A Complete Web Development Guide for Non Technical Startup Founder-TechByMehdi
A Complete Web Development Guide for Non Technical Startup Founder-TechByMehdi
Development Guide
For Non-Technical Startup Founder
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Table of Contents
Introduction 3
What is HTML? 5
What is CSS? 6
What is JavaScript? 7
Web Browsers 14
Customer feedback 30
Start small 33
Contracts 34
Conclusion 49
There are around 3.58 billion internet users on the planet. This implies that
over half of the world's 7.6 billion people have access to the internet, which
they use for everything from entertainment to education, communication to
commerce, keeping up with current events, and keeping up with business
experts. Indeed, for many of us, the internet is the first (and often only) channel
through which we communicate with the world in all of its complexities.
Based on extensive expertise, the Northell team has prepared a detailed web
development guide to help you master the basic knowledge of web
development and understand its main aspects.
The frontend (client side) and the backend (server side) are two parts of any
website. The frontend comprises everything the user sees and experiences
instantly while visiting a website. The backend is behind the scenes that store,
send and receive information.
HTML, CSS, and Javascript files make up everything you see on a website. As a
web developer, these are the most basic tools you'll need. They are the
languages that you need to build your websites.
The basic programming language for web creation is HTML (HyperText Markup
Language). It contains the essential elements of a website, such as words, titles,
and paragraphs.
<html>
<head>
</head>
<body>
</body>
</html>
CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is a style sheet that describes how HTML
components appear on a page. CSS is used to manage your website's
appearance, style, and formatting, including RGB values, border colors,
background pictures, and more.
CSS files specify a set of rules for defining a set of properties and their values.
CSS
JS
So, what exactly are frameworks and libraries, and why are they necessary? You
can build a webpage without these tools, but as a web developer, you won't go
very far without them.
The internet
Operating system
Your server
You could create a web page from the ground up, but it would take a long time,
especially if you wanted to add additional complexity. JavaScript frameworks
can be helpful in this situation. A framework for your website is similar to a
pre-packaged structure of pre-written code that defines how programs
should interact.
Let's say you wanted to make a vehicle. Instead of beginning from scratch, you
may purchase a car frame to save time and ensure that you create something
that works. In web development, a framework is comparable. It comes with
pre-installed apps, plug-ins, and tools that you may add to your website files.
Frameworks help you develop faster, plus they're written by other developers,
so you know the code has been well tested.
CSS and JavaScript frameworks are collections of CSS or JS files that share
common functionality to execute various tasks. Instead of starting with a blank
text page, you begin with a code file that already contains a lot of JavaScript.
Frameworks each have their own set of advantages and disadvantages, making
it critical to select the right framework for the kind of website you're creating.
Some JS frameworks, for example, are excellent at creating sophisticated user
interfaces, while others excel at presenting all of your website's information.
jQuery
Angular
React
Vue
This was about the frontend skills needed to create a website. Now let’s
continue and learn about backend skills.
The back-end layer establishes a dynamic link between the front-end and the
database. To get this layer to operate, you must be familiar with at least one
programming language, such as Python, Java, PHP, Ruby, and others, as well as
server-side frameworks such as NodeJS.
Servers are computers that house website files as well as other resources such
as databases.
Server setup
A website must be placed on a server in order to be publicly accessible on the
internet. It's time to set up the site on the server after you have your domain
name and server space. The first step is to point the domain name to the
unique IP address of the server. The website files must next be set up, followed
by the database and other specifications.
Deployment Tools
A protocol is required to transfer files from your PC to your server. This is a way
of sending and receiving files and other data to and from a server.
When a change is pushed in Git to the master branch, the deployment tool
remembers your FTP/SFTP settings and transfers the files for you. As a result,
you don't have to remember which files you altered, which reduces the
number of mistakes you make.
So, these are some of the most significant web development principles and
skills. We hope you've better understood the various parts of website building
and the various skills you'll need to acquire.
