What is Web Development: A Comprehensive Guide to Check Out

Web development is the foundation of the internet, supporting over 1.1 billion websites and making online interactions smooth and easy. It involves creating, building, and managing professional website development services, making sure they work well, load quickly, and provide a good experience for users. From simple blogs to advanced online stores, web development plays a key role in how we connect, shop, and learn online. This blog explains what is web development, its different types, and why it’s one of the most in-demand skills in the tech world.

What is Web Development? 

Have you ever thought about how the websites and apps you use every day are made? With just a click in your browser, you can explore a whole online world—whether it’s scrolling through Facebook, sending emails, or shopping on Amazon.  

Since we spend so much time online, let’s take a moment to learn how it all works. When you visit websites, your browser acts as a gateway to the internet, this is where web development comes to play.

Web development is the process of creating, building, and maintaining websites and web apps so they work smoothly in your browser. Developers work behind the scenes to design websites and apps that are fun, interactive, and easy to use, making sure you have a great experience online. Whether it’s a corporate website in development or a dynamic eCommerce platform, web development transforms ideas into digital reality.

What’s the Difference Between Web Design and Web Development?  

Web design is about how your website looks, feels, and how easy it is to use. Everything you see on the “front-end” or the part of the website that visitors interact with is created by a web designer. Most web designers don’t know how to code because they’re not programmers. Their main job is to work on how a website looks. They use tools like Photoshop or Adobe XD to make pictures and design detailed layouts. They also use tools like InVision Studio for creating app prototypes and animations. Many designers use platforms like WordPress (a CMS) or no-code tools like Wix to build websites. In simple terms, web design focuses on the appearance of your website.  

However, to make a website look the way it’s designed, you need web development.  

Web development is just as important as web design. Web developers focus on how a website works and is built, rather than how it looks. They take the designer’s ideas and turn them into working web pages using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. They manage the technical side, like writing the website’s code, to make sure it works and looks the way the designer intended. It’s essential to note that web development programming is vital to turning visual concepts into interactive, data-driven solutions.

Most popular programming languages used by developers worldwide  

In 2024, JavaScript and HTML/CSS were the top programming languages used by software developers globally. Over 62% of developers said they used JavaScript, and about 53% used HTML/CSS. Python, SQL, and TypeScript were also among the top five most-used web development programming worldwide. With these tools, developers address challenges like web site development security and scalability.

What are the different kinds of web development?  

When people click on a website link, like a “Pay Now” button, they usually don’t think about the code behind it that takes them to the payment page. Web developers are the ones who design how the button looks and make sure the website works properly. There are three main types of web development which include:

Front-end development

Frontend development is about creating the part of a website that you see and use in your browser. It’s also called client-side development. This includes everything you interact with directly, like text, colors, buttons, pictures, and menus.

For example, imagine you want to start a business. You open a bakery that sells fancy cakes, and you need a website to show customers what your business is about and where they can find you.  

You might want to add photos and details about your products. To build this website, you’ll need frontend development skills.  

• How much do frontend developers earn?  

In the United States, the average salary for a frontend developer is $95,577, according to Glassdoor.

Of course, this amount can change depending on where you live, the skills you have, and how much experience you’ve gained.

However, you can expect to earn a salary that is well above the average. In fact, frontend developers in countries like the U.S. and Australia can earn almost twice the national average salary.

• What are the main languages used in frontend development?  

These three languages are essential:

• HTML

HTML is the basic coding language used to create and structure web content so that it can be displayed in a browser. 

• CSS

CSS works alongside HTML and is used to style a website’s content, including layout, colors, fonts, and more.

• JavaScript

JavaScript is a programming language that adds interactive features to websites, such as drop-down menus, pop-up windows, and contact forms.

Together, these three languages create everything you see and interact with on a webpage. They are often called the building blocks of the internet, and for good reason!

• Other tools for frontend development  

Besides the basic coding languages, you’ll also find other tools that help make frontend development simpler and more effective. These include frameworks and libraries.  

Frameworks and libraries are designed to make coding easier and more organized. They provide tools and templates that work well with common programming languages.  

Here are some well-known frontend frameworks:  

• Bootstrap  

• Django  

• Angular  

• Express  

• Svelte  

You’ll also likely use JavaScript libraries such as:  

• jQuery  

• React  

• Vue.js  

• Redux  

Additionally, frontend developers who focus on design build responsive, professional website development projects with the use of  CSS preprocessors like:  

• SASS  

• LESS  

There are many tools like these, each serving different purposes and languages. 

Backend development

The backend or server side is the part of a website that you can’t see. It handles storing and organizing data, and makes sure everything on the frontend works properly.  The backend talks to the frontend, sending and receiving data that gets shown as a webpage.  

For example, when you fill out a form, type a website address, or buy something online (any action you take on the frontend), your browser sends a request to the backend. The backend then sends back information in a format that the browser can understand and display.

• How much do backend developers make?  

On average, backend developers in the United States earn about $103,772 per year, according to Glassdoor. Just like with frontend developers, this amount can change depending on things like experience, location, and the company.

• Backend setup

Your website needs a database to store and manage information like customer details and product data.  

A database organizes website content in a way that makes it easy to find, sort, edit, and save. It runs on a remote computer known as a server. This is why backend development is often called server-side development.  

Some popular databases include:  

• MySQL  

• SQL Server  

• PostgreSQL  

• Oracle  

• Backend programming languages

Your app or website will still have frontend code, but it also needs to use a language that the database can understand. 

Some common backend languages are:  

• Ruby  

• PHP  

• Python  

• Java  

• .Net

• Backend frameworks  

These are tools that help make web development easier and faster by using certain programming languages.

For instance, Rails is a framework created with Ruby. Known as Ruby on Rails, it’s a widely-used tool for creating progressive web development that delivers superior user experiences.

Full Stack Development

Full stack development is the process of building a complete web application from start to finish. This includes designing, creating, testing, and launching the application. It involves working with different tools and technologies, such as front-end development (what users see), back-end development (how the application works behind the scenes), and database management (where data is stored). A full stack developer is someone who can work on both the front-end and back-end parts of a website or app.

Full stack developers are usually in charge of the entire process of the development of web applications. This means they need to understand all the tools and technologies used in web development. They also need to work well with others, as building web applications is often a team effort.

Most full-stack developers know the basics of web development tools like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript very well. They usually earn around $117,880 per year, with salaries ranging from $80,000 to $158,000. They are also skilled in using server-side technologies like PHP, Ruby on Rails, and Node.js. In addition to their technical skills, full-stack developers understand how different parts of a website or app work together and connect.

Full-stack developers are highly sought after because they can create a website or app from beginning to end and can quickly find and solve any issues that come up with their expertise in rapid web application development tools and frameworks.

Final Thoughts  

Web development is the heart of the digital world, driving innovation in custom software development and beyond.  Whether you’re designing eye-catching frontends, developing strong backends, or handling the full stack, this field offers countless chances to innovate and shape how we experience the internet. As more businesses expand online, web development stays a crucial skill that pushes growth and success in the tech industry.  

Want to begin your web development journey? Debut Infotech’s expertise as a web development company can help you succeed.

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