applications with a single codebase.
Flutter offers the advantage of native programming, allowing developers to reuse code on multiple platforms. That reduces costs for developing a Flutter app.
To Benefit from Flutter
- Lego Simplicity: Application Development with Flutter is as easy as building Legos. To design a Flutter application, you only need to plug customized/ready-made widgets together.
- Quicker Time-to-Market - Due to its Lego-like simplicity, you can ship a Flutter application & new features faster than other frontend technologies.
- Dart advantage - Dart, created by Google, is popular because it allows you to write much more structured code. It also allows complex hierarchical structures & applications.
- Active Community - Despite Flutter's release in 2017, the community has grown to include independent developers that actively assist with problems and contribute regularly.
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Choose a Backend Technology According to the Type of Web App you are Creating
The backend is the portion of software and applications that end users don't view. That is primarily responsible for organizing and storing data on the servers and ensuring that everything runs smoothly on the front end.
The backend is in constant communication with the front end. It receives and sends out information that will be shown on the front end according to the users' requests. Here are four popular backend technologies you should consider for web application development.
Node.js
Node.js was first introduced by Ryan Dahl in 2009. It is a JavaScript-based runtime that offers high performance & scalability when developing web applications using async programming.
Several Node.js frameworks, such as Meteor.js and Express.js, can be used to improve the functionality of a backend web application.
Node.js's non-blocking I/O and multithreading features have made it the most popular backend technology.
Node.js Benefits
- Non-Blocking IO - Non-Blocking IO in Node.js can process multiple requests simultaneously, improving performance & scalability.
- Unrestricted Frame - Node.js allows developers to write code on the structure without restrictions.
- Improved Response Time - By caching single modules within the application memory, Node.js can improve the response times of web applications.
- Improved Deployment - With Node.js, web developers can write the back-end JavaScript code for their web applications. That reduces learning curves and improves deployment.
Java
Java is a server-side language that is widely used in backend development. The most popular feature of this programming language is that it has fewer implementation requirements and is the most powerful and effective ever developed. Java is used by millions of devices around the world.
Java
- Easy to Learn - Java's automatic memory allocation feature and garbage collection make learning easy.
- Java Code is dependent - Java code, unlike most other Java code programming languages, can be run on any computer, except when JVM is present.
- Supports multithreading - Java has a language that supports multiple threads with the same memory. That increases the efficiency and performance of the web application.
- Java Web Apps are Cheap to Maintain and Develop. Java apps can run on almost any maintenance cost of maintaining them.
Python
Python is an interpreted high-level server-side language. It can be used for a variety of tasks and applications. Python is a great tool for web application development because it allows developers to create logical and clear code.
Benefits of Python
- Python - A high-level language that has a syntax similar to English. That means developers do not have to worry about remembering complex syntax and behavior.
- Third-Party Modules - Python is equipped with a variety of third-party modules which allow it to interact with platforms of all kinds and programming languages.
- Productivity Python's control & integration capabilities can enhance web application productivity. Python, a concise dynamically-typed language, is more productive than Java.
- The Most Active Community - Python Community is among the most active communities on the planet. The community is huge and very active. Some of the most talented Python programmers in the world are involved with the support forum and language.
.Net
.Net, a Microsoft cross-platform, free framework, is used to build high-performance applications that are modern and scalable. You can use.Net to create mobile, desktop and web applications. .NET remains a good option for building mobile and web applications.
The Benefits of Net
- Object Oriented - .NET's object-oriented programming allows developers to break down a large project into small pieces that can be combined once the work is complete.
- Visual Studio -.NET is bundled with Visual Studio (a well-known IDE). The tool helps you build apps without fuss and publish them on different OS platforms.
- Cross-Language Compatibility - .NET has cross-language compatibility, meaning the .NET component can work together even if it's written in a different programming language.
- Huge Community -.NET created a large community even before it became open source. Microsoft made it open source, and the community grew even larger.
Read More: Web App Development In 2023: Everything You Need To Know
Step 3. Select a Suitable Business Model as Per Your Business Requirements
After selecting the right technology stamps your project, you must choose a business model. You can select from 3 types of business models to develop web applications.
The Time and Material
When it's impossible to estimate your project's size and scope, Time & Materials are often used. That is a flexible business model where you pay hourly, paying only for the hours you spend on your project. When your project has an open-ended or undefined scope, it is best to use this business plan.
Resources as a Service (RaaS)
The RaaS model (Resources as a Service) is an online business that operates every month. You hire resources such as developers, designers, quality analysts, etc. The resource will work on your project exclusively for the month. This business model allows you to hire staff in three different ways.
