What is website development?
Website development broadly refers to the tasks and processes involved in creating and maintaining a website. This includes everything from markup and coding to scripting, network configuration, and CMS development.
As someone who's spent countless hours coding and experimenting with websites, I've come to see web development as more than just markup and coding; it's an art form, a way of bringing ideas to life. While web development typically refers to web markup and coding, website development includes all related development tasks, such as client-side scripting, server-side scripting, server and network security configuration, ecommerce development, and content management system (CMS) development.
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I’m excited to share with you the basics of web development and the exhilarating process of creating a website from scratch. I remember the first website I ever built—it was full of bright colors and clunky animations, but it was mine, and it sparked a lifelong passion. Through trial and error, I've personally discovered the joy of turning complex problems into elegant solutions.
Feel free to leap around the guide using the chapter links.
Why is web development important?
Can you believe that we're part of a world where over 5.30 billion people are connected through the Internet? That's more than half of our global population, actively engaging in research, connection, education, and entertainment through this incredible digital universe. Personally, I believe the Internet isn’t just a luxury; it's a fundamental part of our daily lives.
Given the rapidly increasing number of Internet users, it’s no surprise that web development is a rapidly expanding industry. Between now and 2030, the employment of web developers is expected to grow by 13%, much faster than most other technology careers. It's an exciting time to be in this field, and I'm thrilled to be part of this dynamic industry.
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Web Development vs. Web Programming
Web development and web programming sound very similar — and they are. But there’s one very important distinction.
Web development refers to the overall process of creating websites or web applications, including the project’s design, layout, coding, content creation, and functionality. It involves using a combination of programming languages, tools, and frameworks to bring a website or web application to life. It may also encompass project management activities, such as fielding development requests from stakeholders or freelance clients.
Web programming, on the other hand, specifically refers to the coding and scripting of a website, whether the front-end or back-end. It primarily involves writing code to handle data, process user inputs, and generate dynamic content. A web programmer will rarely, if ever, handle a web development project from end to end. They may build a certain section of a site or troubleshoot bugs.
Understanding this difference has been crucial in my career, allowing me to appreciate the depth and breadth of skills required in the world of web creation. It's a reminder of the diverse talents and expertise that come together to make the digital world what it is today.
Web Development Basics
- What is a website?
- What is an IP address?
- What does HTTP mean?
- What is coding?
- What does front-end mean?
- What does back-end mean?
- What is a CMS?
- What is cybersecurity?
1. What is a website?
Websites are files stored on servers, which are computers that host (fancy term for “store files for”) websites. These servers are connected to a giant network called the Internet.
Now, how do we access these websites? This is where browsers come into play. Browsers are computer programs that load websites via your Internet connection, such as Google Chrome or Internet Explorer, while the computers used to access these websites are known as “clients”.
2. What is an IP address?
I was always fascinated by how the Internet knows where to send data. The answer lies in understanding IP addresses. To access a website, you need to know its Internet Protocol (IP) address. An IP address is a unique string of numbers. Each device has an IP address to distinguish itself from the billions of websites and devices connected via the Internet.
The IP address for HubSpot is 104.16.249.5. You can find any website’s IP address by visiting a site like Site 24x7 or by using Command Prompt on Windows or Network Utility > Traceroute on MacBooks.
To find your device’s IP address, you can also type “what’s my IP address” into your search browser.
While you can access a website using its IP address, most Internet users prefer to use domain names or by going through search engines.
3. What does HTTP mean?
HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is what connects our website request to the remote server that houses all website data. It’s a set of rules (a protocol) that defines how messages should be sent over the Internet. It allows us to jump between site pages and websites.
If I type a website into my web browser or search for something through a search engine, HTTP provides a framework so that the client (computer) and server can speak the same language when they make requests and responses to each other over the Internet. It’s essentially the translator between you and the Internet — it reads our website request, reads the code sent back from the server, and translates it for us in the form of a website.