This is where you'll put your code to the test. A competent web developer
should be able to work with a variety of browsers, but it's acceptable to start
with one and remain with it until you're more comfortable.
The most widely used browsers among web developers are listed below.
This is not a complete list. As you explore and learn, you will come across
numerous others.
The number of users, the size of your staff, and the simplicity of the interface
all play a role in selecting a CMS. WordPress is a fantastic CMS for beginners.
Drupal, Typo3, and Joomla! are some more famous CMS software.
The process of hiring a web development agency is not rocket science. Finding
one that is a perfect fit for you, capable of understanding and achieving your
objectives, is the difficult part. If you know what to look for and what actions to
take, the work at hand may be a snap, and you don't have to search any farther!
Let's start!
The first and most important step in getting started with website creation is to
understand your own needs. Communication with the possible web
development companies you're trying to employ depends on having a
well-thought-out strategy and outlining the framework you desire.
For example, if you want a web app to be built in addition to the website,
companies that just provide website development in their portfolio will be
instantly eliminated since they do not satisfy your criteria.
While you're at it, figure out your company's objectives and how the website
will assist you in achieving them. "What is the final aim for getting into website
development?" you might wonder.
The project requirement documents serve as the foundation for our work. It
comprises the project plan, project goals, product requirements, features, and
technical specifics that you want the web development agency to incorporate
into the final product provided.
The brief lays out all of the rules that the company will need to follow before
beginning your project, and it's all written down.
This roadmap not only assists the website development team in better
understanding your needs but also assists them in providing you with a more
accurate estimate of the time and resources required to finish the project.
After completing your fundamental research, you may start looking for a
company that matches your needs. There are literally tens of thousands of
possibilities.
3 Use LinkedIn
LinkedIn may be a useful tool for connecting with people in your industry
and networking with them. Request recommendations from your
connections there for a website development agency they may have
worked within the past.
Their area of expertise might be anything, but you need to be sure that they are
meeting your expectations. Examining their testimonies and projects is an
excellent way to determine whether or not they are legitimate. You may also
look at various internet forums where people discuss their service.
Once you've established that the businesses you've chosen are legitimate, all
you have to do now is contact them to discover more about their services. You
will then be able to choose which firm is the greatest fit for you.
With the key areas in mind, how can you assess whether companies are in line
with your criteria? A range of key questions you may ask is the best approach
to test and pick the agencies that best match your objectives.
What are your procedure and the timeframe for the completion of the
project?
Pricing strategy, what does the quotation contain, and how do I charge for
non-offered services?
If you were to choose one of your favorite projects from your portfolio,
which one would it be and why?
How does your design approach affect user experience and what is your
strategic approach to ensuring a responsive design?
Do you have a plan to create content and how can you optimize
it with SEO?
How much will hiring the best web development company set you back?
Because there are so many factors, there isn't an instant answer to this
question. Compared to employing freelance web developers, hiring a web
development company is more expensive.
The frontend, where the user interacts with the website, comprises three
major technologies: HTML, CSS, and Javascript.
The operating system, web server, database, programming language, and web
framework are all part of the back end.
Based on the types of the application being created, the technology stack is
chosen differently. Before selecting the ideal tech stack for you, let's have a
look at some of the most popular tech stacks.
1 LAMP stack: LAMP stands for Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP.
It is powered by the Linux operating system, the Apache HTTP server, the
MySQL database management system, and the PHP programming
language. For dynamic web applications, LAMP works effectively. It may be
coupled with other open-source software packages, giving it a high degree
of flexibility and customization. Other LAMP variants include MAMP (Mac
OS), WAMP (Windows OS), LAPP (PostgreSQL), and XAMPP (which runs on
Linux, Windows and Mac, making it truly cross-platform)
2 MEAN stack: MEAN stands for MongoDB, Express.js, Angular JS, and
Node.js.
MongoDB is a NoSQL database, AngularJS is a Javascript MVC
RoR is the tech stack of choice for web apps that require less time to
market due to the MVC pattern, RESTful design and object-oriented
programming. It enables rapid development through the usage of its
gems-library integrations repository. The stack supports rapid scaling and
backend compatibility with MySQL.
