Are you building a website or an app from scratch? Do you have an existing site or app that needs updates? You may have already started to consider how you will decide which technology best suits your web development needs. However, choosing the right tech stack for web development could pose some challenges.
A tech stack for web development (also called a web stack) is a combination of programming languages, databases, and other tools used to build your website or web app. It consists of both front-end (client-side) and back-end (server-side) stacks. As you delve deeper into the most popular web development stacks of 2021, you’ll find several options to choose from for your next project.
How to Choose a Technology Stack
Whether you’re building your brand’s first website or making updates to an existing one, there is no single best technology for web development. However, choosing the best tech stack for a website or app depends on your business and marketing strategy. Read on to learn how to choose the best technology for your own web development.
1. Learn Which Technologies Web Developers Use
A front-end stack is a set of tools that developers use to create the user interface. That includes graphic elements, e-commerce stores, and other interface components that users interact with.
Front end web stack examples include:
- HTML: Used to structure elements on web pages, such as text, images, tables, and bullet points.
- CSS: Builds the structure and layout of websites, including colors and fonts.
- JavaScript: Works with CSS and HTML to give websites interactive elements.
- Frameworks: Includes React, Angular, Bootstrap, and similar tools.
A backend stack applies to the database, application, and server-side that users don’t interact with. The backend must first start with a server to provide authentication and synchronization to websites and web apps. It also allows data to be transferred between the server-side and client-side through HTTP and HTTPS.
The most popular backend technologies include:
- Databases: MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL, and MongoDB are often used.
- Backend Programming Languages: Java, Ruby on Rails, PHP, Python, and Node JS are among the most popular backend programming languages.
- Apache HTTP Server: An open-source web server used to deliver and accept data requests through the web.
- PHP Frameworks: Laravel, Phalcon, Zend Framework, and Symfony are widely used.
2. Decide Which Web Development Stacks Work Best for You
Choosing your tech stack for web development should depend on the size and scope of your project. If you’re building a new website or app, consider using the Python tech stack for your full-scale web development. The Python stack covers the back end, front end, and database layers of web development.
What is the best technology for web application development? Consider the MEAN stack. This tech stack includes MongoDB, Express.js, Angular, and Node.js; hence the name. Also, JavaScript is its primary programming language for front and back end development.
You can accomplish the same web application development goal with MERN, which consists of MongoDB, Express, React, and Node. MERN’s simplified approach uses JavaScript and JSON to construct front end interfaces, back end servers, and databases.
Those aren’t your only tech stack choices. Here are some others to consider:
- Flutter: An open-source program ideal for developing web apps for Android, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Mac.
- Ruby on Rails: Uses the dynamic programming language Ruby and works hand-in-hand with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to build interactive interfaces. Plus, it works with XML and JSON for database management.
- Meteor.js: An open-source JavaScript framework that utilizes Node.js for fast web application writing across multiple operating systems and platforms.
- LAMP: Utilizes free and open-source software – Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP – to create web applications.
3. Think About the Functionality of Your Website or Web App
Whether you’re taking on a minor update or a large-scale web development project, it’s critical to think about functionality. How do you want your website or app to interact with end users? Which capabilities do you aim for? Answering these questions may help you determine which tech stack would best serve your business and brand.
Website and app functionality includes a user’s ability to:
- Log in and out.
- Find the content and information they’re looking for.
- Navigate a site or app.
- Make purchases.
- Interact with administrator or other users.
- Load pages quickly.
4. Work Within Your Budget
Your company needs a solid marketing platform to reach and interact with customers. Knowing how to choose technology for web development that fits your organization’s budget takes some serious consideration.
Creating a website or a web app comes with a price. For example, if you’re working with WordPress, you will have to pay for domain registration, web hosting, and premium themes and plugins. The DIY option may only yield positive results if you’re proficient in working with web development technology. However, hiring a professional who knows how to utilize tech stacks to your advantage may save you time and money in the long run.
"I specialize in custom web development and work with tools that align with desktop and mobile platforms."
Need Helping Choosing the Right Tech Stack?
Now that you’re familiar with how to choose technology for web development, what is your next step? If you’re not sure where to begin, I would be glad to help you weigh your options. I specialize in custom web development and work with tools that align with desktop and mobile platforms.
Contact me to learn more about my website and web app development services.
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