What Is Web Application Development?

Web application development is the complex process of designing, building, testing and deploying a web-based app. When a business wants to create an online presence, they may choose to create a custom web application. Web applications are interactive pages that enable user input and run on a web server. What makes a web application unique is that it is stored on the internet and can be accessed via a browser. They are also secure, easy to backup and are more affordable than mobile application development.

Popular Types Of Web Applications

Web applications are not limited to just one type. There are many different types of web applications that businesses can use to increase efficiency, achieve higher levels of security, deliver information, provide product information online and more. Each type of web application provides a series of functions making it suitable for certain businesses, but not all. Here is a look at the most popular types of web applications and how they are used by enterprises.

E-Commerce Applications

Any company that sells products or services online can benefit from having an e-commerce application. E-commerce applications allow customers to make electronic payments using credit cards, PayPal or other payment methods. This type of web application must also contain a management panel that enables the administrator to add new product listings, update existing listings, delete entries and manage payments.

E-commerce applications can be further broken down into various categories, such as business-to-business (B2B), business-to-customer (B2C), customer-to-customer (C2C) and consumer-to-business (C2B). To meet the needs of its target audience, businesses expect an e-commerce app to include convenient features, such as reporting tools, email marketing integration, multiple payment options, promotion and discount code tools and the ability to scale and add new features.

Portal Web Applications

Portal web applications allow companies to have personalized interfaces that better serve the needs of their users. What makes a portal web application different from many other types of web applications is that users must log into a secure area to gain access to information or to perform work.

Once the user logs into the portal using their unique member credentials, the service provider is able to track the user’s website activity. Depending on the level of access assigned to that particular user, certain features may be restricted. Examples of common portal web applications include employee portals, student and faculty portals, government portals, patient portals and online banking portals.

CMS Web Applications

A content management system (CMS) web application is commonly used by businesses to manage web content. With a CMS, multiple contributors can easily create, edit and publish content on the web. Content created in a CMS is generally stored in a database where it can be easily accessed when needed.

CMS web applications enhance workflow management by allowing administrators to assign responsibilities and privileges based on roles including editors, authors and admins. This type of web application can be highly useful for businesses in many industries due to its collaborative nature.

Back-End Frameworks

Back-end frameworks refer to libraries of server-side programming languages that aid in the building of the backend structure of websites. When building a dynamic web app, it can be helpful to have certain components already built. This is exactly what backend frameworks provide to businesses.

Back-end frameworks essentially give developers a head start by eliminating the need to build and configure an application from the ground up. Instead, developers can put more focus on the features they want to implement and complete the project in a shorter amount of time.

Front-End Frameworks

While the back-end of a web application consists of a database, the server and the code that interacts with them, the front-end is the part that the user sees and interacts with. Front-end frameworks consist of the web design and the user interaction across the site. In terms of programming language, this is generally HTML, CSS and JavaScript.

There are numerous benefits to using a front-end framework instead of starting a code from scratch; primarily, it saves a lot of time. Frameworks can help a developer get started with the basics and gain the ability to add additional components otherwise unavailable for use. Using a front-end framework also ensures developers that the code will work because it will have been pre-tested and deemed functional.

Speak To A Professional Web Application Development Company

A business may choose to invest in web application development for a wide range of reasons, such as to assist employees with certain business functions or to enhance the overall customer experience. When starting this process, it is important to understand the different types of web applications and the benefits of each.

To learn more about web application development or the different types of web applications, reach out to a web application development professional at Orases by calling 301.756.5527 or by requesting a consultation online.