Project’s type
Small projects: These are typically modest in complexity and demand rapid
delivery. In such cases, simple technology such as CMS can be used. Content
management systems such as WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla are reasonably
inexpensive.
Big projects: These often necessitate the usage of various web technologies
and programming languages in order to process large loads and make the
design more responsive.
Examples include social media sites and major e-commerce platforms, where
scalability and quick modification are required. PHP, Python/Django, RoR are
the recommended tech stacks.
Time to market
The predicted timeframe for project development and the projected launch
date are crucial considerations when selecting a tech stack. A number of factors,
such as third-party application integration and developer expertise, influence
the TTM of a web application. The time to market is greatly decreased if the web
development agency you are considering employing has a team of experienced
developers that are experts in the tech stack you choose.
Scalability
The best web development methods call for a minimum viable product, or
MVP, containing the main functionalities you want to see in the final product. It
mostly consists of the "must-have" elements, with the additional "nice to have"
aspects added at a later stage of development.
Once the success criteria have been reached, there should always be scope
for future expansion in terms of horizontal and vertical scalability. The MEAN
stack and Python/Django are the preferred tech stacks for creating scalable
MVPs.
Project’s type
Time to market
Scalability
There are a few tools that we have tried and highly recommend that you do as
well. Solutions such as GitHub, Moqups, InVision, Figma, Jira, ClickUp, Slack,
Teamweek, and, of course, Asana are diverse tools that can help you
communicate better with your outsourced staff.
You and your outsourced web development team must be on the same page
if you want to take your business to the next level. The key to this is
communication.
The feedback informs you of the shortcomings and, more importantly, what
you should do to correct those flaws. The same feedback can serve as an early
warning sign that your clients are dissatisfied if it is not too late.
If you're paying good money, you'd think you'd get a response to your
questions, right? Of course, saying it is easier than doing it. Sit down and
consider all of the potential issues that may arise when you outsource the
assignment to a company or a freelancer. Make a list of all potential issues and
be prepared to ask the freelancer or agency these concerns.
Simply posting a proposal might assist, but we do not suggest it. It will be much
easier if you have a list of questions prepared. Learn about the company and its
value proposition. It is far preferable to prepare some hard questions for the
opposing side so that you do not wind up with hollow promises.
question
question
questio
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Every project has its own set of issues and barriers. Some teams waste a lot of
time dealing with such issues since they just don't know how to solve them.
This problem can be solved by implementing a proactive management
method. The project manager is essential in such a process since he is aware
of the issues and knows how to solve them.
Project Management
Starting small and seeing how things go is the greatest strategy. When you first
start outsourcing web development projects, be sure the tasks you're
outsourcing are minimal.
We've already discussed asking and ensuring that the freelancer or agency is
legitimate, but why stop there? Outsourcing small projects allows you to have
a better sense of a company's or freelancer's worth.
This is the part where we should vote in favor of web development agencies.
The company makes a stronger case because if a freelancer abandons your
project or is unsuitable for the position, you will have to restart the entire hiring
process. On the other hand, if a web development company enters into a
contract with you, they must complete the project even if their developer
leaves.
Web testing is a type of software testing that is used to check for potential
bugs on websites or web apps. It is the comprehensive testing of web-based
apps before they are made live. Before a web-based system is made available
to end-users, it must be thoroughly tested from beginning to end.
Here, you may put your website's features to the test. It is easier to test them if
you have a mind map outlining how your site should function and look. Even if
you don't have a mental map, here are some things to keep an eye out for:
Placeholder text to help users picture the type of content you want them
to fill out, as well as explicit instructions on the type of input you
anticipate from them, such as passwords with at least 8 characters,
including digits, capital letters, and special characters.
What is the user's path across your website? Do you have a preferred route for
them to take? The homepage is the starting point for the majority of user
journeys.