4. What is coding?
Coding refers to writing code for servers and applications using programming languages. They’re called “languages” because they include vocabulary and grammatical rules for communicating with computers. They also include special commands, abbreviations, and punctuation that can only be read by devices and programs.
All software is written in at least one coding language, but languages vary based on platform, operating system, and style. All languages fall into one of two categories: front-end and back-end.
5. What does front-end mean?
Front-end (or client-side) is the side of a website or software that you see and interact with as an Internet user. When website information is transferred from a server to a browser, front-end coding languages allow the website to function without having to continually “communicate” with the Internet.
Front-end code allows users to interact with a website and play videos, expand or minimize images, highlight text, and more. Web developers who work on front-end coding work on client-side development.
6. What does back-end mean?
The back-end (or server-side) is the side that you don’t see when you use the Internet. It’s the digital infrastructure, and to non-developers, it looks like a bunch of numbers, letters, and symbols.
There are more back-end coding languages than front-end languages. That’s because browsers — at the front-end — only understand HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, but a server — at the back-end — can be configured to understand pretty much any language.
7. What is a CMS?
A content management system (CMS) is a web application or a series of programs used to create and manage web content. (Note: CMS's aren’t the same as site builders, like Squarespace or Wix.)
While not required to build a website, using a CMS makes things easier. It provides the building blocks (like plugins and add-ons) and lets you create the structure with your code. CMS's are often used for ecommerce and blogging, but they’re useful for all types of websites.
8. What is cybersecurity?
There are always malicious actors looking to find vulnerabilities in websites to expose private information, steal data, and crash servers. Cybersecurity is the practice of securing data, networks, and computers from these threats.
The methods used by hackers are constantly evolving, as are the security measures taken to defend against them. Failing to understand how your site could be targeted could result in disaster.
As a result, a basic understanding of cybersecurity best practices is critical for effective web development. You should also carry out security audits on a consistent basis.
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Types of Web Development
- Front-end Development
- Back-end Development
- Full Stack Development
- Website Development
- Desktop Development
- Mobile Development
- Game Development
- Embedded Development
- Security Development
My journey into web development began in the vibrant world of front-end development, where I loved turning code into visually appealing, interactive web pages.
Later, I dived into back-end development, uncovering the nuts and bolts that power a website. Learning Python and Ruby, I gained a deeper appreciation for the seamless integration of front-end and back-end.
Whether you’re looking to hire a web developer or become one, you should understand the different types of web development that developers can master.
These different types of web development primarily refer to the different sectors of the profession in which web developers can work. Some of these distinctions overlap, and web developers will often master multiple types of web development.
1. Front-end Development
Front-end developers work on the client- or user-facing side of websites, programs, and software — in other words, what users see. They design and develop the visual aspects, including the layout, navigation, graphics, and other aesthetics.
The main job of these developers is to build interfaces that help users reach their goals, which is why they also often have a hand in the user experience aspect of their projects.
2. Back-end Development
If the front-end is what users see, the back-end is what they don’t. Back-end web developers work on the servers of websites, programs, and software to make sure everything works properly behind-the-scenes.
These developers work with systems like servers, operating systems, APIs, and databases and manage the code for security, content, and site architecture. They collaborate with front-end developers to bring their products to users.
3. Full Stack Development
Full stack developers work in both the front-end and back-end sides of a website. They can create a website, application, or software program from start to finish. “Stack” refers to the different technologies that handle different functionalities on the same website, like the server, interface, etc.
Because full-stack developers require years in the field to build the necessary experience, this role is often sought after by companies looking to build or update their websites. This developer's all-around knowledge helps them optimize performance, catch issues before they occur, and help team members understand different parts of a web service. This comprehensive skill set is typically covered in a full stack developer course.
4. Website Development
Website developers can be front-end, back-end, or full-stack developers. However, these professionals specialize in building websites, as opposed to mobile applications, desktop software, or video games.
5. Desktop Development
Desktop developers specialize in building software applications that run locally on your device, rather than over the Internet in the web browser. Sometimes the skillset of these developers overlaps with that of web developers if an application can run both online and off.
