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Pursuing Web App Development? You Must be Skilled in These 7 Aspects

drishti
drishti
Create: Jul 11,2024


It may surprise you, but people nowadays interact more with online apps than with other people. 


We spend our leisure time every day browsing Instagram,or watching movies on Netflix. We often buy from Amazon, order food from Zomato, and pay through Gpay. Our work involves spending hours on Microsoft Office, or CRM applications, while we network on LinkedIn. Even a trip out requires booking rides with Ola, and searching for a place on Google Maps after we’ve booked it on MakeMyTrip. And where do we save our photos? Google Photos.


In this Digital Age - web and mobile applications dominate our lives. Compared to websites, applications are more advanced & provide better interactive experiences, real-time updates, and improved customer service. 


This has led to an exponential increase in web and mobile application development jobs over the past decade or so. According to a report by Indeed released in March 2023, developers remain the most sought-after job role in India, despite massive layoffs in the tech industry. Attractive salary packages, lavish workspaces, and prestigious job profiles have made development a highly revered career choice.


So, how do you become a top application developer? We have compiled an exhaustive list of skills and proficiencies that you need to shine brightly in this booming field. This particular article focuses on web applications development.


Let’s start with the basics. 



What is a Web Application?


A website application is an internet-based application that runs on a web server and is accessible via a web browser. Any individual, group, or organisation can use web apps to complete or simplify any certain task(s). These website applications provide users with enhanced service, real-time updates, and interactive experiences. 


For example, consumers use different apps for shopping online, streaming entertainment, staying connected on social media, etc. Companies build CRMs or use pre-made web apps for managing professional projects, maintaining attendance, or keeping records. The government uses web applications for online public registries or to provide some information.


What is Web Application Development?


Website application development is the process of creating interactive, web-based applications. It includes designing, developing, testing, and deploying web-based systems that run on web servers and can be used online. 


A website application expert must be skilled in various languages & frameworks for front-end ( eg. HTML, CSS, JavaScript etc.) and back-end (eg. Python & Java) development. The process requires both - technical skills like knowledge and proficiency in theoretical & technical terms; and soft skills like creativity, communication, problem-solving, empathy, and more.


How Do Web Apps, Mobile Apps & Websites Fare in Comparison?


While all three can be used for the exact same purpose, there is some substantial difference between mobile apps, web apps, & websites. The given table compares the three on various bases. Remember that all three have varying features & can suit different purposes or tasks.


1. Access

  • Web Apps: Accessed via web browsers.
  • Mobile Apps: Installed from the app store or internet on mobile devices.
  • Websites: Accessed via web browsers.


2. Platform

  • Web Apps: Runs on web servers.
  • Mobile Apps: Runs directly on mobile devices.
  • Websites: Hosted on web servers.


3. Coding Language

  • Web Apps: Built using web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
  • Mobile Apps: Built for iOS with Swift/Objective-C or for Android with Java/Kotlin.
  • Websites: Built using web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.


4. Offline Access

  • Web Apps: Limited offline access, with some functions available.
  • Mobile Apps: Full offline functionality is often supported.
  • Websites: Limited offline access, with some functions available.


5. Performance

  • Web Apps: Generally slower than native apps.
  • Mobile Apps: Faster performance due to direct hardware access.
  • Websites: Performance depends on the server & network loading time.


6. Cost

  • Web Apps: Generally cheaper to develop and maintain.
  • Mobile Apps: Higher development and maintenance costs.
  • Websites: Lower development and maintenance costs.


7. Compatibility

  • Web Apps: Compatible across different platforms and browsers.
  • Mobile Apps: Specific to platforms (iOS or Android).
  • Websites: Compatible across different platforms and browsers.


8. User Experience

  • Web Apps: Responsive design that varies with browser and device.
  • Mobile Apps: Tailored to the respective device, providing an intuitive and helpful user experience.
  • Websites: Static and basic layout across browsers.


How Does a Web Application Work?


