The Ins and Outs of Web App Development in 2022: A Brief Discussion

The Ins and Outs of Web App Development in 2022: A Brief Discussion

In recent years, web app development has gained a lot more attention than before. Mobile apps and web apps have always been the topic of discussion. And, the most common question that arrived is which one is better.

Moreover, both web app development and mobile app development are extremely useful.

In this blog, we have shed light upon the concept of web app development and all the things you need to know about it. So, without much ado, let’s get into the depths of web app development.

What are Web Applications?

An application that has been crafted with web development technologies is what a web app is. A web app requires the process of backend as well as front-end development techniques. And, these apps are adjacent to and have correspondence with a website.

Moreover, a web application is something that is accessible from a web browser. There are many web apps that are available for smartphones as well. However, the web app and the mobile app differ in terms of user experience and interface.

What is the Meaning of Web App Development?

Web app development is simply the process through which a web application is developed. It includes the front-end development, the backend development, and everything else that is related to a web app.

During the web app development procedure, the developers walk on the content, the navigation, the user interface, functionality, database, server, features, and everything else that is related to the application. It includes every single step starting from planning to designing the application, and then from testing to final launch, including maintenance.

Now, let’s get into a few examples to know and understand web apps better.

Some Examples of Web Applications

As we browse on the internet, we come across several web apps and use them. So, here are 7 examples of the most common or rather most used web applications.

1. Google Docs: Google Docs is something every single person is aware of. Offered by Google, this feature is accessible from your email ID. Google Docs is infamous for working with content. Using this app, one can write, edit, and make suggestions on a document in real-time.
2. Netflix: The most popular app for entertainment at the moment, Netflix is another example of a web application. This app has a listing of all the popular and latest shows, movies, reality TV, etc.
3. Notion: Another popular web app is Notion. Almost all the offices use it as a calendar for making notes and such. You can create a to-do list or write notes and do much more using Notion
4. Airtable: This particular web app has all the functionalities of Microsoft Excel. However, it is available online.
5. Mailchimp: For businesses, Mailchimp is the go-to platform for sending automated and targeted mass emails. Due to the easy-to-understand user interface and navigable features, Mailchimp is the ultimate destination for setting up an email marketing campaign.
6. Xero: The go-to app for accountants. This one has lots of features and a huge database.
7. Salesforce: This one is a web application for CRM service. Many businesses use this customer relationship management platform to provide better services to their audience.

All these examples are applications that have different usability and features. There is one thing that is common about these apps. And, that is the huge user base.

The Differences Between a Web App and a Website

Web applications are a commonly misjudged topic. Many people believe that web apps and websites are the same things. However, it is an entirely wrong concept.

The differences between web apps and websites are like day and night. While web apps are developed and designed as an interactive platform that has a particular purpose and function, a website is mostly for presenting and providing information.

Additionally, a web app targets any one function. For example, if a web app is developed for the purpose of taking notes, then that would be the primary feature and usability.

On the other hand, a website usually serves as the digital representation for the storefront of a brand. So, if you open a particular website you will find a bunch of content regarding what the brand is, what they offer, and how you can communicate with them.

To put it simply, the focal point of a web app is usually its functionality. While the focal point of a website is much wider.

Types of Web Applications

There are commonly 8 different types of web applications. All of these are different from each other in terms of the technology they are built with and the functionalities of the apps. In this section, we have briefly introduced the different types of web applications.

Static Web Application

The first type is static web applications. This type of web app has a similar interface as a static web page. As the name suggests the applications are static in nature and thus lack the flexibility to some extent.

From the perspective of the developer, this type of app is quite intricate and tough to modify. Also, the changes or updates have to be implied first in order to get incorporated.

Now, as per the user interface is concerned this type of application offers zero scopes of personalization. Therefore, one has to accept the weather app as it is.

Dynamic Web Apps

Dynamic web applications are just the opposite of static ones. This type of wave apps is interactive and dynamic in nature. This suggests that you can customize the user experience to some extent.

Also, you can create a profile or poster query while using a dynamic web application. Hence for both the client and the developers, dynamic web apps are easier for the user and the host.

E-Commerce Web Apps

Online shopping is making way for a whole another market that is available to people digitally. And an eCommerce app is kind of the best choice for a brand that is trying to sell products online.

One of the most complicated types of web app development is e-commerce apps. This particular type of app gives a similar user experience to native apps. And the main target of Moto of e-commerce web apps is impressing the customers by providing a much personalized experience.

Portal Web Apps

All of us are well aware of different types of online portals. For example, there are applications that jot down the different job opportunities posted by different companies. This particular type is called a job portal. Similarly, there are portal web apps for insurance, hotel booking, cars, property, and what not.

