Website development is a great career choice. After all, with 175 new websites launched every minute around the planet (according to Siteefy), you’ll never be short of customers.
But before you jump in with both feet with your first website development, it’s helpful to know a bit about what the process entails.
In this short guide, we’ll tell you what you need to know about website development before you build your first website.
Front Vs. Back-End Development
If you are new to development, you might not know that the code for a website splits into two distinct groups.
There is the front end, which entails coding the look and feel of a website. And there is the backend, which is essentially how all the features of a website operate.
They are two different skill sets, and most big development companies employ separate teams to cover each part.
However, if you are building a website as an independent developer, you’ll need to learn how to code both.
Coding Languages
There is no single coding language for website creation.
Though you have probably heard of HTML, a straightforward language, most developers build modern websites using a range of advanced programming languages. Here are some of the most common:
- HTML
- PHP
- Java
- Ruby
- Python
- Javascript
You don’t need to know all these languages for website coding. However, you need to know one or two core languages to develop a high-quality and functional website.
You might also find you need a specific language to develop a website for a particular content management system, such as Joomla web development.
Dev Tools
Experienced developers rely on developer tools (commonly called “dev tools”) to write and debug their code. Here is a list of the most common names in website development software you might encounter:
- Browser DevTools
- Code Editor
- Git
- Github
These tools are essential once you become a more advanced programmer. They support complete version control and collaboration between development teams.
Testing
You’ll probably have dedicated test engineers if you are fortunate enough to work in a large development team. Even so, you’ll still need to run your unit tests to ensure your code is correctly working before you publish it for testing.
If you are developing your first website as a solo developer, take some time to learn best practices for writing and executing tests.
That way, you’ll release a bug-free, usable website that will gain you a solid reputation in the development industry.
Cybersecurity
Don’t forget about the growing importance of cybersecurity when publishing a new website.
You might need to employ an ethical hacker to test your website for security vulnerability. That will be of particular importance if you are storing personal data on customers.
Website Development Best Practice
This guide outlines best practices in website development. If you want to launch a new website that is usable, functional, and secure, it is worth taking the time to learn the right skillsets.
If you want to know more about how to launch your new website, check out our startup section now for our latest articles.
