Web Development Basics
What is Web Development?
Web development is the process of building and maintaining websites and web applications. Think of it as the construction work behind
everything you see and use online. When you visit a website, check your email, or use a social media platform, you’re interacting with something
created through web development.
Web Development vs. Web Design
These terms are often used interchangeably, but they refer to different aspects of creating websites:
Web Design focuses on how a website looks and feels:
- Visual elements (colors, images, layout)
- User experience and interface design
- Making websites visually appealing and easy to use
focuses on how a website functions:
- Writing the actual code that makes a website work
- Building the technical foundation
- Implementing the designs created by web designers
The Three Main Types of Web Development
1. Front-End Development
Front-end development is all about the parts of a website that users
directly interact with. It’s what you see and click on when visiting a
website.
What Front-End Developers Do:
- Create the visual elements of websites
- Make sure websites look good on all devices (responsive design)
- Ensure websites are user-friendly
- Test websites for bugs and fix them
- HTML (creates the structure)
- CSS (styles the website)
- JavaScript (adds interactive features)
2. Back-End Development
Back-end development deals with the “behind-the-scenes” aspects of
websites. You don’t see this part, but it’s essential for websites to
function properly.
What Back-End Developers Do:
- Build the framework that powers websites
- Create and manage databases
- Handle user authentication (logins, passwords)
- Ensure websites run quickly and efficiently
- Manage servers
- PHP, Ruby, Python
- Database tools like MySQL and Oracle
3. Full-Stack Development
Full-stack developers have skills in both front-end and back-end
development. They understand the entire “stack” of technologies used to
create a complete website.
What Full-Stack Developers Do:
- Work on all aspects of website creation
- Often take leadership roles in projects
- Understand how all parts of a website work together
Common Tools in Web Development
Content Management Systems (CMS)
These are platforms that help you create and manage websites without
needing to write code from scratch:
- WordPress
- Joomla!
- Drupal
- Adobe Experience Manager
Many small business websites, blogs, and even some larger websites
use CMS platforms because they make web development more accessible to
non-technical users.
The Web Development Process
For non-technical users, understanding the basic process can help when working with web developers:
- Planning: Defining the website’s purpose, target
audience, and required features
- Design: Creating mockups and deciding on the visual
elements
- Development: Building the actual website using
programming languages
- Testing: Checking for bugs and ensuring everything
works properly
- Launch: Making the website available to the
public
- Maintenance: Regularly updating and improving the
website
Why Web Development Matters
Even if you never write a line of code yourself, understanding the
basics of web development can help you:
- Communicate more effectively with web developers
- Make better decisions about your website needs
- Understand what’s possible and what’s challenging to implement
- Appreciate why some features take longer to develop than others
Career Outlook
Web development is a growing field. According to industry data, demand for developers is expected to grow 15% by 2026, much faster than
average job growth. This makes it an excellent career choice for those interested in technology.
Getting Started
If you’re curious about web development, you can start with:
- Basic HTML and CSS courses online
- Website builders like Wix or Squarespace to understand basic
concepts
- Following web development blogs and YouTube channels
Remember, you don’t need to become an expert to benefit from understanding the basics of how websites are built!
