Web development relates to creating feature-rich websites for the Internet. Web development differs from web design in that it creates a more interactive web experience for the user. Examples of web development sites would be e-commerce and web content management systems. In the industry, web development is generally thought of as the coding and programming process rather than the design side of building the website.
Web developers typically sit alongside graphic designers and other in-house employees, though it’s common practice to see them employed as freelancers throughout the industry. Larger companies may employ multiple developers on their larger projects, such as directories and social networking sites.
In the last 10 years, the industry has grown rapidly and is one of the fastest growing sectors in this time period. The industry is still expected to grow an additional 20% by 2010. Much of this growth can be attributed to demand from businesses in need of a professional web presence and the ability to sell their products and services online.
There are many outlets for these companies looking for web development and the cost and standard vary wildly. It’s fair to say that the total cost of development is gradually decreasing as the process is standardized and simplified with the introduction of many easy-to-use HTML editors. An example of these programs would be Adobe Dreamweaver, which allows you to build in design mode, or WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get). A considerable help in climbing the HTML learning curve.
Most web development websites are backed by huge online databases which have made the web a viable alternative to desktop software programs and led to the rise of web applications. The freedom of access to these web applications has helped drive the industry forward as users can benefit from being able to interact with data from any location.
An example of the industry that shapes web development is the popularity of e-commerce sites like eBay etc. Consumers can shop and bid online, and this process has transformed the way we shop in recent years. The rapid rise of internet shopping has had a dramatic effect on the high street shop. Most of the retailers actively participate in online sales to maintain and improve their market share.
When looking to hire a web development company, it is advisable to work with a reputable company, as there are many security considerations and weaknesses that need to be taken into account in development. Hackers can easily access valuable data and exploit it for their own purposes, or delete the data entirely, rendering the website unavailable until trained people can restore it.
Keeping the web database and servers safe from access can be called server port hardening. As information is transferred from one place to another, many technologies come into play. One of these technologies is called SSL or Secure Socket Layer Encryption. Developers may also use other forms of encryption in an attempt to keep your data secure. Web security and its implementation is a vital part of any successful development company.
It would be wise to ask for recommendations when looking to hire a web developer, as the cost and standard vary widely. Make sure you entrust your next web development project to a company that can deliver the products.