Beginners Guide to Web Application Development

In 2010, I had an idea for a web service that would allow my family and me to share photographs, coordinate shopping, populate a common calendar, and pay bills. My family was completely disorganised. This was just what we needed!

My vision was complicated by the fact that I didn’t know how to create a web application. But, happily, I’ve built a static site with HTML and CSS, so it can’t be that difficult, right?

I was mistaken; I wasted three days trying to figure out how a database worked and how to connect the frontend to the backend. Those three days were difficult and marked the end of my dream. I felt defeated.

Fortunately, this did not deter me. Over the next 9 years, I created over 20 web applications. This tutorial is a present to my 2010 self as well as other newcomers.

#What is this Guide and How will it help me?

The web application development landscape is volatile, and many ‘non-coders’ regard it as a dark art. The terminology around ‘dark art’ makes it less approachable and, in some ways, discouraging to dreamers. This guide, I assure you, is not like that.

In this book, I intend to shed some light on web application development and provide you, the reader, with a level of comprehension that will equip you with the skills and dialogue to stand comfortably among developers and construct your own web application.

This manual is intended for beginning developers, entrepreneurs, technical product managers, students, engineers, and technical marketers.

You’ll discover what web application development is, how it works, and what steps you must take to create a web app.

In the following sections, I will break the issue down into its most fundamental and intriguing components and show you how to combine them to create a successful web app.

#What is Web Application Development

Web application development is the process of creating a web design that will eventually become an application. It is more concerned with communicating with the browser than with traditional engineering procedures. Most situations of web application development will involve describing the problem, mocking up a solution, engaging with users, deciding on a framework/tool, and lastly constructing and testing the web application – iteratively with users in most cases.

#1 Web Applications vs Website

The essential distinction is how we interact with one another. Web applications are defined by their input – within a web application, we generate, read, update, and delete data. Websites are defined by their output – we read websites for news, marketing material, and FAQs.

#2 Progressive Web Applications

Progressive web applications are a newer type of online application that functions similarly to and frequently outperforms native programmes. They are web apps that use a somewhat different technique and use additional technologies like service workers, manifests, and push notifications. Progressive web apps can be downloaded to your device and saved on your homescreen, making them accessible and ‘native-like,’ and unlike web apps, they can be viewed and used offline.

6 examples of Web Applications

#1 Mailchimp

Mailchimp is an email marketing-focused marketing automation tool. They have been in business since 2001, and their platform is a highly complex online application with a stunning user interface that makes the platform appear simple to use.

#2 Google Docs

Google Docs is an online application, believe it or not. There is also a smartphone application available. Google Docs, which was launched in 2012 as a result of the acquisition of several other web programmes, is ideal for generating, reading, updating, and deleting documents.

#3 Notion

Notion is an all-in-one note-taking and collaboration web tool that supports markdown. The device was introduced in 2016 and has quickly become a standard in many small enterprises.

#4 Airtable

Airtable is often referred to as the “Online Excel.” It has a user interface similar to Excel but adds additional layers of functionality to make it a formidable database solution for organisations. Airtable is a sophisticated web application with tens of thousands of users.

#5 Xero

Xero is a web-based accounting application. With a focus on data, Xero demonstrates how a web application may handle complex computations and show them to users in a simple interface.

#6 Salesforce

Salesforce is the world’s leading SaaS product in terms of revenue. Its complexity as a CRM makes it an excellent example of a web application with various features such as dashboards, reports, tables, and so on.

#Why Would You Develop a Web Application?

Another issue to consider is why we would want to create a web application. To comprehend this, we must consider the possibilities available to us. This could be one of the following, depending on your individual use case: Using a website, developing a native application, utilising a local software package, and doing nothing.

With these possibilities in mind, let’s look at some of the tangible advantages of custom web application development, particularly when compared to local software or native apps.

#1 Fast Deployments

It is extremely simple to set up a web application. In comparison, there are less hoops to pass through, as well as a lot more flexibility in terms of the tools and frameworks we may employ.