So the portal applications are another important type of web apps. The primary focus of a portal web is comparing different sites or offerings in one place.

Content management system or CMS

Another type of web app is the content management system. A CMS is basically a way of developing websites or systems for those who are not so tech-savvy. It is basically a cost-effective option that can help one manage a block or a website.

Single Page Apps

The last type is single-page applications. This type of web app is different from both client-side and server-side apps. And, these are more desirable due to providing all the information on one single page.

It is true that single-page apps are not so dynamic in nature. Yet the simplicity is what makes them popular.

Progressive Web Apps

PWAs or progressive web apps are the ones that offer the best of both native and hybrid apps. Built with incorporating the most relevant and desirable features of both frameworks, PWAs are the future.

The best qualities of a progressive web application are – responsive, safe, unique, installable, linkable, connectivity independent, re-engageable, and offers better interaction. Moreover, PWAs are the best in the market. And, this is going to define the future of web apps.

Client-Side Web Apps

The most common type of web app is the client-side. As the name suggests, these apps are built with the motto of enhancing the client’s experience. The dominant trait of these apps is the user interface.

Therefore, in terms of performance and user experience, client-side web apps are extremely potent. You can say that these web apps have almost no buffering issues. Also, each page loads within 2 seconds, And, as far as the content of the app is concerned it is always interactive. Lastly, the pages are always responsive.

Server-Side Web Apps

The second type, server-side web apps are the ones that primarily focus on back-end development. Hence, the true strength of these apps lies in the server, database, API, and other back-end features.

Therefore, these apps are most suitable for the ones that deal with static content. However, this doesn’t mean that the application doesn’t focus on user experience. Moreover, these apps might take more time to load compared to client-side web apps.

Advantages of Web Applications

Creating a mobile application takes much more time as well as resources compared to web apps. Thus, in recent days web app development is something different businesses are investing in.

Basically, you can offer the same features and interactivity to your customers through a web app. There are several advantages of web applications. Here, we have listed the most noteworthy advantages that speak for the rising importance of web app development.

1. Multiple Device Support

The best part of a web app is it is not restricted to one single device. Therefore, irrespective of which device you’re browsing from, you can access a web app. There will be no need to download separate applications for separate devices.

So, if you own a smartphone, a tablet, and a laptop you can access the same web app from all three devices. Furthermore, the functionalities of the web app don’t depend on the device you’re browsing from.

Also, web applications are not restricted to certain operating systems. So, whether you use Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, or whatever, you can always access the web apps without any restrictions.

2. No Downloading or Installations

When you use a mobile app, you need to download and install it. However, it is not necessary for web apps. So, you can simply open the browser, type in the application you want to use, and access it without any installation procedure.

And, this makes a web app much more convenient. As we all know, every device comes with limited space in its hard drive. Hence, downloading and installing an application means dedicating a certain amount of dead space to it.

But when you use a web app, it won’t demand a dedicated space as it won’t require any download.

3. Time-Saving

A web application is comparatively easier to develop. Since the web applications are not limited or restricted to certain operating systems, you won’t need to spend twice the effort to write codes in order to make an application for two different platforms.

So, you can create a web application that works on different platforms and is equally efficient as a mobile app. And, you will be spending half the resources and time on it.

4. Money Saving

Web application developments are vastly similar to web development. Therefore, if you are an insightful web developer with sufficient knowledge, you’ll be able to learn web app development quickly. So, developing a web app can be a lot cheaper.

5. Easy to Handle

Web applications, unlike mobile apps, are way easier to handle. It doesn’t require an intricate knowledge of technology to be able to access a web application. And thus, web apps are much more popular among the elderly who are less tech-savvy.

Disadvantages of Web Apps

Every technology comes with a few limitations. And, those limitations become its disadvantage while creating a pros and cons list. So, here are three limitations of web app development.

• Speed Issues: Regardless of how well developed a web app is, in terms of speed it can’t beat mobile apps.
• Can’t Function without Internet: No matter what functionalities a web app has, you always need an internet connection to access these. Therefore, getting offline benefits is not an option with web applications.
• Limited Functionality: Web app development does not utilize Native Technologies. And thus, these apps have limitations when it comes to functionalities. Collaborations or plugins are some things that are rather hard to integrate with a web app.

However, even after taking into account both advantages and disadvantages web app development is something worth giving a try.

What are the Different Frameworks of Web App Development?

There are two major parts of web app development – front-end development and backend development. And, the tools and technologies that you need for web app development are different for front-end and backend.