6. Mobile Development
Mobile developers build applications for mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets. Mobile apps operate much differently than other websites and software programs, thus requiring a separate set of development skills and knowledge of specialized programming languages.
7. Game Development
Game developers specialize in writing code for video games, including console games (Xbox, PlayStation, etc.), PC games, and mobile games — which means this specialty overlaps somewhat with mobile development.
8. Embedded Development
Embedded developers work with all hardware that isn't a computer (or, at least, what most of us imagine as “computers,” with a keyboard and screen). This includes electronic interfaces, consumer devices, IoT devices, real-time systems, and more.
With a recent rise in interconnected devices as seen with smart appliances, Bluetooth technologies, and virtual assistants, embedded development is becoming an in-demand practice.
9. Security Development
Security developers establish methods and procedures for the security of a software program or website. These developers typically work as ethical hackers, trying to “break” websites to expose vulnerabilities without intending harm. They also build systems that discover and eradicate security risks.
Front-End Web Development Languages
As I've already discussed, front-end web development focuses on creating the visual and interactive elements of a site. It involves designing and building the user-facing side — what you see, essentially, when you pull up a site in a web browser.
In my perspective, front-end development is likely the “easiest” way to begin a career in web development. That said, as with any other aspect of this field, it will have a learning curve.
Here are some of the most popular front-end web development languages:
HTML (Hypertext Markup Language)
HTML is likely the language you first thought of when it comes to web development, and with good reason: HTML is the backbone of any web page. It provides both semantic structure and defines the elements of a website, such as headings, paragraphs, images, and links. Web developers use HTML to give content a proper layout before customizing it.
Below is the HTML code for a basic Bootstrap button.
CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)
If HTML is the backbone of a site, then CSS is the meat. CSS is responsible for styling the visual appearance of a website. It allows developers to customize colors, fonts, layouts, and other design elements. With CSS, you can also create responsive web pages that adapt to different screen sizes.
Here's a code snippet for customizing the jumbotron element in Bootstrap CSS.
JavaScript
JavaScript is a dynamic programming language that adds interactive elements to web pages, such as dropdown menus, sliders, forms, and animations. JavaScript is widely used for client-side scripting (that is, the script runs on the client’s browser, and not on the server that hosts the website). JavaScript generally enhances the user experience by making websites more dynamic and engaging.
Below is a JavaScript code snippet for automatically opening links in a new window in WordPress.
jQuery
jQuery is a fast and lightweight JavaScript library designed to simplify HTML manipulation and event handling. It provides a variety of functions and methods to select elements, create animations, and handle AJAX requests. jQuery is compatible with all modern browsers and simplifies cross-browser development.
React
React is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces. It allows developers to create reusable UI components and efficiently manage the state of an application. React has gained significant adoption and is widely used for developing complex web applications with a responsive and interactive user interface.
These languages play a crucial role in creating visually appealing, intuitive, and interactive websites. Don’t underestimate them: A website may have the best back-end structure, but unless the UI is modern, interactive, and user-friendly, it won’t be as appealing to a visitor.
Back-End Web Development Languages
While front-end developers focus on creating the user-facing elements of a website, back-end developers work behind the scenes to ensure everything runs smoothly.
As opposed to altering the user-facing side, from my experience, back-end development languages help programmers manipulate servers, databases, and software that power websites and apps. That makes it a little harder than learning front-end development.
Here are some of the most common back-end web development languages:
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Python
Python is a versatile and more beginner-friendly programming language known for its readability and simplicity.
It offers a wide range of frameworks, such as Django and Flask, that simplify back-end development tasks like database management and handling HTTP requests. Python's extensive libraries and frameworks make it a popular choice among back-end developers.
PHP
PHP is a widely-used server-side scripting language specifically designed for web development.