Offshore
An offshore business hires a resource from another country to work on your project. Using this type of model is preferred when there has been a business relationship with an IT third party for a considerable period.
The Offshore model is a monthly fee for an offshore resource that you can use to develop your web application. Consider this business model if you want to control your project's development.
Onshore
Onshore and offshore developers business models are almost identical. The only difference is that the dedicated resource hired by your company will work in your offices and not in your home country. Onshore outsourcing may not be as economical as offshore. Still, there are many advantages to onshore that offshore does not have.
Hiring a resource that works on-site at your company eliminates all time zone problems. You can also have face-to-face interactions in crises, which is invaluable to some businesses. Suppose you are concerned about time zone differences and are willing to pay more for face-to-face interaction. In that case, you should consider outsourcing your project onshore.
ODC
ODC (also known as an offshore development center) is a good business model if you want to reduce your costs for web application development. Startups and digital product companies prefer this type of model when developing a new technology or solution but don't want the cost to eat into their budget.
The ODC model allows you to hire all the team members required to develop a web-based application, including designers, developers, testers, and project managers. Many startups around the globe have used this model to start their businesses and then transferred it to the location of their company.
Fixed Price
The fixed-price business model is used when project requirements are fairly accurate, and the scope for changes is limited throughout the project life cycle. This business model is best suited for those who clearly understand their web application needs; that is, they know what functionalities and features to include.
This business model involves both parties signing an agreement that specifies the tasks to be performed by a third-party company of IT in exchange for money.
Step 4. Follow the Proper Web App Development Process to Build a Stellar Web Application
The final part of your approach will be ensuring your team adheres to the correct web application development procedure. Understanding the web development time process is important because it will make or break any project. To help ensure that it is done correctly, we have explained below the complete step-by-step web application development process.
1. What Problem will your App Solve?
Each web application develops by defining the target user's problem. Well-defined problems provide a roadmap and help to find the right solution. Spend some time researching, conducting surveys etc. Understand the biggest problem that users face. That will allow you to determine what web applications you should build to address the users' main problems.
2. Create Wireframes
Wireframes are created after defining the problem and identifying the solution. The wireframes help you plan all aspects of your website application, including frameworks, resources and tools. Wireframes can also be extremely useful in choosing the right development method.
The agile approach, for example, is most common today as it incorporates an incremental & iterative methodology. The agile approach allows you to build multiple iterations that are integrated and deployed based on constant feedback.
3. Choose the Architectural Ultimate Style
The architecture is at the core of every desktop, web, and mobile application. The solution can respond efficiently to user requests. After thoroughly understanding project goals and requirements, this task is typically performed by project managers or software architects.
The four layers of a standard web architecture are:
- Presentation Layer.
- Business Layer.
- Data Access Layer.
- Data Service Layer.
Scaling and achieving optimal performance by using each layer independently is possible.
What Cloud Solution is Best for Your Web App Development in 2023?
By 2021, 80% of enterprises will have adopted cloud-based viable products. Data storage is now a top priority in every field. Mobile and computer users have increased dramatically in the past two decades. No matter how big or small your company is, you want to ensure data is accessible and affordable.
Not all organizations can afford enormous amounts of cash for buying and maintaining hardware. A large storage center and strong IT support are now essential for any business that wants to stay competitive. In this article, we'll discuss how to pick cost-effective cloud solutions for developing web apps. Cloud computing is a cheaper alternative to web apps because it is more efficient in data storage and computation. Cloud computing eliminates the expensive IT infrastructure.
Rise of Cloud Computing
Let's look at a graphic representation to see why Web applications are becoming so popular in the cloud. A survey by Cisin revealed that on-premise apps cost companies between $100,000 and $500,000, with half the budget spent on hardware and software.
Cloud-based app development is a great alternative to on-premise development. Among them are Instagram, Quora and Reddit. Adobe, Pinterest, Facebook, Spotify, LinkedIn, Airbnb, Netflix, Netflix Airbnb Quora.
Read More: Designing And Developing Web Applications
Why is Cloud-based Application Development Better?
Here are some reasons that cloud-based development is better than on-premise development:
- Data security: The cloud platforms guarantee data safety since they must protect companies' sensitive information at any cost and adhere to the GDPR.
- Scalability: The Cloud-Based Development Solutions offer scalability on demand in both directions, which is useful if the company does not plan to support certain app features. That means that the hardware and software resources are reduced.
- Rapid deployment: Both development and deployment are faster with cloud-based services. Web developers do not need to install additional hardware or software to create the app.