Links
Check that all links are active and leading to the correct sites. A broken link
checker tool will come in handy here. Check for dead-end sites (pages with no
calls to action or connections to other pages – they don't advise visitors what
to do next) and that email links deliver emails to the correct recipients.
Cookies
When you visit a website, your browser creates cookies. They carry information
such as the user's preferences and login status. When it comes to cookies, your
QA should look for the following:
That they are no longer active after the specified 'expiry' term.
That they work properly – to accomplish this, compare when cookies are
enabled with when they are disabled.
Their impact on the security of your site - eliminate them and see how
this impacts the security of your site.
Usability testing
Usability testing, often known as User Experience (UX) testing, determines how
user-friendly and straightforward a web product is. A small group of intended
end-users uses software to expose usability flaws. Usability testing primarily
focuses on the user's ease of use of the application, the application's flexibility
in handling controls, and the application's ability to accomplish its objectives.
1 Set Goals
The following are a few steps that will assure the success of interface testing:
Defining all of these answers will assist you in understanding the need,
identifying challenging places in the application, and then creating test
cases accordingly. QAs frequently overlook this, which leads to
uncertainty about the need or inaccurate testing later on.
2 Expected Output:
Now that we have a solid grasp of the requirements, it is time to
determine the output we will expect from the tests. It does not have to
be a simple pass or fail; it could be some data, a call to another API, or
anything else. Measuring the outcome of the desired result might be not
only difficult but also dangerous. As a result, try to find out what the
conclusion could be by speaking with the developers.
You will not only have to spend time writing the code, but you will also
have to spend time understanding the format, style, and coding language
used for development, and as icing on the cake, you will have to ensure
that your code does not cause an issue with the app or system code.
Compatibility testing
Your site will be accessed by users using a variety of devices and platforms -
browsers and operating systems. You may test how your site looks and works
across various devices and platforms here. You should double-check:
Is it simple to find your NAP (site or business name, address, and phone
number)?
Performance testing
Here, you determine whether your site can withstand high traffic spikes while
still performing as planned. Here are some things to keep an eye out for:
Security testing
Here are some security precautions to take:
Authentication - Only a verified user can log in and access particular parts
or functionalities of your website (here is a difference between
authentication and authorization).
You may also specify the appearance of a security breach and replicate it
to evaluate how your site would manage it (penetration testing).
1. Domain name
2. Hosting provider
3. Web package
4. Website
Assume you've completed the task. The button has been pressed, the domain
is now pointing to the new site, and you're almost ready to
notify the rest of the world.
But wait for a second since you still have items to check now that
your site is up.
External links on web pages function properly and open in a new tab.
Make sure that all relevant parties are aware of your company's
password etiquette regulations.
Make certain that your website complies with all applicable rules and
regulations. The law of the internet can be complicated, and each industry has
its own set of standards to obey. As a result, it's advisable to contact your legal
counsel to ensure you're not overlooking anything - this piece is not legal
advice. Here are a few you should be aware of:
The website complies with usage rights for code, pictures, and fonts that
were purchased or borrowed.
Visitors to the website can see the terms and privacy policies.
If you store and handle credit cards on your website, it is PCI compliant.
Compare this crawl to the last crawl to discover if any inconsistencies were not
intended. You'll also want to make sure that all pages are properly set up for
search engine indexing.
Page titles, meta descriptions, and URLs are all present and correspond
to the initial technical SEO plan.
All old URLs have 301 redirects in place (redirecting old to new pages).
Install analytics
Check that your website is set up to collect web data and analytics. This vital
information will allow you to enhance your website in the future
continuously, so don't forget it.
Your website analytics codes and tracking scripts have been installed.
The web development process is challenging. No one denies that. In this guide,
we have tried to describe the basics of this process as clear and
understandable as possible. If you master this material, you will be able to
quickly and efficiently set up a web development process, find a suitable
agency or freelancer, and develop a valuable web product.
If you have questions or are looking for a reliable web development agency,
feel free to get in touch with us: [email protected]. The Northell team will
be happy to help you with any questions.
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