What Is Web Development?
Web development is the work that goes into making a website. From developing a plain-text web page to creating a complex website, web development includes coding, web markup, development tasks like network security configuration, ecommerce development, CMS development, and scripting.
Thus, all the operations required to develop a website come under web development. Website development also encompasses the proper functioning of web pages and maintenance of websites.
The professionals who maintain a webpage or a website are referred to as web developers who ensure the seamless functioning of websites.
Web developers use a wide range of coding languages on various platforms to create a fully functioning website.
Why Is Web Development Important?
Understanding the importance of web development is crucial in our digitally driven world. The internet has become a primary source of research, education, entertainment, and connection with 4.6 billion global internet users.
Website development is one of the ways to make these internet users aware of the many services and products that various businesses offer.
Many websites are an excellent source of information on various topics that intrigue internet users. Moreover, many companies display the images of their products to create brand awareness and promote their goods and services.
Website development can also allow people to communicate better. As a result, website owners can effectively interact with their audience. This way, generating business becomes more convenient.
We have broken down the importance of web development for businesses and internet users.
Businesses Produce Valuable Content
Developing a website that enables a business to interact with its customers is practical. Businesses can produce high-quality content to attract an online audience.
If business owners create an attractive website for their industry, they are more likely to increase sales and expand their business. According to a survey, about 56% of the customers are less likely to trust a business that does not have a website.
Since consumers have information at their disposal, they can use it to finalize their purchasing decisions, and it starts with them heading to a brand's webpage.
According to Stanford research, about 75% of internet users judge a business's credibility based on the look of their website. This is why web development is crucial for companies to gain more sales and generate better revenue.
Websites Improve Connectivity
Websites facilitate business expansion and help attract an audience. Thousands of users surf responsive websites that are highly accessible. It improves global connectivity and helps your audience stay in touch with you. All this is possible because of web development.
Establish Credibility
Building a virtual presence and creating a social media footprint is crucial for your success in today's world. Web development is a technical skill that helps users create a virtual presence for themselves and their businesses. It also allows people to represent their credibility on the internet.
You must have a unique website design with a professional outlook that speaks volumes to represent your business. Then, you can display your credentials, skills, and expertise on one web page with the help of website development.
Saving Time on Asking Questions
When internet users surf a topic related to your industry, a website can help answer their questions. Thus, web development goes beyond making a web page functional. It is all the effort that goes into content strategizing and maintenance.
Websites with contact forms, comment sections, and live chat options make it possible for users to ask questions without wasting their time on the internet.
What Does Web Development Include?
Web development is coding or programming related to the functionality of a website as per the owner's requirements.
It includes creating web-based apps, electronic business apps, social network apps, and plain text pages.
Web development includes Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), JavaScript, Python, PHP, and other programming languages for creating websites.
How Long Does It Take To Develop a Website?
Making a website can take from a few hours to several days because it depends on the type of website you're developing and how long you take to design it. Web planning, design, and development are the primary stages of building a website.
It would take about one to two weeks to create a plan for your website. Then, it may take another week to get started on the website's design.
Each website building stage represents one-third of the project timeline. Web designing is the primary structure of your website that determines the basic outlook of your web page. Therefore you need to ask questions and express how you want your website to look.
Next, the development phase can take anywhere between 1-2 months, depending on your website's functionality.
What Do You Need to Get Started With Web Development?
If you want to become a web developer, you must become familiar with a basic understanding of CSS, HTML, and programming languages like JavaScript, Python, PHP, etc. This is the foundation of developing a website. To become a web developer, you need to do the following.
- Learn the fundamentals of web development
- Choose an area of specialization
- Learn programming languages
- Enhance web developing skills
- Build a web development portfolio
You should also be familiar with buying and managing domain names.
What Should You Consider When Choosing a Partner for Web Development?
When selecting a partner for web development, you must consider a few things as careful evaluation is of utmost importance. First, your website partner must be capable enough to create a website that can survive competitive conditions. Before choosing a partner for your web development, you can look into the following factors:
- Your web developing partner must understand your specific business requirements.
- You must pick the right-sized team that can accomplish tasks on time.
- Look for transparent project management
- Ask for work samples
- Analyze the portfolio of your web dev partner
- Evaluate credibility
- Look into the estimated cost
What Efforts Are Required From Your Side When Outsourcing Web Development?