Here, we have shed light upon the most relevant ones.

Front-End Web App Development Languages

The web app development tools front-end developers need are basically programming languages. There are 3 web app development languages that most people go for.

• JavaScript: In the case of the client-side web applications, over 90% are developed with JavaScript. The basic functionalities and easy to write codes are the reasons for the vast popularity
• HTML: It is among the web app development languages that are responsible for describing how each element is going to be displayed in an application. And thus, it is the second most important programming language for web applications.
• CSS: The third programming language with a vast relevance is CSS. Responsible for invoking characteristics like colors, layouts, fonts, and such, CSS is another inevitable part of web applications.

Backend Web App Development Tools

The web app development tools and technologies responsible for the backend are –

• Programming languages: Similar to front-end development, the backend process also requires programming languages. The most popular web app development languages for the backend are Java, Python, Ruby, and PHP.
• Databases: Each web app requires some information regarding it. And, it is the database that stores all this information for the web app.
• Servers: The very concept of web applications demands an internet connection. A server is necessary for hosting the application. It is through which network requests pass and the users get to access the web apps.
• APIs: If you want to establish a connection between two or more software for developing the web app, then API is the solution.

These are the web app development tools you need to know about. Now, let’s move to a quick and easy web app development tutorial.

Web App Development Tutorial: The Steps of Success

At present, web application development is something all the big brands and companies are focusing on. There are web app development tutorials that can help you get a basic idea of the process.

Here, we explained an easy-to-follow web app development tutorial in 6 simple steps.

1. Conceptualize the Problem

In order to develop a web application, the first thing you need to do is conceptualize the problem. Here, the problem refers to what exactly you want from your web application.

Therefore, note down the features you are planning to incorporate and the interface you have imagined. Also, think of the approach your application will have and its usability. Once you’re done defining the problem, move on to create a plan.

2. Design the Web App Development Procedure

The next thing you need to do is design the workflow. Once you plan everything ahead, the procedure of web app development will be systematic and organized. So, note down which features the app will have. And then, note down the requirements and resources that you are going to need in order to develop those features.

Also, take into account how the algorithms are going to work. And, whether you have a plan of generating revenue through the application or not. Moreover, your entire workflow needs to be technical and business-oriented.

3. Build a Prototype

Once you’re done planning, you need to begin working on a prototype. The prototype will give you an idea of what you can expect from the final outcome. Also, how successfully you create the prototype will help you judge the credibility of your plans.

So, you need to put sufficient effort and expertise into the prototype. Additionally, if you are in need of funds, then it is the prototype that you will show the investors. And, depending on how your prototype works, the investors will decide whether they will give you the money or not.

Basically, the purpose of building a prototype is to make sure the idea you have come up with is impressive enough and has relevance. Therefore, once you are done creating the prototype, you need validation from your entire team or the company you’re working for.

You need to begin by presenting the prototype to your entire web app development team. And then, you need a group of people (human samples who are the potential users) to present the prototype. If your sample finds the app useful, then you can continue with the next step.

4. Implement the App

Once your prototype gets approval, start working on the front-end and back-end development. Make sure you have all the web app development tools you need. And, do your research on which software you should use to build the application.

Also, make sure you estimate the cost of the server and come up with an approximate number of users you will be expecting right after the launch.

5. Do the Testing

Once you are done building the app, you have to test it. So, look for any bugs or issues that can cause the web app to malfunction. Go for several quality checks and make sure there are no gaps in the security. You have to make sure every single iteration of the application you created is perfect.

6. Launching and Maintenance

After you fix all the bugs you found during testing, there is one last thing that you need to do. And, it is launching the app. After that, you need to maintain the server as well. So, frequently run tests, do bug checks, and keep updating the app by fixing loopholes.

With this web app development tutorial, hopefully, you will get an idea of the procedure. Developing a web application is not a tough job if you are familiar with the steps and know the programming languages well.

So, before you begin a project, brush up your knowledge with some web app development tutorials.

The Best Web App Development Software of 2021

There is countless web app development software that one can choose from. All these software are similar to each other. However, they differ a little bit from functionalities. Here, we have listed the 10 best web app development software that you can try in 2021.

• AppyPie
• Skuid
• Linx
• Outsystems
• Xojo
• AppInstitute
• BuildFire
• Shoutem
• Alpha Anywhere
• Zoho Creator

Each of these 10 web app development software comes with amazing features and functionalities. So, if you are a developer you can definitely give any of these a try.

Ending Note

We have shed the light on every aspect of web app development. So, it is now time for you to gain some first-hand experience. Invest in web apps or learn development. It is something that is going to be impactful even in the future.