PHP seamlessly integrates with HTML and provides powerful features for handling databases, generating dynamic content, and interacting with web servers. Popular PHP frameworks like Laravel and Symfony enhance productivity and maintainability for complex web applications.
Ruby
Ruby is a dynamic and object-oriented programming language that prioritizes simplicity and readability. It is most commonly associated with the Ruby on Rails framework, which provides a structure for building robust and scalable web applications.
Ruby's elegant syntax and extensive ecosystem make it a preferred choice for web development projects.
Java
Java is a versatile and widely-used programming language known for its platform independence and scalability.
It is commonly used for building enterprise-level web applications that require high performance and security. Java frameworks like Spring and Hibernate offer tools for building complex back-end systems with ease.
C#
C# (pronounced C-sharp) is a modern, general-purpose programming language developed by Microsoft. It is primarily used for building Windows desktop applications and web services.
With the rise of the .NET framework, C# has gained popularity as a back-end language for developing scalable and secure web applications.
Node.js
Node.js is a JavaScript runtime (that is, the environment where your JavaScript code executes) built on Chrome's V8 JavaScript engine. It allows developers to run JavaScript code on the server side, opening up opportunities for full-stack JavaScript development. Node.js is highly scalable, efficient, and ideal for building real-time applications and APIs.
Remember, back-end developers need to have a solid understanding of databases, server management, and web security, in addition to their language proficiency.
That’s why back-end development is generally a little harder than front-end development, but it’s still plenty learnable nonetheless.
The Website Development Process
In my experience as a web developer, I remember tackling projects without a clear process in place. It felt like trying to assemble a puzzle without having the picture on the box. It wasn't until I started working on a complex ecommerce site that the importance of a structured approach really hit home. The project demanded a mix of front-end and back-end development, each with its specific languages and frameworks.
By establishing a clear process, breaking down tasks, and systematically approaching each phase, the project became manageable and even enjoyable. Trust me, developing a robust process is not just helpful; it's essential.
Here are some key steps I found most helpful in my website development process journey.
1. Form a plan.
Before laying pen to paper or hands to keyboard, it's vital to first connect with teams and personnel across your organization to develop a plan for your website.
Here are some questions to consider before your first site draft:
- What is the goal of your website?
- Who is your audience, and what do you want them to do on your website?
- What type of website are you building? (e.g. basic informational, membership, online store)
- What content are you aiming to publish, and at what volume?
- What’s the purpose of this content?
- How will you structure your website for the best navigational experience?
- What’s your budget?
Answering the questions requires interfacing with your web development, marketing, and financial teams to determine your priorities and make informed decisions.
Put simply? It’s much easier to create a roadmap at the beginning of the process than reverting your progress at a roadblock.
2. Create a wireframe.
All good websites start with a blueprint. Developers call this a wireframe. It doesn’t have to be an official document; it’s simply a vision for your site that’ll give both you and your developer(s) direction and a place to start. You can draw it on a whiteboard or use a tool like Invision, Slickplan, or Mindnode.
Wireframes are strictly visual tools that will help you understand where text and images will go on individual web pages. You can use blank boxes and “dummy text” to get an idea of how your content will show up on the front-end. If you're working with a company or freelancer, I'd recommend creating a wireframe so you have an idea of what your final product will be.
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3. Draft up a sitemap.
Next, it’s time to create a sitemap (not to be confused with sitemap.XML, which is an XML file that helps search engines crawl and find your site). Just like a business plan gives a potential investor insight into your goals and deliverables, a sitemap gives a developer the information needed to meet your vision. You can create your sitemap on your own or work with your developer(s).
Here are a few questions to ask yourself when planning your site:
- What individual pages do you want?
- What content will be on those pages?
- How can you organize those pages into categories?
- What is the hierarchy of pages on your site?
- How will the pages link together?
- What pages and categories are essential to your site and user experience?
- Which pages or categories could be removed or combined?
Again, it’s a good idea to consult with other teams within your organization. If you have an SEO and/or content strategy team, their input will be critical in the linking structure and categorizing of your pages.
