A complete guide to web application development: how it works, types, the difference between native, hybrid, and web apps, benefits, tech stack, key considerations when hiring web developers, reasons to hire, skills and qualifications to look for, hiring models, questions to ask, and how to hire.
Every business whether small-scale or an MNC needs a web application to succeed in the industry. Developing a successful web application involves choosing the right development partner. But, it can be challenging to opt for the ideal partner if don't know what to look for. Overcoming this problem requires you to learn what to look for when researching an experienced web app developer for the project.
We will cover different aspects of web app development and how to select the ideal professional for your unique project requirements. So, without waiting any longer, let’s get started.
What you will learn:
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What web apps are;
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How web apps work;
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What are the types of web apps to choose from;
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How native, hybrid, and web apps are different from each other;
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What are the benefits of web apps;
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Why there’s a need to hire a web app developer;
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What are the types of web app developers;
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What are the key skills and qualifications to look for in a web developer;
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How to evaluate a web developer;
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Where to find a web app developer;
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How to hire a web developer; and more.
An Overview of Web Applications
Web applications are programs that run on web browsers, no matter which operating system the user device has. For using web apps, you don’t have to install them on your device. They are platform-independent and only require a stable internet connection on the device to establish a connection with the server. Some of the popular web browsers you can use to access web applications are Safari, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Mozilla Firefox.
How Web Apps Work?
Web apps can be accessed through a web browser without going through the process of downloading and installing the application to the device. To work efficiently, all a web app needs is the web server, application server, database, and active internet connection. When a client sends a request, the web server manages the request, the application server completes the process, and all the relevant information is stored in the database for easy access.
What Are The Types Of Web Applications?
Web applications move your business processes to the next level, be it coming up with new products or streamlining existing operations. But to do that, you must know the different types of web applications as it will allow you to find the right one that aligns with your business needs.
1. Static Web Application
A Static Web Application is the most basic one among others. Typically, it shows content without any razzle-dazzle. The static web app is developed using HTML and CSS, making them not so customizable or flexible. A few examples of static web apps are professional portfolios, personal blog sites, read-only sites, landing pages, and image/video galleries.
2. Dynamic Web Applications
Dynamic Web Applications doesn’t display all the information in the same format to every visitor. Instead, the content of the dynamic web app varies depending on factors like preferences, local time, region, actions taken, etc. To build dynamic web apps, developers use scripting languages, i.e., Node.js, PHP, Ruby, and Python. Some examples of dynamic web applications are eCommerce, social networking, animated, forum sites, streaming services, and more.
3. Single Page Web Applications
Single Page Web Applications are web apps that load once and then update their content dynamically in response to user requests. These web apps do that by retrieving data from the web server instead of loading a new web page altogether. React, Angular, Vue, and Ember are the programming languages used to create single-page web applications. Examples of SPAs include Google Calendar, Gmail, Google Keep, Maps, Facebook, and GitHub.
4. Multi-Page Web Applications
Multi-Page Web Applications are the ones where each page is individually created and uploaded to the web server. Unlike SPAs, MPAs depend on the web server to retrieve and load new pages to fulfill user requests. Java, JavaScript, R, Python, C++, and Ruby are a few programming languages used to create multi-page web apps. Some popular examples of MPAs are Wikipedia, CNN, eBay, and Amazon.
5. Progressive Web Application
A Progressive Web Application is one that’s built using web technologies but provides a native app-like experience to the user. Similar to the other web apps it is platform-independent still it can run on the browser, be installed on user devices, and work offline. Some frameworks and languages used to create PWAs are Ionic, React, Svelte, PHP, JavaScript, etc. Tinder, Pinterest, Starbucks, Spotify, and Forbes are the most popular examples of PWAs.
Difference Between Native, Hybrid, and Web App
Within the application development sector, web apps and native apps have been contrasted. Native apps are developed keeping a specific mobile operating system in mind that only works when installed on that device.
Web apps as discussed before are programs that run on web browsers and provide an experience of a native app without the need to install them on the system. And hybrid apps are a mixture of both native and web apps, these apps work as web apps but need to be installed on the device as native ones.
Benefits of Web Applications
The popularity of a web application relies heavily on the benefits it offers. Some of the key advantages of developing a web application for your business are:
1. Simplicity to Users
Web apps provide simplicity to users as they usually don’t require users to download and install them on their systems. They also get automated software and security updates, making them less vulnerable to security breaches.
2. Cost Efficient
Unlike native applications, web apps are cost-efficient as you don’t have to create separate codebases for different platforms. Users can interact with the web app directly through their web browsers regardless of the operating system their device operates on.