For example, if you wanted to create a native mobile app and publish it to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, you’d be much more constrained to proprietary frameworks such as Xamarin and PlayKit for Android and IOS, respectively. In the case of Apple, you’d also need to go through a thorough verification process.

Similarly, if you wanted to create a similar local desktop application, you’d have to distribute it to your users and install it on their computers. This could take days or even weeks in a large organisation.

Web applications provide considerably easier and faster deployment. We only need to send users the URL to get our live app in front of them. What could be easier?

#2 Easy Access

Similarly, if you need to make it easy for users to find and utilise your tools, web application development is the better option. Nowadays, even in professional settings, most people do everything through their online browsers.

The benefit of web applications is that they may be accessed from any online browser. Unless, of course, special procedures are put in place to limit this.

As a result, even if your employees hot-desk or use many devices during the day, they will always have access to the tools they require to complete their tasks. Customers may have the same experience whether they are using their phone, laptop, or tablet.

#3 More Convenience

Developing web apps, in conjunction with this, allows you to deliver a high level of ease for your users. Most firms pushed to establish their own mobile apps when smartphones were still in their infancy.

The problem is that most people do not desire this.

It is inconvenient to download new apps. A cluttered home screen on your phone is also a problem, as is low battery life. Customers are unlikely to download your app unless it is something they are likely to use on a daily basis.

Nowadays, most consumers choose web apps. Unless there’s a compelling reason to utilise a native app. We’ll go back to this in a minute.

#4 Lower Development Costs

Web application development is also less expensive and faster than producing native apps or desktop programmes.

This is mostly due to the fact that we do not need to devote additional time to learning proprietary frameworks, going through vetting processes, or generating local installation packages.

Aside from that, web app development often involves far less custom work than other types of software. Part of this is due to the widespread availability of frameworks, front-end libraries, and other development tools.

Even better, many web app developers are increasingly turning to low-code solutions to speed up development even further.

We’ll look at how Digitalfren is leading the charge in this area later.

#Do Web Apps Have Any Disadvantages?

Naturally, there are times when you should avoid using a browser-based solution. The mere existence of alternatives is a dead giveaway here. There are various limits that you should be aware of before making an informed selection.

Here are some crucial points to remember.

#1 Reliance on Internet Connectivity

Web apps, in general, but not always, require your users to have a stable internet connection. We saw with PWAs previously that this isn’t always the case, despite being the default.

To obtain the full functionality, they’ll almost always need to be online.

Alternatively, you might deploy your tools on local servers, in which case users must be on your network to use them.

That is not to imply that none of this is an issue. In fact, in some circumstances, it is preferable. The important point here is that you be aware of the limitations of web application development.

#2 Functionality Limitations

All other things being equal, web apps will have various functional constraints, particularly in terms of hardware and other native features on certain devices.

The old example would be using the camera or microphone on certain devices, however nowadays multiple operating systems make this very easy for consumers.

You’re more likely to encounter constraints in your application’s ability to deal with specific components of your operating system and setup. Things like push notifications, for example, work differently on different platforms.

Most of the time, achieving certain functionality will not be impossible. It will simply be more difficult, and you may be compelled to settle for a less elegant option.

#3 Retention of Users

In B2C scenarios, we must additionally consider how web application development will affect our retention, CRO, and churn in comparison to alternatives. We have stated that today’s users do not want large amounts of apps saved on their smartphones.

However, if yours is one of the apps they do have, it’s only reasonable that they’ll use it more frequently.

That is, people will see your web applications whenever they use their device, not only when they search for them. It’s easy to understand how this will contribute to increased lifetime customer values.

The water, though, is murkier than you may assume.

At the very least, there are numerous more elements that influence retention and turnover. As a result, no matter what type of app you choose, it’s critical not to become complacent.

#Web Application Development Process

Building a web application involves several distinct procedures. I’ve detailed the many processes involved in the web application development process below.

#1 Identify the Issue at Hand.

It is vital to define the problem. It serves as your North Star and guides you. Your problem inspires your solution.

#2 Create a Workflow for your Online Application.