4. Build the back-end of your website.
Writing code might be one of the more complicated parts of web development, but it’s hardly the only component. You also have to build your back-end and front-end site structures and design.
Let’s start with the back-end.
The back-end handles the data that enables the functionality on the front-end. For example, Facebook's back-end stores my photos, so that the front-end can then allow others to look at them. It’s made up of two key components:
- Databases are responsible for storing, organizing, and processing data so that it’s retrievable by server requests.
- Servers are the hardware and software that make up your computer. Servers are responsible for sending, processing, and receiving data requests. They’re the intermediary between the database and the client/browser. The browser will, in effect, tell the server "I need this information", and the server will know how to get that information from the database and send it to the client.
These components work together to build the foundation for each website.
As for building your website, backend developers will establish three things.
- Your logic code, which is a set of rules for how your website will respond to certain requests and how objects of your website will interact.
- Your database management, which is how your website will organize, manage, and retrieve its data.
- Your infrastructure, which is how your site will be hosted. Hosting your own site will give you greater control, but it’s much more expensive and requires you to maintain your own server health and security.
With these components and decisions in place, your website will be ready for front-end development.
Note: The back-end is slightly tangential to web development because you don't always need a back-end if you're not storing any data. “Data” in this context means any user-entered information that you need to save and persist. Think about logging in to a website. If they don't have a back-end, how could they remember your login information? Or what your profile settings are? To get this information, you need a back-end.
Facebook, as an example, needs to know what people are in your Friends list, what events you have joined, what posts you have created, and more. This is all "data" that lives in a database. If they didn't have a back-end with a database, none of that data would be accessible to them.
On the other hand, a website that’s purely informational and doesn’t require the users to enter any data wouldn’t need a back-end.
So, if you have no data, you don’t necessarily require back-end development. But that’s not saying you shouldn’t learn the basics. You never know when you might need it.
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5. Build the front-end of your website.
If you’ve ever dabbled in web design or toyed with a website in WordPress, Squarespace, or Google Sites, you’ve touched front-end web development.
The front-end stuff is important — it’s what your visitors, customers, and users see and how they’ll use your website.
Front-end (or client-side) development includes a combination of JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. It also controls components such as typography and fonts, navigation, positioning, and browser compatibility and responsiveness. This part will reflect more of your initial site vision and what you included in your wireframe.
As technology and consumer preferences change, client-side coding tends to become outdated much faster than back-end development. This is where coding resources (like the ones we’ve included below) come in handy.
6. (Optional) Work with a CMS.
Why would someone choose a CMS over coding “by hand” or “from scratch?” It’s true that a CMS is less flexible and, therefore, gives you less control over your front-end. However, a CMS is easier to use (you have to write less code), and it often has tools for hosting the site, storing user information, creating a blog, publishing landing pages, capturing leads, and even building an email list. As a result, you’ll be able to make your website more profitable with less than half the work.
CMS options often include plugins that remove the need to write a back-end. For example, there are WordPress plugins for ecommerce so that, instead of building a complicated back-end to charge customers’ credit cards, you can just use an existing plugin and avoid the need to deal with databases and server-side code.
Popular content management systems include HubSpot, Joomla, Magento, and WordPress — which has over 65% market share. (In this case, we’re talking about open source WordPress software, not the WordPress site builder.)
7. Acquire a domain name.
At this point, your website will have an IP address. It also needs a domain name, a memorable website name that your visitors can use to find your site.
Perhaps you’ve heard of sites like GoDaddy and Hover. These services help you purchase a domain name and register with ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers). Most domain registrations are good for a year before you’re required to renew.
Website builders and hosting services, like WordPress and Squarespace, also allow you to purchase a domain name.
8. Launch your site.
Once you’ve set up a domain name and linked it to your host, you’re almost ready to unveil your work to the web.
But not so fast — there are still a handful of things you’ll need to check before an official launch. These include planning out responsibilities on your team, testing your site thoroughly for any glitches, optimizing for SEO, and a final check before “flipping the switch” and making your site live.