- There is No Need for Backup: In this case, keeping a copy of all the software and hardware used in developing mobile and web applications is unnecessary.
- Leading-Edge Software These cloud services provide access to cutting-edge software and hardware. They are constantly upgraded, resulting in better solutions.
- Track Service: It lets you track the services used when working on cloud computing platforms. You'll see how much resources and money are spent on each app.
- Remote access: Another advantage is that all cloud-based app development teams have remote access to the entire world, which allows them even more flexibility in attracting high-level professionals.
In addition to the above reasons, investors find cloud-based apps more attractive and predictable. For example, we have added a graph showing the increase in public IT spending on cloud computing. Using this graph, it is estimated that IT cloud expenditures will surpass 200 billion dollars in two years.
What is the Best Cloud Platform?
Finding the best cloud platform to develop your Web applications or other services can be tricky. It is important not to take cloud platforms for granted, particularly regarding your first cloud solution.
Understanding which cloud service type will work best for you is important. These include SaaS, PaaS and IaaS.
1. PaaS
PaaS, also called Platform as a Service (PaaS), provides users with a software environment to create mobile/web apps. Cloud-based services provide tools that accurately configure software environments, including OS, testing, and development tools.
The Pros and Cons of PaaS
- Reduced Coding.
- Customize your website.
- Flexibility.
- Simple mechanism.
- Choose the most convenient option.
The Cons of PaaS
- Platform Lock-In.
- Restricted Access.
- Integration challenges.
- App performance is suboptimal.
Platform as a service has many advantages; the image above shows some of these. But PaaS can also be considered a basic tutorial component when building mobile apps or e-commerce sites. Cloud developers also choose this service because it's affordable and lightweight compared to the other options available.
PaaS requires developers to have some prior experience in database deployment, front-end development, and business logic.
2. SaaS
SaaS is a term used to describe software provided via the Internet, primarily on a subscription basis. SaaS can be an option for businesses facing a deadline and cannot meet the set date to develop and deploy the entire Infrastructure.
Lambda, a SaaS by Amazon product that adds specific features to mobile applications, is a well-known SaaS example. Lambda is a SaaS product that makes app development easier. It automatically scales and requires no administration.
The Pros and Cons of SaaS
- Cost reduction.
- Multi-tenant distribution model.
- Easier maintenance.
- Access to information faster.
- Device & location independence.
- Data analytics improved.
- Continued Offers.
The Cons of SaaS
- The security issue that takes a lot of time.
- Contractual obligations.
- Data localization.
- Control Data.
In general, choosing SaaS for your Web app project can be an excellent choice if the project is short-term or you need a software collaboration that will last only a short time with specific users. Before choosing SaaS, we need to consider some of the common mistakes SaaS companies make.
3. IaaS
IaaS, also called Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), is a cloud-based service providing online access to resources like storage, servers and networks to deploy operating systems. In this instance, the data virtualization process can make it possible to achieve without managing your Infrastructure. It is similar to renting an actual server but online.
The Pros and Cons of IaaS
- Minimum management cost.
- There is no administrative problem.
- Pay-per-use option.
- Infrastructure costs are minimal.
- High Reliability.
The Cons of IaaS
- Restricted Flexibility.
- Limitation of infrastructure control.
- Require good bandwidth.
- Continued Costs
- Safety Concerns
This cloud-based platform allows web developers to customize their web apps with maximum customization. IaaS is a service that many businesses require, mainly in the telecom or ecommerce industry.
Below is an image that shows the services and tools available for developing web apps according to the cloud solution discussed previously, i.e. SaaS (Software as a Service), IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) and PaaS are all cloud services. This table will help you to select the best cloud service for your needs.
Cloud Solutions: What to Consider
There are several things to consider when choosing the best cloud platform to develop your web application. These include:
- Number: users: Use the app effectively. Many users view it as an indication of client satisfaction and trust.
- Cost perspective: Pricing may be a major factor in selecting a cloud-based solution for your mobile or web app.
- Level of tech support: Ensure you receive the appropriate assistance and technical support to maintain your application if something goes wrong.
- Data security: As discussed earlier, each cloud service offers a different degree of security for mobile app developers to prevent online fraud or security breaches.
- Updated Policies: It is important to keep up-to-date with policies and updates of cloud services to ensure that your software runs smoothly.
These are the most important points to consider when selecting cloud services like IaaS or PaaS.
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Conclusion
The development of web applications is an important part of business, particularly after the COVID-19 Pandemic. It's nearly impossible in the digital age to reach many clients without a web application. You're making the right decision if you decide to create a web application for your company. Developing a web app is lengthy, so consulting with an established IT company is highly recommended.
