The idea of a web application first appeared in the Java programming language in 1999. Jesse James Garrett later introduced Ajax in his article “Ajax: A New Approach to Web Application” in 2005. Programmers created asynchronous web apps using this set of web development tools.
Web pages were primarily static a decade ago, with a few graphics and videos tossed in for good measure. On the other hand, in 2005, Ajax made it possible to build more reliable, quicker, and interactive web applications.
Web application development has touched its height of popularity for 4-5 years. However, web apps have become so popular that they sometimes get ignored. You may design intuitive and unique web applications that simplify your day-to-day operations with the help of a reputable web design company.
What is Web Application
A web application is computer software that performs operations over the Internet using web browsers and web technology.
Web applications utilize a mixture of server-side scripts (PHP and ASP) to store and retrieve data and client-side scripts (JavaScript and HTML) to show data to users. Users can utilize online forms, content management systems, shopping carts, and other tools for communicating with the company. Employees may use the apps to create documents, share information, help on projects, and work on shared documents despite where they are or what device they are using.
Let’s see an example of Web Application
Online forms, shopping carts, word processors, spreadsheets, video and photo editing, file conversion, file scanning, and email systems like Gmail, Yahoo, and AOL are examples of web apps. Google Apps and Microsoft 365 are the two most famous apps.
Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, online storage, and other Google Apps for Work features are available. Online sharing of papers and calendars are among the other components. It allows everyone in your team to work on the same document simultaneously.
Types of Web Applications
A web application is an online program that any user interacts with amidst a browser installed on their computer. A third-party group offers the server on which each web application is kept. All you have to do is reach them straight from your browser on any device you have.
Let’s have a look at the types of web apps –
Static web apps
Without collecting any data from the server, the static web app sends the content directly to the end user’s browser. The majority of static web apps are recognized for being basic and easy to create. You might have been thinking about the languages used to create static web applications? So the answer is easy, i.e., most static web apps are built with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. In static web apps, you can also include GIFs and movies. Though updating the web app can be difficult at times.
Single page apps
A single-page application operates solely inside a browser without page reloading. For instance, the headers and sidebars of an email app will remain whole while you handle your inbox. Because the functionality of single-page web apps is quickly implemented in the web browser rather than the server, this is the reason that makes them significantly faster than typical web applications.
Dynamic web apps
Dynamic web app generates the data in real-time. They load data into databases, and the contents of those databases are changed whenever a user accesses them. They usually contain a content management system (CMS) where the admin may edit or improve the content of an app that includes the text and images.
Various programming languages can be deployed for building dynamic web applications because they allow you to structure the material. PHP, JavaScipt, and ASP are the most commonly utilized languages for this purpose.
E-commerce apps
An online shop, also known as an E-Commerce Web Application, is a kind of web application that promotes products or services directly to potential buyers. Customers must perform specific procedures to buy your products or services; hence this web app type needs more functionality than a dynamic website.
Electronic payment systems, a management panel for the administrator (primarily for recording unique products, renewing or deleting them, handling orders and payments), and a separate closet for the user are essential elements offered by a web app. Amazon is the best example of a web application like this.
Portal web apps
A portal web app is a kind of web app available via the internet and aggregates information from various sources such as emails, online forums, and search engines.
By providing custom-made access and user-centric navigation based on the user’s demands, portal web apps help scale organizations and techniques. The numerous portal apps include client portals, patient portals, and education university portals. Consider Coursera and Udemy, both of which are well-known educational platforms worldwide.
Benefits of Web Application
Web-based applications have evolved significantly in recent years, owing to significant advances in security and technology. Migration of traditional software-based programs and systems to a web-based application can improve them.
Below listed are some of the top benefits of Web Application Development
Let’s have a look at it –
Cross-platform compatibility
Most web-based programs are significantly more interoperable across platforms than traditionally installed software. An essential prerequisite is usually a web browser, of which there are many. (To mention a few, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, and Safari). You can execute the web application on any operating system, including Windows, Linux, and Mac OS.
Easily accessible from any location
Web systems, unlike traditional applications, can be accessed at any time, any location, and from any PC with an Internet connection. It gives the user complete control over where and when they utilize the program.