Outsourcing web development seems daunting, but it isn't very challenging if you follow a few simple rules. You need to make some effort when you outsource web development.
Communication Is Key
It would be best if you focused on communicating your thoughts to the web developer before they start working on your website.
Your good communication and management skills are vital for your website's success. Outsourcing your project is a good idea if you focus on the following factors.
Express What You Want
Customer input is a valuable resource for web developers. Whether you hire a company or a freelancer to develop a website for you, you must know what you want out of the website.
Your feedback is important as it enables your web developer to create a more personalized website.
Ask Questions
You must have a list of questions regarding the website. Do not settle with a proposal. Instead, ask multiple questions to know what your web developer wishes to do with your website. This will also help the developer have a more strategic approach towards your website.
Hire a Project Manager
Finding a dedicated web development team is a tricky aspect. When you outsource a website, you must keep up with the team's availability to communicate your thoughts with them.
If you outsource a project, you must hire a project manager that can oversee the project and keep you in the loop. The project manager can also efficiently communicate with the outsourcing company.
Start With a Small Project
When you outsource a project, you must start with assigning a small task to the web development team to understand their skills and how they will make your project practical.
Starting with a small project will also help you better understand the company's capabilities. Then you can commit gradually.
How Much Does It Cost to Develop a Website?
The cost of developing a website depends on the type of website you need and the company's approach to web development. You can develop a website for as little as $15 but you usually get what you pay for.
But if you outsource it from a website builder, it may cost you anywhere between $200 to $10,000 depending on the type of website you want, the size and the complexity.
Several other factors, such as the web hosting plan, your domain name, marketing, and promotions, also determine the cost of your website.
Hiring a Website Developer
The estimated cost of hiring a website developer is $200 to $2,500. If you hire a website developer, he will create your website and launch it.
Such website developers do not charge a fixed rate. However, they may charge between $50 to $200 per hour.
Hiring a Web Designing Agency
The estimated cost of hiring a web designing agency is between $500 to $10,000. Web designing agencies consist of expert developers, graphic designers, marketers who work together to launch your website. Thus, designing a website costs around $500 to $10,000, depending on the type of agency you consult and what their professionals charge for your requirements.
DIY Website
You can build a website that will cost you anywhere between $12 to $300 if you use hosted platforms. Such platforms let you build a website for $12 to $20 per month.
The cost may vary a little. But such platforms help you look after servers, web hosting, updates, maintenance, etc.
Mistakes to Avoid When Outsourcing Web Development
Outsourcing web development will get you access to unique skills that will help create a website according to your requirements. But you need to watch out for a few things when outsourcing a website from your company.
Here are some mistakes that you must avoid if you wish to have a website according to your liking.
Failing to Budget
You must have a vague idea about your budget ahead of time because it helps your developer determine if the partnership is feasible for them or not. Also, look into pricing and how much a website agency charges for a website with your requirements.
Even though cost is one of the crucial considerations, it should not interfere with the quality of your website. Thus, knowing your budget beforehand can help you understand how the developer will fulfill your requirements.
Not Asking About Methodology
You must ask about your website developer's methodology to create a website. For example, if you have a unique website idea but the developer uses a methodology that creates your website in a longer time frame, you're not getting the ROI you must have. Therefore, you must look into the methodology before outsourcing a website.
Avoiding Communication
Avoiding communication is a mistake that you must never make. Instead, you must effectively communicate with your web developer.
You must ask all the questions, so you know what to expect. Ask several questions regarding the company's technical focus, the process, security policy, and the timeframe under which they complete a project.
Not Researching Your Choices
Another common mistake is not knowing what you want. You must research well into your choices.
You must look into the web development agencies that have worked with industries and businesses similar to yours. Also, we suggest that you look into work samples to understand better the type of website you will pay for.
Hire Top Web Developers From Xpeer
Website development is an in-demand skill as there were 1.4 million computing jobs available in 2020, with only 400,000 qualified developers to fill them. More people are moving towards web development with time, but that does not mean that every web developer possesses exceptional skills.
You must find an agency you can trust to fulfill your requirements.
At Xpeer, you'll find reliable and highly efficient web developers that can help make a fully functional website. Our team offers a range of services, including UX/UI design, branding, web design, graphic design, etc. Get in touch with Xpeer today to learn everything about our services.