The importance of understanding coding languages and the tools of effective Web Development
What if I came up to you and said, “Beep Blap Bloop?” Chances are you wouldn’t know what I was trying to say because it’s not a language you’re familiar with. Certain fundamentals are necessary for good communication and one of them is language. If I’m trying to convey a message to someone and I don’t speak the same language as them, it’s going to be difficult. This is why it’s important to use a web developer when creating your website. While it may be appealing to try and build your own site, (it seems as easy as learning Spanish on Babbel right?) if you’re not versed in coding/ programming languages your site won’t function optimally. Intrigued? Read on to learn more about the fundamentals of web development and the benefits of hiring an experienced team.
What is Web Development?
Web development is about more than coding…no really it is. Web development is the work involved in developing a web site that can range from developing a simple single static page of plain text to complex web-based internet applications (web apps), electronic businesses, and social network services. Among web professionals, “web development” usually refers to the main non-design aspects of building web sites: writing markup and coding. Web design and web development are meant to work together to reach the same goal-creating a website that is user-friendly (easy to navigate) and easy to find.
What do Web Developers do?
Programming/Coding Languages
If you think Java is referring to a cup of coffee and a Python is a snake, you’d be right, but they are also programming languages. There are more. Many more. Understanding the best ways to use coding to make sure your website and all of its applications run well, are what Web Developers do.
In addition web development commonly includes: web engineering, web design, web content development, content creation, content management systems and of course providing clients with a site that will please their end-users and meet their unique needs.
Why do I need a Web Developer?
Did you see the list above? That’s a lot to take on and manage! A website is only successful if it has traffic. You can build a site but it doesn’t matter if no one gets to see it. Good web development (such as ours-please hold a moment while we toot our own horn) encompasses all of those elements, while branding your site, meeting your individual needs and utilizing strategic SEO Marketing to make sure your prospective audience is finding you.
The Language of SEO
Another language a good Web Developer will be fluent in, is the language of SEO. SEO takes keywords and phrases most commonly entered into Google into consideration to ensure your site ranks in searches related to your business/service. It’s kind of a big deal! How we speak French is how most people dabble in SEO. Enough to get by, but not enough to get traffic to your site (or order anything besides a chocolate croissant.)
The language of effective content
Building/creating content for your site isn’t as easy as you may think. Strategic SEO Marketing is the cheapest and most effective way of marketing your site and increasing traffic. This isn’t just a matter of plopping in a few words related to your site’s business/service. SEO is about strategy, understanding google and creating content that drives results.
If I use a Web Developer can I still add content/images later on?
A content management system (CMS) allows you to make changes to your site and content once it’s up and running. Again, you can use one to build a site but it probably won’t be up to the standards you want for your business, and if it doesn’t take into account the other SEO Marketing tools, such as those involved in strategic web development, then it’s not likely to get much traffic. It is no problem to put a content management system in place once your site is completed that still allows you to input content and make changes. I hope this post has helped explain what is involved in Web Development and why it’s a service to consider engaging an experienced developer to perform. Speaking the right language can help us communicate more efficiently. It is no different in the world of web development and creating a website you can be proud of and that will run efficiently. We’re here to help. Need a website? Want to rebrand or rebuild an existing site? Contact us today!