Users can access web applications through web browsers, without installing any application on their device. One can access these internet browsers via mobile, laptop, desktop, tablet etc. 


Web application development requires coding in programming languages and frameworks on both the front-end and back-end, like PHP, Python, Java, JavaScript, HTML etc. For security, developers use HTTPS encryption and input validation, among other methods.


The process for the request-response cycle is given below. It explains how the client-side and server-side collaborate to provide the requested data to the user:


  • User Interaction: Users interact with the web server online through a browser.
  • Request Handling: The web server receives user requests and sends them to the application server.
  • Application Server Processing: The application server processes the request and interacts with the database.
  • Database Interaction: The application server retrieves or updates data in the app database.
  • Response Transmission: The application server sends the processed result back to the web server.
  • User Interface Update: The web server delivers the response to the user's browser, updating the interface.


7 Types of Web Applications


Based on aspects like features, scope, and uses, here are the 7 different kinds of web applications:


Static Web Apps


Static web apps provide fixed content, devoid of any interactive features or dynamic updates. These are quick to load, easy to develop, and cost-effective. One can use them to display consistent information that doesn't change frequently, like basic company information or portfolios. Examples: personal blogs, company brochures, & portfolio websites.


Dynamic Web Apps


Dynamic apps give real-time content based on user interactions or data inputs. They rely on server-side processing to deliver personalized experiences. These apps are suitable for platforms requiring frequent updates and user-specific content. Examples: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.


E-Commerce Web Apps


These online commerce and business web apps provide features like product listings, shopping carts, payment gateways, and inventory management. They are comprehensive, dynamic & often use AI to provide the best UI/UX. Examples: Amazon, eBay, and Shopify.


Single Page Applications (SPAs)


SPAs load a single HTML page and dynamically update the content as the user interacts with the app, without requiring full page reloads. This allows for a smooth and fast user experience, similar to desktop applications, making them ideal for complex and highly interactive web applications. Examples: Gmail, Google Maps, and Trello.


Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)


PWAs combine the best features of web and mobile apps, providing fast load times, offline access, and push notifications. They are built using web technologies but offer an app-like experience, improving performance and reliability while being accessible via any device. Examples: Starbucks, Pinterest, and Twitter Lite.


Content Management Systems (CMS)


On a CMS, you can create, manage, and modify digital content without having advanced technical skills. CMS provides a user-friendly interface for publishing and organizing content, and is used for blogs, news sites and more. Examples: WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal.


Portal Web Apps


Portals provide an apex point for various information and services, often personalized according to user roles or preferences. They can take data from multiple sources and provide a unified interface, making them suitable for organizational intranets & educational institutions. Examples: Google, Yahoo, AOL, and university portals.


The 7 Must-Have Skills for Web App Developers


Now that you understand the basics of web app development let’s dive into the skills that you must develop, to have a successful career in web applications development:


1. Front-End Development: Creating User-Friendly Interfaces


The front end is perhaps the most important proficiency for any web application expert, as it is the first thing users notice. Simply put, If your application is not attractive, intuitive, functional and/or helpful for the user, they will forego all the hard work you’ve put into the backend, API, functioning and other features - no matter how brilliant it may be. 


Front-end skills like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and responsive design ensure your web application looks appealing & functions seamlessly across all devices. This directly impacts user views, engagement, and ultimately, your success in achieving your goals. Front-end developers style layouts, structure content, and create interactive elements like forms. 


Key Skills:


  • HTML: The standard markup language for creating web pages.
  • CSS: Language used for organizing the presentation of an HTML document 
  • JavaScript: Language used to implement complex features on web pages.
  • Responsive Design: Techniques to make web pages look good on all devices (desktops, tablets, and phones).
  • Front-End Frameworks: Libraries like React, Angular, and Vue.js that help build dynamic user interfaces.
  • CSS Preprocessors: Tools like Sass and LESS that extend CSS with variables, nested rules, and more.
  • Module Bundlers and Compilers: Webpack and Babel for bundling and transpiling JavaScript code.