Website Development Resources
One thing I've learned is that continuous learning is key. When I hit a roadblock on a tricky coding problem, I discovered the wealth of online resources available. Outside of connecting and networking with other developers, there are plenty of resources you can tap into to further your understanding of web development.
Web Development Courses and Classes
Whether you want to explore back-end, front-end, or full-stack coding, here are a few online courses and classes that I recommend along with many HubSpot developers.
Hubspot Website Blog
The HubSpot Website Blog stands as a go-to source for both beginners and seasoned learners. With a focus on delivering actionable insights and practical advice, this blog simplifies the complexities of back-end, front-end, and full-stack coding. It's a resource packed with expert tips, course recommendations, and industry trends that resonate with the evolving needs of web developers.
TutorialsPoint
All content and resources on TutorialsPoint are free. Between tutorials, ebooks, and videos, TutorialsPoint provides a host of learn-to-code options.
egghead
According to their website, “egghead is a group of working web development professionals and open source contributors that provide you with concise, information-dense video courses on the best tools in the industry.”
Users can take courses, listen to podcasts, or take lessons on a wide variety of web development topics.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy is a well-known free educational resource. Users can learn anything from macroeconomics to linear algebra to US history, as well as a handful of computing topics.
SiteSaga
SiteSaga is a free online resource to learn website creation for beginners. It’s the ultimate website saga that covers simple and comprehensive guides on building websites, growing them, and establishing a great online presence. Mainly focused on non-developers and small businesses, it features the easiest ways to make websites using CMSs like HubSpot and website builders.
freeCodeCamp
freeCodeCamp is a non-profit organization (like Khan Academy) that helps people learn to code for free. With thousands of articles, videos, and interactive lessons, as well as worldwide study groups, freeCodeCamp helps thousands of developers and engineers learn about programming and land development jobs.
Team Treehouse
Team Treehouse is a subscription-based online learning program. Users pay a monthly fee and gain access to hundreds of courses on over 20 different topics. From JavaScript to Python to PHP, Treehouse can teach you all you need to know about web development.
Web Development Communities
Web developers are masters of the Internet, so it makes sense that they’d hang out and connect in Internet-based communities.
According to Code Condo, developers join these communities for:
- Up-to-date information and problem-solving
- Insightful answers, new perspectives
- Tips and tricks for all-level programmers
- Links to resources, talks, and research papers
- Meeting new friends, code buddies, and potential partners
Here are a few online communities recommended by our HubSpot developers.
Stack Overflow
Stack Overflow was introduced nearly 15 years ago and has since become one of the most popular programming communities in the world. According to co-founder Jeff Atwood, “[Stack Overflow] is by programmers, for programmers, with the ultimate intent of collectively increasing the sum total of good programming knowledge in the world.”
Stack Overflow is a great place to go with questions because most of the time, other developers have asked and answered the same ones. The forums in Stack Overflow keep you connected to other developers while also keeping you informed.
Mozilla Development Network
Mozilla Development Network (MDN) is known to be more thorough and accurate than other online resources. It’s not as much a community as a comprehensive resource and library of documents for coding languages. MDN is useful when learning how certain functions work and staying up-to-date on coding and development news.
Reddit is a forum-based community where developers of all levels gather to ask and answer questions. It’s incredibly interactive and includes people from all over the world. You can also join “subreddits” based on specific topics such as web design, JavaScript, or freelancing.
Dive Into Web Development
Jumping into web development has been a turning point for me. This field isn’t just about coding; it’s about reshaping the way we experience the digital world. Honestly, if you’re not diving into web development, you’re missing out on shaping a huge part of our everyday lives.
Here’s my take: whether you're boosting your business online or building the next big app, understanding web development is key. The field is constantly evolving, and staying on top of it is not just necessary; it's exhilarating. Trust me, there’s never a dull moment in web development.
Editor's note: This post was originally published in November 2018 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.
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