Web Application

The Only Guide On Web Application Development You Will Ever Need

October 27, 2020

Applications are modern-day blessings and web application development is one way through which this blessing reaches us. Simple and efficient, web apps allow us to get a lot of things done in a short span of time. Though native apps that are prominent on smartphones appear to be more popular, web apps are equally at their peak of popularity in terms of their usage, adoption and functionalities.

From basic open-source web apps to complex ones such as ConvertKit, Buffer and more, you would find a web application that you are familiar with as its smartphone counterpart. Initially launched in the year 2005, web application development has evolved over time and has adopted several trends and tech concepts to consistently improve in functionality and features.

If you’re someone who aspires to get a web application developed for your business idea, this post is going to be very resourceful as we are about to explain everything there is to know about web application development. From what it is and how it differs from mobile applications to benefits and steps to develop them, you will know it all.

So, let’s quickly get started.

What Are Web Applications?

Like your smartphone applications, web apps are those that you can run on your personal computer through your browser. When you open a web app, it immediately gets opened on the remote server it is stored in to offer you all the functionalities you need to complete a specific task.

And because of this, it’s also referred to as a client-server software application. The process of developing web applications is called web app development.

How Do They Differ from Mobile Applications?

Though both are designed and developed to offer you optimum convenience and user experience, both differ technically. Mobile apps are tailor made for your smartphones and the diverse operating systems they are powered by – Android and iOS. On the other hand, web apps are developed to run on your personal computer.

Unlike a native mobile app, web apps need not be downloaded on a system.

So, Are They Simply Websites?

No, they are beyond websites. A website is a one-way street. The maximum participation from a user would be the clicking of a call to action button or a form submission. But on a web application, the user could purchase products or services, execute email campaigns, book a cab or do any task the application is designed to perform.

What About Progressive Web Applications?

Progressive web applications are the latest evolution in web development. They are a step more advanced than web applications as they can be accessed anytime with a single click and can be pinned to your home screen without even having to download them. They bridge the gap between websites and native applications by adding layers of functionalities to web apps such as push notifications, service workers and more.

How Many Types of Web Applications Are There Totally?

When you aspire to get a web application developed from a reliable web app development company, it is essential to know and understand the different types of web applications. This will give you an idea of what suits your needs the best and decide accordingly.

The Types of Web Apps

Server-Side

Server-side apps are those that run on remote servers.
Any action that you take on a server-side application (such as form submission, call to action, section updates or more) will involve the creation of a new HTML file followed by page reload.
Server-side apps can be developed using tools such as Python, Ruby, C# and more.

Client-side Apps

Client-side apps are those that bring in the features and aesthetics of a native app to your system.
There are no page reloads or modifications involved in a client-side app as no communication happens with the database.
They can be developed using tools such as JavaScript frameworks and frontend JS.
This is ideal for services that don’t require the storage of information for more than one session.

Single-Page Apps

These are sophisticated apps that combine the elements of both frontend and backend technologies.
They feature the functionalities of both client-side and server-side applications simultaneously eliminating the need for page reloads.
They offer the experience of a native application.

Enterprise Web Applications

The evolution of web application development has made it possible for developers to design and roll out custom-made web applications for enterprises.
These are software applications that are designed keeping in mind the specific requirements and demands met by individual organizations.
They are highly scalable and adaptive.
Such apps are developed using enterprise architecture frameworks and they are just one app (used by an entire company) that allow users to get a range of tasks and activities done.

Web Application Development Tech Stack

Web app development services include three crucial technology implementations that make these apps airtight, swift, high-performing, scalable and reliable:

Front-end technology
Backend technology
And databases

Front-End Technology

This is the user-facing side of the web application. Meaning, the part that users have access to and the features they use to interact with your application to accomplish things. This involves the aesthetics and UX aspects.

Front-end web app development could be done using frameworks such as ReactJS, AngularJS, VueJS and more.

Backend Technology

Otherwise referred to as server-side programming, this takes charge of all the communications that happen under the hood. Backend development can be done using Python, NodeJS, Ruby and more.

Databases

Databases store all the information users seek for using the web application and present them whenever required. All data, search operations, filters and other user-triggered activities are executed through databases. As far as databases in web application development is concerned, MySQL is the undisputed choice among developers. When it comes to corporate and enterprise databases, Oracle is equally prominent.

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What Are The Advantages of Web Application Development?

Versatility is key today and businesses want to leave no stone unturned or no opportunity untapped when it comes to nailing online visibility and patronage. That’s why web application development is still in-demand among companies and ventures.

They are simpler, cost-effective solutions to native apps and they seamlessly allow organizations to tap into the PC-using market.

One of the major benefits of web app development is the fact that they are independent of browsers and operating systems. Unlike native apps that require individual design and development for distinct mobile operating systems, web apps are agnostic and can operate on any operating system and browser.

Web apps accommodate the uncertainty involved in today’s consumerism and content consumption. A user may be accessing a service through a native app but could suddenly switch to their personal computer for a more immersive and detailed experience. Web applications are quick in accommodating these needs and helping such users transition easily.

If you notice, some of the most common native apps you have on your phone such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and more have a web app counterpart.

How To Develop The Most Ideal Web Application?

By now, we believe you have a basic yet clear understanding of what web apps are and what a web application company does to get one released. Now, let’s take this topic a step further and understand how you could effectively design and develop a web app that fetches you profit and offers ultimate user experience.

Let’s break them down into points, shall we?

Identify the concern you need to solve first. The effectiveness of a web application only depends on how crucial the problem or concern it is about to solve. The weaker the problem it addresses, the weaker its functionality.
Once you identify the issue your web app is about to solve, work on the flow required for the web app development. This is, in layman terms, the logic that powers the operation of the app. How is information transmitted from one step to the next? What actions are triggered in the process? How does it ultimately fix the concern?
When you develop the logic or the flow, you would have a theoretical understanding of your web app’s functionality. This should give you the confidence to develop a prototype that is the basic tangible version of your web app. A wireframe of an MVP you could say.
When this is developed, you could validate its effectiveness and efficiency by circulating with a sample set of users and contacts for feedback and optimization. The more feedback you receive at this stage, the less work you would have to encounter during the actual development stage.
With all the information in hand, it’s time to choose your arsenal of tools and weapons. Based on the features you intend to implement, the functions you aspire to add, customer expectations and more, select the right development frameworks and tools.
Next, select the most ideal tech stack for your web application development. This could be one of the three we mentioned sometime back (frontend, backend or databases).
Test, test and consistently test your web app for performance, bugs, loopholes, vulnerabilities and other shortcomings. Have a good blend of manual and automated testing for precise results. Test diverse aspects of your web app – from functionality and compatibility to convenience, security and performance.
Take it live.

How Much Does It Cost To Develop A Web Application?

There is no vague pricing or thumb rule in web app development. The costing of web application development comprises layers of intricate factors. You have the complexity of development, the team size required to develop your app, the type of web application development company you are working with, your time to market and more.

With so many layers involved, specifying a blanket range would not only make no sense but could be misleading as well.

That’s why we recommend getting in touch with a reliable website development company like ours to get your pricing and development strategies sorted. We listen to our ideas, suggest our industry insights stemming out of experience and turn your idea into a web application that sells.

To get started with us and for the best pricing, reach out to us with your idea today.

Bhavesh Parekh

Bhavesh Parekh is a Director of X-Byte Enterprise Solutions, an ever-emerging Top Web and Mobile App Development Company with a motto of turning clients into successful businesses. He believes that client's success is company's success and so that he always makes sure that X-Byte helps their client's business to reach to its true potential with the help of his best team with the standard development process he set up for the company.