2. Back-End & Database Development: Building Substance & Delivering Functionality 


Suppose you visit an Italian restaurant. It has an exquisite ambience, with the decor, theme, lighting, seating, music, & everything else being drop-dead gorgeous. But the food is flavourless and distasteful. Will you visit that place again?


Back-end development is the content, the soul & heart of your web app. The website application expert must create the logic and database structures that power web applications. It encompasses everything users don’t see, including the mechanics i.e. the code that ensures the front end functions properly.


Developers need skills in server-side languages, frameworks, and database management (SQL and NoSQL) for efficient data handling. Lacking these, applications may face performance issues, data inconsistency, and security vulnerabilities. Developers use languages like Java, Python, and PHP, and connect their server-side code to the internet for user access.


Key Skills:


  • Server-Side Languages: Node.js, Python, Ruby, PHP, & Java for server-side.
  • Frameworks: Express.js, Django, Ruby on Rails, Laravel, and Spring for building robust backend services.


  • Database Management:


  • SQL Databases: MySQL & PostgreSQL for structured data.
  • NoSQL Databases: MongoDB, Redis, & Firebase for unstructured data.
  • Database Design and Normalization: To ensure effective data storage.
  • ORM Tools: Tools like Sequelize, TypeORM, and SQLAlchemy for interacting with databases using object-oriented code.


  • Authentication and Authorization: Implementing user authentication and managing user permissions securely.


3. API Development: Ensuring Seamless Communication


To deliver the required functions and performance, different parts of your web app or third-party services need to communicate timely & effectively with each other. API or Application Program Interface facilitates the same.


For developers, understanding API protocols, authentication, rate limiting, and documentation ensures applications interact seamlessly with other systems. Strong API skills will result in effective integration, enhancing functionality and user experience. Otherwise, your app may lack integrations, reducing overall effectiveness and appeal.


Key Skills:


  • API Protocols: Understanding REST and GraphQL protocols to build APIs.
  • API Authentication: Implementing secure API authentication methods like OAuth and JWT.
  • API Rate Limiting: Controlling the rate of incoming requests to prevent abuse.
  • API Documentation: Providing clear documentation for easy use by other developers.
  • Versioning: Managing different versions of an API for backward compatibility.
  • Error Handling: Implementing robust error handling to manage exceptions & provide meaningful error messages.


4. Version Control: Managing Code Changes


Every other day, you receive updates for newer versions of your Android, Facebook, Instagram, and other apps, typically named in formats like 2.1.0 or 3.2.2.2. These updates include new features, modifications, and bug fixes. 


Version control ensures seamless functioning and collaboration between different versions of an application, especially in collaborative environments. Skills in Git and platforms like GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket help maintain code integrity, facilitate efficient collaboration, and enable rollbacks to previous versions if needed. Without version control, you risk losing code changes, encountering merge conflicts, and facing difficulties in collaborative development.


Key Skills:


  • Git: A version control system for tracking code changes.
  • Platforms: GitHub, GitLab, & Bitbucket for repository hosting and collaboration.


5. Testing: Ensuring Top Quality, Performance & Reliability


You won’t be so amateur as to work hard on an app but not test it before delivery, right? Testing is fundamental & indispensable in development. Before releasing any work, developers must ensure vetting everything, because coding is intricate, with bugs and glitches being commonplace.

Mastering unit testing, integration testing, end-to-end testing, and test-driven development (TDD) helps detect issues early and maintain high-quality code. Neglecting thorough testing can result in unnoticed bugs, leading to poor user experiences and potential system failures.


Key Skills:


  • Unit Testing: Using Jest, Mocha, Jasmine etc. to test individual components.
  • Integration Testing: Ensuring different modules work together correctly.
  • End-to-End Testing: Using Cypress, Selenium etc. to simulate real user scenarios.
  • Test-Driven Development (TDD): Writing tests before code to ensure functionality.


