Website development is a catch-all term for the work that goes into building a website. This includes everything from markup and coding to scripting, network configuration, and CMS development. While web development typically refers to web markup and coding, website development includes all related development tasks, such as client-side scripting, server-side scripting, server and network security configuration, eCommerce development, and content management system (CMS) development. This article covers the basics of web development, the process of creating a website, and additional resources for those who want to learn more about development or become a developer themselves.
Website
Websites are files stored on servers, which are computers that host websites. These servers are connected to a giant network called the Internet. Browsers are computer programs that load websites via your Internet connection, such as Google Chrome or Internet Explorer, while the computers used to access these websites are known as “clients”.
IP Address
To access a website, you need to know its Internet Protocol (IP) address. An IP address is a unique string of numbers. Each device has an IP address to distinguish itself from the billions of websites and devices connected via the Internet. The IP address for HubSpot is 104.16.249.5. You can find any website’s IP address by visiting a site like Site 24x7 or by using Command Prompt on Windows or Network Utility > Traceroute on Mac Books. To find your device’s IP address, you can also type “what’s my IP address” into your search browser. While you can access a website using its IP address, most Internet users prefer to use domain names or by going through search engines.
HTTP
Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP) connects you and your website request to the remote server that houses all website data. It’s a set of rules (a protocol) that defines how messages should be sent over the Internet. It allows you to jump between site pages and websites. When you type a website into your web browser or search for something through a search engine, HTTP provides a framework so that the client (computer) and server can speak the same language when they make requests and responses to each other over the Internet. It’s essentially the translator between you and the Internet — it reads your website request, reads the code sent back from the server, and translates it for you in the form of a website.
Coding
Coding refers to writing code for servers and applications using programming languages. They’re called “languages” because they include vocabulary and grammatical rules for communicating with computers. They also include special commands, abbreviations, and punctuation that can only be read by devices and programs. All software is written by at
least one coding language, but languages vary based on platform, operating system, and style. All languages fall into one of two categories: front-end and back-end.
Front-End
Front-end (or client-side) is the side of a website or software that you see and interact with as an Internet user. When website information is transferred from a server to a browser, front-end coding languages allow the website to function without having to continually “communicate” with the Internet. Front-end code allows users to interact with a website and play videos, expand or minimize images, highlight text, and more. Web developers who work on front-end coding work on client-side development.
Back-End
Back-end (or server-side) is the side that you don’t see when you use the Internet. It’s the digital infrastructure, and to non-developers, it looks like a bunch of numbers, letters, and symbols. There are more back-end coding languages than front-end languages. That’s because browsers at the front end only understand HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, but a server at the back-end can be configured to understand pretty much any language.
CMS
A content management system (CMS) is a web application or a series of programs used to create and manage web content. While not required to build a website, using a CMS makes things easier. It provides the building blocks (like plugins and add-ons) and lets you create the structure with your code. CMSs are often used for e-commerce and blogging, but they’re useful for all types of websites.
Cybersecurity
There are always malicious actors looking to find vulnerabilities in websites to expose private information, steal data, and crash servers. Cybersecurity is the practice of securing data, networks, and computers from these threats. The methods used by hackers are constantly evolving, as are the security measures taken to defend against them. Failing to understand how your site could be targeted could result in disaster. As a result, a basic understanding of cybersecurity best practices is critical for effective web development. You should also carry out security audits on a consistent basis.
Front-end Development
Front-end developers work on the client- or user-facing side of websites, programs, and software in other words, what users see. They design and develop the visual aspects, including the layout, navigation, graphics, and other aesthetics. The main job of these developers is to build interfaces that help users reach their goals, which is why they also often have a hand in the user experience aspect of their projects.
Back-end Development
If the front end is what users see, the back end is what they don’t. Back-end web developers work on the servers of websites, programs, and software to make sure everything works properly behind the scenes. These developers work with systems like servers, operating systems, APIs, and databases and manage the code for security, content, and site architecture. They collaborate with front-end developers to bring their products to users.
Full Stack Development
Full-stack developers work in both the front-end and back-end sides of a website. They can create a website, application, or software program from start to finish. “Stack” refers to the different technologies that handle different functionalities on the same website, like the server, interface, etc. Because full-stack developers require years in the field to build the necessary experience, this role is often sought after. Their all-around knowledge helps them optimize performance, catch issues before they occur, and help team members to understand different parts of a web service.
Website Development
Website developers can be front-end, back-end, or full-stack developers. However, these professionals specialize in building websites, as opposed to mobile applications, desktop software, or video games.
Desktop Development
Desktop developers specialize in building software applications that run locally on your device, rather than over the Internet in the web browser. Sometimes the skillset of these developers overlaps with that of web developers if an application can run both online and off.
Mobile Development
Mobile developers build applications for mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets. Mobile apps operate much differently than other websites and software programs, thus requiring a separate set of development skills and knowledge of specialized programming languages.
Game Development
Game developers specialize in writing code for video games, including console games (Xbox, PlayStation, etc.), PC games, and mobile games which means this specialty overlaps somewhat with mobile development.
Embedded Development
Embedded developers work with all hardware that isn't a computer (or, at least, what most of us imagine as “computers,” with a keyboard and screen). This includes electronic interfaces, consumer devices, IoT devices, real-time systems, and more. With a recent rise in interconnected devices as seen with smart appliances, Bluetooth technologies, and virtual assistants, embedded development is becoming an in-demand practice.
Security Development
Security developers establish methods and procedures for the security of a software program or website. These developers typically work as ethical hackers, trying to “break” websites to expose vulnerabilities without intending harm. They also build systems that discover and eradicate security risks.
Process of Website Development
A website's creation is not as simple as 1-2-3. Depending on the website's type, programming languages, and resources, each development path is unique. The web development process is briefly described, along with the most popular programming languages and content management system (CMS) choices, in the section that follows.
Forming 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. It’s much easier to create a roadmap at the beginning of the process than reverting your progress at a roadblock.
Creating a Wireframe: Every good website has a blueprint at the outset. A wireframe is what programmers refer to as. It doesn't have to be a formal document; it can simply be your site's vision, which will give you and your developer(s) guidance and a place to begin. You can use a tool like In-vision, Slick-plan, or Mind-node, or draw it on a whiteboard.