3. Easier Scalibility
Web apps are easier to scale up and down depending on the user requirements and business growth, without costing an arm and a leg for additional hardware and infrastructure. What’s more, is that most web apps are stored in the cloud so the business won't have to worry about buying extra storage to run them.
4. Fast and Simple to Use
Developing web apps is fast and simple. By hiring small teams businesses can achieve fast development cycles that make web app development an affordable and efficient process.
5. 24/7 Accessibility
To access a web app a user only needs a device be it a desktop, smartphone, or tablet with an active internet connection. A user can access an eCommerce web app round the clock to search for a product and place their orders on the site.
Web App Development Tech Stack
The tech stack is the backbone of the web application that includes every programming language, tools, and technologies used to design, develop, and maintain one. Each element of the tech stack has its own role to fulfill, guaranteeing the speed, reliability, and performance of the web app.
The web app development tech stack is basically divided into frontend tech stack and backend tech stack. Some of the major tech stacks used for developing web applications are:
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HTML
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CSS
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JavaScript
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React.js
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Vue.js
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Java
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Python
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Ruby
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C++
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PHP
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Scala
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Apache HTTP Server
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Nginx
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PostgreSQL
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Oracle
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MongoDB
Read the detailed guide about Tech Stack for Web App Development to find out every intricacy and important component.
Things to Consider Before Hiring a Web App Developer
To build a performant web application for your business, you need to hire the right development team, either through outsourcing or in-house (we will discuss this after a few sections).
But before you hire a web developer there are things you need to consider. Some of them are:
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What are you expecting in the project including its goals and objectives?
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What is your budget for the project?
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How much time are you planning to give for the project development?
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How complex is the web app development project going to be?
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Do you have the experience to fulfill the requirements?
Taking on the responsibility for the project might seem cost-effective at first, but if you don’t have the required experience and expertise for the project, you will end up wasting time and money all at once.
To overcome this, you will have to hire an expert team of web developers from a top web app development company like Decipher Zone.
Why Hire a Web App Developer?
A few reasons why you should hire a web developer to design and build a web application for your business are as follows:
1. Save Time and Money
Building web apps takes time if you choose to go in that direction alone without any hands-on experience, you will have to invest your time in learning all the concepts, programming languages, and related technologies. Instead, if you hire a web app developer with a diverse set of skills and experience, you can easily save time on project development and focus on other business areas that need your unique expertise.
2. To Build Web App Responsive
A responsive web app is the key to bringing all the visitors and converting them into long-term customers. It doesn’t matter which device, screen size, or operating system a user is accessing your web app with, the web app should be responsive to adapt to any system. Trying to do it by yourself can sabotage your efforts to boost your business altogether. You should let the cobbler stick to his last, i.e., simply hire a team of experienced web app developers to build a website to make the web app responsive and future-proof.
3. To Create Eye-Catching Interface
This eye-catching interface will help you grasp the attention of potential customers for your business. And this can be achieved quite effortlessly if you have experience in web designing. But if you are new to web designing, let the web app development company handle this. They have a team of professional web designers who will use a complementary color palette that matches your business to create a cohesive brand image, ensuring that people recognize your products and services with ease.
Ever seen a web app with stunning visuals that instantly grabbed your attention?
4. To Improve Page Load Speed
Another factor to keep in mind when developing a web application is its loading speed. Page load speed is essential for both user experience and ranking on the top of search engines. If the web app takes too long to load, users are most likely to close the web page and move on to the next one. What else? Well, it will increase the bounce rate of the website, leading to lower search engine ranking. In this scenario, hiring a web app development company will be beneficial in optimizing the code, compressing visual elements, and integrating techniques to improve the page speed and enhance search engine ranking.
Now, back to the reason why you might have started looking for a web application for your business, the competition.
5. To Provide Competitive Advantage
Hiring an experienced web developer will help you take full advantage of their expertise. The hired team of web developers will conduct in-depth research of the market and provide you with exceptional features, functionalities, and interfaces to gain a competitive advantage through the web app solution.
Skills & Qualifications to Look Before Hiring a Web App Developer
Web app development is an umbrella term that defines the work involved in designing and developing a web application for a business or individual. It covers everything from planning, prototyping, designing, and coding to integrating, maintaining, updating, and supporting the web application. When it comes to web development, you must look for certain skills in the web developers before outsourcing/hiring them to fulfill your business needs. These skills are:
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Expertise working with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript along with its frameworks;
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Understanding of using version control systems to track and revise codebase;
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Knowledge of back-end development language, frameworks, and tools like Java, PHP, Ruby, C#, Python, Database Management, and Server Handling;
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Experience in User Interface and User Experience (UI UX) designing;
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Skills in testing, debugging, problem-solving, analytical thinking, and a lot more.
