What is web development?
First, you need to define web development. Web development, in general, is the process of creating websites and applications that work directly on a browser. Web development covers a range of specific tasks, from coding to content management system (CMS) development. All the related development, such as client-side and server-side scripting, advanced feature integration (payment, database, analytics), and security configuration, are also a part of developing a website.
Web development has been receiving attention thanks to the boom of the Internet. The Internet has become ubiquitous, as there were more than 5 billion global Internet users in 2022. With such exponential expansion, web development can earn itself the opportunity to expand furthermore. The web development industry is expected to grow by 23% in 2030, the fastest in the technology field.
For a successful web development, what do you need to prepare?
First, before making a website functional, there’s a few standard criteria you need to prepare for web development:
- Domain: what will your website or business be called on the internet? This is what domain means. It’s a name to identify you among billions of other websites and help your users find and remember you.
- Web Server: a system to receive and save user requests via HTTP or HTTPS. Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) connects Internet users to your server or any servers that store your website information. Without it, your website won’t be available.
This leads us to another definition, hosting. It is an online service that allows you to save files and data on their servers. Seem like a good deal since you don’t have to spend money and resources to purchase, build and maintain your own server.
- Web Content: You don’t want to make a blank page, right?
- Source code: You should own your website source code after the development. This is a collection of code in programming languages that create your web pages.
How does a website work?
A website is a collection of related files or web pages kept on servers or hosting. It is represented by a unique domain name and IP address, which stands for Internet Protocol, a unique string of numbers for communication on the World Wide Web. However, websites can have multiple IP addresses, as their servers are located differently.
Internet users can access a website through an IP address. However, most people prefer going through the direct domain name or search engine results.
Clients will access your website through a browser, namely Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Opera. When they attempt to access your website or its inner web pages, the browser will prepare a set of inquiries to find the IP address and locate your server through a DNS (Domain Name Server).
Then it submits the user’s request to the server, receives the answer, and responds to the user’s screen. But how does the server know what to answer? As explained, it saves all your website files, including photos, text, and everything presented on the user interface. It decodes the user’s request to identify what to show.
Types of web development
1. Web development with a website builder
This is the easiest type of web development. A Website builder is an all-inclusive package that allows you to build your website without manual coding.
Pros
- Offer template designs with drag-and-drop functions that are easy to use for beginners
- Provide both hosting and domain name
- Do all the back coding work for you. You only need to design your web interface
- Low price, saves time and resources
- Easy to maintain
- Your providers handle security
Cons
- Unable to build advanced features and design
- It can be hard to scale for later growth
- You will be dependent on the provider, which might be both good and bad
- It would be challenging if you want to integrate a database or management tools
Who Should Use Website Builder
We don’t recommend a web builder for a website that needs advanced interaction with users or complex, responsive design. It would be perfect if you need a web blog, portfolio website or a few pages to show static information.
Examples of website builders: Wix, Squarespace, GoDaddy, Weebly
2. Web development with a CMS
A Content Management System (CMS) is similar to a website builder but has more advanced features and may require some basic coding knowledge. Because of this, it’s more challenging to use.
Pros
- You don’t rely on the providers’ source code, which means technical flexibility
- Thousands of plugins with unlimited advanced features to use
- Also provided designed template. However, it allows you freely customize here and there.
- Allow SEO, page speed, and responsiveness optimization
- Allow integration
- Great for multi-languages websites
- Unlimited updates on your site, including new blogs, texts, photos, and videos.
Cons
- You need to prepare your hosting and domain name. Some providers will offer these services also
- You must take care of your security
- Only a few plugins are free, so you need to pay as you develop
- Require at least one web developer
- Still need to rely on your provider for some part.
Who should use CMS
A CMS would be perfect for complex and huge web projects with many pages, especially for businesses such as startups, SMEs, SMBs. It would also be great if you have an in-house team or partner to manage, maintain and update your website
Examples of CMS: WordPress, Joomla, Magento, Drupal
3. Build one from scratch
If you don’t want to rely on a third party, building one on your own is a good option. Besides other standard requirements, you need a web framework for the front-end and back-end, programming languages, and databases.
What is Back-end Web Development? It’s the process to build the backbone of your website and what will go on behind the scenes. It deals with website servers, data interpreting, processing, and responding to users to keep everything running smoothly.
What is Front-end Web Development? It’s creating what your user will see and how they interact with your site. For example, filling out a form, clicking on a CTA, and how the photos or videos are shown.
What is a Web Framework? It’s a set of resources, tools, and code introductions to help the developer’s job easier. There are many types of web frameworks with different advantages and disadvantages. Some of the tops are ReactJS, NodeJS, Django, and Ruby on Rails.
What is Programming Language? It’s a system of notation to build computer programs, including web pages. Some top web programming languages are Java, PHP, JavaScript, Python.
