For the creation of websites you often hear two terms mentioned frequently: web design and web development.
Web development generally refers to the more technical aspects of creating or modifying a website using programming and coding to alter the functionality. This is different to web design which caters more for the aesthetical qualities.
Most websites require some form of web development even if you are using a CMS, technical aspects may need to be changed or modified.
The main components of web development are:
- Client-side coding
- Server-side coding
- Database technology
Client-Side Coding
This deals with coding on the “client” or “user” side, this is often code that is actioned by a web browser. Some well-known client-side coding that are client-side include Ajax, JavaScript, JQuery, HTML and CSS.
Server-Side Coding
Server-side coding involves scripts that are actioned by a web server, documents are requested and served to the clients’ browser from the server.
Coding languagclient-sideent side include ASP.NET, Java, Perl and Python
Database Technology
All websites require a database hosted on a server which contains all the files needed for that website to work as it should.
A good web developer will be skilled in all three of these and able to adapt and make changes to produce a website that meets their clients’ needs.
What’s the difference between web development and web design?
Although the term “website design” is often used as a blanket term for the whole process of building a website, there is a clear distinction between this and web development.
Web design tends to deal more with the visual aspect of the front end of the website or in other words the part that the end user sees. They often concentrate on make it visually appealing and also on providing a good user experience. They will generally be dealing with the HTML and CSS along with graphic design. The website may even be designed by a graphic designer and then passed on to the designer to implement it digitally.
Conversely, web development is more concerned with the technical aspects both on the front and back ends of a website and making sure all the functions of the site work correctly. This may involve using programming languages, adapting technical functionality, dealing with databases, scripts, shopping carts etc. The front end and the back end must work together along with the databases and server to produce an end product that serves the users of that site.
Finding a good web developer
As they must have a wider range of skills and be familiar with a large number of different coding languages and frameworks and for that reason it can be hard to find a really good web developer.
Ask them for their previous experience and make sure they are comfortable working with your website set up.
Identify provide a highly advanced web development service with many years of experience on our team. If you need a specific job doing or ongoing support just get in touch and we will give you a bespoke quote.