In-House, Freelance, or Outsourced - Which Web Developer to Choose?
Before hiring a web developer or web development team, you have to decide the hiring models to go for based on your needs. The most common ways to hire web app developers include hiring an in-house team, freelancers, or an outsourced development team from a web app development company like Decipher Zone. We have provided a quick comparison of these three to help you make a conscious decision.
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Factor |
In-House |
Outsourced |
Freelancer |
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Pricing |
High |
Balanced |
Low to High based on Short & Long Term Projects |
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Time to Scale Team |
4-10 weeks |
A few hours to a week |
1-10 weeks |
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Project Failure Risk |
Low |
Extremely Low |
Very High |
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Developers Backed by Delivery Team |
Few |
Yes |
No |
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Quality Guarantee |
High |
High |
Undetermined |
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Dedicated Resources |
Yes |
Yes |
Few |
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Tools & Professional Environment |
Yes |
Yes |
Undetermined |
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Communication |
Seamless |
Seamless |
Depends on Availability |
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Agile Development |
Few |
Yes |
No |
Questions to Ask a Web Developer
Before outsourcing a web development company, you must make sure that they are the right fit for your project. And to do that, all you have to do is ask the right questions, including but not limited to the following:
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How much experience do they have?
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Can they share the project portfolio with you?
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What technologies do they use to develop a successful web application?
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Do they have experience in working with projects in your industry?
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How will be the project managed?
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Will they be able to complete the project within the given timeframe?
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How can you communicate with the team for updates, queries, and tasks?
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Can they design and develop the project within your budget?
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Do they build a responsive web app?
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Do they follow best practices for better SEO of the web app?
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Will you get a project manager or any central contact for the project?
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Should you provide any documentation, images, or anything related for their better understanding of the project?
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Will you own the code, site, and its content after the project is finished?
How to Hire a Web Developer: Steps
When you are on the lookout for a web development team, following the below steps will help you a ton.
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Define your business needs and objectives;
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Review your budget;
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Search for web development companies;
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Describe the skills you need in a web developer;
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Shortlist Candidates;
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Conduct interview and technical assessments;
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Evaluate developer performance;
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Choose the optimal hiring model;
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Sign an NDA;
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Finalize the Contract.
If you want to read more about this, we have already written a detailed article on How to Choose a Web Development Company for Startups.
Key Takeaway
Hiring the right web application developer/development team can sink or swim your project. Regardless of wanting to build a small-scale web app or an enterprise one, outsourcing the right developer can help you achieve your project goals with ease. With their experience and expertise, they will create a web app that is highly secure, responsive, detail-oriented, feature-rich, and visually appealing.
Here we have laid out everything you should be aware of when hiring a web application developer. So ensure that you fully understand what web application development and hiring an expert entails. There are plenty of ways to hire web developers, you can either go for the in-house development team, hire freelancers, or outsource the project to a web app development company depending on your business requirements.
To outsource Decipher Zone as your partner and gain access to a top talent pool, get in touch with our experts through our Contact Us page today!
FAQs
How much does it cost to hire a web developer for a web app?
The cost of hiring a web developer can range from $25/hour to $150/hour. This variation in the cost highly depends on multiple factors including but not limited to the hiring model you go for and web app complexity, size, type, features, integrations, etc.
What is the difference between a web designer and a web developer?
Web designers and developers both are there to develop a web application for the client. The difference between them is that web designers are focused on the color scheme, graphics, animation, and user experience of the web app; and the developers are responsible for converting the vision of the web app into life through coding and integrating logic and functionality.
How do I find a good web developer?
With the right strategy, you can efficiently find a good web developer for your project. Some of these strategies include:
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Conduct detailed research and analysis of candidates or web development companies either using search engines, freelancing portals, social media, developer forums, or b2b review sites.
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Review the response time of the freelancer or developer to gauge if they’ll prioritize communication during the project.
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Look at their project portfolio to verify their experience, technical skills, and industry expertise.
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After analyzing their work experience and hourly/project-based rates, conduct interviews with the shortlisted developers and assess their skills.
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Start with a minimal viable project (MVC) to test and determine the ability of the web app developers to handle projects, their working style, task handling, and problem-solving skills.
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Once you are satisfied with their skills and abilities, sign an NDA and be clear about the project ownership and rights.