Web App Development | Web Design |
You may have a novel idea or your client wants to develop a web app utilizing your firm’s services. You need to go through a systematic process if you wish to deliver the web app within the deadline and planned budget. Web apps are transforming the way work happens in offices and homes. They are changing the entertainment landscape and communication protocols. You may be using Zoom or Netflix. Did you know that they are web apps? Their performance and user experience are exemplary because of a lot of effort behind the scenes.
Introduction to Web Apps
A web app is a program running on a web server. It does not have to be downloaded and installed for usage. You need to access them via a web browser using the Internet.
They have low maintenance. So, money and effort are saved. Other characteristics include high scalability and flexibility. As such, they can be adapted to changing requirements as well as demand. Updates are done from the server end. Hence the user does not have the responsibility of updating. Web apps don’t need a specific operating system. They run well on all platforms. The only thing needed is a web browser for usage. Web application development makes good business sense now as well as in the future.
Different Kinds of Web Apps
These types of apps are created using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Note that they look and behave like native apps. But in fact, they are not actually native apps.
These types of apps consist of more than a single page. Compared to single-page apps their architecture is more complex and the quantity of data is comparatively more.
Examples are email web apps. The whole page is not reloaded when using these types of apps. Only select content is updated.
The full form is Content Management System. Thanks to this technology, folks with limited or zero technical skills are able to develop, manage or change content on a particular site.
Amazon is an example of this type of web app. People can buy or sell products using the Internet. These apps are designed to be user-friendly, make the purchasing or canceling process convenient, and at the same time make transactions confidential and secure.
These apps provide real-time responses to user actions. The output is determined according to the application logic. They are usually connected to databases. JavaScript-created web apps are interactive in nature.
These apps are easy to develop. Examples are news sites. They can work offline if necessary.
Now we look at the different stages of the web application development effort.
Here you gather all the requirements and expectations that the client has. You identify the target audience for the web application development. Research on whether there are similar deliverables in the market. If so, how will you make your offering better and different? Conduct research on whether the deliverable is technically and commercially feasible. It is recommended to have a questionnaire document ready. Does the technology exist to build the product satisfactorily? How much will it cost to build it? How much time will it take to generate profits? Do you have the human resources to develop the deliverable? Does your vision of the web app match the client’s vision? Ask what are the goals of the web app. Determine the size and complexity of the web app. How many users should it be designed for? The vision and future plans for the web app should be crystal clear. Query the client about the industry the proposed web app would be serving. Arrange a meeting where all stakeholders such as the technical architect, project manager, designers, coders, and clients are present. Brainstorm for suggestions and the best way for web application development. The role of product managers is crucial His/her responsibility is to carry out a market competency strategy and create a roadmap. He/she should do the necessary research about the market demand and competitive cost of the deliverable.
Determine all the features and functionality that the final deliverable should have. Decide which project management and communication tools to use during the project. What programming languages and databases to employ? Which front-end and back-end frameworks to use? How many team members are required? What is the responsibility of each team member in web application development?
The project manager and software architect will have a discussion with the designers and programmers. After that, they create the web app design document. They use wireframes to help visualize the user interface and design of the deliverable. Show it to the stakeholders so that appropriate modification can be done. You can make prototypes and present them to the client for feedback. The feedback can be incorporated into the next prototype to better meet client needs and expectations. Repeat prototype development and modification until the client are fully satisfied. A quality design will result in high-quality web application development.
As most of us know, content is king. Just fancy design will not result in loyal users in case of missing or poor-quality content. Content should be easy to read and understand. Use images and videos to improve the quality of the content. The content should be useful, relevant, and up-to-date. If you do not have the capability to generate content it is advised to hire a competent and punctual content-writing team or individual. Proofread the content thoroughly for spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. Review it with competent staff to check the quality and worth of the content to users. Use short sentences and avoid technical jargon. Have headings and subheadings where needed for better readability. This is a very important stage of web application development.
Here coders built the web app as per the final approved design. They may code from scratch or use programming frameworks for web application development. The latter is used as it makes the job of the developers easy. The coders should be competent as well as experienced. This will ensure faster development of the web app without being stalled by any programming issues. The usage of free software platforms will reduce the cost of developing the web app. On the other hand, paid software programming tools come with technical support and comparably better capabilities and performance.
Best coding practices should be utilized. The coding should be tailored for SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Then the web app is likely to rank high in search engine results. Code validators should be leveraged to detect whether the code is compliant with existing web standards.
Use both automated testing and manual testing. It is recommended to test early and often to avoid problems later. The advantage and necessity of manual testing are that humans can spot certain errors that machines cannot. Unit testing determines whether each component of the web app works satisfactorily. Integration testing finds out whether the web app functions as a whole. Stress testing checks whether when many users are using the app simultaneously the web app still functions well. Test for broken links if any. This is the penultimate stage of the web application development effort.
Upon successfully passing the testing phase the web app is ready for deployment on the server. The client should be trained on how to use the web app. Documentation should be exhaustive and complete for future reference. In case of software bugs or performance issues in the future, they should be fixed. If the technology used to build the web app becomes obsolete you may have to build it again with the latest technology. If the market changes, then the features of the web app may have to be suitably modified. Use a quality CMS to ensure the web app is up to date. This is the last stage of web application development.
Conclusion
If you follow the above stages for your web app project you are bound to get a quality deliverable. Remember that the number of stages of web application development varies from firm to firm. If you are confident about your in-house technical expertise and experience then you may follow the mentioned stages to get the desired outcome. Otherwise, hire a vetted and competent entity to deliver the goods. Ask for a document outlining their respective web application development process. Test them by giving them a paid mini-project. That way you will get a better idea about their capabilities. A background check is mandatory before you sign on the dotted line. Read their reviews and ask for client references. Ensure that they are professional in their dealings and prompt in their work. At the onset inquire whether they are comfortable with your deadline and budget.
About Us
Focaloid is a stellar software development products and services company catering to clients in the US & UK. We have the necessary expertise and experience in web application development. For your information, Focaloid has a team of talented and seasoned professionals with extensive expertise in web application development. Over time we have established a mature outsourcing model which is productive, efficient as well as effective. You can safely rely on us to deliver outstanding software solutions and services within stipulated deadlines. Contact us at your earliest to know how we can help you. We are committed to superior client satisfaction and mutual growth.
Published:19/04/2024
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