Web application development is a common terminology not only in the technology industry but also in other industries and organizations. The versatility and essentiality of web applications have led to their integration in businesses worldwide. Hence, if you are part of a business or an organization, a comprehensive knowledge of web development and business automation services will help you find your footing in a world replete with web apps. This article serves as a guide to web application development – it covers different aspects of web development that will add to your knowledge repository and prepare you for success.
An Introduction to Web Application Development
Web application development refers to building application programs that are accessible to its users through a network. Applications are created to do specific functions, which are executed using a web browser. A web application has two primary components, namely the server-side or structural components and the client-side or user interface components. Web application development is divided into two to correspond to these components – frontend development and backend development. The former refers to the development of the client-side of the application, while the latter deals with the creation of the server-side of the application.
Steps Involved in Web Application Development
1. Ideate
2. Do market research
3. Define the features and functions of the application
4. Create wireframes
5. Define the workflow of the application
6. Create a prototype
7. Get feedback and improve the prototype
8. Build a database
9. Develop frontend
10. Build backend
11. Host the application
12. Deploy the web application
What Determines the Cost of Web Application Development?
The cost of developing a web application is closely linked to the members of the app development team and the responsibilities that they hold. A basic development team comprises eight people – two backend developers, two frontend developers, one UI Designer, one UX Designer, one quality assurance specialist and one project manager. In 2022, the estimated cost of developing an application with the help of this primary team is between 20,000 USD and 25,000 USD.
9 Types of Web Applications and Their Industry-Specific Uses
1. Static Web Applications
They give output to the user directly without collecting data from the server. They function well when the offline mode is used. You do not need to download a third-party application to access static web apps. They can be developed most of the time effortlessly. They are popularly used by book publishing companies.
2. Dynamic Web Applications
Based on the users’ requests and the server’s response, dynamic web apps generate real-time data. In this type of application, you can change and update the information by managing the website directly. The server in this app can be made secure easily due to the ease of managing users. Some industries in which dynamic web apps are extensively used include transportation and logistics, social media, retail and e-commerce, the IT industry and healthcare. Netflix and Facebook are two examples of such apps.
3. Single Page Applications (SPA)
SPA can function on a browser completely without reloading the page. Since the interaction of this type of app with the users occurs through the straightforward execution of its logic in the web browser, it is faster than conventional web apps. Owing to its presentation logic, SPA has the ability to retain consistent visual structure. This type of application is commonly used in the email service and communication industries. Examples: Gmail, PayPal and Pinterest.
4. Multiple Page Applications
These applications contain multiple pages, and an entire page is reloaded every time the end-user interacts with a different page. You can implement SEO on each page of the application. In this type of app, users can move between pages efficiently. Enterprise industries like Google and e-commerce industries like Amazon use multiple page applications.
5. Animated Web Applications
This type of application features animation and synchronization. Such apps are very engaging and retain the users’ attention due to their creative design and eye-catching presentation. Animated web apps are usually seen in animation, education, and gaming industries. Some examples are Game of the Year, Miki Mottos, Sqadeasy and Your Plan, Your Planet.
6. Content Management Systems (CMS)
They facilitate the hassle-free organization and management of website content. Even if you do not have technical knowledge like coding, you can still generate and modify content using CMS. With this type of application, you are offered many functions like language integration and group functionalities. CMS is usually used as blogging platforms, marketing and sales platform and news portals. Examples of CMS – WordPress and Joomla.
7. E-commerce Applications
They serve as a channel through which buying and selling goods happen over the internet. These apps have been integrated with payment features that allow users to browse, select and pay for items online. E-commerce apps aid in expanding your business globally and make goods accessible to everyone. Examples – Amazon and eBay.
8. Portal Web Applications
Information from different platforms like emails and search engines is collated and presented uniformly in portal applications. They are used in student portals, patient portals and government portals. Some examples of educational portal apps are Udemy and Coursera.
9. Progressive Web Applications (PWA)
They are built using state-of-the-art browser application programming interfaces, novel features and methods to give rise to applications that are very similar to native mobile applications in the experience that they offer. With this type of application, the speed with which activities are performed increases, and so does its adaptability. They also update themselves without any input from the users. Industries like transportation and logistics, social media, IT, healthcare and retail, and e-commerce use this type of application. Web applications of Starbucks and Spotify are examples of PWAs.
Knowing the basics of web development will put you on the fast track to success. Being equipped with this knowledge, you will be able to gauge the feasibility of the application that you need to develop for your company and be well-informed about the processes involved in app development. This will aid you in choosing the right web application development company that can meet your expectations and deliver apps that surpass global standards.