Global teams, home working, and real-time collaboration are just a few exciting new possibilities. With the help of web-based apps, the idea of just sitting on a single computer and working in a particular location is a way old past.
Increased productivity
Having multiple copies of spreadsheets or dragging around heaps of paperwork is not only ineffective, but it also exposes your organization to human errors that go hidden until it’s too late. Furthermore, because these different data sources are not integrated, data replication may be required to obtain a holistic perspective of corporate performance.
Website applications administer the automation of business operations, letting you execute more in less time and with higher accuracy. Furthermore, holding all of your data in one location provides you with a better understanding of your business, permitting you to execute reports that are reformed in real-time and eliminating staff time. Also, it facilitates collaboration in real-time, and in today’s covid-19 situation, collaboration is very important to happen.
Easy to personalize
Web-based applications have a simpler user interface to customize as compared to desktop applications. These make it easier to change the app’s look and feel and customize how information is presented to diverse users. As a result, there is no requirement for everyone to use the same interface all the time. Preferably, you can select the ideal style for each event and user.
Effortless installation and maintenance
Installation and maintenance are simplified with the help of a web-based method. Users can immediately access a new version or upgrade once it is installed on the host server, and there is no need to upgrade every possible user’s PC.
New software can be distributed more directly if users have up-to-date browsers and plugins. The outcomes are also more predictable and dependable because the upgrades are only handled by an experienced specialist on a single server. Also, there is either zero downtime or at times very small downtimes. Web applications are hosted on the cloud which makes the apps and websites more accessible with the help of cloud resources.
What is Web Application Development
Web application development is the process of creating an application that is available through a web browser by combining client-side and server-side programming. The developer tries to solve a specific problem in the first phase of the web app development process, then creates the web app using the right development framework. The web app is then tested and deployed by the developer.
Here is one of the most famous Web Application Development examples
The Google Docs editor suite includes a free online word processor called Google Doc. Google Sheets, Google Slides, Google Forms, and Google Keep are all part of the editing suite, in addition to Google Docs. One of the major benefits of Google Docs is that you can keep track of your data and collaborate with others right in your browser.
How can Google Documents Web Application improve the user experience?
- Permits offline viewing, creation, and editing of files.
- Design documents and exchange links with a group of people.
- In a web browser, you may quickly access Google Docs
Web Application Development process
Developing a web application is a well-organized, extensive method with the primary aim of creating a product that fits your company’s requirements. In the majority of situations, it is divided into many stages. Various aspects, such as product design and, more significantly, helpful code, must be considered by your devoted team at each step.
Here we have defined Web Application Development process flow
Let’s deep dive into it –
Deep research and analysis
The majority of individuals overlook this crucial stage of the web building process. Collecting information about the project and the client is critical for ensuring that your design and development are on track. Your developers won’t give the best solution unless they clearly understand the requirements and what they’re working on.
It’s also crucial to determine what your website will provide throughout this stage. Set goals and create requirements evocating documents, considering their age, gender, interests, and needs. If this step is skipped, the rest of the web development steps will be useless and you will fail to achieve the expected results.
Strategizing the plan
Identifying the talents required for your application development activities is a part of the planning step. For example, mobile platforms like iOS and Android use separate development technology stacks. If you want to create a mobile app that works on iOS and Android, your mobile development team shouldn’t comprise iOS and Android developers.
Have you chosen any name for your app? Mobile app names must be unique inside each app store and the same is true for the domain names. Check each app store to make full surety on the name of your app that somebody has not used already. The Planning stage also includes sitemap creation, forecasting schedules, defining deliverables, and allocating resources.
Designing and wireframing
In the web development process, product design is a vital step. Being a user, you’re probably used to seeing bright, eye-catching interfaces, yet the most effective designs start with wireframes.
Beginning with low-fidelity wireframes or mockups is a quick method to see if your concepts resonate with your audience, and the web app is simple to use. If you coordinate with an outside team, the wireframing step is also an excellent time to check that their work is on track with your goals.
The collaboration will be more accessible, and the programmers’ job will be easier with tools that enable sharing and offering input on designs. Users favorite apps are Adobe XD and Figma.