6. Web Security: Protecting Your Application & Data


As your web app grows, you need web security to safeguard your application and user data from attacks and vulnerabilities. Knowledge of data encryption, authentication mechanisms, HTTPS, SSL/TLS, OWASP Top Ten, and prevention measures (XSS, CSRF) is essential. Otherwise, you could be vulnerable to hacks, data leaks, and erosion of user confidence.


Key Skills:


  • HTTPS and SSL/TLS: Ensuring secure communication over the web.
  • OWASP Top Ten Security Risks: Common security vulnerabilities.
  • Authentication Methods: Understanding and implementing OAuth, JWT etc. for secure user authentication.
  • Data Encryption: Protecting data - in transit and at rest.
  • Input Validation and Sanitization: Preventing injection attacks.
  • XSS Prevention: Avoiding cross-site scripting attacks.
  • CSRF Protection: Protecting against cross-site request forgery attacks.


7. Performance Optimization: Enhancing User Experience


Lastly, optimizing your app for the best performance and results is crucial for delivering a fast and smooth user experience. Techniques such as code splitting, lazy loading, caching strategies, and utilizing CDNs ensure your application loads quickly and operates efficiently. Else, your app may experience slow load times and performance issues, potentially frustrating users and causing them to abandon it.


Key Skills:


  • Code Splitting: Breaking down code into smaller pieces to improve load times.
  • Lazy Loading: Loading resources only when needed.
  • Caching Strategies: Storing frequently accessed data for faster access.
  • Content Delivery Networks (CDNs): Distributing content geographically for faster delivery.
  • Profiling and Monitoring: Using tools like New Relic and Google Lighthouse to measure and improve performance.


Conclusion


With web and mobile applications having become integral to our daily routines - from shopping and socialising to corporate, business & even governance - the demand for skilled developers continues to skyrocket. More and more companies look to hire Web Application Developer today to elevate their business.


Mastering key skills like front-end design, back-end development, API integration, and security protocols provides a pathway towards becoming a website application expert. As technology evolves and global connectivity expands, the horizon for a web application expert remains promising for decades ahead. Embracing these skills ensures readiness to thrive in a dynamic industry brimming with opportunities for innovation and growth. 


At Zoopup, India’s top freelance marketplace, clients can hire website application expert to take their business to new heights. Any Web Application Expert can also visit our website to be hired by our top, high-paying clients looking to enhance their business. So, register, join in, and take the next step towards your career/business.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)


What are the key differences between web apps, mobile apps, and websites?


Web applications run on web servers and are accessed via web browsers, providing interactive experiences and real-time updates. Mobile apps are installed directly on mobile devices, offering faster performance and access to device hardware. Websites are static or dynamic pages hosted on web servers, accessed via browsers, typically offering information or content dissemination.


How much time can developing web apps take?


The time required to develop a web app can vary widely based on complexity, features, development approach & more. Simple static web apps can take a few weeks, while more complex dynamic web apps with extensive features can take several months. 


What's the scope for web apps?


Web Development has been among the most lucrative jobs in India in the last two decades or so. According to a report by Indeed released in March 2023, developers remain the most sought-after job role in India, despite massive layoffs in the tech industry. Attractive salary packages, lavish workspaces, and prestigious job profiles and benefits have made development a highly revered career choice. With increasing internet penetration and technological advancements, the demand for innovative web applications is expected to rise, providing significant opportunities for developers and businesses alike.


Who uses web apps and for what purposes?


Anyone, whether an individual, group, or organization, can use web applications to complete or simplify specific tasks. These applications provide enhanced service, real-time updates, and interactive experiences. Individuals may use web apps for online shopping, streaming entertainment, and social media connectivity. Companies use it for managing professional projects, maintaining attendance, or organising records. Governments employ them for public registries, information dissemination, and providing online services.





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drishti
drishti
Create : Jul 11,2024

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