- Check the detailed review: Top 15 Web Development Programming Languages To Use In 2023
What is a Database? A web database will store your website data and information. Some common names are Oracle, My SQL, Microsoft SQL Server, and MongoDB. We have also reviewed the top 15 databases for website and web application to use.
- About web database, check our post: What is Website Database: Types, Examples & How It Works
Pros
- Full control of your database, source code, security, content and everything else
- You can develop and design your website as you wish
- Highly flexible with full integration depending on you
- Lots of hiring options: working with an agency or hiring an in-house team
- Less distraction from your business
- Professional results
Cons
- Expensive
- Choosing the right partner can be difficult
- Might take more time to develop
- Prepare everything from your own from A to Z
- Can be difficult to upgrade or make any changes since you have to fix the source code. Adding a new page also means coding another one.
Who Should Build One From Scratch
When the CMS and Website builders don’t fulfill your requirements. When you don’t want to rely on a provider. Your website or web app is too complicated or if you have enough resources (time, finance, people) to finish the projects.
We would also recommend this method if your site content don’t need constant update. Otherwise, a CMS or hybrid development would be better.
4. Hybrid web development
Building your website can be daunting and take lots of time. In this web development guide, we introduce a hybrid web development. With this, you tailor-make the parts that CMS doesn’t provide while using its existing tools to develop the others faster. This cut down the time on development while maintaining the project’s quality.
Many businesses choose this type of web development. Since it’s more cost-effective while ensuring your website’s uniqueness in design and robust user experiences. It also limits the disadvantages of using a web builder or building from the ground.
You can work with an in-house team or partner with a web company for this web development type. Considering these roles in a web team before starting on the project. Hiring a web partner is more cost-effective than an in-house team. Yet, you will have more control over your team.
Add these fundamental web development tools to your stack
1. Front-end web development tools
Front-end developers take responsibility for designing the web layout, graphics, navigations, and other visual aspects. The front-end mission is to build a user-friendly interface where visitors can find their goals quickly.
Because of this, the front-end tools are mainly text editor, design, and prototype.
2. Back-end development tools
The common back-end development work grounds are servers, operating systems, databases, and Application Program Interfaces (APIs). Back-end development manages the security, content, and site architecture.
The back-end tools are API testing, server, terminal, and many more.
- Find out more: Best 32 Back-end Web Development Tools For A Strong Website
3. Full-stack development tools
Many tools can work with the front-end and back-end, also called the full-stack. Full-stack developer attains years of valuable knowledge and experience in the field. By this, a full-stack developer helps optimize the website’s performance, detects issues, and supports team members working on the web services.
- You’ll need this article: 25+ Best Web Development Tools & Software To Use In 2025
Website development process: From A to Z
- Define the goals: This is the first stage that every business should consider before initiating their web development. By having clear goals beforehand, your business will likely set the best strategy for future project management.
- Plan the sitemap and wireframe: A sitemap can help designers and web developers identify and categorize information. A mainframe, although lacking detailed components, points out the position of certain pieces on the website. Together, the sitemap and wireframe bring a brief look at your website.
- Design the ideas: A website can be displayed in many creative forms, from simple to sophisticated. A basic information layout is a graphical representation of how something works and connects. You can see the end outcome by looking at these designs.
- Prepare content and assembly: Design is not enough to attract clients and customers; your website must also need content. Good content shall represent your organization understandably and appealingly. It also affects your website’s SEO ranking on the result page.
- Write website code: This is where your website comes to reality with lots of effort and time. This step contains the construction of the back-end system and front-end coding.
- Testing: Every website must undergo extensive and rigorous testing before it can be published officially. By testing, web developers ensure every function works correctly, and no bugs are left.
- Maintenance: Your website needs to be managed and updated regularly after publication. This is considered the last stage of the web development process.
- Recommend for you: Understand the Web Development Process
Want to create a website: Do it yourself or hire an agency
Web development courses to learn and DIY
If you are a newbie to web development or a business owner interested in developing a company’s web, there are numerous resources to help you tap into this field.
Find out a suitable course or class that gives you the best web development guide and tutorials on:
If you need more than just attending courses, try reaching out to web development communities to exchange your knowledge and receive recommendations. Developers usually join these communities:
Synodus – Web development agency to hire
In case you are looking for a Web Design & Development Agency, Synodus provides an End-to-end Web Services including: consultant, design, development, testing and maintenance.
We adopt a plethora of techstack with robust Web framework and CMS, comprehensive Database and agile Programming Language to help you build a user-centric website. See how we work with PHP, Magento, ReactJS, WordPress and many more. View portfolio!
Synodus has successfully launched hundreds of web pages with 88% client satisfaction. Talk to our experts now!
Wrapping up
A comprehensive and step-by-step web development guide to help businesses and individuals make the best decision when learning and creating a website.