The development part
The development part is the most significant part of the web app development process. This stage aims to build an app that fits the goals specified in the last steps. The development process can begin once the product requirements document has been established. Because needs might change and new implementation ideas emerge during this phase, it’s best to utilize a methodology that permits flexibility and proactivity.
To implement all features, the product specifications documents should be utilized, and an effective process should be used to ensure that the programs behave as required by the specification report. TDD is one method for ensuring that tests are prepared for testing and imitating real-world behavior. In the web app development process, testing helps performers in comprehending the code’s aims and facilitates the distribution process. Excellent code coverage has been shown to reduce errors and is evidence of the best design for post-production support, maintenance, and system evolution.
Testing stage
Every software app includes bugs even after it is completed, and that’s why software testing is an unavoidable component of web app development and software development. Regressive testing processes ensure that the generated program is entirely bug-free and capable of handling a high number of users. Web app software testing can be done from a variety of angles, but they always fall into these categories:
- Automated testing
- Manual testing
- User experience testing
- Functional testing
Performance testing - Security testing
- Device and platform testing
Deployment and maintenance
The deployment phase can begin once every feature in a particular release has been validated and fixed all reported defects. It may be the first launch or deployment of a new version, and at this point, the web app will work in its current environment.
It’s critical to estimate time for support and maintenance to address any bugs or performance issues that occur after the application has gone live.
After the program is up and running, new ideas for extensions may emerge; the post-production period is the most suitable time for discussing further requirements.
Web Application Development trends
Below are some of the latest trends in web development –
Blockchain technology
The latest trends in web development cover Blockchain, a mechanism for storing encrypted databases. On the contrary, traditional systems save data in blocks linked together to form a chain. Bitcoin, a digital currency, is built on this technology. Also, it offers numerous benefits, and one of those benefits is making transactions error-free and secure. Because major payment systems opted to accept Bitcoin, cryptocurrency adoption has skyrocketed in the recent decade. It has been estimated that around 34 million blockchain wallets were used globally in 2019.
Participants can conduct transactions across the internet without a third party’s involvement, and all these are possible just because of blockchain technology. By minimizing the risks of cybercrime, this technology can change various commercial sectors. Thanks to Blockchain Technology, web developers may leverage open source solutions for their projects, making the development process more manageable.
If we talk about private Blockchain then they are referred to as Permissioned Blockchains. All the solutions made up of Blockchain work for empowering the whole business, not just employees. On the other hand, these solutions are majorly used as the internal systems of any organization.
Progressive web apps
The PWA technology should be mentioned among the top web development trends. A Progressive Web App is a website that offers a mobile app experience that is nearly identical to that of a native app. It is a native application that runs inside the browser and interacts with the customer.
PWAs are popular for various reasons, including replacing native mobile apps. Even when users are offline or on an untrustworthy network, PWAs provide a fast experience. Many web design firms worldwide have begun to offer PWA solutions to their clients. Other characteristics of PWA include push alerts and offline access to cached material, in addition to an excellent user experience.
IoT (Internet of Things)
The Internet of Things is a network of connected devices that execute operations and produce valuable outcomes with little or no input from consumers. IoT development will drive several web development trends in 2021.
Because it encourages ongoing data transfer, the IoT has proven to be one of the most influential web development trends. It enables businesses to communicate with customers and provide customized experiences quickly. Furthermore, the Internet of Things can improve connectivity between various operational models and website designs. The technology also includes a wide range of applications, including cameras, sensors, and signaling equipment, which assist in the more efficient resolution of customer needs.
AI and Bots
Have you ever thought about the future of web development? Many people anticipate that bots will become more self-learning in the coming year and fit users’ wants and behavior. As a result, bots that operate 24/7 will replace support leaders and save money for many businesses.
Official page of chatbots inside Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and Skype are just a few illustrations of how big B2C organizations are already using the technology to help their consumers. A bot can get implemented into a PWA, a typical website, proficient or domestic equipment, and any commercially built Internet-connected software.
Mobile-first development
2021 is a time of using more and more mobile devices rather than traditional personal computers. Around 54% of web design trends favor small mobile screens over horizontally oriented desktops.