Once you’ve decided on a solution, sketch out the process. What must occur within your web application in order for it to remedy the problem?

#3 Create a Wireframe or Prototype for your Online Application.

Create a wireframe of your workflow. Your wireframe is merely a means of expressing your solution to your intended audience.

#4 Obtain Validation

Show potential users of your new online application your wireframe. Keep track of feedback and iterate on the design until you and your potential users are satisfied.

#5 Select your Firepower

To construct your web application, you will use many tools/platforms/frameworks. It is critical to select a tool that is appropriate for the job (in this example, your web application) rather than what is popular. For example, Django paired with React may be excessive for a simple to-do app.

#6 Create your Web Application.

Database : Determine what data you will need to store in your database, as well as the data types. Then create your database.

Frontend : You will most likely construct both the frontend and the backend at the same time. Your frontend will be based on the wireframe/prototype that you evaluated earlier. The frontend is made up of HTML, CSS, and JS, similar to one of our frontend frameworks listed below.

Backend : Building your backend is one of the most difficult aspects of web application development. The backend’s key functions are to provide HTTP endpoints for your frontend (remember CRUD! ), authenticate users, authorise users, and serve the frontend.

#7 Put your Web Application to the Test.

Testing your web application is an ongoing activity that occurs both during and after the development phase. You can either automate or perform manual testing. You should strive to cover functionality, usability, compatibility, security, and performance testing during the testing phase.

#8 Host and Distribute your Web Application

Hosting is the process of running your web application on a server. You will need to purchase a domain name and select a cloud hosting provider. A CI tool will be required to move your web application from your local system to your cloud provider and deploy it.

That is, in a nutshell, the web application development process.

#Web Application Development Frameworks

Frameworks are designed to make web application development easier and faster than writing code from scratch.

Each web application framework has its own philosophy and set of perks. They are classified into two types: backend and frontend. In reality, the frontend frameworks listed below are not frameworks at all; they just represent the view layer of a web application. However, for the sake of clarity, we will refer to them as frameworks.

Backend Frameworks

#1 Rails

Rails bills itself as a “web-application framework that includes everything required to create database-backed web applications using the Model-View-Controller (MVC) pattern.” Rails is an excellent framework for metaprogramming (the ability of a computer programme to treat other programmes as data) and database-oriented web programming. Rails, in my opinion, is the ideal framework for small applications.

#2 Django 

Django is a “high-level Python Web framework that encourages rapid development and clean, pragmatic design.” In my opinion, anyone working with scientific programming or data manipulation should use Django.

#3 Laravel 

Laravel calls itself a “web application framework with expressive, elegant syntax.” PHP, a computer language, is used to create Laravel. The model-view-controller architectural pattern is followed by Laravel. Laravel includes a plethora of tools that make it easy to use. It is ideally suited for a wide range of applications.

Frontend Frameworks/Libraries

The frontend frameworks listed below are all written in JavaScript.

#1 React

React presents itself simply as a “javascript library for building user interfaces.” This is a very basic and humble explanation of React. Facebook designed and maintains this sophisticated frontend library. React is the most popular and powerful of the frontend frameworks discussed. It is ideal for large-scale web projects. Using it for small to medium-sized tasks is, once again, overkill in my opinion.

#2 Vue

Vue bills itself as a “progressive JavaScript framework.” Vue is smaller and easier to learn than React, and it is suitable for most project sizes. It is also simple to incorporate into a project, which is beneficial.

#3 Sleek

Svelte bills itself as a provider of “cybernatively enhanced web apps.” Svelte is a compiler rather than a framework and is the new kid on the block. This implies no virtual DOM, no frameworks on top of frameworks, and no frameworks to load at runtime, resulting in very fast web apps. The grammar of Svelte makes it the easiest to learn of the frontend frameworks described, and it is ideal for small to medium-sized web applications. It has not been tested with huge web apps. The community and ecosystem are smaller than those of React and Vue, but they are expanding. Budibase employs Svelte, which we adore.

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Contact us to start your web application development in Malaysia.