The way we function in our daily lives has been transformed by mobile phones. Mobile phones have made us increasingly rely on technology in a variety of ways, including shopping, ordering food, learning, and consuming media. It’s critical to plan ahead of time and understand how web technologies will perform on both desktop and mobile devices, making it more user-friendly.
In simpler words, instead of working on a desktop-oriented site and then modifying it for mobile, start with a light, usually bare, and intuitive product that is simple to engage with on a mobile device.
Web App vs Website
| Web App | Website |
| Designed for communicating with end-users | Usually comprises static content |
| The user can read the content of the web app and can manipulate the data | The website user can read the content but can not control the data |
| The web app site should get precompiled before opting for deployment | The website does not require any precompilation |
| The web app is highly interactive for its user base | The website is not at all interactive for its user base |
| The web app has high performing browser ability | It has highly performed browser capabilities for the website |
| The web app has complex integration because of its complex functionality | The website has easy integration |
| The web app needs authentication many times | The website does not require any authentication |
| For building a web app, there is a need for a big team | For website creation, there is no need for a huge team |
| The example of web app covers – Facebook, Amazon, and more such | Example of the website includes – Aktu website, Breaking News website, and more such |
Web app vs mobile apps
| Web application | Mobile application |
| The web app requires an Internet connection to run on any device | The mobile app does not require an Internet connection to open it on any device |
| The web app has a very low cost of development but very high cost for maintaining a web app | The mobile app development cost is very high in terms of developing and maintaining both |
| Web app consists of a standard code across all of the platforms as well as all users | The mobile app does not consist of any common code base across all the platforms |
| The web app does not support complex functions | The mobile app has a flexible interface, and that’s why it supports complex functions |
| Web apps have an easy monetization process | The monetization process for the mobile app is still evolving |
| Patches and updates directly get applied to the whole app | Updates and patches get downloaded from the Play Store and then get applied by the user |
| The web app does not involve downloading | Mobile app requires the installation and downloading |
Technology stacks for Web Application Development
The web browser you’re using comprises a variety of frameworks, programming languages, web development technologies, databases, and tools. The web development stack refers to collecting tools and technologies that result in a web application.
The front-end and back-end technology stacks for web development are separated. Both sorts of web components are powered by different tools, yet they work together to function thoroughly. When developing a web application, you must use both front-end and back-end development stacks.
The technology stacks for web app developer includes many web technologies, and the framework goes like this –
Frontend development –
The client-side of the web solution is an e-commerce store that runs in the browser. A successful frontend relies heavily on visuals, graphic design, and user-friendliness.
Below are the tools used for frontend web app development –
- HTML (HyperText Markup Language)
- CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)
- JS (JavaScript)
- TypeScript
- CSS preprocessor
Backend development –
Business logic, authentication, database management, and synchronizations with the client app are all part of the back end, which isn’t accessible to end-users. It consists of a server, database, and apps that operate on it and is also known as the server-side.
Below is the list of components used in backend development –
- Web server
- OS (Operating System)
- Storage
- Databases
- Hosting
- Web development frameworks
- Programming language
When it comes to web development stacks, there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution, especially for startups. But you should consider the following factors while selecting a web stack –
- Your project’s requirements
- Costs of development and maintenance
- Consider scalability
- Time to market
- Tools security
Cost of Web App Development
What is the cost of web application development? This is probably one of the first queries that app brands and developers have before starting a project. The bottom line of every mobile app development is the app development cost estimate.
The estimated cost of developing a web application solely depends on the type of project. Below are some examples of the development cost for various web app types. We provide estimated pricing for a low-cost solution and a full-featured web app for each product type.
- We believe that developers and QA engineers are involved in a low-cost solution.
- We estimate the cost of a full-featured web app built by an entire team including a business analyst, designer, quality assurance engineer, project manager, and developers.
Summing Up
Finally, when developing a web application, you must make wise decisions. In this process, the first step you need to take is contacting the best web development company. It will not only help you in building the best app but will guide you to match industry standards. By Following the above-defined strategy, you will get tremendous success in introducing a feature-rich and user-engaging web app in the market.